And we'll get 2 seasons out of one of the best forwards in the world, possibly winning something in the process, which might encourage him to stay at the club he loves.

Allowing Sam to leave prematurley is a very bad idea.

No one single player is "The future", and to attempt to put that burden on any young man's shoulders is unfair at best and disingenuous at worst I would suggest. Isn't it? Following your reasoning, if (heaven forbid) Sam picked up a career-ending injury, that would be the end of the club's future too, wouldn't it?

And anyway, if he wants to go to Oz - and who the hell wouldn't - you'll not stop him and sooner or later he'll go.

Teams are built around single players, why do you think you hear coaches and fans alike say they want to build teams around them, and want to see teams built around them.

Single players are corner stones of teams, look at Wigan since Farrell left, theyve never been the same. Leeds wouldn't be if Sinfield left, Saints wont be when Long leaves.

Of course I wont stop him going to Oz, but we shouldn't sell him either. BTW, I wouldn't particularly like to go, I'm not to keen on them and their most of the women are mongs. Now America, that's a different story.

Hardly. And certainly not through choice. Extremely high-risk strategy indeed. All eggs in one basket and all that - pretty risky for a contact sport? Can't agree on this one, sorry. Maybe a bit at cross-purposes?

You might want to edit your description of Aussie women, cos some might find the word you used inappropriate?

Yes, definatley. It's just how it goes, you get a gem and you build the team around him. No worries about disagreement though.

I'm not editing anything, if they don't like an abbreviation of mongrels, that's their problem.

I'm not sure that a team could be built round a prop, second row or even a loose forward on his own and Sam has shown few skills in this latter position. I'm a huge fan of his strength and attititude, but a quality ball handling and distributive loose forward he is not as yet.

I agree with what you say about his LF attributes. I don't see any reason why a player of any position can not have a team built around him though.

Sam is definatley not a loose though.

The best Slater and Gidley have got is no match for what Hayne is doing now.

perhaps a further clue as to sams future can be gleaned from the new season ticket/card. last year sam featured heavily in the letter/marketing with the idea we were building the team around him. interestingly the mockup of the card pinned to the railings at odsal on sunday featured a a photo of andy lynch. to me thats a big clue that sam's on his way as if he was staying then surely we'd use him on the card.
Also might be a hint that lynch might be captain/vice captain next year imo.

This board is defo full of amateur detectives/intelligence officers/crystal-ball readers/water diviners right now!

And me included, cos yes that was precisely my thought too. And the card example in the season ticket pack likewise featured Andy.

a load of rubbish so if leeds or saints dont use players such as sinfield/burrow or wellens/roby they are leaving. sammy was used last year so they are using someone else to promote and andy just signed a new contract so they used him!

Hey I was only saying it was my thought when I looked at the season ticket pack - not an unnatural thought in view of all the speculation? And I WAS trying to make the point that everyone is in guessing overdrive right now...maybe you missed the

?

In view of the extensive comment already in the public domain, including the very unwelcome (IMO) contributions from Mr Caisley, it is only natural that people will speculate and look for any signs in the tealeaves. The fact that Mr Hood elected to (apparently) tell someone in the Aussie media that Sam was not for sale as is, but indicated might well be for the right price, but has not elected to tell us here in the UK anything despite the intense speculation, can only add substantial grist to the mill. Supporters are bound to view the continuing deafening silence on this issue from the club with concern. Aren't they?

Yes

I've heard Burgess is a done deal with South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Would you guys support him still or would support the Rabbitohs to follow his career in the nrl?

Would you resent the club that signs him or resent the man for leaving?

Probably

I'd expect to see a load of Rabbitohs tops in Bradford similar to the Roosters when Moz went over (don't see to many West Tigers tops though)

And if the club want to make a bit of money it might be worth selling them in the shop?

No. Not at all. If Sam leaves this year then good luck to him. I'd prefer that to having no compensation and him walking away next year.

would that not be taking the michael a bit?

I'm going to stop going to the Bulls if Sam goes and watch the Rabbitohs instead.

This is slightly off topic but does anybody know the latest on who currently has the rights to broadcast the NRL matches?

Last I heard they were being shown on a website, but if Sam does leave then I'll certainly want to follow his progress over in Australia.

No

He's leaving because he wants to go and play in Austrailia and as has been said before we can't really stand in his way. Plus we need to rebuild and the money we get can do this - all been covered before.

He is our player now and would remain an old boy - so I'd always follow his progress - unless he joined Leeds when he returned.

Also you never know - he may come back

I agree with you there. I hope the Aussies play Slater at Fullback in the Autumn n not Hayne.

The NRL and their media partner bigpond sport, but i dont know if any english broadcaster has bought the rights for next season, Im hopin sky do. I usually try n find em on an streaming site, but the best channel just got taken off.

[url=http://www.bigpondsport.com/news/tabid/281/newsid/37206/english-prop-burgess-in-souths-sights/default.aspxUpdate[/url nothing new really, it looks like Burge is definately going but when?

TBH it look like a rehashed article just to fill some spare colum space.

If Sam wants to go play in the NRL AND we've got NRL clubs lined up and willing to pay a large transfer fee then I say we cash in. Provided the club use the money to invest in bringing in quality players.

I'll be sad to see the lad go, but I don't think he'll fullfil his potential under the current Bradford regime

South sydney, Leeds' Partner club.

Cant wait to see these south sydney shirts as your speedway track