I like the fact that Agar seems to playing his first choice spine in these pre season games. The attacking cohesion seems to be building.

Agree. Plus, it's an indication he sees no undue risk in terms of injuries. Not sure gale would have featured quite so strongly were he still on the payroll

I think O'Connor and Mustapha are going to play for the Bulls next weekend as its round 1 of Championship.

Yes I really liked what I saw from them so far. Sezer's just a high quality player, he could still probably hold a spot in NRL I think. Austin gives you that x-factor, bit of magic on the edges to break a defence down. Myler chimed in really nicely with them too - those three will cause lots of problems. We could do with nailing down that left centre position; one of Sutcliffe, Briscoe or Broadbent needs to make it their own this season because we're not going to get the best out of Sezer until we have the centre / second row combination working well.

To be fair I've said I'm not so convinced about Myler in D as a full back, but against Fev he took one of their big men 1:1 superbly on our line. Thought he played well again.

Left centre is fascinating. I would say Broadbent is already the most potent attacking threat, but I think he'll have to bide his time.

If Myler wasn't Richie Myler people would talk about him as one of the best full backs in the league.

But people seem to judge players and coaches solely on past ability/achievements.

Yeah agree, thought Jack showed up pretty well in the two friendlies so far, but he has to get more solid in his D. He gets brushed off on the upper body way too easily sometimes and that's going to hold him back until fixed. Going forward I'd take him over our other options now.

Is there a good centre in a fit Liam Sutcliffe? Grab your popcorn on that one.

Briscoe is strong as an ox but does he have enough finesse?

Most sides attack down their left (I think we might prefer our right this season given the firepower that side).

Maybe but Myler isn't a full-spectrum FB for me. Chiming into the line there are none better in SL, totally agree and he can be devastating in good ball.

What I'm less convinced with is him as a strike runner and a physical presence.

I think he can look good in a dominant side, but when we're under the pump he offers much less. You could say most players are like that but I dunno, jury is still out for me whether he is the Answer.

Personally I'd like more pace. size and strike from FB, but just because Myler doesn't fit the mould doesn't mean he can't be really effective. Liked the way he's already working with Sezer and Austin - I guess you don't need to be lightning quick if you can beat a man with skill like that.

Quote ="Marty Grrrrrrrrrr!"Leeds getting frustrated with Jack Walker's foot injury. Unfortunately its not healing properly and its very slow progress. Its becoming a concern for Jack and the coaching staff. Hopefully theres some progress soon to allow him to play in Briscoe's game but from what i heard yesterday it doesnt sound good. Real shame.'" Not sure where your info is from but it doesn’t seem to be correct? https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... nd-3532539 “ Leeds Rhinos full-back Jack Walker has finally been given the all-clear after a two-year injury nightmare”

Quote ="Marty Grrrrrrrrrr!"Leeds getting frustrated with Jack Walker's foot injury. Unfortunately its not healing properly and its very slow progress. Its becoming a concern for Jack and the coaching staff. Hopefully theres some progress soon to allow him to play in Briscoe's game but from what i heard yesterday it doesnt sound good. Real shame.'" Not sure where your info is from but it doesn’t seem to be correct? https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... nd-3532539 “ Leeds Rhinos full-back Jack Walker has finally been given the all-clear after a two-year injury nightmare”

Dunno Chris do you reckon this is a case of "he would say that wouldn't he?".

He must be desperate to prove his fitness again. Hopefully he just needs gametime and rest time - even if it's healed in theory, playing RL will test it to the limit I guess.

Either that or big Marty will be having a word with his mole in a dark alley around now...

Quote ="christopher"Not sure where your info is from but it doesn’t seem to be correct? https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... nd-3532539 “ Leeds Rhinos full-back Jack Walker has finally been given the all-clear after a two-year injury nightmare”'" It came from Agar. He said "We’re a bit worried about Jack Walkers progress. Very slow. His foot is still a worry." See how he goes. Hopefully he can fully recover and get back to his old form.

Quote ="christopher"Not sure where your info is from but it doesn’t seem to be correct? https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... nd-3532539 “ Leeds Rhinos full-back Jack Walker has finally been given the all-clear after a two-year injury nightmare”'" It came from Agar. He said "We’re a bit worried about Jack Walkers progress. Very slow. His foot is still a worry." See how he goes. Hopefully he can fully recover and get back to his old form.

At this point I'm more bothered about Fusitu'a to be honest: we've learned to cope without Jack pretty well already, if he comes back fit that's a bonus. Fusitu'a is a big risk, if he comes back in form he could be a great signing, or it could be a complete flop. Although we can put Briscoe or Tindall on that wing as cover we not be going forward.

He's had Covid quite recently, so probably him along a little slow. I reckon he'll be right for the Hull friendly.

I know, again not the ideal handshake for a new life in the UK - many pacific islanders seem to have caught COVID hard too.

Think you're right he'll make an appearance against Hull. Full fat backline of Myler, Fusitu'a, Newman, Austin, Sezer, Briscoe/Sutcliffe, Handley?

I can see Jack Broadbent getting some good game time this year too.

The interview with walker today is to the contrary of any concerns and he's ready to go. 'buzzing' as they say now.

He does have a little bit of form for bold predictions of returns to fitness that then have to be tempered by Agar. It's great that he's so positive but ultimately we'll only know when he puts a string of games together. Fingers crossed for him.

They have and many have not been vaccinated

Well the really light rotation of props we have is already going to be tested then with Holroyd out for 3 months.

Was afraid that injury might be a bad one he’s done ankles before I think and he’s a heavy thing.

Really not the start to the season we needed. We’re already down to the bones at prop. Also disappointed for Tom he’ll have been working hard over the winter I’m sure. Oh well.

Shish that is bad news and rightly predicted that we will suffer if we get an injury in the front row.
Step forward Muz and Thompson then for now.

That's a big blow. Tetevano definitely needs to be used as a rotating prop. Prior and Oledzki starting.Thompson will now be used as 4th prop which isn't ideal but hopefully will have a bit more fitness than he did last season. Muizz could be used there but for mine doesn't have the frame for it.

It doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to see the possibility of one of the other 3 being out for a period at the same time too. We were desperately light in that area going into the year. Muizz cant be loaned out now.

That's the only real positive outcome, that it forces the hand of playing Smith at 13. Hope he grabs the opportunity as he's gone well so far in preseason.

Losing Tommy is a masaive blow. If Cam Smith at 13 with Tet moving up to prop is the move then its a decent option.

Cam has all the ability in the world and needs to kick on now hes got enough experience. Big year for him.

We cant afford more injuries in the middle or halves thats for sure.

Theres nothing as certain as a Tom Holroyd injury. Not the lads fault but he has no luck atall with them.