Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 12:39 pm  

Emagdnim13 wrote:

Bentley on form could become a great player over the next few years. He's young enough to keep improving.

The problem is you're always waiting for that brain part card coming out. If he can control himself better he's an asset.

He is still young enough to improve but Leeds will be healthier when he’s a utility bench player like he was at Saints. Obviously RS loves him so he’s going to start most games when he’s fit regardles. Be interesting to see where McDonnell and Bentley might pair well without Martin, I can see him going to NRL again next year.

From what I’ve seen of Ruan I think he might be more of a second row than prop too. Don’t think the lad has the tiger for prop but he looks good in broken field.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:00 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

I think we beat Cats with almost their full strength side and us missing our best prop, Fusitu’a and our best impact prop. Also I think we’ll play a little tighter and reduce the errors as we play on. Not saying Cats played amazing but our D also stifled them.

I think we’re better than Salford and KR - who else is there other than Wigan and Saints? Leigh without Ipape are different. Wire maybe but not convinced.

In fairness they lost McMeekan in the warm up and were also missing Takehiako, Manu Mau, Mad Mick and Tom Davies so they weren't exactly full strength either. Very pleased with the win though.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:16 pm  

ArthurClues wrote:

In fairness they lost McMeekan in the warm up and were also missing Takehiako, Manu Mau, Mad Mick and Tom Davies so they weren't exactly full strength either. Very pleased with the win though.

I guess the test will be the return fixture at their place.

I think we have some of the best players in the comp on form right now; really like what Croft and Ackers have brought already. Really hope Mik can fully recover from the shoulder injury because he played great in that game.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:23 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

I guess the test will be the return fixture at their place.

I think we have some of the best players in the comp on form right now; really like what Croft and Ackers have brought already. Really hope Mik can fully recover from the shoulder injury because he played great in that game.

Jeez Jim, those glasses are beyond rose tinted!!
We've just had a good win, but let's be realistic.
We spent the majority of the game in our own 20.
They were under-strength and under par.

Cats will finish above us.
Saints and Wigan goes without saying.
And I still think Wire, KR and Leigh will go well.
Still 5th or 6th for me.

Missing 2 or 3 of the pack every week is going to be the norm this year.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:27 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

I guess the test will be the return fixture at their place.

I think we have some of the best players in the comp on form right now; really like what Croft and Ackers have brought already. Really hope Mik can fully recover from the shoulder injury because he played great in that game.

I think the real test is next week and against other clubs we tend to arrogantly assume we should beat. As long as we aren't crippled by injuries I think Smith has already proved he can coach a side to get the better of the big boys. He has a 5 - 2 record against McNamara and 3 - 2 v Peet for instance. Just need to prove we can do it week to week.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:28 pm  

Simmo71 wrote:

Jeez Jim, those glasses are beyond rose tinted!!
We've just had a good win, but let's be realistic.
We spent the majority of the game in our own 20.
They were under-strength and under par.

Cats will finish above us.
Saints and Wigan goes without saying.
And I still think Wire, KR and Leigh will go well.
Still 5th or 6th for me.

Missing 2 or 3 of the pack every week is going to be the norm this year.

Hull KR are nowhere near as good as their fans think they are.

Leigh will struggle if they continue to get injuries.

We were also under strength aswell don’t forget

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 2:06 pm  

Fifth or sixth for me would be a total failure, early days yet but I would think Saints ,Wigan and Catalan are ahead of us. So the fourth spot is between us and the wire. Think they will be strong under Burgess ,although it will be interesting to see the response from Burgess and the wire fans if they hit a bad patch. However it’s a bit early to draw any conclusions, suspensions will play a big part. A true indicator may be the saints game, don’t think they will be as wasteful as Catalan.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 2:25 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

He is still young enough to improve but Leeds will be healthier when he’s a utility bench player like he was at Saints. Obviously RS loves him so he’s going to start most games when he’s fit regardles. Be interesting to see where McDonnell and Bentley might pair well without Martin, I can see him going to NRL again next year.

From what I’ve seen of Ruan I think he might be more of a second row than prop too. Don’t think the lad has the tiger for prop but he looks good in broken field.

Pretty much yeah.
Martin I think will be Nrl bound and I can't blame him. Hopefully we release Donaldson too.

Back row of Bentley,McDonnell,Gannon,Ruan is ok. Should free up cash for the prop we need...though finding him will be harder.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 2:36 pm  

Emagdnim13 wrote:

Pretty much yeah.
Martin I think will be Nrl bound and I can't blame him. Hopefully we release Donaldson too.

Back row of Bentley,McDonnell,Gannon,Ruan is ok. Should free up cash for the prop we need...though finding him will be harder.

Releasing Fusitua will free up more cash and another quota space.brings a lot to the team when playing but not value for money based on fitness.

Re: RD 3 | Catalan Dragons (H) : Sun Mar 03, 2024 3:09 pm  

Loiner at large wrote:

Releasing Fusitua will free up more cash and another quota space.brings a lot to the team when playing but not value for money based on fitness.

Agreed. Fit and in form he's strong for us,especially in early sets.
The issue os the same every year. Plays 50% and then takes time to get match fit after long lay off,rinse abd repeat.