When Kopzcak and Scully are fully fit I don't think we'll have too much problem with impact, and atm I think we'll see Hall start in the second row, have some time on the bench, then be put on at prop for impact, and he does have the size for that role.

Fraid I have to disagree. Koppy may assume this role as he develops hopefully but I'll take some convincing about Sculthorpe given his previous performances for other clubs included a lot of needless handling errors, slack passes and indiscipline. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt but my head tells me not to rely on him for great things.

Hall for me is a good second row but he's not going to be coming off the bench to change the game by skittling players out of the way and getting us a roll on in the fashion of Puletua or Faasavalu or Lauitiiti or Eastwood. He's more of a solid sort of forward who'll be utterly reliable in defence and not get pushed arouind too much on attack.

I'm with Bullseye on this, it is an area of concern for me too. I thought at times we struggled against Hull KR for go forward and we could have done with an impact type player off the bench.

Hopefully Koppy may mature and improve again this year but we do perhaps lack an aggressive Prop. Scruton is probably our 'enforcer' and he isn't exceptionally big for a front row forward. Fortunately we have two massive Props in our squad for the future but I think this year may prove a little too soon.

Why oh why oh why oh why oh why oh why oh why is the game still over 24 hours away? IT'S NOT FAIR!!!

Hopefully it'll stop raining a little before Friday, I'm never very confident of us winning in wet conditions!

I liked what I saw of Donaldson a lot last year, looks to have a very good controlled aggression, hope he continues like that.

In most SL clubs the 18s and reserves coaches speak to the head coach about up and coming players in all sides. Many head coaches go to a fair few 18s and reserve games.

infact the process starts earlier when several clubs try to sign the same scholarship kids.

If the player is an international the awareness will be even higher.

Trust me, Whitehead will be known to many clubs - all the more credit to the Bulls for signing him.

Whitehead is just as promising as Donno IMO.

Conventional wisdom is that heavy conditions suit teams with a big pack, such as the Giants. But I'm not sure that it works that way these days. Even in the days of the awesome foursome we seemed to struggle in the wet. These sort of games often seem to be decided by a couple of breaks by small nippy players, perhaps we might be better suited than in the past?

I think the wet weather could bring many advantages.

Orfords short kicking game may see the opposition stuggle to control the ball.

Kearneys illusiveness will open gaps especially if a player slips also Sheriffe with his running across the line may open up gaps in the sluggish weather. Not to mention the same with Readon and Halley.

The negative areas could be the new Aussies may struggle with these unfamiliar conditions. Also the game may see less passing to reduce mistakes therefore making it a forwards game.

I predict Bulls by 7 and Kearney MOTM, a drop goal seperating the teams for most of the game then a late Bulls try as the Giants throw the ball around in an attempt to win the game.

God, why do people do these obvious predictions?

Us by 10. Rikki Sheriffe MoM , or maybe Matty Orford

Bulls by 16.

Reardon first try.
Orford MOTM.

Possibly, we will certainly need to keep our mistakes to a bare minimum and hopefully Orford will keep the Giants pegged back with some clever kicks.

Can't wait now..