Get the feeling something really has gone on with Powell. Leeming is an upgrade although can be a little hit and miss for me. We've probably swapped a 5/10 hooker for a 7/10 hooker. Him and O'Neill should be a good combo going forward.

Surprised as everyone else by this, but I liked the look of him when he was at Hudds (was it?). Rightly or wrongly, the Titans don't seem to have trusted him with much game time. But they're a team in transition with a new coach. Pleased, anyway, although I daresay Forber may move on. Have to say, it does almost make me wonder if there isn't something in the scurrilous (and, I suppose, to be fair) predictable suggestions of some sort of falling out between Powell and Peet.

Wonder if it’s related to his shoulder op and the news isn’t good for him? The other part of me thinks we’ve been charitable to allow him his testimonial at the club.

Don`t think it`s sour grapes as most Leeds fans were not too disappointed when he left especially when Leeming spit his dummy out when told he wouldn`t be captain.
Jack Burton sums him up on one of your previous pages.
He will have some top class games and some where you are scratching your head why he didn`t pass instead of going on his own.
But that could be said of most hookers with the exception imo of Roby.
A better option than Powell, oh and Dwyer!
I do think O`Neil will be better than Leeming.

I’m not sure there is anything in that Powell rumour. Peet has always spoken glowingly about him but things can change. I noticed Peets kids both had Sam Powell testimonial shirts on last week, when they were on the box. Maybe they’ve just picked sides

We’ll see what comes of it but we’re too heavy on hookers now, that’s for sure.

it'd be nice to think there wasn't. Could it be that Powell's injury is such that he's decided to call it a day?

It would fit in with the timing of this signing

I’ve been thinking that Powell’s injury maybe worse than initially indicated. Also why issue today the news on Leeming’s signing? Maybe we are trying to get him here before the end of the season?
Interesting times

Of course Powell may stay and shift position....after all he did start as a half-back.........

Cust has never looked like a No. 6.

I hope not.

Superb signing.

I’d imagine this means the end for Cust and probably leaves Powell at a bit of an impasse. It’s clear O’Neill is a far better hooker and prospect

This won't look good on his CV. https://www.zerotackle.com/titans-hooke ... 24-158374/

This won't look good on his CV. https://www.zerotackle.com/titans-hooke ... 24-158374/

Quote ="Zig"This won't look good on his CV. https://www.zerotackle.com/titans-hooke ... 24-158374/'" Not sure where they are getting the "tackling well south of 70 per cent efficiency" from as according to the official stats he has tackled at 87.4%. Not saying them numbers are anything special or that Leeming is a good defender though, i would say that is still a low number for NRL standards, but it is far from "well south of 70". Will be interesting, i am looking forward to seeing how he goes at Wigan and is he is definately a change to what we have seen at hooker in recent years. Many have been screaming for a change at hooker for years and looks like they should get that now. Edit - i know it is never the most reliable source, but majority of the comments from Titans supporters on his announcment post are positive ones and they seem to feel he played to standard, just for a fan's perspective.

Quote ="Zig"This won't look good on his CV. https://www.zerotackle.com/titans-hooke ... 24-158374/'" Not sure where they are getting the "tackling well south of 70 per cent efficiency" from as according to the official stats he has tackled at 87.4%. Not saying them numbers are anything special or that Leeming is a good defender though, i would say that is still a low number for NRL standards, but it is far from "well south of 70". Will be interesting, i am looking forward to seeing how he goes at Wigan and is he is definately a change to what we have seen at hooker in recent years. Many have been screaming for a change at hooker for years and looks like they should get that now. Edit - i know it is never the most reliable source, but majority of the comments from Titans supporters on his announcment post are positive ones and they seem to feel he played to standard, just for a fan's perspective.

Well this has come from nowhere, seemed like no one had heard rumours of this.

