There is arguably no bigger selection story heading into this weekend's Super League Grand Final than the identity of the man who will step into Aidan Sezer's shoes. The Leeds Rhinos half-back has been ruled out under concussion protocol, leaving Rohan Smith with a major selection dilemma.
The Rhinos have options. But some are undoubtedly more of a gamble than others, while some will require major upheaval elsewhere in the 17-man squad that Smith will name to try and secure a ninth Super League title for Leeds on Saturday evening. These are some of the likeliest options to step in alongside Blake Austin in the halves.
Richie Myler
It seems logical to start with the most likely option. There's perhaps no option in the Leeds squad with a greater knowledge of both big games, and big games at half-back, than Richie Myler.
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The one major problem for Leeds and Smith? Moving Myler into his old position of half-back would take away one of the Rhinos' most consistent performers in a position he has become recognised with playing throughout the course of 2022. These days, it's difficult to imagine a Leeds side without Myler at fullback: something nobody would have thought was possible a year or so ago.
And that's not the only problem. Myler moving into the halves would require the most tinkering elsewhere in the Leeds 17. Zak Hardaker would likely go to fullback, but that then leaves a gap at centre, which the returning Rhyse Martin could fill. But Leeds would rather have Martin in his preferred position of second row.
It's strange to say, but Myler moving into the halves is not only the most likely option, it's also the most complex for Smith to deal with.
Kruise Leeming
Another player who has knowledge and experience of playing at half-back for Leeds - albeit not as much as Myler - is hooker Kruise Leeming.
Leeming has impressed there in short stints over the past 18 months or so, filling in to cover injuries on a multitude of occasions. He is undeniably a safe pair of hands when it comes to replacing Sezer and offering a steady presence alongside Austin in the halves.
But much like with Myler, putting Leeming at half-back robs Leeds of one of their best players operating in their preferred position. This one isn't as big a headache though, with Brad Dwyer coming up onto the bench to partner Jarrod O'Connor in the hooking role. But again, it's a big gamble for Smith.
Liam Sutcliffe
It's been a while since Leeds fans have seen Liam Sutcliffe play half-back - but there's no doubting he has the experience and knowledge to do it again in what would be his final match as a Rhinos player.
It would certainly be some way to sign off, with Sutcliffe - who has been seen as a future Leeds half-back on many occasions in the past - dropping in to fill the gap left by Sezer's absence. But a lack of options in the outside backs elsewhere could count against Sutcliffe getting the nod on Saturday. Granted, Martin is the easy pick to go in at centre, but Leeds would undoubtedly lack strike in the three-quarter line if Sutcliffe was moved elsewhere.
Jack Sinfield
It's the biggest gamble of all given his lack of experience - but it could be the one that makes the most sense.
Jack Sinfield being given the nod to play in the biggest game of the year, on a stage his father enjoyed unprecedented success, would be the biggest Grand Final story in years. Of that there would be no question.
And furthermore, Sinfield coming in for Sezer as a straight swap minimises the disruption elsewhere throughout Smith's 17-man squad for Old Trafford. But can Leeds take such a huge risk on a player with only a handful of first-team matches?
Sinfield will become a star of Leeds in the years to come. It remains to be seen whether the Rhinos pin their hopes on him this Saturday, though.
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