Well, I guess there's nothing we can do about it is there either way?
I would be amazed if he doesn't at least have a couple of meetings/discussions while he's over there though. There aren't many high quality players who would relish playing for a losing big side like Leeds and getting booed most weeks by your own fans. I think his future depends on how serious an NRL club is about coming for him.
Whatever, I hope he finds the best way for himself because if he's not happy at Leeds or it's not workable with family commitments, then he's not going to give his best for the club. He's on a whacking salary and if he doesn't want Leeds then the money could be used elsewhere, and you'd think we'd get some compo too. I do like the bloke, I think he tightens us up in the middle and we haven't even seen the best of him yet because the side around him isn't good enough.
Then again positionally, I still think we're in need of another prop and a different type of second row anyway. With Ward, Smith, Cuthbo, possibly Sutcliffe as a potential 13, now Albert, we already have players who want to play. I've not seen Leeds look cracking in second phase all year despite all of this ability, and personally I think we need more direct and physical players in attack and defence. We have to establish dominance in the middle first before we earn the right to play off the back of that; you can't do it gassed in D or constantly on the back foot and compressed. I don't know why the club doesn't seem to understand this.
Stay or go, I'm reasonably happy either way - I think Merrin needs to look after himself and family like I said and I wouldn't begrudge him whichever way he goes. I do think an early decision is better for both parties though if he does want out, as Leeds don't deserve to get left in the lurch too late to line up a replacement.
