Re: RD 10 | Catalan Dragons (A) : Tue Jul 20, 2021 12:34 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

I expect Gannon to turn into a prop in due course. Reminds me of Adrian Morley a bit and I think he'll go the same way.

Mik/Prior and Zane/Tom is a good combination, whichever two you choose to start with. I think part of the rationale playing Zane at 13 is honestly to extend his time on the field to get more value for money.

I agree with you I'd rather see a proper ball playing forward at 13 and Cam is your man. He's also a big lump so keeps our middle tight.

Not sure whether Bentley is a better player than Martin. In some ways probably. Martin is very good when he's in form though, he just had a dodgy period due to Covid I think and he looks through that.

Agree on Gannon, maybe a year or so in the back row and then up to prop.

On Bentley It’s an interesting one. I like Martin but I think Bentley is a better defender, he strikes me as a player you would hate to play against, always in and around the action. I like that I think our pack needs it, however I am not sure Mellor offers enough in terms of attacking wide running ability. I don’t mind Bentley for Martin now we have Seizer to kick the goals.

We could end up with a couple of empty quota spots next year I think which would be a change!

Re: RD 10 | Catalan Dragons (A) : Tue Jul 20, 2021 2:04 pm  

Lprhino wrote:

Agree

They are both props or middles (I don’t like that word to be honest)

Got me our issue is who we play at 13 and more what type of player we use at 13. I think Smith is and should be our 13. That way you have Mik, Tommy, Prior and Zane. I would personally use Zane and Tommy from the bench.

Second part of that is to have an 80 minute 9 which allows you another option on the bench.

8.Mik
9. leeming
10.Prior
11. Mellor
12.Bentley
13. C.Smith

14. Zane
15. Tommy
16. Gannon
17. Walters/King

That is big enough and strong enough for me. The only change I would make is against a big big team I would put Zane at 13 and Smith on the bench instead of Walters maybe keep king instead of Gannon. Depends how Gannon develops but I think he will put on serious size

Zane will start when we are at full strength, he should be our best forward

Re: RD 10 | Catalan Dragons (A) : Tue Jul 20, 2021 2:23 pm  

Mark Laurie wrote:

Zane will start when we are at full strength, he should be our best forward

I think Mik is our best forward, but not much between them.

I actually think Zane from the bench is very exciting, when we have had a big start and the other side are feeling it we bring on Zane and Tommy and say can you go with us as we are about to go up another level.

Kasiano never starts for Cats but he is probably the most damaging and dangerous forward they have. He came off the bench and caused us all kinds of issues two weeks in a row.

Re: RD 10 | Catalan Dragons (A) : Tue Jul 20, 2021 2:30 pm  

Lprhino wrote:

I think Mik is our best forward, but not much between them.

I actually think Zane from the bench is very exciting, when we have had a big start and the other side are feeling it we bring on Zane and Tommy and say can you go with us as we are about to go up another level.

Kasiano never starts for Cats but he is probably the most damaging and dangerous forward they have. He came off the bench and caused us all kinds of issues two weeks in a row.

As good a young prop as Oledzki is, no way is he better that Tetevano. Leeds didn’t sign a top international forward to sit on the bench.

Re: RD 10 | Catalan Dragons (A) : Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:26 pm  

Gannon may well play prop in due course but that should not be in the near future. Morley was 22/23 before he moved into the front row. Peacock mid 20s. The longevity of players playing prop regularly from a young age tends to lead to injury burnout examples being Fielden and the Burgesses. Would much rather see Gannon develop in the back row next few years where we lack natural size. We need to be careful we don't over work Mik as well. These guys could be the cornerstone of the team for the next decade and we need to get the balance right and the tight support around them. To be fair I think the club know this

Re: RD 10 | Catalan Dragons (A) : Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:24 pm  

Whoever our best forward is Mik, Prior n Zane are the strongest part of our team and we need them all to stay healthy for a period now thats for sure.

Re: RD 10 | Catalan Dragons (A) : Sat Jul 24, 2021 9:23 am  

Cam Smith could be our best 13 to throw a spanner in the works of all the above

Re: RD 10 | Catalan Dragons (A) : Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:40 pm  

Didn’t see the game as I’m away on hols but watched the highlights. How did Mclelland go? From the highlights he looked unfit in his body shape

Re: RD 10 | Catalan Dragons (A) : Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:49 pm  

Trebor1 wrote:

Didn’t see the game as I’m away on hols but watched the highlights. How did Mclelland go? From the highlights he looked unfit in his body shape

He actually went OK but didn’t stand out, he’s not played for a while though in fairness

Re: RD 10 | Catalan Dragons (A) : Sat Jul 24, 2021 5:32 pm  

Cats going to make a big deficit come back 3 weeks running here...