In the South of England, unless you're already a RL nut, there would be no indication that RL is a week away from a new season. The BBC and online newspapers are carrying nothing about it, with the last articles from weeks ago, and not about the season launch. I was expecting by now that the RFL would be pushing out story after story relating to the clubs, prospects for the season or even plans for 2019 and beyond. But nothing.

Is there anything happening up North?

No. Not that I have seen.

The media launch day isn't until this Thursday so whilst most clubs have had their season launches, the actual governing body has given the media very little so far.

Diddly squat in the Guardian until today, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-he ... gue-season Gavin Willacy is a former director/larker at St.Albans Centurions and known for his book 'No Helmets Required'. Was at the WC and did some very nice reports whilst out there. As for Dave Woods, still writing his apology for slandering Tommy Harris at the 2016 CC final hence no time to actually write anything on RL for the BBC website. He's an utter waste of time and a commentator.

Diddly squat in the Guardian until today, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-he ... gue-season Gavin Willacy is a former director/larker at St.Albans Centurions and known for his book 'No Helmets Required'. Was at the WC and did some very nice reports whilst out there. As for Dave Woods, still writing his apology for slandering Tommy Harris at the 2016 CC final hence no time to actually write anything on RL for the BBC website. He's an utter waste of time and a commentator.

What happened there? Must have missed it!

'Ralph Rimmer'

...too be fair, we do have an RLFANS.COM thread slagging off the BBC, which normally means the season is nearly upon us


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When the announcement came out for the Lance Todd trophy winner (or just before it was made) Woods said that the only Hull FC player to win it before was Tommy Harris, but had only won it based on a sympathy vote because he got injured. Denigrating his effort live on national TV and basically saying that 'Bomber' didn't really deserve it but also failing to actually read the match report and what Harris had actually done in the game before being dragged off due to his efforts and injury. As a fan not just of Hull FC but the history of the game it made my blood boil.
He's still a e commentator who still doesn't get half of what's going on despite being doing it for decades and waffles far too much.

Marketing has never been our strong point and i can't see why, they have no excuses and some clubs moan about low crowds and poor sponsorship when they do next to nothing to promote the game.

I keep reading about this "new" promotional ad with the Brownlee brothers. However, in spite of being a subscriber to Sky and Sky Sports I've yet to see the ad. Anyone else seen it?

Ah, I'm not old enough to remember those days! But I do know if a player has to leave the field for an injury (especially back then) then it must have been bad. Especially if he managed to carry on a bit first. Tbh nobody who wins the Lance Todd should be taken the mick out of. Very historic and usually spot on for those who win it and some very memorable performances.

no, just on my twitter feed not on tv

Your not missing anything, most pointless "Promotion" i have ever seen. For me its actually quite cringey to watch.

I was a fan of the Johnny Vegas commercial last year tbf, at least that caught the viewers attention - With this one we have no chance.

The brownle brothers add seen it on my iPad it’s not bad

Really? To sum it up for the people that haven't yet seen it, Ben Currie can plank for 6 minutes, Mike McMeeken can cycle at 420w consistently for 30 minutes, Kallum Watkins can do a decent box jump and George Williams is good at a beep test. How this advert will attract someone new to watch our sport i do not know.

Absolute shocking, I reckon anybody with a basic knowledge of movie maker could make a better advert than that. Show our product in a high quality ad like the NRL do. Or better yet use someone like we did last year but intercut with clips, hits and tries. Or one like the NFL has just done for the AFC Championship game (Jacksonville vs New England) with John Malkovich which is pretty awesome!

I know Wakefields Tyler Randell was at some marketing shoot earlier this week.

Whats alarming is that his leg is in a metal cage! Must be waist up only

Absolutely nothing. Not surprised but utterly disgusted. I feel for the players who put their all in to the sport but are massively let down by its governing body and will end up kicking off the season on a cold Thursday night in front of a half empty stadium.

To be fair I’ve received a lot of promotional material from Leeds and some from the RFL.

I’m not sure why the bbc would promote the start of the season, they don’t have the tv rights.

it is quite possibly the most cringeworthy thing I have seen in quite a while......if the SKY set the standard with the Sam Tomkins and Bradley Wiggins
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then they have found the opposite with this trash
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I appreciate the effort to try something different, and don’t underestimate big celebrity endorsements. The Brownlee’s for example have a combined twitter following of over 350,000. Their followers are obviously fans of impressive athletic performances, which the add was highlighting in Rugby League.

sorry, but I've seen better school plays...it makes us look lie a "crossroads" type sport, with wobbly sets and wooden acting

What's worse is that it is so patronizing with the wording of the script (I don't think they'll be able to do this, oh I'd be having a cup of tea right now). Ffs. We are a professional sport with professional athletes. They'd never have the likes of Owen Farrell or Harry Kane being patronized by other sporting athletes.

I like the Brownlee brothers and what they have achieved. But it's very frustrating to see them (who obviously love the sport) be like that towards our athletes (even though I assume it's all scripted). I have no idea who from the RFL thought this was a good idea but they need sacking.

A simple advert consisting of big hits, tries, breaks, celebrations and desperation with a voice over over the top of it would have done more for the game than this trash even if it would have been a generic advert.

Then have another advert building up to Warrington vs Leeds. A video, a history of Warrington/Leeds rivalry starting from black and white clips (retro) from the 60's to 80's then hit colour with various clips from Super League meetings between the two. All voiced over with a distinct voice (ala Voss in the SOO ads). Finishing with a clips of both captains staring at each other over the SL trophy to show what they will be starting to compete for. 'The road begins here' type of feeling.

I actually think there's similarities between the wiggins ad and the brownlee one. If you dislike one I'd have thought you'd dislike both.

Only just seen the advert, the Brownlees come over negative and it looks like a winter sport.
Johnny Vegas for all his faults showed a bit of enthusiasm in his promotion of the sport.