In the backs, no major complaints, but some concerns. Miller is worth persevering with IMO. I like Momirovski but he would benefit from a longer-run. He's obviously not a blockbusting Senior style centre but I think he could be a good winger's centre given time and more opportunities. Handley is probably one of the first names on the team sheet.
It's surely time for Leeds to move Fusitua on. He's a welcome presence on the wing (and in the air) when fit, but his tendency to rush in field to put in a big hit has left us exposed too often, as illustrated against Hull. I was in favour of keeping him but after the injuries this season it is just too much - we can't waste a quota spot on someone with his record.
Newman is the big concern in the backs. He's a shadow of the player who was monstering Field and French and ripping the top clubs to shreds (when fit) last season. Is he carrying a knock, or is it something else? Since signing his new deal he has been substandard. He should be our Senior-style centre. I'd forgive his selfishness with the ball and bad attitude if he could get back to impacting games like he used to, now he's just anonymous.
Halves. Croft is great, as evidenced by the high number of try assists. We need to build a game around him a lot more. I'm not that bothered about Frawley - I think he's been solid, all the more so after being dropped. I suspect we'd see a lot more from both halves if the pack was more dominant.
As far as the forwards are concerned, they should be as nervous as Smith is about whether or not they will be retained. I think we're fine at hooker with a fit Ackers and O'Connor and Johnson. Johnson looks sharper when I've seen him recently and deserves a lot more game time IMO. As for the rest:
Oledski - individually there's room for improvement, but he would really benefit from a 30 something senior pack leader alongside him.
Holroyd - still young, but despite some promising shows early last season I don't think he's ready to be a first choice starting prop, and needs to build time coming off the bench.
Lisone - not a good value signing IMO. Doesn't spend long enough on the field, and his discipline is atrocious for a senior forward. Hopefully we can replace.
Sangare - a promising signing because of his size and age, but he needs to improve in terms of impact and go-forward to justify a new contract IMO.
Goudemand - solid enough but what does he add that the other backrow types can't already do? A weak signing IMO.
Bentley - has been missed for his defence and gritty attitude.
Martin - our best forward, but we might have to sacrifice him to bring in a pack leader from the NRL.
Gannon - also badly missed but I wouldn't want him to come back in until the current malaise has been addressed.
McDonnell - He's become a shadow of the player we saw last season. Probably needs a rest but his deficiencies have been exposed this season (lack of size / pace). We need better players than this to be in the first 13. Ultimately he's a younger version of Donaldson and should be used in a similar way from the interchange bench (not covering the front row though!)
Cam Smith - As big a concern as Newman, IMO. He's too small to be an international class 13 and too slow to get near the halves. Maybe taking him out of the firing line as captain would help his form? Give Croft or Martin (if he stays) the captaincy.
