[Bullseye]

Re: The Future. : Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:17 am  

Lots of potential on display for both clubs. It was a good way to end the season for us given we missed out on the play offs.

I've always thought Naughton had something special, he stood out in the U18s and with a bit more strength will stand out in the 1st team. I like the look of Mellor and Conroy too.

Re: The Future. : Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:18 am  

It was a great exhibition for the young guns of RL on both sides. Plenty of debuts and young lads given the chance to get some experience! On the evidence there could be a few of them on both the Bulls and Giants sides pushing for contention in a few seasons.

On a side note I thought it was interesting that the Giants fielded such a changed side, if I was an away supporter paying £20 and travelling to the game I would have been a little disappointed that the Giants had pretty much written off the game but I am glad we took it serious and put them to the sword.

Obviously they took it as an opportunity to rest a few for the playoff push and I honest say good luck to them, I am going to the GF and I honestly hope the Giants make it since it would be a breath of fresh air

Re: The Future. : Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:26 am  

Let's not forget about Oliver Roberts too, arguably our best prospect from the academy.

Re: The Future. : Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:46 am  

I actually thought that Kear played well in the full-back role when we were attacking, when Naughton shifted to the wing.

Re: The Future. : Sun Sep 08, 2013 12:10 pm  

BullCharge wrote:

I actually thought that Kear played well in the full-back role when we were attacking, when Naughton shifted to the wing.

Agreed, I'd much rather Kear at FB than Foster.

Was really really impressed with Naughton. Looked good under high ball, ran the ball back strongly and looks to have some real pace.

Re: The Future. : Sun Sep 08, 2013 12:15 pm  

Kear was everywhere yesterday, he was like a man posessed!
He even tried a kick out of dummy half too I think, although I'm pretty sure FC will be telling him not to bother doing that again

Re: The Future. : Sun Sep 08, 2013 12:36 pm  

Whilst there was a lot of potential the problem we have as one of the clubs no longer in contention for trophies is how do we hold onto these players. A couple of years ago we'd have been talking about the potential of our youngsters called Kopczak and Whitehead

Re: The Future. : Sun Sep 08, 2013 12:53 pm  

rugbyreddog wrote:

Whilst there was a lot of potential the problem we have as one of the clubs no longer in contention for trophies is how do we hold onto these players. A couple of years ago we'd have been talking about the potential of our youngsters called Kopczak and Whitehead

I think for most young players - even those with slimey agents - the key thing for them is to get game time, and with our smaller squad this is one thing we can offer at the Bulls. Also it is important for the fans to give these guys time to develop, yes they will have some off games but the should be judged over the season and by the willingness to work and learn.

As for Mr Kopczak and Whitehead - I think their recent actions show where their real potential lay?

Re: The Future. : Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:57 pm  

I agree that there were some standout displays from our young lads, and Naughton and Mellor look standout prospects to me.

For next year, I'm so glad we signed up Addy. He has played I think every game and has been one that has never let us down, and seems to have grow into the team and improved all year. 6 months down the track he'll be bigger and better.

We can't replace Lulia. he is a gem of a centre. Hi started this season very slow but in the back end he has been back to his best, and when he is, the opposition just can't handle him. Too big, too fast, too strong and too wick. Losing him is a major blow.

The key to it all will be 6 and 7. What do people think now? On this occasion, obviously we were on the front foot, and so it is a damn sight easier to play half back, but (as I recall saying in the early season) when Sammut plays like that, in that frame of mind, you'd have to be mad to suggest there's anyone better in teh squad. Can Gaskell displace him? A fired-up Sammutt must scare opponents to death, plsu doesn't he get some good tackles in as well. It was like a statement to FC "Drop me for Gaskell if you dare".

Again, Gale was playing in a team that was dominating, but still he showed plenty of the sheer class that he possesses. His superb cutout pass made the first try; peach of a short pass put Addy through; for the Foster try Gale's 2 man cutout pass to Sammutt in space; another fizzer for theSammutt hat trick; long cut out pass to Foster in space creating yet another try from Fosters canny kick. Gale actually took took the ball to theright of our posts of posts but had already weighed up the options on the left, and was sprinting that way when taking the ball, and created the situation with a 25 yard pass over the top. I don't see how people can't see he has the vision, and the ability to create a gap, slip a short sweet pass, throw a long pass, and then there is his fine kicking game. We'll be OK wtih Gale.

The only question to me is, who will start at 6? At the moment, Sammut takes some shifting. Who's got a player as good as him? Not many.

Re: The Future. : Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:24 pm  

We already know that Sammut can be a real match winner and when he is on fire he is as good as ANY stand off in SL. Getting him to perform to that level consistently or at least at a level where he isn't a liability is what stops he being a really top quality player. I'm certainly not knocking the guy because without him in the squad this year we would probably have lost a few games this year.

But if Gaskell slots in well and plays pretty consistently and to the plan that FC has asked then Sammut might have a fight on his hands. Great news for us if players are willing to fight for a spot though, it's what we have lacked this year.