[quote="Cuddleclub":2h50slej]Special mention to Zak up there with MOTM for me, I know he’s had issues and I’m not excusing him for that, but he’s a competitor and that’s exactly what we need.[/quote:2h50slej] I think we should not keep raking up his past. We all have them. Great that he has a direction in the latter part of his career not getting into the international team but developing the youngsters around him . An astute acquisition long may that opinion remain valid

The lads look infinitely closer as a group than they did last year. It was probably hard for them last year to build a bond amongst themselves when they were only in training for a few hours a couple of days a week. When you see the stuff the social media team puts out (which I admit can be carefully chosen and edited) then they really do seem to enjoy being around each other.

[quote="Dave K.":e9ojaeoc]Bet his stats are very high, makes metres every carry.[/quote:e9ojaeoc] Yes decent stats for Hardaker last night 23 tackles 15 carries 126 metres Rapana, Barron and Martin well over 100 metres and Briscoe not far off on 96. Asiata 43 tackles with just one miss.

[quote="ComeOnYouUll":3dsvys6m]Yes decent stats for Hardaker last night 23 tackles 15 carries 126 metres Rapana, Barron and Martin well over 100 metres and Briscoe not far off on 96. Asiata 43 tackles with just one miss.[/quote:3dsvys6m] Martin did an unbelievable amount of work. Really restricted TPJ metres, we did a really good job on him. Potentially 3 playee out for next week though, so a little costly. Hopefully Chamberlain or Holmes back. Hooker could be an issue though.

[quote="Tarquin Fuego":2un5oqfx] They had at least one General in Sezer directing play. What a difference to last season where we looked like headless chucks. .[/quote:2un5oqfx] I’ve said it loads but even last season it was absolutely night and day difference even with just Ben Reynolds in the side who while not a world beater had the confidence and experience to take charge a little bit. No disrespect to him but he’s spent the majority of his career in the championship as his level but made big difference in the few games he played. Sezer with his NRL pedigree and experience is exactly what we need in a halfback for the short term. In his interviews he also seems genuinely honoured that the players picked him as captain. He gets the history of the club and how big a responsibility it is. Could be a wise move, let him be the leader on the field he’s that type of player, it then takes a little bit of responsibility off Asiata and allows him to play his natural game.

We played well, particularly in defence but catalans attack isn't great. Stats are interesting, we only had 5 ptb in their 20 and they had 36 in ours. If we give wigan that much ball near our line next week we won't give ourselves a chance.

Cartwright mentioned Ashworth and Bourouh went off with HIAs last night. Not sure if they passed them

Ashworth did as carty said he came back on but said there were still protocols to follow. Burough failed his. I was surprised that we didn't bring balmforth on earlier anyway tbh. Maybe the coaches think there is still be some work to do on his defence and didn't feel confident enough to bring him kn earlier when the game was more in the balance

Are we allowed to be positive or will we be shot down, just going to read through the comments then I'll see if I can be positive.

One person is playing hide and seek, showing true colours again,not one post, despite posting every day. 100% would have been here if we had lost.

[quote="Ellam":9l5thqbb]Are we allowed to be positive or will we be shot down, just going to read through the comments then I'll see if I can be positive.[/quote:9l5thqbb] You can be if it's guarded. If we get half a dozen games in and have 3 wins on the board that's the time to start being more positive. There were even some wins under tony smith believe it or not

Enjoy every moment, too many dark days recently, to be fair about from a mick taking on social media I haven't seen anyone going mad with predictions after last night's result. Still going to be a tough season, but we do seem to moving in the right direction.

Right my take, everyone stood up and put their bodies on the line, defence fantastic(all hail Lasty), team spirit the like of Hardaker and Rapana hugging Barron and Martin when they did something well was great to see it's what these young lads needed after last season(masterstroke Richie), Spine was massive Rapana quality always makes yards, Cust very good, Sezer amazing what you can do with a kicking game, Amir good at hooker loved Mint but what a difference at hooker with good ball and pace, Asiata warrior and moves our team around the pitch. Only one game but we've waited nearly 18 months for this so let's enjoy. Negatives Jed's hammy hopefully just a minor and a few weeks. Hopefully Amir pass protocols to play against Wigan. Holmes hopefully play to replace Jed and that be my only change. Final point someone's gone MIA amazing that isn't it he be gutted.

Burough failed his hia so will definitely miss the wigan game

It was great to see some effort, mental steel and commitment to the cause. Alot has being made about our recruitment but I think it showed last night we have signed players who will fight for every ball and put there body on the line. The little things we have taken for granted that we havent had for so long. Asiata presuring the kicker, Hardaker being switched on at a shirt kick off and half backs that can defend. Martin and Barron looked like different players with more experience around them. For me win or lose, show that same intensity every week and Ill be happy. We will have stronger challenges, its round 1 and despite what most are predicting I dont see Catalans as a top 6 team. But for far too long games like last night we would have lost. Step in the right direction, but if last night is anything to go by we are far away from the team you just have to turn up to beat.

