Russell played at 9 for some matches ,got a good kicking game and can tackle never saw him run with ball so hard to judge speed

I hope that's right.

I live over 100 miles away, and advance train tickets are the only way I can get up reasonably cheaply. And advance tickets are only usually "cheap" if you can book them 2-3 months in advance.

("cheap" being a relative term here. Just not extortionately expensive!)

I hope we don't give to much away at the Xmas match !

Its five weeks away, and we haven't started pre season training yet... so I doubt very much there will be anything to 'give away'.

It's a training run but we need a real training run so we play our routines and do our best.
And then turn up in round 1 ready to go.
It's not like we've been invisible so far.
They know what Tom can do and I'm sure the know McMeekan will be in the front row

Back to Doyle, he really impressed me last season, hooker, in my opinion is the hardest position on the field, he brought energy when he was introduced, regarding not being ready, how are we supposed to know without him put up against the best. He’ll do well I have confidence in the lad

Completely agree, I think he’ll fit right in next year. Not Ipape or Clark but he could become a ridiculously hardworking 9 in the Roby or O’Neill mould over the next three or four seasons. Glad we’ve got him.

If he’s 10% of Roby he’d be far better than Ipape or Clarke!
I think he’ll do a very good job and will move us around the field well, his distribution is good and he offers a decent threat from dummy half. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him overtake Hood and become the first choice Hooker

I think that’s will happen in transition as we progress the season. Hood will start the season at 9 i expect. We may also see a handful of games or more for Smith as we get into the season.

I don't really see a primary.
Most times both hookers play exactly the same game time.

Most teams carry a 9 on the bench, but ideally coaches would prefer an 80 minute 9, but the intensity in most games in SL not many are able, Roby was exceptional at it even in his latter years, hopefully Doyle will build up to doing a decent stint

He did OK in the GF against Toulouse, playing 71 minutes after Hood was kneed in the head.

The only club I’ve ever seen who plays 2 Hookers where neither is a primary Hooker and the other a secondary or up & coming Hooker was Sts with Cunningham & Roby. Even then Cunningham was preferred over Roby till he retired

He did.
But 70 minutes in Championship is not the same as 70 minutes in Super League.
We need to us Hood for the heavy going defense early on then bring him uele and Rodwell to change the game.

Exactly, and I hope he cements the 9 position, injury free, I think he will be up there in the top performing Wakey players next season