This tells me two things though.. a) maybe the info I had about Powell and Peet not seeing eye to eye does have a semblance of truth about it or b) as someone alluded to earlier, maybe Powell's injury is more serious than is being reported. Not sure what this means for Forber though who I believe is very highly rated at Wigan. Usually 9s interchange so it probably means little change for O Neill

NB I have been in Sheffield for the weekend with mates so didn't go MIA just because Saints got hammered

Quick and supports well, though poor decision maker and weak defensively. As mentioned earlier a slightly better version of Dwyer.

Leeds fan here in peace.

Leeming is a good player and will have some great games, but he has his weaknesses.

He was more often than not taking the wrong option on important plays and isn't a 9 who distributes and works well with the half backs, largely this is the reason Rohan Smith preferred O'Conner (who is now a better hooker IMO!)

Leemings defence is pretty ropey for a nine, often pushed off in contact and can be a bit lazy in his defensive duties.

I think he's an OK signing for you guys but 4 years is way too long IMO and I would wager that e doesn't see out his contract just as he didn't for Hudds and Leeds, and he basically threw his toys out of the pram with us when it was obvious he didn't want to share the hooking duties and got dropped as captain.

From what Ive seen I think you've got a better player in O'Neil.

I suppose the beauty is that we have O’Neill, so Leeming will need to perform. I think they’ll share the role and that’s a strong combo IMO.

It is - I just hope Brad O'Neill isn't inclined to look elsewhere. He's really progressed over the last few months and hopefully Wigan have reassured him that he's still a big part of the plan going forward. Definitely think its the right decision to move on from Powell but O'Neill and Leeming need to be looked at as equals with the best performer starting.

Notice Saints fans comparing him to their potential signing in Daryl Clark and most saying they have the better deal. Not sure on that one - there are pros and cons to both. Clark has definitely reached heights that Leeming hasn't got to yet. But then his recent form has been generally poor, he's 3-4 years older and his game mostly centred around his pace from.duy half (something that he won't have as much of at 31).

The more I’ve thought about this signing the more I’m leaning on the why have we signed him?
Working on the assumption that Cust is going and Powell is also off (Catalan/early retirement?) would still leave us with Leeming, O’Neil and Forber in the first team squad. How long can we keep Forber “happy” being third choice or even fourth choice if Powell actually stays? Maybe O’Neil has been poached by the nrl?
I quite liked Leeming when he played for Huddersfield but from what I’ve seen of him at Leeds he doesn’t seem to have progressed as I would have expected.
If there is only Cust departing from the hooking fraternity then for me this could be a poor use of the salary cap particularly as we have greater needs elsewhere in the squad.
Surely there other moves/announcements in respect of our hooking roster?
Interesting times.

I dont mind the signing at all but, on reflection, 4 years seems a bit excessive. I think a 2 + 1 in the clubs favour would be more reasonable but we dont know the ins and outs of whats going on recruitment-wise

Agree with you here. I think it’s the 4 years that has me scratching my head as much as the number of potential hookers in the squad,
I’m sure that other moves/announcements will be forthcoming.

There has to be exits you’d imagine. Cust will be one and I wonder if Powell has got fixed up elsewhere? Catalans, Leigh or Salford would be the clubs I wouldn’t be surprised to see make a move. Leigh makes the most sense to me, to work alongside Ipape and add depth because they are short of numbers.

I’m not too worried about what Leeming means for Forber just yet. It’s still very early days in his career, with no guarantees that he will be good enough for first team rugby. Brad O’Neill has played plenty of loose forward in academy rugby and it feels like Smithies might try his hand in the NRL at some point and there are always surprise exits/injuries. I am more worried that it holds Brad O’Neill back. I hope we’re strong enough to pick on form.

Good signings there. Whether they will all be successful time will tell. Just shows where the club think our problem area is when they sign a complete front row and announce them all within 24 hours.
As for departures, Mago and Singleton obviously but Cust now seems vulnerable and Powell appears to be on the outer. Cust back to Auis and Powell to Hudds. They miss Levi and Watson may try something different with Powell.

Huddersfield is a good shout. Watson just loves signings, so it could be anyone but the fact they look short at hooker, makes it a possibility.