Always gave 100%.
Certainly not the flashy type but a hard working full of commitment player.

Can't fault the effort, we just have too many of the same to keep all and his contract is up first

Talk of Oli Leyland signing for Wire next season.
I was hoping we could get him as he`s looked good every time I`ve seen him play for London, admittedly only seen him half a dozen times.
Still don`t see Frawley as the answer.

Although Donaldson is 100 % effort and has been fine for us its definitely time for him to go, thanks for your effort but definitely go.

Donno has carved a nice career out for himself and will be a credit to someone part-time player next year.

With respect though, I now wouldn’t play him over someone like TNW or Littlewood who will benefit for next year, especially with playoffs looking unlikely.

I'm not sure why this was turned into an announcement. I'm pretty sure there's a long video from before the start of the season where Donaldson confirmed this year would be his last with Leeds?

I'd like to say thanks to Donaldson for what he's done at Leeds. Obviously not the most naturally talented or biggest forward, but someone who gives his all and deserves credit for everything he's achieved - over 100 games and a Challenge Cup win with Leeds, and almost 300 career games total. We might have been poor for most of his time with us, but he has been the least of our problems.

Oh deffo.
Donaldson did his job well and even worked hard at prop ( where he never should have been ) without complaint.

Just timing of contract and our need for bigger bodies

With the new rules on overseas players now exempt is it worth bringing Parcell back to the club especially as he wont count on the overseas quota?
Interesting that French will also be exempt for Wigan and Tanginoa and of course Martin at HKR meaning they can sign another 2 overseas players.
We don`t have anyone exempt.

parcells gone to wakey hasn't he?

Yes, it's wrapped up.

Exempt in 2026. Not next year.

Ah sorry AC thought it was next year.

Peter Smith links us with a move for Reagan Campbell Gillard in the YEP article on the Arthur extension.

RCG, Sivo and Matterson have all been told they can leave.

I would sign all three.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard Is exactly the type of player we need, salary might be the sticking point though

Matterson would rip it up in SL.

He also seems to be wanted by a number of NRL teams. He'd clearly have to be a Croft style marquee signing on a extended contract. Contract length might be our edge on NRL clubs. You'd have to think the odds are against Leeds, but faint heart never won world class prop.

He's not world class but he is a decent prop. He's just turned 31 so the longest deal he's likely to see in the NRL is two years. Bit of a risk but I'd certainly look at three for him. It would be a bit of a statement signing and he's also a cult hero type player thanks to his Edwardian tache, but I wouldn't go past three years. There will be other options, and the last thing we need is players hanging around when they're gone.

Matterson would be nice if we could get another prop, but I do think prop's where we need to focus first. Sivo is a good winger but not worth a quota spot for us. I really don't like using quota spots on wingers.

we've got Ryan Hall and Ash Handley, plus Edge, Lumb, Simpson, McCormack waiting in the wings that can cover Wing, I wouldn't waste a quota spot on a winger personally

By SL standards he's world class. Would he get picked for England? Of course he would. He's also played for Australia and NSW. He may have dropped off a bit, but on the scale of available players I don't think you could aim any higher.

He’s be good for us would RCG. Matterson would add that bit of something different in the back row. I also like Cartwright if we’re looking at parra pack players.

While he isn't the quickest he isn't slow either. Early doors when he was getting good ball from Croft there were several times he did give space to his winger. it was just unfortunate that it was mainly Roberts on the outside



The big thing IMO was Newman getting through a full season without any big injuries which touch wood he has done so up to now. BA on the podcast with JJB singled out Newman and Handley as the players who have impressed him the most since he arrived. Saying Harry has massive potential it is just a case of getting him to a consistent level.

RCG and Matterson would be perfect signings for us. I hope it happens

The Club seem very determined to get back on track after a terrible transition over the past decade or so. With Brad Arthur future confirmed for 2025 it seems plenty of wheels have began turning on the 2025 playing squad. I'm not surprised we are linked with current Parramatta players especially RCG, Sivo & Matterson all players who play in position we are keen on strengthening.

We couldn't sign all 3 of those stated above as we currently only have 2 quota spots open with Martin & Fusitu'a leaving obviously unless we released any of Miller, Momirovski, Croft, Frawley or Lisone that's why I've given Riley Lumb the 2 shirt in my squad below because the club do rate him very highly and wanted him to play regular SL before his injury and hence why he was given a long term contract this season and with the signing of Ryan Hall it also allows Lumb to develop another year learning from Hall and Handley.


Kieron Hudson has requested a release for his contract and it has been granted by the club so at the end of the season he will move on, the club is expected to release David Fusitu'a, Luis Roberts, Corey Johnson along with Rhyse Martin & James Donaldson which has already been confirmed. There's obviously still plenty of time before 2025, we still haven't finished the current season so other player movements could easily happen but I'd imagine our squad next year could look something like this.


1. Miller
2. Lumb/ Sivo/ new winger
3. Newman
4. Momirovski
5. Handley
6. Croft
7. Frawley
8. Oledzki
9. Ackers
10. RCG/ New Prop
11. Bentley
12. Mcdonnell
13. C.Smith
14. O'Connor
15. Lisone
16. Matterson/ New middle
17. Sangare
18. Goudemond
19. Holroyd
20. Gannon
21. Sinfield
22. Edgell
23. Ruan
24. Nicholson-Watton
25. Hall
26. N.Mccormack
27. Warren
28. Simpson
29. Littlewood
30. J.Smith

Our pack will get more surgery than that I think. I could see both the French players going as they will only have 1 year left. I think we will get 2 new props and a new back rower, at least.