DOGFATHER

Gledhill Moore Manning

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/mar/23/batley-bulldogs-castleford-tigers-challenge-cup-rugby-league?CMP=share_btn_url&fbclid=IwAR2MQbpMOw976qMXS4b2Ky-lE9IwaysxESfshClcCBhPrq9F0SxJ3-FP5bU

Ihttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/mar/23/batley-bulldogs-castleford-tigers-challenge-cup-rugby-league?CMP=share_btn_url&fbclid=IwAR2MQbpMOw976qMXS4b2Ky-lE9IwaysxESfshClcCBhPrq9F0SxJ3-FP5bU Absolutely spot on article.

Yes George played.

A tactical masterclass by Moxon, who saved the big forwards until the last 15-20 mins and Widnes couldn't cope with them as they tired.

1. Kear 2. Leak 3. Walshaw

J. Burton Manning Woods

Woods Ward White

I certainly hope they can, we need them to. I'm also hoping Woods can regain some of the form he had all those years ago when he played for Swinton against us.

I agree with you too. What I couldn't understand was, why the Dewsbury players didn't learn from the penalties? I could understand getting caught a couple of times early on, but surely the message should have sunk in after the first couple, but alas it didn't. I actually applaud Kendall (for once) for sticking to it for the full 80 minutes. He blew them all for both teams, it is then up to the players to get it right. It isn't hard to play the ball with your foot. It has annoyed me for years, when refs will blow something up once or twice early on, then forget about it for the rest of the game. However, I thought it spoiled the game, and cost you a very comfortable win. Dewsbury were much the better side on the day IMO. You moved up in defense far better than we did, and ran with more purpose whilst attacking, and created the only clean breaks in the game. I'm sincerely hoping Woods, Walshaw and Flynn can come in and produce miracles, because on that performance, both sides look like they are in for a very long season. Considering the amount of position and possession we had, and could only muster 2 tries, one off a kick and barge over from close range is very concerning. We never really looked like creating an opening. Of course, credit must go to the defense, but we didn't look like we could open a bag of crisps, never mind a defense. There was no movement off the ball to distract defenders, or provide options for the ball carrier. But the season is a good while off yet, and there's time for both teams to improve.

Why would we be due something from London? I assume there was a clause in his contract, that allowed him to sign for a SL club if one offered to sign him, without the requirement to pay a transfer fee. Most championship players will have something similar in place. Santi, who was at Keighley, had a clause in his contract, that effectively made him a free agent if the coach left. The coach left/ was relieved of his duties, and shortly afterwards, Santi signed for York. I'm pretty sure no transfer fee was payable, as the clause said he could leave. This isn't uncommon. The exact same thing happened to Widnes with Dupree, (as previously brought to your attention). I think the only game he played for Widnes, was in the friendly against us. Players with the talent and ambition to play at the highest level, are extremely unlikely to sign for anyone in the Championship without a release clause, or an extremely high contract, which, we, and most other Championship teams are unlikely to be able to afford. The same clause was likely to be in Kibula's contract too.

Luke Gale last season. There was something funny with the Tee Ritson signing at Saints, he was on loan from Barrow initially, but then signed permanently at Saints. I've a feeling Leeds did it with Briscoe at Featherstone a couple of seasons back too. Tyler Dupree went from Widnes to Salford is another, without really thinking about it...

I believe it is pretty much standard practice now, for players to have a release clause built in to contracts, I would be amazed if they are not, on the size of contracts we are likely to offer.

I'm not sure the catchment area has much relevance TBH. When you look at the attendances at clubs, has catchment area been a major factor over the last 25-30 years? Take Sheffield, London, Newcastle, NW Crusaders and Fev as examples. Sheffield, Newcastle, NWC and London have massive catchment areas, but very low attendances. Fev has a very small catchment in comparison, but much higher attendances than any of them. Salford has a population of circa 270k, St Helens has a population of 180k, Castleford 46k (according to Google) yet the gates at the respective clubs does not correlate to the population sizes. There are far more factors that affect attendances other than population/catchment area. Therefore, why is catchment used as a metric, rather than club sustainability/ability to live within its means for example?