TrueBull

For us, Brown was a good winger and a competent full back.

Every coach in the comp wants quick ruck speed in possession and slow in defence. The ref just tries to provide a medium speed to both sides. My only issue was with his definition of a professional foul. McGowan being tackled illegally 10m from the line by the last defender was not a yellow but Souter interfering at the ruck but with other defenders available was a yellow. Other than that, Wakefield will come top as they are a properly Full time team. Everyone else is playing for 2nd. I think Bradford, Fev, Toulouse will be somewhere there or thereabouts.

The physios and other medical staff had problems with getting paid on time last year.

I don’t care. That was f*%*#<>€ beautiful.

The tackle on sutcliffe in the first half I thought possible penalty try and card as he grabbed Sutcliffe round the head and dragged him down with leverage through his head/neck. That one, I thought well, started on shoulder, ended up on head but far from the line, so penalty, possible yellow. No consistency. Ultimately, that’s all we can ask for. Consistency.

Whilst Archie's inquest was last month which I accept determines when it will be reported, the report has been slanted towards RL a bit much. It starts off by talking about RFL banning tramadol this season then finishes with the fact that WADA and UKAD have banned tramadol this season - which means that ALL sports that have signed up to UKAD have banned tramadol from 1st January, not just the RFL. Also, it starts off with the problem being amongst older/retired RL players then the story develops with the UKAD spokesperson acknowledging the problem is in RU and football as well, with cycling also using it as performance enhancing. Although, to be fair, cyclists would use wallpaper primer if someone told them it could enhance performance. Bit harsh making a generalisation about club Drs though.

We could always pick up a half point by turning the pitch 90 degrees, thereby picking up the point for having corporate opposite the halfway line. The pitch is basically square anyway so it makes no difference…..

Bookies predictions: To win the 2024 Championship (Betfred) Wakefield Trinity – 2/5 Toulouse Olympique – 7/1 Featherstone Rovers – 8/1 Bradford Bulls – 12/1 Halifax Panthers – 18/1 Widnes Vikings – 25/1 Sheffield Eagles – 28/1 York Knights – 28/1 Batley Bulldogs – 40/1 Doncaster – 50/1 Dewsbury Rams – 66/1 Barrow Raiders – 100/1 Swinton Lions – 100/1 Whitehaven – 100/1 Im glad the bookies agree with me that Wakey are in a 1 horse race, with themselves, for first place. 4/5 clubs have a decent chance at 2nd. There’s not much in the odds but I would swap Widnes & York.

I just assumed that they stayed full time from last year. That makes it easier for Wakey then, they’re in a competition of 1 for finishing first, not even a 2 horse race for them :-(. Does open up 2nd place for the 13 part time clubs though

Full time is a massive advantage. Basically Toulouse and Wakefield are in a head to head for 1st and 2nd. All the part- time teams are fighting for 3rd

I didn’t realise he’s still relatively young. We struggled at Loose forward last season after Bodene left. He may just be what we need in the pack. Different coaches, new start etc

Especially at this time of year. After the season is over but before ST sales and Xmas shop sales pick up.

IMG get paid as a % of all upgraded and new commercial income and broadcasting contracts they bring in. So the criteria will be based partly (or wholly) on making that happen - through the product on the field but more importantly how to sell it to audiences. When it came out , I must admit I thought it was designed for big city clubs. And the last week hasn’t changed my mind

A few posters on here and then Fev having a tantrum whilst trying very hard not to point at Bradford doesn’t constitute question marks unfortunately

The thing to remember is that Leigh’s performance this season has likely already added 1 or 2 points to their provisional score so they’re sorted.

I always thought every club would have 2 numbers - tickets sold for that game (ST’s and walk-ups) which is the legal number that the taxman needs to know. And then probably by half time, the stadium manager would know the actual number of people through the gates. Both numbers are correct for their purpose. Up until this year, which number was released didn’t matter, but now IMG have decreed that the optics of a full stadium are important, the actual attendance is the one to be released.

Bit of a step from 14th to 15th. Academy? Crowds? Social media? Or just the odd 0.25 point here & there?

Bradford took Appo without any visa issues

I put this in the Sheffield vs London thread before that game. “London have improved steadily through the season. Good skill levels but poor game management. Since Rhys Lovegrove joined they’ve been working on structure. Should be a good game.” I saw it when Bradford narrowly won in London, but they’ve just peaked to another level since then. Unfortunately, I can’t see past a Toulouse win. Cracking season ahead next year with Wakey instead….

There was a pitch dimension problem when Gaskell kicked a perfect 20:40 and the linesman was confused about the rule. Vella eventually decided that it was Toulouse ball. Video ref would have fixed that easily. Other than that, Bradfords discipline wasn’t as good as it has been recently so Vella came into play more. Toulouse were there for the taking and we blew it

Ok. I’m out here, I think there’s going to be in the region of 1k Bulls fans here +/- 10%. There’s plenty of orange Bash shirts around. Not as hot as I was expecting, shouldn’t be too bad come 6pm. This is a stronger Bulls team, both physically and more importantly, mentally, that was here in June. This’ll be close, but Bulls will nick it at the end. My nerves would prefer it to be by a try but I’ll take a Lilley drop goal if I have to!

Great dig from your boys last night, they’ve worked so hard over the summer to get to the playoffs. When I saw the team sheet with 2nd rowers (Kirmond and Clarkson) in the centres it was obvious they were doing it tough but after about 25 minutes, the bench rotations made the difference. Our season continues with a trip to France , as underdogs, almost as a free hit. Have a good preseason and we’ll probably see you next year.

As well as being back, we are iconic…

London have improved steadily through the season. Good skill levels but poor game management. Since Rhys Lovegrove joined they’ve been working on structure. Should be a good game

Yep. Lost Scurr & Jowitt through injury. Get back Flanagan from injury and Baitieri and Taufua from suspension. Scurr is a big loss, on a par with Segeyaro.