We saw plenty of hype around his signing, maybe too much when you look at his initial MOS odds.

In reality he's a 6 still learning his trade. According to wiki he played 27 games for Manly over a couple of years. I can imagine a high % of them would have been from the bench, plus some at 9 too. That's a player who's in and out of the side. One week he's a 6, next he's a 9 and then he's out of the side for a few weeks etc.

Game wise at HB, he's a way behind Harry Smith in regards to mins played, but is probably seen as the senior of the two. Maybe it's that NRL rub i.e. he's been brought over from Aus, so he's gotta be a superstar and in the running for MOS.

He's here for another year and then there's a third year that can be activated (not sure by who). I'm sure that we'll see a marked improvements from the lad in each of those seasons. He'll be a pretty experienced 6 by the end of 2024 and I'm sure that was his/our plan all along.

Early days, but I'm happy with both Cust and Smith. If we could get another 4 or 5 years of them as pair, then I'd be chuffed to bits.

I think that’s a good summary. I’m really happy with the lad but I can’t lie and say he’s not got plenty to work on. That’s totally understandable as you point out and it’ll take time. If I scored his season I’d give him a 7/10 but I’m confident he can get that up to 8’s and 9’s in time. I think the MOS point is a very valid one. It made zero sense why he was favourite and expectation comes with that. He’s not been at that level but why would such an inexperienced player be expected to be so. This season has been a solid base to build from.

Regards Cust, how many NRL clubs put a first option clause in a players contract when they come over here?

Manly see something in him and I think he will get better and better for us as his time here progresses.

100% he's got stuff to work on. I like your point a few posts back saying that his defensive lapses stretch back to game one of this season. He/we have been done a few times with his sliding defence and it needs to improve.

Like you said tho, we mostly be happy with how he's gone. He's had some big plays - rnd1 kick to Field and his performance, including his try, in the SF Vs Saints. I do think Tommy starts (if fit) and that's right for the side this season. Cust will bring a whole lot of energy and options from the bench tho.

In fairness that pass to Marshy for his last try was sublime. Happy with him and in particular his attitude to the cause but definitely things to tighten up on. I think people need to remember that it's his first full season at half and he's grown throughout so far. He isn't, and shouldn't be regarded as, the senior half. There's only a year between him and Harry Smith and Harry is the more experienced of the two in terms of game time. Tommy is our senior half. Simple as that.

The MOS odds were ridiculous.

Great point and a smart move by Manly, especially when you consider DCE is 33. I wouldn't be surprised if they speak to Cust at end of 2024, with an eye to him replacing DCE.

Firstly Nicky is spot on about Custs defence. Gets bumped off fair too easy.

Fairly happy with him on the ball and think he’ll improve next year. Seems to have a brilliant attitude.

He leaves a lot of the kicking and play making to Smith though.

Tommy straight back in for me with Cust on the bench.

On the game it didn’t really change my mind on where both sides are at.

Simm, Bennison and Davies won’t all be lining up at old Trafford. Them early set devastating Makinson carries were sorely missed. As was Hopoate linking play.

Don’t think the final score was a fair reflection either.

Think Saints would be a 4 point favourite if we played in the final but we still have a good chance.


I’d rather have lost last night and not lost Faz to injury. I’d be amazed if it isn’t season over for him.

Smithies is the form 13 in SL, not really notice Knowles tbh (maybe carrying a knock?).

The extra attention we’ve gave Welsby has been coming for months now. Proper grub* and had a nightmare evening and we let him know it.

*disclaimer - great great player and I’d love him if he played for us.

Rest up now and get ready for tough semi final.

Wouldn’t shock to if the final wasn’t Saints Wigan.

Smithies surely has to be the dream team 13 this season. I’m still going Knowles ahead of him for England (and obvious Radley) because I’m not somebody who buys in to picking solely on form at international level but there’s no doubt in my mind that Smithies has had the better season.

Think you spot on there. 1-17 I still think they are better than us, but with the injuries we both have (yes saints fans, we have them too) our squad depth is better than theirs.

I'd love to see a game against them where we have the same ball/field position as they do though because I don't think they could handle us.

I noticed last night that we made more yards per set than usual against them. Kicks were coming from the 40 rather than the 25 and we weren't as up against it as normal. Still plenty to do there, but it helps us defensively if we can tip the territory somehow.

I actually thought Cust was better last night compared to the last few weeks. Made a few big tackles, I.e one on Lomax just before Hurrell’s disallowed try and a shot on welsby which led to him knocking on right on our line. The stats say he only missed 2 last night and made 32.

They had spells in that second half where they tried to pin us in our twenty and we’d kick on the last from there. I’d love to see us just pump it upfield on the 3rd or 4th tackle and let the back three chase it. Their whole line flies up and gives you next to no chance of making decent ground by running it in but they leave so much space in behind. It isn’t every set they do it but when they do, I’d be using our pace every time and let their big guys have to turn and run back 50+ metres, rather than Welsby, Bennison or whoever catching it on half way with space in front of them.

I think the "better 1-17" argument is well over played. We compete in a sport where the first choice 1-17 is rarely...if ever...on the field at the same time and definitely never come the business end of the season. It rather like saying "if we had Wally Lewis in his pomp playing for us we'd easily be the best". Guess what? That's never going to happen either!

If Saints are less able to cope with injuries than us (I think they had 1 more than us last night) then that's on them. Spend less on the 1-17 and concentrate on a more rounded squad. That's the choice you make and live and die by. If it works for them like in the last couple of years, then fine, but they shouldn't be crying about it if and when it doesn't. You can't have it all ways.

Hull FC fan in peace. Just want to say how much I’ve enjoyed watching you guys this season. Love the intensity you play with and what a superb job Peets and Briers have done.
I tipped you back in February to win the final this year and looking good to do that.
Lastly, what a humble guy Matty Peets comes across as too. He’s been a breath of fresh air this season and really admire how he goes about his business quietly with no fuss. Deserves Coach of the year.
Best of luck in the play offs and hope to see you lifting the trophy on September 24th.

I’m assuming you haven’t watched it back? You’ll likely feel a bit silly about this post once you have. Was a bad tackle and Simm was legit rattled and showed the effects for the rest of the match, barely being able to move his arm. There is a ban incoming for Cust. Not sure if it’ll be the whole season, but 3 games wouldn’t surprise me.