Exactly. There won't be a 14 team league until central revenue increases

Yep. couldn't agree more. it's like a vicious circle, it won't change so it won't get better.. eventually it all decays away over time like it has been doing for the last 10 or so years

Holroyd number 25 for Boxing Day. Has there been a fall out?

Shirt numbers not announced until after the game.

I’m fully aware of that but seems odd that Holyroyd is 25 for the match when 3-4 players have lower numbers and have yet to play SL. Probably nothing in it as Newman is 21.

Needs a big season Holroyd.

Looked the business early doors but has had some rotten luck with injuries and faded badly.
Hopefully under Arthur he can have a real breakout season and a good run of spelled games.

Speaking of which, real shame for Edgell breaking his jaw especially with Miller out

Likely means Ash to fullback you would have thought.

Or lumb if Arthur wants to keep Handley and Connor in positions they're more likely to be in come round one.

Sam lisone looking nice and trim.

[quote="Seth":1c6ysefq]Or lumb if Arthur wants to keep Handley and Connor in positions they're more likely to be in come round one.[/quote:1c6ysefq] I'd love to see Lumb given a run there. His speed could be a great asset. Unfortunate for young Alfie, but he'll come again.

Connor starting FB, Joe Diskin steps up to bench

Are the McCormack's injured. Wouldn't have minded seeing Ned at full back.

Decent first half, poor second Dont think any of the kids will be happy with their performance, but the bigger concern is the total lack of physical development, looks like they havnt been in a gym since leaving the scholorship 12 month ago

Decent first half. Lots of the first team looking really fit. Mik looked a real specimen and was leading our kick chase. It was really nice to see our halves bossing the game rather than Cam. 

Didn't make the Boxing Day game. Any thoughts on which players look to have made the most progress over the close season?

[quote="ArthurClues":3uaaogw6]Didn't make the Boxing Day game. Any thoughts on which players look to have made the most progress over the close season?[/quote:3uaaogw6] Difficult to say really as it was just a friendly but the whole team looked fitter to me. Oledski looked like the player he can be and Holroyd looked massive! Croft and Frawley looked like a settled half back partnership.

I thought the only standouts were Connor, Oledezki and Palasia with maybe Croft at a push. The rest were pretty average and as expected at this time of year. Thought Jack Sinfield played ok when he came on. Looks like bad news for O`Connor and I`m not sure who we have as back up hooker, Bentley maybe?

[quote="chapylad":tm2o18ce]I thought the only standouts were Connor, Oledezki and Palasia with maybe Croft at a push. The rest were pretty average and as expected at this time of year. Thought Jack Sinfield played ok when he came on. Looks like bad news for O`Connor and I`m not sure who we have as back up hooker, Bentley maybe?[/quote:tm2o18ce] Think it would be Frawley (he filled in there for Canberra on occasion) to hooker with Connor moving to the halves. We do have better depth in the spine this year.

[quote="ArthurClues":1udmgvcs]Think it would be Frawley (he filled in there for Canberra on occasion) to hooker with Connor moving to the halves. We do have better depth in the spine this year.[/quote:1udmgvcs] That sounds like a good option and I reckon that would work. Btw interesting choice of name AC as the "real" Arthur Clues taught my brother at school.

Thoughts on individuals: Connor showed his class, albeit on a flat track. It will be interesting to see if he can play well across a season, and against the top sides. Hall slotted back in like it was 2017 again. Handley at centre. Not sure about this. Not many running chances and I don't see him as a creator. Connor at centre would make more sense if he's prepared to put the work in. Sivo. Had a nice break from deep but lacked the pace to finish himself. Looked decent, but we will need to create opportunities out wide from close range - as with Hall. Croft & Frawley. Croft looked classy and Frawley looked dangerous with both ball in hand and kicking (!!!). Maybe he has been practicing with the boot. Palasia. Put in one big hit but was otherwise steady. Jury's out for me whether he's the prop we need. Jenkins. Carried the ball strongly, was my pick of the forwards (although Holroyd had a couple of good runs), although he wasn't on long. He reminded me of Peacock in the way he carries the ball - but not getting carried away! Cam Smith. Put in a good shift work wise but he's still killing plays... One of the worst moments in the game was when another player had obviously overun him, Smith stops, and then carries on anyway and gives away an obstruction penalty - WTF? Can we just use him as a middle and stop him passing unless it is a simple off-load? Sinfield. I thought he looked sharp, and contrary to what has been written by others, looks like he might be able to step up and control the team given the right opportunity in 2025. Lisone - got the crowd going by pumping his legs before running on to the ball but made limited impact ball in hand. Miller highlighted his improved defensive workrate I think in commentary. Ackers - played most of the game but didn't do much of note. Overall, not sure what to make of it. We looked in control in the first half but there could have been a lot more attacking threat. I expected a bit more physicality given what we keep hearing about Arthur's pre-season. Second half was a bit dismal. Bring in the kids by all means, but maybe throwing them all in wholesale at half-time was not the best way to do it? Not especially hopeful about the younger backs - none of them seems to have any pace and we were routinely burned on the outside by the Wakefield wingers and centres. Diskin actually looked pretty decent once he got over what otherwise might have been described as a debut worthy of the likes of Olpherts and Hooley.

Btw interesting choice of name AC as the "real" Arthur Clues taught my brother at school. OMG. makes me feel old now. Arthur Clues used to teach me at school. He was a real character and a nice and generous guy.

[quote="Fred_Pickup":2auzc7p0]Btw interesting choice of name AC as the "real" Arthur Clues taught my brother at school. OMG. makes me feel old now. Arthur Clues used to teach me at school. He was a real character and a nice and generous guy.[/quote:2auzc7p0] My Dad knew Arthur and as a result I got to meet him round about the time I first started to go to Headingley. Nobody asked him, but he sorted me some memorabilia from his Leeds days and back in Oz. I was always going to be a lifelong Loiner/Rhino from that moment on. As you say, an unforgettable and legendary character, but underneath that a very kind and generous man.

[quote="Fred_Pickup":2yz28szx]Btw interesting choice of name AC as the "real" Arthur Clues taught my brother at school. OMG. makes me feel old now. Arthur Clues used to teach me at school. He was a real character and a nice and generous guy.[/quote:2yz28szx] Nice coincidence mate. You might have been in the same class. Think AC has replied to your quote not mine. Yes Arthur was a bit of a character from what I heard in his playing days.