To be honest if our salary cap was on par and not so low maybe the attraction wouldn't be as appealing.

Yes but we cannot raise it to their level, rl unfortunately is not one of our countries top sports so we must 've vigilant in how we do things. I love the fact that ours is one of the last remaining sports which isn't about money. We watch football and fans take as much interest in the money as they do the players. Let us never be like that and focus on our academies. I dream of the day that Salford will put out 13 academy lads. Long way off I know but maybe!

I agree with your sentiments on the Academy I was once a enthusiastic participant academy player back in 1991 ish I would of signed for peanuts but them days players were Semi Pro and had trades etc,, however these days money talks no matter the profession. They're full-time. That's the sad thing about life. Greed is the way of the world I'm afraid. Most players want to earn as much as they can, us Salford fans know that more than anyone.

Hodgson was superb. I don't think playing the whole 80mins is going to help the Raiders long term, hopefully they'll get some bodies back. He looked exhausted in the defensive line and was exposed by Nikorima in the second half. Whitehead, I'm not too sure - gave away needless penalties and is not making many yards, 63m in total.

Greg Eden - Dropped - i can't see him playing anytime soon.
Joe Burgess - Dropped - Tupou picked up a knock so he may get a chance.

James Graham, was again sensational. Played 67minutes, making 142m and 46 tackles.

Totally agree, thank God transfer fees are not a big part of our game. However we cannot follow the nrl forever, they are going to another level which we cannot compete with . The salary cap is working, and this year seems to prove it. If we are to increase it I believe it should only be for the benefit of British players. We have to many mercanaries. I would like to see an increase in the cap for British players only with a stipulation thatif you pay within 10% of the satary cap then an additional 5% minimum should be spent on your academy.

There you go Mr Solly, that's for free. Anyone who says beer is wrong

I think Whitehead was top tackler for the Raiders.He will grow as an attacking threat as the season goes on imo.

to be fair to burgess he was always going to make way this week, as he was a last minute stand in himself the week before

Joe Burgess - from playing Test match rugby league vs the number one-ranked side in the world to playing NSW Cup for Wyong vs Mounties. Mounties had Cameron Phelps at 6. Good move, Joe.

Eden may get another look in with Oates and potentially Kahu injured, but word is that despite recent praise that Bennett doesn't fancy him. I think his NRL debut said everything we need to know about him - and that he hasn't changed from his SL days - he is either outstanding or outstandingly bad.

Widdop got made to do a lot of tackling from what I saw of Dragons v Sharks. Boith he and Benji did. St George are one of the worst attacking sides in the comp, make of that what you will.

I make of it that Widdopp is all style and no substance ATM. He looks exactly what you want from a 6, but delivers very little in terms of running and passing.

Probably worth a shout that Jack Reed scored a good try for the Broncos. Seeing as how he's British and all.

Greg Eden replaces Corey Oates against Penrith on Thursday. Big game for him. Wish him all the best.

If he drops the ball as much again Bennett most likely won't pick him again regardless of injuries.

I agree with you, but the wingers in the NRL have been very poor under the high ball. I know it is only round 3 but the likes of Koroibete, Vatuvei, Mansour, Rankin have all been suspect, the difference is they regularly run the ball out of the 20 and are an attacking threat, unlike Eden.

Bit of a mixed bag for the Poms this week.

Eden started very, very well. He caught 4-5 high bombs with ease, albeit limited pressure. He ran hard from his own half and eased the pressure from inside his own 20. In contrast, in the second half he dropped/misjudged 2-3 high balls and ran only once from inside is own half. His confidence looked shot after his dropped catches. In fairness to him, Kahu on the opposite wing didn't pull up any trees.

Canberra. If Hodgson doesn't start for England at hooker i would be very surprised. He is by far the most inform hooker in the NRL. He kicked another 40/20 and displayed his usual good ball skills from dummy half. The issue is that he plays 80 minutes due to the Canberra injuries. Newcastle were targeting him which led to him been gassed in the second half. He made 37 tackles.
Whitehead started at 6 but changed to SR in second half. In the first half he passed for 2 try assists, he gave away a few needless penalties, as the previous weeks. Like Hodgson, was targeted in defence, made 40 tackles.

Also, Whitehead is the joint 2nd most penalised player in the NRL after 3 rounds....

I agree about Hodgson. I haven't see this week's Raiders game yet, but he is nearly always one of their best players on the park. Up against the world's best, week in, week out, he looks, as you say, as good as any.

Slammin Sam has been taken to hospital with a neck injury.

It doesnt look good whatsoever. Thoughts are with the Burgess family.

Shocking news about Samuel Burgess. At least he has no needles and pins in his arms and legs. He will get the best treatment at Sydney's premier hospital. Here's hoping that he will make a full recovery.

Hes fine. All scans are clear.
Source: smh.com.au

Good news. Haven't seen the match but report says it was in collision with Mike Cooper.

Also, Widdop getting praised for his performance in the same game.

Gareth Widdop showed the Australians what an Englishman can do by putting ball to foot.

I watched the game live, Gareth Widdop was mediocre at best. He spends more time on his backside than on his feet, vastly over-rated.

I watched the game live too. I saw a different Gareth Widdop to you. I saw a man who was able to make kicks behind the opponents' try line with pin point accuracy, one of which led to a try by Jason Nightingale. Gareth Widdop was only on his backside following vicious late tackles after his kicks, undertaken by Australian bullies.

I think expectation levels of Widdop are very different to how we judge the halves in the Super League.

Widdop is a class act, with the ball in hand and when kicking. Considering Dragons were missing Marshall i thought Widdop handled the extra responsibility well. It was awful conditions for a game of Rugby League and his kicking won Dragons the game.

I agree with you completely.