As soon as Huddersfield get a few injured players back he will struggle to get a start just as he did at Wakefield - that is where he is.

Everyone was talking about Cameron Smith as being a once in a decade junior ala Sinfield - having watched him in the U19s he looking anything but a once in a decade junior. He doesn't look like he has developed physically - he was a monster as a junior now he looks below average for size - what the hell happened last season?

Who would say is more likely to make it Oledzki or Smith? a year ago you wouldn't have even been having that discussion

I am not sure where you get this view that he was a monster as a junior, he simply wasn't. He was physical yes, but he was of average bigger size of anyone else. His skills were his brain in reading the game, and his passing ability. A lot at junior level were calling on him to be developed as an half, not a forward because of this reason. Leeds were so keen on getting him to first team level, and not wrong IMO, they put him on a fast track weights and build up programme, and went the forward route instead. Immediately on signing his first professional contract, he was informed he would play a maximum amount of games last year while he was on the programme. He went over that by two, because of his England selection. I would like to know which under 19 games you formed your opinion? He wasn't in many because of the restrictions, and in the close season he got injured, and has only been back a month whilst still completing his preseason training.

He will be a top star in the game for many a year. If not here, likely in the NRL, but if other Super League club still a star. Let him recover and complete the programme the club set.

where is it confirmed that Smith's contract expires this year?

So on the basis of him not ripping it up yet in the 19s (in your assessment) despite injury and everything gotcha alludes to, and his brother, whos relatively young for a prop and playing SL, youd get rid of him? Riiiiight

Size wise he was significant larger than virtually every other kid he played against. When he made his debut at Bradford he looked not out of place physically - now when you see him he looks small when compared to even his peer group. Something has gone seriously wrong with his development.

Time will tell it would be criminal if a junior with his potential didn't realise it.

You look at young Walker and you can see he is class and will be a really top player - a bit like McGuire when he first emerged can you say the same about Smith? I hope you are right.

If we're continuing with a 30 man squad next year then I think most of those youngsters will stay (if they want to).

Think McGuire will retire this year but JJB will play on. Burrow will be interesting as Parcell's strong form has limited his game time. Given his groin issues in the last couple of seasons then might want to accept a sub role is what's better for him rather than trying to go be a starter elsewhere.

It isn't just my assessment of the quality of his performances in the U19s. I think some on here are blinded by their view of him as a junior. Let's see it depends on your view of how good he is and whether he can make the transition. The really top quality youngsters would be knocking at the door of the first team.

Daniel Smith is a year younger than Brad Singleton how would compare their development?

I hope he can make that transition if he is good as you all think - then he will be a superstar of the future, time will tell.

A lot depends on what the club feel the younger lads are worth paying at this stage in their careers. The likes of Smith, Lilley etc still very young and with little first team experience but by the same token are on the verge of breaking through, and may be told by their agents they should be paid or good get paid a certain wage which is not in the same bracket as we are willing to go to. We will see what happens over the next couple of months.

I understood lilley signed a 4 year deal a while back

I have seen Smith throughout his career, and certainly from 14's upward he definitely was not larger than every kid on the opposition. He was a stand off for a lot of his junior days. His size came as he got older, not as you suggest. His attributes were not his size, that was a bonus later.

You mention Jack because you have just seen him play a couple of games. Jack is the same as he has always been, always had the talent. His talent is pace, and like Smith reading the game. You ask Jack who is the top players in his age group, and first named would be Smith.

As I understand it, the bulk of the Leeds squad are out of contract by the end of 2018. The only back with a longer deal is Watkins plus Ferres, Garbutt, parcell, ward and ormondroyd in the pack.
So lots for GH/McD to ponder and should mean some hungry players for rest of this year and next.
Like others think Mc Guire will bow out this year. with JJB what he provides at training and in and around the dressing room means the whole package is worth more than just the still high level of graft on the park.
However, as a group the Leeds pack lacks pace/mobility and I would not want to see him go on too long.

Smith has suffered a lot with injuries so would seem strange to not retain him and give him chance to develop. Last I saw him, he seemed to be carrying his left foot in an unnatural way when running. don't know if he has suffered a bad left leg/ankle injury in the past but it looked a bit awkward. Hopefully was just a temporary issue.

What Batley said!!

As with Mac I hope that Mags gets the opportunity to leave on a high by at least leaving with one more trophy. Burrow , I would hope we would retain so the he can join the coaching staff whether as junior initially ( he was great with them in past) then maybe later in senior squad...as backs coach ...JJB..puts in lot of hard graft ..yes also gives away lot of penalties but would also say lot of people said when Segeyaro joined last season it changed our fortunes..true but so did JJB's return from injury. He leads by example...we need to keep him on in some capacity. I would say on all the senior players who coming to end of time...that whilst admirable to want to win more..you need that spirit in squad..if their bodies not able to do another season...call it a day...sure number of others that were not on that list.
On Sutty, in 2015 he was initially seen as the heir to Kev, his partnership with Mags looked very promising...then however he got injured n he was unable to rediscover that level mind didn't help when he was constantly put in different positions...even covering for Golding as FB when Golding was injured..doing well there ..but now we have cover for that position in Walker...IF Moon is the choice at half back for next season or is this a temporary position for this season....IF Mags does retire after this season, Moon stay on as half back....then whoever partners him we are starting fresh again next season...if it is Sutty or Lilley then really they should start bedding them in so they can develop the partnership.( though don't see that happening as they will want to try n go for a trophy.

