While a lot of players are struggling at the moment Kear certainly isn't, he's really come on this season IMO.

He may not be lightning quick but he's developed a great step and is superb under the kick in attack and defence. His tackling is more convincing than some of his teammates lately as well. He always had potential but it's good to see him improving. He can get even better too IMO. A real plus for Wales in the world cup.

Yeah, he's been doing well - in a team that's misfiring a bit too which is all credit to him.

I think he's been outstanding! Injuries stopped him getting any momentum last year, but this year he has had a decent run and is getting better each game.

As you said Bullseye, under the kick be is superb. One of the best in the league, I can't remember last time he dropped a kick.

A real success story this year. His defence, whether under the bomb or 1 on 1, is outstanding, and he seems to possess some good pace.

Going forward, you always think that he's too small, but he does well IMO.

Not sure we have see the best out of him attacking the line, but that's more to do with the service he is currently receiving. I enjoy watching him running through the middle at the big men, helping the forwards out. He runs at them with real determination, when some of our other backs attack with the fear of misplacing their hair.

Best player of the year so far, and for his age, he can only get better.

Agree!

Agree with all of above. He's been excellent lately. Really hard worker and he keeps getting better. He's been solid under the high ball all season.

Rate him and Blythe highly shame the rest of the three quarter line have been garbage.

Someone at the club told me Warrington are after him.

For the size of him compared to Purtell he really makes a difference. Is currently playing head n shoulders above Purtell.

Kear has also come across a number of times and scythed down opponents who thought they had scored already. We need to try Keep Blythe & Evans as he has been solid too.

I noticed the likes of Kearney & Le'strange driving about in a Vectra & Astra that looked a few years old. Purtell Driving a top of the range new merc. But be on a decent wedge to afford something like it. Hope he goes at the end of the year and we can re-invest in someone who does more work.

Massively harsh on Purtell considering what he's been through.

A couple of times in the Leeds game, particularly Hardaker who was clear through, which makes me wonder why people question his pace.

Hi Bullseye... I see what you are saying but Its over 12 months now.

The team cant afford to carry him. and I think on occasions we are. We need 17 lads on deck that can all give to the team and help out.

If he isnt up to it or his head is not right then we need to get rid. As muchas he is a nice guy.

At the moment Elliot Kear is head and shoulders above any other player in the race for player of the season. Probably followed by Sammut who at the moment is the only player the opposition fear IMO because of his unpredictability. The rest at the moment are plodders at best with the exception of Donaldson who when he gets a chance to play at least attempts to drive in hard with ball in hand and could teach some of the supposed better players a lesson in tackling.

Think Purts has been fine without any 'considerations' to be honest. If we do choose to add in the fact he missed all the main pre season work then his form is even better. Class act.

Missing pre season contact work can leave a player way behind so we need to bear this in mind with Purtell. He's not doing that bad considering IMO.

Joe, "Getting rid" of a player under contract who's coming back from a serious illness and has missed an important part of pre season would be a terrible advert for the club. It's hardly like he's malingering is it? Nor is he significantly worse than many of his fellow players.

You mean like Tame Toupou?

Seems like your applying some double standards here joe. Purtells coming back from illness, missed preseason and playing different positions yet still scoring and generally playing ok should be got rid off ( at cost to club of paying off last year of his contract. Yet on other thread you reckon Lulia who's been poor this year in a steady position with a full preseason should be given Atwood year deal cos he hasn't had same back rower alongside him all year.

Spot on Mat, Lulia has been poor he should be let go unless he improves.

Tbh don't think he should be let go unless we have someone lined up we know is better. Bringing another Nrl fringe player over is a gamble. We know what Lulia is capable of when he's in form from last year, bring someone over and you could get someone better or you could get another Herbert. Just thought it was ridiculous to say Lulia should get a two year deal ahead of purtell who IMO has been performing ok in circumstances.

Aye, and Purtell's nothing like Tupou.

Anyone would think that there was a queue of NRL centres ready to move to the Bulls at the drop of a hat. Now the salary cap has gone up again over there we'd be lucky to get anyone better than what we have.

Long term we're going to have to develop our own players. I hope we can bring on the likes of Wood and Naughton in the future. What happend to Jared Simpson?

I think Naughton should be given a couple of games at FB and put Foster back to the wing.

Naughton is a proper full back with pace to burn and looks great in the reserve grade.

Greg Eaden was thrown in the deep end. Recently he has come up with blunders for Hull KR but on the whole he is developing nicely. The young lads need to be tried at some point.

I personally think that Purtell does not do as much work as Lulia. He has been solid but nothing else. Last year Lulia was awesome, this year solid. Thats whyI would give him another deal over Purtell. AP has never set the world on fire in a bulls shirt.

Sadly, Jared went to Huddersfield at the end of last season. He's playing fullback in their 18s.

Shame that.

Hopefully no more will slip through the net.

Is Curtis Naughton injured at the moment? I've not seen him figure on the team list for the U19s for a few weeks.

You're missing the point. Purtell is under contract. We can't just release him it will cost us money to lose him whereas Lulia is ooc. We already don't have money to spend full cap and you want to waste part of what we do have paying off a player who's doing ok.

I know what your saying Matt. Wait and see the developments and if AP requests to "go home"

Then It wont cost us anything.