I'm hearing rumours that Carberry has been released.

Was he out of contract?

Could be he just didn't fancy being sent to play for South Wales Scorpions. I hear it wasn't an especially popular gig last season for those involved. Even worse this year with the additional travelling with the new teams that are involved. Can't say he's Super League quality for my money but I'm sure he could get a gig at Widnes or Salford (if they make the season) if he wanted.


Still only a rumour though.

That wouldn't surprise me. He didn't look good enough as a hooker and being moved into the back row would put him in competition with other young players like Lloyd, Burke, Lever and Connor Farrell.

Personally I prefer Carberry to Logan at hooker. Looks like Logan might be given a shot due to family connections, same as Tuscon.

Too sort this academy mess that the RFL have caused I would have liked them to introduce seven substitutes in pro game. Three (or four) should be under the age of 21 at the start of the season, and there should be no interchanges (once you're off you're off)

That would allow teams to keep hold of some of their promising players over the age 19, giving them time and experience in first team rugby.

The changes to the Academy format was not something the RFL caused it was voted through by the clubs themselves at Super League level after the idea was pushed particularly strongly by two clubs in particular with the rest bar two jumping on the bandwagon to save costs.

The changes were then rail-roaded onto the championship clubs.

Blame the RFL all you want but you know which clubs are to blame.

Which ones?

Wigan and Leeds. As far as I am aware the 2 that objected were Saints and Wire.

Are there any outside backs that would benifit from a season in the championship and have the ability to play at that level as this is where I feel we ( leigh ) are a bit short of numbers ??

Yes we do but i think they would benefit you more than it would benefit our players playing in your league, the competition is poor!

Just my opinion of course but the standard of competition we can offer your fringe players is of a much much higher standard than that of your academy level

Thanks, doesnt seem like a smart move to me tbh

We're a bit short on outside backs ourselves. Maybe Burgess+either Thornley or Gelling?

Thornley and Gelling need SL experience not Championship

Thornley and Gelling will get SL experience.

exactly. which is why a season loan at leigh is pointless.

How? Wane plays his percieved strongest 17 at every opportunity and gave a second rower the 4 shirt ahead of his two back up centres. I would like to see Gelling at 4 and Hughes off the bench in the back row but instead I think it'll be Hughes at 4, Flower on the bench, Gelling and Thornley in the stands unless injuries kick in

Thronley is cover/replacement for Hughes at centre (they are the two vying for the position) and Gelling will act as cover for 2nd row (esp with Hock being out) and possibly centre cover as well - when he signed he was playing 2nd row at his previous club and has been bulking up for the position in the off season.

Did Lee Mossop no harm being loaned to Barrow in 2009.

Or Laithwaite , Mcarthy, Blythe, from Wire, and Spencer last season, they all came on leaps and bounds after being at Leigh on dual reg.

Yes he did. HOWEVER, he really kicked on when he was loaned out to Huddersfield.

If Gelling and Thornley need game time then it should in SL, not the tier below.
We have certainly done this in the past few seasons (over in Humberside, Vikings, Giants ...), and this would be a preferred option for me.

FWIW I think both will get enough exposure to the game day 17 at the moment, as they are the 'first reserves' for centre/wing/back row.

Murphy is possibly a player who could get good experience at Leigh, although again he is probably one who we should look to bring in to the 1st team at the earliest opportunity or loan out at SL level.

From what we were told at the Leigh fans forum the loans don't need to be a season long loan they can be minimum month loans, hope that helps in this debate.

Rugby League is a lot about confidence. Give the fringe players some time in the Championship to build confidence and then as you correctly pointed out, loan them to a SL side to build on the rest.

Confidence is key and loaning them to another SL club to have the p*ss taken out of them doesn't make sense.

Or bryn Hargreaves, Paul Prescott

Yet sl clubs still sign players from the championship