Centres : Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:32 am  

Why the hell did we not sign any centres last year?
Ablett.....not a centre in a million years (and poor tackler).
Watkins..will make it as long as we don't burn him out with overplay.
Gibson...not enough time under his belt.

Let's face it the only centre we have is ageing and keeps tripping up over his middle leg!

If Eastwood doesn't come, we should get someone, but who?

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 6:53 am  

Or stick with what we used to win a Grand Final, allowing us to bring Gibson, Watkins and maybe Ratu(although the latter seems unlikely)through. Which is what our current success is based on. Youth development.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:29 am  

expatrhino wrote:

Or stick with what we used to win a Grand Final, allowing us to bring Gibson, Watkins and maybe Ratu(although the latter seems unlikely)through. Which is what our current success is based on. Youth development.

Buderus. Eastwood. Ring any bells?

Re: Centres : Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:58 am  

RoyFrancis wrote:

Gibson...not enough time under his belt.

And the way to fix that is by bringing someone else in so he gets less game time?

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:59 am  

OMG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not another centre thread AAAAAARRRRRGGGHH... please see eatswood latest thread for this discussion.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:30 am  

I really don't understand why so many seem obsessed with our centres. We have Senior whom, although he's aging is still one of the best 2 or 3 centres in the league. And we have Gibson, Watkins (and although I'm not a fan of him playing centre) Ablett.

Gibson still has the potential to be quality despite his injuries, and Watkins (despite his rawness in certein areas) looks one of the best prospects this countries had in years, and at times he looks 10 years older than actually is with some of the things he does with the ball.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:40 am  

Whats the point in buying a quick fix? With no relegation for three years this is the perfect oppertunity to use the young british talent. I would personally much rather not win anything this year because of using young players then buying over 30 year old aussies that may win us something quickly but ensuring future success. Take Man U for example they could sign anyone really with their money and appeal but they choose to play the likes of Welbeck, Gibson, Foster and Evans to ensure not only thier future success but english success!

Ramble Over

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:41 am  

John D H wrote:

I really don't understand why so many seem obsessed with our centres. We have Senior whom, although he's aging is still one of the best 2 or 3 centres in the league. And we have Gibson, Watkins (and although I'm not a fan of him playing centre) Ablett.

Gibson still has the potential to be quality despite his injuries, and Watkins (despite his rawness in certein areas) looks one of the best prospects this countries had in years, and at times he looks 10 years older than actually is with some of the things he does with the ball.

I agree mate!!

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:58 am  

John D H wrote:

I really don't understand why so many seem obsessed with our centres. We have Senior whom, although he's aging is still one of the best 2 or 3 centres in the league. And we have Gibson, Watkins (and although I'm not a fan of him playing centre) Ablett.

Gibson still has the potential to be quality despite his injuries, and Watkins (despite his rawness in certein areas) looks one of the best prospects this countries had in years, and at times he looks 10 years older than actually is with some of the things he does with the ball.

I'm more worried about what happens after Senior retires. He remains one of our most potent attacking threats, and whilst I'm sure Watkins and Gibson have it in them to cope in SL, it is a bit much to expect them both to step up to perform at Senior's level for next year.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:01 am  

Sibbs Rhinos wrote:

I would personally much rather not win anything this year because of using young players then buying over 30 year old aussies that may win us something quickly but ensuring future success.

And what if the youngsters don't make it at all or get burnt by being overplayed when they are not physically ready and what if the club has money in the bank and space on the salary cap and on the quota?

Do you really want to see Leeds return to the gallant runners-up of yesteryear?

This period of relative success we are enjoying at the moment won't last forever and it's up to the Leeds management to make the best of it while it lasts.

I personally think Leeds should maximise everything at their disposal to attempt to successfully defend their title. They've already come up short once this season and I don't want to see a repeat later on when our understrength squad is shot to pieces for a lack of bodies albeit with healthier balance sheet.

If Eastwood is done then replace him with a centre, which is where the team needed strengthening last season after Toopi was busted and yes I do realise we upset the bookies and every pundit in the game by winning the GF.