Holroyd looked rusty as most of players did but he will especially since he's played like 4 games in the past 12 months. Walters was steady didn't really stand out imo though. Edwards had some ok touches.

Glad to see Smith push more minutes out of Sangare, he had some good moments. Some good involvements from the young players simpson looked strong. Considering the clear difference in make up of the 2 sides it was a good runout.

That’s more reassuring then. But Johnson? Surely a concern to it mate the squad with all those out…..
Old enough to be pushing starting place week in….

I may be a million miles off the point here.. so feel free to shoot me down!

...But why is a lot of our better players are knackered/injured before we've even played a game? illness aside that is... Do we have to train as intense / frequently only for it to affect us come game day? A few key injuries in training could (and probably will) cost us in the super league. Its bad enough we risk injury during the game never mind in intense training.... Not a moan, just an observation that's all. I know players need to be tested in training, but tested AS much as they are?

Don't worry about the result you only start playing around August?

Smith said everyone who was fit played so by that you would think Johnson has an injury or could even be illness.

I know it’s Christmas, but please stop adding logic into threads! It ruins the narrative

I enjoyed the game was great to get out and it does feel like a fresh side this season compared to previous.

Thought Tindall got very much stuck in all game, lots of carries and plenty of aggression.

Simpson just looks the part - he’s an athlete and clearly works hard. He could be very good in a couple of years.

Thought Edwards showed up well in patches too but his lack of size worries me a little.

Gannon had a good game - he’s not a SL six for me but my word he is a quality player in the making. He could be a really really good loose forward in the Farrell/Sculthorpe mould in time IMO.

Edwards according his bio is 5ft 10 and is 13.9 stone that's plenty big enough for someone only 20 years of age.

Not much to live up to then, if your already comparing him to the two best second rows/13’s we’ve ever produced!

Agree with plenty Jim said.
Some good moments from Sangare, Simpson and Myler.
Ruan as well although raw in defence.
Some really good stuff from Gannon. He looks a bit more athletic as well with an ability to poke his nose through the line.
I hope we can keep him for a long time because he looks special. Lovely hands with Simpson down the short side for the Tindall try.

Leeming again was erratic for mine but hope injury is minor. One excellent 40/20 but we overcooked short
Kick offs and drop outs when our young pack was getting overpowered.
The new 17 for wakey looked a very good forward.

Who knows where Gannon will end up but he has that tall, rangy, skilful build which reminds me very much of those two.

Hopefully Corey Johnson can get back on the scene again soon.

When fully fit we have a handy side in the making. We do need a couple of the young lads to kick on and establish themselves and we need to be much smarter with recruitment when we lose a boat load of salary cap for 2024.

I’m fairly happy with the youth at the club but my word some of our senior recruitment has been shocking for a long time now. I think Smith gets it though and I expect things to improve significantly here.

Yeah looks like a good Loose F all day long. Reminds me of a young Paul Sculthorpe. Lets hope so.

the fb beggars to sign were in force for martin , zak and dwyer personally hope gannon starts more than martin we've other kickers

We have but Martin is by far out best kicker.Gannon will come on for Bentley or Smith for mine.

Agreed. Morgan's barely nineteen. No way he gets more back row minutes than Martin or Bentley this year however good a player he is.

Yep Smith is too wiser coach to over play Gannon at his young age.

Martin is one of our best overseas signings in recent years too.

He is plays big minutes and is a superb goal kicker.

Martin is the best back row at the club, he runs the best lines and offers the biggest threat ball in hand. At times last year he was also our best Centre.

For him not to be our first choice would be madness.

Martin will be first name on team sheet. I also heard he is likely to be announced as Captain……but the source is not always right!

Absolutely ridiculous to suggest that Gannon gets in ahead of Martin.
He's been our best player for the last 2-3 years and is the best goal kicker in the league.

Think only one poster suggested this.

oledzski been best blayer last 2 years , , bentley is better than martin , neither can run as far as gannon ,re age moz played 3 tests for gb at 19 the aussie invincibles were largely 21

Martin is a seasoned pro and our best goal kicker by country mile.Gannon will play plenty but it will be mainly off the bench.