You do need to be in the meetings if you're going to carry on talking like what you've heard is fact and not just one version of events.

17 year olds....famed for being accruarate, truthful and not exaggerate their side of a story

Nobody needed to be in the meeting to know that Walker wanted to play fullback and was concerned that Golding was blocking his path. That was the issue.

No it wasn't the issue. The first part correct though.

Well either you, or Jack Walker are lying then, because Jack Walker told us, explicitly, the problem was he wanted to play fullback and Ashton Golding was blocking his path.

[i"The offer I’ve received from the club is fantastic but it doesn’t come down to money, it’s the opportunity to play at fullback, a position I feel brings the best out in me. The club has a great young fullback in Ashton Golding who is only 2-years older than me and who recently signed a 4-year deal so I need to look at my future and make the right call on my career going forward.”[/i

Neither is lying. You are just interpreting what was said how you want to read it, rather than what he said. There is a key word in that statement you quoted that is the difference between what you think was his concern, and what was his concern.

Well I wasn't in the meeting and I don't know what the assurneces/concerns were. I feel like I'm not on my own, would you be able to enlighten me as I genuinely would like to know.

Also, and you're probably going to tell me I've got the wrong end of the stick here so apologies in advance, but if walker has now signed for Leeds, the way I interpreted your earlier comments is that he would have to pay back his agent the difference he would have lost by not signing for one of the higher offers. Has this now happened?

Both those questions are letigitment and not meant to start arguments or derail a thread.

enlighten us then

There is no offence taken there mate, perfectly valid questions.

In answer to the money side, I said that about the difference from the first offer he got from Leeds, not the second one. I did say from that second one the other week, that the money was very good and way above the first offer, but money alone wasn't his major concern personally.

The guarantee he wanted is what I mentioned is the key word in that statement he made, "opportunity". At no time, and Leeds also haven't said any such thing either, yet people have wrongly read into things incorrectly, has Jack demanded the number one shirt or starting fullback. At all times, Jack has told the club he doesn't feel he is an half back, and he is most comfortable at fullback. Furthermore telling them that he feels his best chance to break into first team rugby which is what he is striving to achieve is to concentrate on fullback for the term of his next contract, to give him the best opportunity of making it. The only guarantee he asked for is for equal opportunity, and the club to work with him as a fullback. Once he is established, they can develop him in whichever position they want, were his thinking.

I'd be very happy for Jack Walker to emulate Sam Tomkins in those area, he has some fine attributes as a player. But I wouldn't want young Mr Walker to have all of the wider collection of Tomkins attributes, that make up the whole Tomkins package. I wouldn't want him to fail in the NRL for starters

So the club has assured him they use him as a FB.....and to show this they played him at HB a couple of days ago.

Tell me when his contract starts?

You mean he hasn't played half back all season for the under 19s?

I'm just delighted that he's signed for us.
Perhaps now we can all progress beyond the sniping & bullsh*t that's bedevilled this thread.

Just been watching his highlights, this kid can seriously play.

Yeah agree 100%.....All the ifs,buts and maybes dont matter anymore. The club are obviously happy,jack and his agent are obviously happy and us fans should be delighted.

Tell me how playing him at HB a couple of days ago convinced him Leeds will play him as a FB going forwards?

Printer to aid your little argument, if any consolation, Player and agent wanted to sign two year contract, Leeds wanted four year, but insisted they would not move away from three. So they got what they insisted on there. Also the player has agreed to do extra sessions for the club So they can show him he can be a quality half. It is all about opportunity for the player.

But in your haste to argue, you, along with most, missed the part of the announcement that is worth talking about. There is two players announced leaving, and two players announced coming in, and in addition Jack will now be in the 25 man squad.

Thanks gotcha. That's a good read.

personally, I think with Golding ahead of him, his chances of breaking into the first team at full back are good.

He's a very talented player and certainly doesn't look out of his depth in the first team the few games he's played. I think his running game is something to be excited about, as that's the natural ability which is harder to teach.

Good luck to him, I'd be happy to see him make the fullback shirt his own.

On a serious point - who at Leeds is going to show him how to be a quality half back?

Burrow???

Fair point because if Lilley had to go to Bradford to move on it doesn't suggest any of the current coaching team will be able to add any value in that respect

Has Toovey added owt to Lilley's game? I have to say I've been a little underwhelmed considering all the hype regarding the former's coaching credentials.

Lilley said he his game has developed so much under Toovey, so I guess yes, if the players view is to go by.

You've managed to write a lot in this debate without actually writing anything of worth towards the original point.