Was a good run out for the players in tricky conditions against a capable championship side, was impressed with Doncaster, wouldn't be shocked to see them in the play offs come the end of the season.

As for Hull, there was some good signs and some lingering concerns. Morgan Smith was an unexpected stand out for me, thought he made a really good first account for himself. Pele's game time was also good to see, he certainly looks like he could start rather then coming off the bench, both would be good options to have. A bit rusty in attack at times, however in the first friendly it is to be expected. However when things stuck/click it was pretty entertaining stuff.

The one negative that I cant help but have concerns over was discipline. It really has been our Achilles Heel now for some time and even against championship opposition it killed us in parts. I'm hoping that a run out with the new rules in play gives the players a greater feel of how much tolerance they now have.

I’m not sure yesterday gave me too much clarity on how we’ll line up against Wigan (& then rovers). I reckon for next game, he’ll cut the squad down but still play 20 players (21 if tag plays). I’m guessing something like that:

1. Walker
2. McIntosh
3. Carlos
4. Sutcliffe
5. Tindall
6. Brown
7. Hoy
8. Ese’ese
9. Houghton
10. Ashworth
11. Okunbor
12. Sao
13. Fash
14. Smith
15. Pele
16. Brown
17. Scott
18. Cator
19. Balmforth
20. Staveley
21. Tag

We’re still definitely prop & second row short imo

I think we are okay for props, Sao is really a middle, Ashworth, Brown, Ese, Pele and even Fash when needed , but yes for me the back row is the obvious weakness. A really good running threat like Willie Manu, oh those were the days.

I like Severs and feel he could make the step up - same with Staveley

https://hullfc.mysportsonline.uk/video/ ... eason/5800 Highlights online now

https://hullfc.mysportsonline.uk/video/ ... eason/5800 Highlights online now

I’m happy with those options if they’re playing at prop but sadly Sao is playing back Row and fash 13.

Gardner appears to be next in line and sadly I don’t think he would be a stand out player in the championship. Smith obviously not confident in Diakate.

I like the look of staveley but smith doesn’t seem sure yet and severs looks like a classy back rower with good footwork, just needs a few more KG’s behind him

If Sao plays front row then i think we are ok but the second row is frighteningly weak.
what bothers me is it looks like we will still have Cator,Fash and Lane in the first 17

Can see Cator and Fash getting in the 17 but not lane. With a big pack think we need players like Fash and Cator around the 17. Grafters who will do all the dirty work

Fash in the 17 is perfectly fine with me now that we've added some much needed size. He's been having to play like a battering ram the last couple of years despite not having the physique for it. The newer boys can take this role over and Fash will, as he always has, be a workhorse through the middle. Pele likely won't take a carry every set, but you can guarantee Fash will put his hand up to take it in. While Pele and Herman will likely be looking to make yards after contact or slip an offload out, we need Fash to be looking to get to the floor quick and look for a quick play the ball which we can play off the back off. I can see him starting to really improve on his ball handling aswell now and start throwing out passes more.
He'll keep us solid defensively in the middle aswell.
Every team needs a workhorse middle and Fash will do that job well for us in my opinion.

I do share a little of the concerns of Bonaire and would hope we don’t see all 3 of Fash, Cator & Lane in the 17. Of the 3 I can only see Fash and likely Cator being regulars in the 17 with a fully fit squad. Guess a lot will depend on where Fash is used. I’d hope we see Balmforth or Smith on the bench at least to spell Houghton so for Cator and Lane to get in they’d have to be on top form. Hopefully Severs & Staveley will be given a genuine opportunity to stake a claim in the SR. Think Scott could well force his way into the 17 too.

Do think we look very weak in the SR especially if Ashworth is in the front row with Sao, Ese Ese & Pele. Though if Brown can step up with an increased size in the pack and Ashworth & Okunbor in the SR then it’ll leave only one of Fash or Cator at 13.

Be interesting to see how it plays out as the season goes along.

Herman saying they were sloppy at discipline especially at square marker!

