he is apparently in the Hunslet squad for this weekend so will probably be in contention for the playoffs.I'll be honest and admit i had almost forgoten about the big lad when thinking about our returning players!

whats people's take on his first season? i know he has had a bit of a stop start year with injuries but when i have seen him, my take is he looks to have the potential of being a good player for the club and looks a real handful, but then he will have a run of games in which he seems to be going through the motions in an Ian Kirke kind of a way.

I think if he gets his head down this pre season then he could still kick on and become a good forward for the club but he will need to find a consistent level of play as we cant afford to be carrying anymore dead wood for large parts of the season with JP and Kylie almost done.

He's big, has a bit of pace (for a big lad) and appears to like to offload, an art we appear to have lost.
If his role is as replacement for Kylie then it doesn't look good (in the short term).
If his role is as an additional forward on the fringe of the 17 then that's fine by me.

He's definately shown some potential but also plenty of unimpressive/average moments aswell hopefully he can get back fit and hit the ground running for next year.

Penrith were really keen to keep him, and there were several other NRL clubs after him. That tells me 2 things;

1 - he's talented and got lots of potential

2 - we're paying him big money (Phil Gould mentioned during a Penrith game last year that Leeds had given him 'mega-money)

With both these points in mind, before his injury, overall he was poor. Having said that, he's a young kid playing his 1st year abroad, so it's bound to take some time to settle in. I'd certainly hope for and expect much better next year. The injury was just terrible luck.

Thought he played well tonight the lad

Did very well In the 12 mins he got!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

From what I have read about Achurch he was only offered a year deal at Penrith.
While Leeds offered him a five year deal that may not been as much money annually but more security as he is slightly injury prone.
Also from a Leeds perspective his mum being English ensured no Visa difficulties.
Considering he was not match fit I think he progressed quite well and the injury came at a bad time. But I hope to see him play a lot more and better with a full pre season under his belt next year. While in the future I would quite like to see him as a regular starter by next year.
Personally I think he has been decent and expect him to improve

He's been much better than our other most recent Aussie import.

I believe he has the size, speed and handling skills to develop into a first choice member of the team. Assuming JJB and Delaney are fit for next week I would select Achurch ahead of Bailey for a bench spot next week.

I would agree with that

Moon??

I am struggling with this as well. Who were you meaning OF?
For the record I like AChurch and think he has massive potential. He should have been on earlier last night, but I don't know how fit he was/injured.

I assume he was meaning Joe Vickery

Thanks, I had managed to forget about Mr Rickerty

Sorry for reminding you

I wouldn't. Achurch shouldn't be competing with Bailey. He should be a wide running 2nd rower, not a front rower.

Achurch would take Kirke's bench spot next week for me, I reckon Kirke made 4 hit ups last night.

if all fit for the playoffs barring Ward then....

Starting Props - Peacock & Leuluai
Sub Props - Singleton & Bailey
Starting 2nd Rows - Delaney & JJB
Loose Forward - Ablett

that leaves
Sub Back Row - Clarkson or Achurch

I think the last spot on the bench will probably go to Sutcliffe who will probably make way for the McGuire, Burrow, Sinfield trio at 6, 7 & 9.

couldn't agree more G. but kirke is undroppable

The only contribution of note that Bailey made last night was getting Blanche off the field which left a massive hole for Hall to run into for the first try.

Kirke's missed tackle for the second Catalan's try would see the likes of McShane out for several weeks - Kirke will be trotting out at the DW on Thursday!!

I agree on all points but, in fairness, it was Bailey's first game in a while, unlike the BFG who has no such excuses.

That was also Sutcliffe's poorest game since he got into the team.

I'd agree that this is our best pack come play off time if they are all fit

I would however envisage that our coach would pick Kirke before Singleton and also possibly choose Clarkson before Achurch should we make the final due to his defensive capabilities

Sad,but true.

I'm not so sure, who started at prop alongside Peacock against Catalans?

2013 Starting 13 appearances
Singleton = 8
Kirke = 3

Kirke will probably stay in IF our first choice 2nd Row (Delaney & JJB) have more troubles. That'll probably see Ablett stay at 2nd Row with Bailey or Singleton back at starting loose thus opening up the 4th prop spot on the bench.

Yes Kirke has been picked a lot this year, but that's largely down to not being injured* whilst other forwards were picking up injuries left, right and centre.

*yes I know the reply to this, he can't get injured if he doesn't do anything.

I think when we have everyone barring Ward back we'll see Bailey/Singleton at 13 again it seems to be a favourite of our Coach.
I'll also add even with all the injuries i wouldn't pick Kirke again its just ridiculous week in week out seeing the lack of impact he has.
Also looking at the last 2 games i think mentally Bjb is already at Warrington he's had a couple of shockers.

Can you see one of of JJB, Delaney or Ablett on the bench then?

BJB has had a very good spell prior to the last 2 games. 2 of his recent tries are in for try of the season (Wakey & Salford) as well as the great work for the Foster try vs London. It'll take more than 2 games in which a lot of the team look to have a bit of 'the calm before the storm' approach to say he's mentally gone to a club which we aren't even sure if true yet.