Thornley and French updates : Tue Feb 15, 2022 5:59 pm  

Thornley done for 2 months with an ankle injury and French return delayed after he tested positive at the Airport (presume Sydney) last week. He is now due back later this week.

I feel for both. Thornley looks to have had a big pre season and started well in the Wire friendly. French I’m not too worried from a playing point of view but I presume the lad may have had to go in to a quarantine hotel and that’s the last thing he needs at the moment you’d think.

Re: Thornley and French updates : Tue Feb 15, 2022 6:08 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Thornley done for 2 months with an ankle injury and French return delayed after he tested positive at the Airport (presume Sydney) last week. He is now due back later this week.

I feel for both. Thornley looks to have had a big pre season and started well in the Wire friendly. French I’m not too worried from a playing point of view but I presume the lad may have had to go in to a quarantine hotel and that’s the last thing he needs at the moment you’d think.

Gutted for Thornley. Like you said, it seems like he's had a big pre season. The lad had zero luck with injuries during his time with us. I wonder if we'll see Zak play on the wing, or Bibby move out there?

Re: Thornley and French updates : Tue Feb 15, 2022 6:38 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

Gutted for Thornley. Like you said, it seems like he's had a big pre season. The lad had zero luck with injuries during his time with us. I wonder if we'll see Zak play on the wing, or Bibby move out there?

Peet confirmed in the report I read that Hardaker will continue on the wing. I probably back that move to be fair. Bibby gives me palpitations under the high ball and Hardaker can offer a good running threat in broken field taking the ball out. I’m also pretty interested to see how Bibby develops at centre. He looks like an absolute tank at the minute with how much size he’s put on and it was a good start for him Friday.

Re: Thornley and French updates : Tue Feb 15, 2022 6:48 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Peet confirmed in the report I read that Hardaker will continue on the wing. I probably back that move to be fair. Bibby gives me palpitations under the high ball and Hardaker can offer a good running threat in broken field taking the ball out. I’m also pretty interested to see how Bibby develops at centre. He looks like an absolute tank at the minute with how much size he’s put on and it was a good start for him Friday.

That settles that one then. I like Zak at centre but, with my long term hat on, its useful to see what Bibby can do (I really rate the lad).

On the squad front - Zak might not be as good with the set restarts as Thornley, but it's not a push to say the rest of his game is superior. It's a testament to the squad depth to have such a good player ready to step up. Even more amazing to think we've got Miski behind that. Most other teams would probably have him either starting or next inline.

Re: Thornley and French updates : Tue Feb 15, 2022 7:07 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

That settles that one then. I like Zak at centre but, with my long term hat on, its useful to see what Bibby can do (I really rate the lad).

On the squad front - Zak might not be as good with the set restarts as Thornley, but it's not a push to say the rest of his game is superior. It's a testament to the squad depth to have such a good player ready to step up. Even more amazing to think we've got Miski behind that. Most other teams would probably have him either starting or next inline.

I’d forgot all about Miski. I was getting a bit twitchy thinking we’re an injury in the outside backs away from putting one of the young lads in (although I’m looking forward to seeing what Halsall can do) but we’re in a good spot. We’ve got Miski to come, French back in a few weeks and then Thornley after that.