I’m seriously concerned about our discipline and a lot on this board have been for years.
Just way too many penalties and errors like knock ons

If we beat Rovers then our discipline needs to be red hot and I can’t see it being

Sao and Okunbor played 2nd row yesterday and looked good. I think they will be our starters.
Ashworth can play there and yesterday showed he had a good pair of hands for a forward too.
Brown, Fash and Cator as further back up isn't too shabby.
If everyone is fit I can see Lane missing out.
We also have some decent youngsters coming through.
I'm not overly concerned at all.
My only hope is that we massively improve our discipline.

I don’t get playing Fash at Loose Forward.

I know the role has become diluted in the past few years since Sculthorpe, Sir Kev and SOL have retired. Never mind Knocker, Casey, Harry Pinner and Mick Adams in the 80’s.

However, I still think a Loose Forward should be classed as a creative pivot. I like Fash, he’s a 100% committed grafting forward. First into the tackle and also willing to run the ball in. However, he has never been a ball handler. I’m fine with Fash playing Prop, but we need to get more imaginative at LF.

It is a role we need to redevelop and we continue our transition. More recently we’ve had Grimaldi, Jason Smith, McMenamy, Cooke and Westerman in that that role, that could put someone through a gap.

I’m not sure Cator at LF is the answer either. I know Joe had a horrid time out with injuries, however I can’t remember many times last season when he was that creative. However, early days but Joe did look ok during his spell at Hooker yesterday.

I just think over the next year, we need to find a better solution at Loose Forward.

I agree.

Our discipline over the past few years has been shocking. Twice yesterday we gave away penalties at our own PTB, which is criminal. This was followed by multiple six again on the 4th/5th tackles.

Cut those errors out and we start winning more of the games we usually lose by 6-8 points and that will get us back into the Top 6. It’s within our gift and I hope we finally address this issue this season.

We are definite a forward short, one more would really improve our squad, that could be a backrower (meaning Sao could play prop) or a prop (Sao stays in the backrow.

I really hope Cator kicks on this season, if he can add an attaclking element to his game (which he showed on Sunday, against a championship side) that would allow Fash and Brown to fight for the 4th prop spot.

Biggest concern for me now is still halfback, we have better depth, but do we have the quality, doubts about Hoy at 6, think Smith could push him early season for that spot.

Id start Walker against Wigan and give Hoy and Smith both 40 minutes at 6.

Cator back to LF, see if he can show his attacking game against better opposition.

Is it me or have I missed something being over here in Melbourne?

Last season uncle Tony said the squad would be under cooked at the start of the season and it was a long game we have to play - well that was absolute garbage as it played out.

Now we are going at it like a house on fire and have to win the Derby!

Has Tony ever broadcasted why he’s done a full and total 360’ turnaround and why he was clearly wrong last year, despite having 20 years experience

Did I miss this bit from him ?

He said last year we were coming in undercooked as he wanted to focus on fixing the underlying issues we had due to long term injuries. He obviously thinks we’re more robust this year I would imagine

Exactly this ^^^^^^^^^^, he made no secret of it and spoke in some detail last season about the reasoning behind doing it.

If Morgan Smith plays well again v Wigan, why not start him and Hoy in the halves v rovers, walker at fullback and Nu Brown at 13? Gives us more creativity than having Fash/Cator at 13

To quote Tarquin.

“Now we are going at it like a house on fire and have to win the Derby!”

Who has said we have to win the Derby?

Think he hears what he wants to hear?

Unfortunately Kye Armstrong is injured at the moment ,

It's be good if Stavely made the grade. He's got good size, good strength and good hands but seems a long way from getting in the team at the moment.

I’m hoping he’ll get another shot against wigan. Not sure how Jordan lane will be after his head knock. I think Lane & Staveley are probably the next cues off the rack.

My only concern with him is I’m not sure how good his engine is.

The Wigan game is a perfect opportunity to test Staveley out against a strong opposition and giving him the chance to stake a claim for the season ahead. Even though the game will have been 2 weeks since the Doncaster game I'd still probably rest Lane altogether such was his head knock just to be extra cautious.