On Cameron Smith , he looked good when he made his brief debut against SL opposition n was close to scoring....seems ages ago...been unlucky with injuries...came back to U19s last week ( On his Birthday i think) when he came on he scored..he seemed to be back to his strong self was a good try...would hope like Oledzki he gets benefit of playing either for Bradford or Featherstone...he is definitely one for the future..few others in U19s hope we hold on to as well.

The thing is theres a world of difference between my thoughts on his potential and your suggestion of just letting him go at 18!

Singleton has hardly been plain sailing in his development and isnt exactly pushing the top 10 props in SL.

Agreed but he is in a hell of a lot better place than Daniel Smith which is the point.

In the U16s he is huge compared to his peer group go back and review some video footage.

So you are saying the real great parts of his game are te parts the Rhinos are not going to make much use of i.e. passing and Game reading - that seems very strange for a professional club?

Walker's class is his balanced running style and his basic speed not unlike Kalum that is not something you can coach - funny how Walker has played as many first team games as the outstanding player of his peer group? Real class is not a moment in time its permanent,

He isn't in the U16's, he is in the 19's, and he wasn't the biggest when in the U16's. He was big but not the biggest, and he did play the pivot at that time.

I also said, they were the best parts of his game at Junior level, I didn't say now. Infact I was quite clear he is on a programme at the Rhinos, changing parts of his game.

Walker is a class player. And one I hope will be at the top for years, but he unlike Smith needs to add the physicality yet, which is the part that effects other areas. As is the same with other class players still to come through.

You are totally correct in your last sentence, so why on earth are you making these postings writing off young players?

Smith wasn't the pivot for the Leeds U16s did he ever play in the halves in the U16s? Walker played more games in the halves than Smith.

Because so many are over hyped and that view of them as youngsters sticks with them , If he doesn't turn into the superstar some predicted they will have a lot of egg on your face so they will defend the indefensible until it cannot be legitimately defended anymore. Morgan Smith was another potential superstars - that will not happen - Cameron Smith could well be the same = sometimes we have to admit the best juniors don't turn into the best Seniors. Walker oozes class even Ray Charles can see that - different animal.

I don't know why you keep mentioning Jack, I know very well how good he is, I was talking about him long before you had heard of him, and of course he played more games in halfs that was his position, but everything revolved around Smith. He isn't the only one with class ready to step up too. Where you are wrong is what you are saying on Smith, including his size and junior days. The reason the lad is not in the first team is due to injuries, preventing him putting in a performance in the 19's, to give reason to pick him. But as you said class is permanent, and he will come good when settled. Morgan Smith also was already a Super League regular, but again has been injured and therefore out.

The point about Walker is nobody was talking about him being the next greatest thing as they were about Smith - virtually nobody was suggesting he should be a first team player before the start of this season - what it shows is that some juniors simply don't develop into top players where others don't.

On the size thing and the pivot thing we must agree to differ - he was the stand out player I would agree that is what is so frustrating that the Leeds system struggles to develop players.

So where is he going play in the first team - ahead of JJB, Ward, Ferres, Ablett, Keinhorst, Delanney, Walters you think he will get picked before these?

Morgan Smith was a bit player at Warrington in and out of the side never a starter when they had a full side to pick from a bit like Daniel Smith at Huddersfield

What I am saying David is that there is more to a players progression and being picked than whether they still have the class or not. Injuries are a massive factor for any player, and not only effect you physically but other areas too, and it is this bit where in some cases progression fails, not because they were over hyped. Although expectation does play a part in those other areas.

I don't think any of those players you mention are the same style of Smith. Of course though style will come from the coaches development here on in though, so yes it is open to guess. But all I have said is wait to see if recover from injuries before writing it off, because that is your reason.

Leeds also have another truely exceptional player in their under 19's. A player constantly injured, who keeps coming back, luckily. Whether his luck changes will determine his career, but that doesn't make his quality any less. Leeds know it, and have continued to back him, hoping his luck changes, because the quality is worth it.

I wouldn't suggest letting Smith go until we've actually seen what he's capable of.

In terms of the others I'd be looking at letting as many of our bog average forwards go as we can. As someone else said I'd make an exception in playing terms for JJB who does seem to be integral to the team ethos.

I can't see how we can try to scrape by another year with both Burrow and McGuire around, unless McGuire was willing to accept becoming a bit part player and Burrow is happy off the bench. Whilst Burrow keeps his speed he's worth keeping for that alone.

Also just to add to this Sal, you mention nobody had spoken of Jack Walker before this season as first team. Again that is wrong, he has been spoken of many times by those that have an interest in the academy players. The only reason for not pushing it was because Jack was given a target weight before first team, and he wasn't at that weight yet.

Indeed back in the under 16's with that team, I was asked on this forum whom I thought would make it as super league players, and I named 9 players. 3 of which were from the under 15's, so too young to make a mark yet. But of the six of the 16's, whom Jack was one, 3 have already made their debuts, one I am confident will do over the next few weeks, and one being the lad with a run of injuries I was talking about above. Those injuries and how it responds are important to a players development, and any of those three that have made debuts could easily have had the same bad luck.

Heard a whisper Holroyd Johnson Moorhouse Martin Broadbent & Spence have got deals.

Been offered deals, not yet able to sign, I don't think.

Spence is typical of someone getting a deal based on contacts.