Of course Edinburgh are expecting to get a return on investment, what is the problem with that?

Cardiff did try to keep it. Edinburgh put a better bid in for the event though, so not sure what your point is?



OK then – if the X amount of £ from this event goes to development of Super League, that is £X that doesn’t need to be found from other sources. That money would be invested in SL anyway, but the fact it comes from the Magic Weekend means that money from other sources can be used to fund development in other areas.

NL clubs got free tickets in Round 3 I believe – Barrow possibly could have sold more to their own fans, but they didn’t have to, they had the money guaranteed by the RFL before the game. I didn’t notice them complaining too vociferously.



No – it’s an extra game. If it wasn’t happening in Edinburgh we would only have 26 games, not 27. Clubs still get 13 home games, regardless of this weekend. If clubs are so precariously financed that they cannot afford to go 3 weeks without a home game, then they are in serious trouble, and shouldn’t be complaining about the way that the RFL runs its business.

isnt that the idea of Celtic Crusaders?

To be quite honest I dont give a flying s**t about the Aussies all I care about is a successful British competition and a fully fit International side when we come to the Tri Nations. The Aussies dont give a flying toss about us and its about time we should them the same!

I like the fact Graham has spoken up on this and that it is in the media. The more column inches the better for RL.

He is entitled to say he feels the Easter weekend is too much - he has been personally affected. And he is constructive in his criticism in saying that Cumbria could use some development. Good on the man.

its only appeared in the RL media and on the RL blogs.



you are right - he has been personally affected





he has offered nothing constructive about how this development should happen, how it will be funded and what the benefits of developing in Cumbria are compared to other regions.

Fully agree.

Cant take these events seriously with a quarter full stadium and a fixed fixture.

Wrong. I read it in the Mirror today.



Yes, I am right. He was there. He must be knackered to speak out like that, and given physical the demands of the modern game.




You may be right about this if you were there when he said it. However, I doubt you can pick it up from the soundbite-sized reports of what he said. Nevertheless, my point is that it doesn't sound like he is just moaning about Magic weekend, but offering an alternate view on development of the game. My position is that this is healthy both as part of the expansion debate and for giving column inches to RL. I don't necessarily agree with his points, but they are as valid as the next man's and I like to hear Saints players views on things.

The rags are full of 'soccer player thinks this', 'this manager said that', blah blah, blah.

its his job!!!!! its not as if its a sudden innovation to play two games at Easter, he knew what was involved when he decided to become a pro rugby player. You cant take the good parts and perks of a great job without having to take the tough parts too.


I heard the interview on the radio too. He has offered no proper alternative, other than "it’s a waste of time – we should do stuff in Cumbria instead". Its like me saying "lets have a Super League team on the moon" without actually suggesting how or why...its a pointless suggestion, and doesn’t really stimulate debate about whatever his main point may have been.



If he believes that Cumbria is a good development area, there is nothing stopping him outlining his beliefs in any number of media outlets – and I would be very interested in hearing his thoughts and views on the subject, along with any other players’ views on the issue.

By doing it in the week before a major event he just comes across as whinging because he can’t be bothered to go to Scotland.

very true but where we all gonna sit!! in a field!! good idea not realistic.

i do think cumbria need a franchise

I don't think he was suggesting that w play a round there, but instead, help Cumbria develop a top flight RL side

he hasnt really said what he wants, or how he thinks Cumbrian RL should be developed.

This Cumbrian expansion thing always makes me laugh. No one puts any credible idea forward, bar 'We should expand into Cumbria, it's an RL hotbed'

Which of the Cumbrian clubs should get all this financial help? One of them? All of them?

The idea of a combined Cumbrian club is a none starter, ask any cumbrian RL fan if they'd support a made up side, they wouldn't. Fans wouldn't go, they's still go and watch [itheir[/i side, and if that side had gone to the wall because of the combined side, they'd not go and watch that as club b/c/d/whoever will have killed their club. How many of our fans would go and watch a merged Saints/Wigan side? They'd be lucky to get 3,000 through the gates.

If someone comes up with a credible solution, then go for it, until then stop whining about it. The only realistic way of getting Cumbrian SL is if one of the current Cumbrian clubs gets it act together and produces a decent business plan along with a decent team and gets a franchise.