RUGBY LEAGUE: Aussie ace set to quit Hilton Park

Loose-forward Jamie Kennedy is thinking over his future but, despite an offer to stay with the Centurions for another year, it looks increasingly likely that he's played his last game for the club.

Kennedy's influence on the side grew as the season progressed and he became one of the first on the teamsheet. "Jamie was a big signing for us," said coach Ian Millward.

"He's not the vocal type, more the strong, silent type who quietly gets on with his job. It's only when he's not been there that you notice the amount of work he does on the field.

"He's had the captaincy in a few games towards the end of the season and he led from the front like all good skipper's do. If he's not with us next year, he'll leave a big hole behind."

Ken Kerr is another whose future is uncertain. The Aussie centre signed in mid-season from Doncaster has made a big impression and would like to stay on for another year.

"I love it at Leigh and would like to get something fixed up quickly," he says. "I've got the offer of a short contract to play League in France for a few weeks in the winter, so I'd like my position sorted out before I go."

Hooker Nick Jenkins is another who won't be back next season. The popular Aussie is returning home before Christmas to get married.

In the next week or two Millward and the Hilton Park board will be sitting down to draw up their plans for next season.

Several of the current squad are already signed up for next year, but there are one or two others that Millward quickly wants to see put pen to paper. One of those is second rower Paul Anderson whose loan spell from Sheffield Eagles is now over.

"We've got to sit down and assess the current squad and look to make improvements within our budgets. It looks like we'll have to recruit a back rower to replace Jamie and I would like to get a strike player for a wide position."

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