Steve Hossack writes an appraisal of the Dons in the Free Press.
I quite like Hossack's style, because he pulls no punches, he just states the facts.
Basically, he says that our forwards are ineffective and we lack ideas in the halves without Johnston, but our main problem is defence.
Johnston is eligible for this game after his, let's face it, stupid petulance and a 5 game ban and Boas is not far off.
So we may well look better, although what missing 4 matches does to match fitness cannot help.
Got to see an improvement all round or else....
Horne take note...

A game against fellow mid-table strugglers that needs to be viewed as a must win if we have any hope or ambition of clinging onto the four teams above us.

I think we’ll probably scrape into the playoffs but promotion from a series of matches on the road against the teams above us in the table? I’ve not seen much this season to fill me with optimism.

Good assessment(s) and not a lot to add other than its a must win, hopefully with a performance that matters.

The addition of Boas to the matchday squad would bring some hope.

90% of posters on TRL League 1 fixtures discussion favouring a Hunslet win.

We'll have played six at home and four away after this game. Two of those away games were against W Wales and Skolars so we've got some difficult trips to come. If we want to make any impression on catching the top four, we can't afford to lose against Hunslet.

With Oldham's form dropping off, it looks as though it'll be hard for us not to make the top six and get in the play-offs but as S/O mentioned, fifth and sixth have a tough path with awkward away games.

And from a personal point of view, in a league like this, I don't think fifth and sixth place are actually worthy of a chance of promotion. Of course, we need to keep trying and play by the rules as they are but going up from fifth or sixth placce would seem something of a hollow victory.

Anyway, let's hope we can win on Sunday and then make some impression on the top four. We're only halfway through the season and a lot can change in the coming weeks.

Holdstock & Johnstone included in initial 21 man squad.

Having to miss my 1st home game for a few years due to Covid.

Oh, 'eck, Paul. I hope you're feeling okay.

The last home game I missed was a pre-season friendly against Castleford in January 2015. We had another pre-season game at home to Hunslet the following weekend which I was able to attend and we got thumped!

Get better soon.

Thanks Mike , I am ok .

Matchday squad https://www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk/ ... review/669 Apart from Boas I reckon that's as strong a squad has he can name.

Matchday squad https://www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk/ ... review/669 Apart from Boas I reckon that's as strong a squad has he can name.

Misi & Burns would get in my 17 when fit.

Where is Brandon Wilkinson ?

Agreed, but seeing that we have no chance of any updates on their progress (or not) then he has to select what he's got and we have to speculate.

As for Brandon I have no idea but someone better connected to the club

should be able to answer that for you.

Bet365 concur, Dons -6 10/11, Hunslet +6 10/11

Interesting...

I've got a feeling the Dons might have a good game today. Hunslet will be eager and maybe their discipline might not be so good. If we can keep calm, stay focussed and complete our sets, turning the ball over near their line, we'll give ourselves a good chance.

Jason Tali not in the matchday seventeen.

... and now Dons -8 10/11, Hunslet +8 10/11 (Bet365)

For the record, I expect a Home win today (although not as confident about covering this Handicap)

Pleasing result is that (shame about their consolation try) sounds like a good team effort which RH had asked for. Now into another break, and then some tough away games.

We controlled the game well and kept Hunslet on the back foot.

Hunslet were disappointing and didn't seem to have a 'go to' man that could cause us problems.

On balance, we're probably better than Oldham and Hunslet so we shouldn't finish worse than fifth. The big question is whether we can press on and trouble the top four?

Hunslet were poor...but finished the better side in the last 10 minutes.
They speeded up their play a thing we need to do...
Quite how we managed to ignore Tom Halliday in the second half escapes me....

Hunslets version of events. The interview with Alan Kilshaw is interesting. https://hunsletrlfc.com/general/lacklus ... doncaster/

Hunslets version of events. The interview with Alan Kilshaw is interesting. https://hunsletrlfc.com/general/lacklus ... doncaster/

I thought he gave a fair assessment .
We did what we needed to do to control the game, with a few players putting in their best performances so far with Roberts and Storey both showing up well.

Robinson and Johnstone were outstanding taking on the Hunslet line and if Yorke could pass we could have added another couple of tries to the score-line.
The guy runs great lines ,but gets carried away and forces passes that are not on.

Hopefully get a few more players back after the break with some tough games on the horizon.