And was he wearing a swimming ring, armbands or both



On a serious note I admit to having reservations about his signing not due to his playing ability but his ability to get in shape. I still have some reservations as the season is some way off yet but to be fair to Jordan he has certainly put the effort in to get in to shape prior to starting pre season, so he's at least showing the right attitude. Getting in to shape and being fit you'd think will only help in recovery be it after a game or an injury.

Abdull expected to return to training before Christmas

[urlhttps://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/hull-fc-injury-update-including-9773490?505=[/url

My Mrs saw Abdul today and said he has lost loads of weight and looks younger…I believe her more than some of the “in the know” posters on here.

Anybody have any thoughts on captain/vice captain for the upcoming season?
For the first time in a few years I think we have a few worthwhile candidates.

I'd say maybe Rapana for Captain with Asiata as his vice. More based on the fact Asiata might not be on the pitch for the full 80.
Nepotism aside I could also see Jed Cartwright maybe been given a vice captaincy position. A lot of talk in the media last season when he came over about his leadership showing through.
Sezer would also be a possible option, along with possibly even Hardaker (as a vice) or maybe even Ese'Ese who always stood up and lead from the front in such a tough year (these are all for vice captain by the way).

Asiata as captain and Rapana as vice for me, whoever is chosen it's good to see so many leaders in the team, it will do the young lads the world of good.

I'd agree with this. Asiata will be a great leader. We've not really had that since Ellis.

2013 to 2017 - Gareth Ellis
2018 to 2021 - Danny Houghton
2021 - Danny Houghton, Scott Taylor, Marc Sneyd
2022 - Luke Gale
2023 - Carlos Tuimavave
2024 - Danny Houghton

Houghton popular with his team mates without a doubt but for me never really an onfield leader. Carlos perhaps too quiet for the role, Gale well enough said.

Id be fine with that , No hiding place for any slackers next season .

I'd go with this. We've actually managed to recruit a good experienced leadership group over the last year.

Agree, Asiata and Rapana will command respect from the rest of the team, set the tone from the off and give someone a mouth full if needed. It's refreshing to see so many strong personalities in the squad and it not being left to one or 2 people.

Storm have a Leadership group for players coming through
They have about 5 players that are groomed for Captaincy

Everyone saying Rapana should be in for C or VC but we’ve all heard he doesn’t do extras, doesn’t try in fitness drills or do things such as tidy up after himself or pop his bibs away.

Not really a captain quality, even if he is a competitor on the pitch. Asiata, Sezer & Cartwright are who I think should be involved.

Where's that from about Rapana?

Had heard he is struggling with fitness but nothing along the lines of not tidying his own mess etc

Some feature Canberra did with Ricky Stewart and some Canberra players that was linked on here. I only skimmed it couldn’t fully make out if it was tongue in cheek or not but they made out he was a very poor trainer but a different animal on the field.

Pretty much this, he’s a laid back jokester but not the model professional we want as captain. I do often think that people like Rapana who slack off a bit and miss extras etc seem to have better longevity.

He did a massive dump at training that didn't flush away and it's been blown up out of all proportion

Captain for me has to be Asiata and then I'd look at either Herman or Jed as the VC

Feel sorry for the poor bugger who has to clean up the 3g pitch afterwards

Quote ="Steve0"Where's that from about Rapana?'" Probably here because of his unique character but what a competitor and what great praise from his team mates and coach. I'm excited about watching him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3BBMEao5vU

Quote ="Steve0"Where's that from about Rapana?'" Probably here because of his unique character but what a competitor and what great praise from his team mates and coach. I'm excited about watching him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3BBMEao5vU

From Grix today

The environment that we are trying to put together has a healthy fear within it; a new coach comes in, and there's always a healthy fear, and the novelty hasn't worn off yet. Everyone is still behaving. It's just been an enjoyable place to come and work. Long may that continue."

I’ve always said the players must feel that little bit of underlying ‘fear’
Fergie had it at Man U as did Cloughie who was a genius

Quote ="The Dentist Wilf"Probably here because of his unique character but what a competitor and what great praise from his team mates and coach. I'm excited about watching him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3BBMEao5vU'" Me too. Heard some good things about him already.

Quote ="The Dentist Wilf"Probably here because of his unique character but what a competitor and what great praise from his team mates and coach. I'm excited about watching him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3BBMEao5vU'" Me too. Heard some good things about him already.

I'd prefer it if Grix stayed hush tbh.

I do feel that during his interim stint Grix's hands were tied with what he could/couldn't say and in hindsight it sounds like it was absolute carnage behind the scenes, having said that how he carried himself and some of his actions/selections were horrendous.

Impossible gig for anyone with that squad and it became more and more apparent just how unfit and injury prone the team where. I reckon even Wayne Bennett would have gone home with his head in his hands...but personally I'd have let him go just to fully end that disaster of an era.

Asiata Captain, Sezer/Rapana vice for me