Yes I thought he stepped up well.
He'll go ok if Moore is injured.

Leeds will clearly get better.
They need Sutcliffe back in the 6 shirt.
They missed the direction today.

If you watch the Leeds video it's all focused on Leeds play if course but it shows the improved line speed. It doesn't look anything like the team from last year.

Finn and Miller looked good.
Tansey was much better at fullback..... But is unlikely to unseat BJB.

Tupou and Simon will add a lot to the team.

I'm quite looking forward to the season while still being sensible about expectations.

Apparently Smith is beasting them every day at 6.30 and then working skills after breakfast together.
It's clearly working.

Still some issues with outside defenders coming up and in but as you say, much much better

I thought the attitude from the players in defence was great

England impressed me certainly looked nasty and had a bit in him without letting his discipline go

Anderson and scruton were themselves and thought Arona caused them problems in the line with his carries and getting his hands free

Finns kicking game was great his marshalling also

Back 3 of BJB & Johnstone in particular has pace to burn

I was pleased

As smith says one step at a time and let's not kid ourselves at the end of last season were for me considerably far off the rest of SL - but I'm not complaining

What smith does seem to be doing is building a very good spirit with the lads - Kirmond at the final whistle ran 50 yds to high five Aronas kids and get them over to where the trophy was been lifted.

Class

I'm absolutely sure that the lack of effort will be a thing of the past. B S will demand a new culture at the club and players that buy in to it will be rewarded with a first team place and a personal development . B S s the best thing to happen At Trinity for a long long time.

Yes he is! I am not kidding myself of a top eight finish but I am of the belief we will not be bottom.

Fynn was the missing piece of the jigsaw yesterday. He managed the team and kicked well. We finally have a kicking game. Thought Jacob Miller positioning was very good also now having such a game managing half-back such as Fynn will relieve pressure off him allowing him to play his natural line attacking game. I also thought they linked up well when moves were displayed.
Scruton, Anderson and England showed up very well and with the addition of Simon that's not a bad front row for the season. Howarth was strong when Moore picked up the injury passing and tackling was decent. I think Arona is going to attract some attention from other clubs through out the season he has excellent footwork when attacking the line and also has a offload and passing game which will be useful especially if he plays at loose which when I have seen him play is IMO his best position. Strong performance. I am excited to see us play other players A Tupou, Simon, Annakin etc.

Ashurst has not been mentioned but looked bigger to me and is a good second row for us.
He'll be a good attacking option running off Finn and Tupou.
Molloy too when fit.

In Ashurst, Kirmond and Tupou we've got three second rowers who run lines exceptionally well. If we can get the attacking structure and shape sorted out we will trouble our opposition with options on both sides of the field.

Great effort indeed...(friendly or not) to restrict Leeds to only 6 points on their own ground, takes some doing.

A good defensive display by the Wildcats against a poorly performing Rhinos but to talk about GFs is a little optimistic at this stage. If you do get there we can give you directions to the stadium. Good luck for next season.

Erme that's pretty much what he said?!?

No one thinks we'll be at Old Trafford, but I'd like to think we are slightly closer than last year.

Goodness me,we are touchy and a bit nattered me thinks .

You must be full of Christmas spirit - it's beyond the realms of possibility.

I am not too worried as a Leeds fan we were gash, but still really early days, and players haven't been back that long. Some key players gone will take some time to adjust.
Thought wakey played the conditions better and looked sharper and fitter than us. It's hard to judge anything from pre season but looks to be a better Wakey side than last year