[quote="Jake the Peg":eei7vodv]You can be if it's guarded. If we get half a dozen games in and have 3 wins on the board that's the time to start being more positive. There were even some wins under tony smith believe it or not[/quote:eei7vodv] While yes we need to be cautious the key thing for me was the foundations of a good defence where there. RL is a possession sport and if you defend well and keep the ball you will come up with the win more often than not. The biggest risk is how we cope with injuries and bans as we are weak in some positions. But we have money and salary cap space and I can forsee we will sign players for 2026 and pay to get them to come mid this season instead.

[quote="Jake the Peg":1f7zd1pu]Burough failed his hia so will definitely miss the wigan game[/quote:1f7zd1pu] Leaves us in a different position, Balmforth can't do 80 muns, so we could play Cust there and bring Kemp in or bring Hutchison in. I'm not sure breaking up our halfbacks is a good thing, but tough to ask Hutchinson to make his debut against Wigan. Unless we go with someone like Fash or Lane, which again, I hope we dont. Maybe Moy off the bench?

[quote="Dave K.":2z6myqdq]Leaves us in a different position, Balmforth can't do 80 muns, so we could play Cust there and bring Kemp in or bring Hutchison in. I'm not sure breaking up our halfbacks is a good thing, but tough to ask Hutchinson to make his debut against Wigan. Unless we go with someone like Fash or Lane, which again, I hope we dont. Maybe Moy off the bench?[/quote:2z6myqdq] Balmforth looks fitter so maybe 50 or 60minutes isn't out of question now. Think I'd go with not splitting the halves up and putting Moy on the bench as interchange hooker and cover for the backs. But it's not ideal whatever we do.

The biggest positive for me was not the win but the nature of the performance. It's been missing for so long.

[quote="Ellam":38kgp2l5]Right my take, everyone stood up and put their bodies on the line, defence fantastic(all hail Lasty), team spirit the like of Hardaker and Rapana hugging Barron and Martin when they did something well was great to see it's what these young lads needed after last season(masterstroke Richie), Spine was massive Rapana quality always makes yards, Cust very good, Sezer amazing what you can do with a kicking game, Amir good at hooker loved Mint but what a difference at hooker with good ball and pace, Asiata warrior and moves our team around the pitch. Only one game but we've waited nearly 18 months for this so let's enjoy. Negatives Jed's hammy hopefully just a minor and a few weeks. Hopefully Amir pass protocols to play against Wigan. Holmes hopefully play to replace Jed and that be my only change. Final point someone's gone MIA amazing that isn't it he be gutted.[/quote:38kgp2l5] Pretty much sums it up for me. Gutted for Jed as he was outstanding before he went off. Just hope Holmes is fit for next week. Be interesting how they go about dummy half with Amir failing his HIA. Too early for hutchinson to have a stint either side of HT to give Balmforth a breather?

Great result, and as has been said looks to be a bit more team spirit. Anyone else think Cust's second try should have been a penalty try? Looked like head contact to me.

Fantastic effort from all last night especially in defence , I thought both halves gelled well together also . Not a fan of captains challenge , Sorry Aussies you can have it back .

[quote="B0NES":1mk2pfiy]Fantastic effort from all last night especially in defence , I thought both halves gelled well together also . Not a fan of captains challenge , Sorry Aussies you can have it back .[/quote:1mk2pfiy] captains challenge in theory is fine, but it shouldn't take forever, id put a time limit on the review, 2 minutes maximum, if no conclusive evidence, call stands...can't have games taking over 2 hours to complete!

[quote="Ellam":cvyn3ata]Are we allowed to be positive or will we be shot down, just going to read through the comments then I'll see if I can be positive.[/quote:cvyn3ata] Good lord don’t be positive. I think prior to the game we were hopefully positive now we can be realistically positive. I see someone showed stats that mean Wigan will beat us if we don’t improve Ptbs in opposition territory. I’m sure Cartwright will be on these figures and address in training. So let’s remain positive. We beat Wigan last season remember!

[quote="number 6":1ultmb97][quote="B0NES":1ultmb97]Fantastic effort from all last night especially in defence , I thought both halves gelled well together also . Not a fan of captains challenge , Sorry Aussies you can have it back .[/quote:1ultmb97] captains challenge in theory is fine, but it shouldn't take forever, id put a time limit on the review, 2 minutes maximum, if no conclusive evidence, call stands...can't have games taking over 2 hours to complete![/quote:1ultmb97] I’d say 30secs max for the captains challenge as if it isn’t clear & obvious then refs call stands. Also pretty much the same with try’s, should take no longer than a minute, again if it isn’t clear and obvious then refs call stands. As last night was just painful and detracts from the game.