: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:52 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

Maybe so, however, every couple of years you do tend to see us get rid of a batch of players that havent made it and refresh the squad.

True, but what i will say is that two or three of them were offered one of those 'elite junior' contracts by Hull, but turned them down.

: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:58 pm  

Gordon Gekko wrote:

True, but what i will say is that two or three of them were offered one of those 'elite junior' contracts by Hull, but turned them down.

It is a concern if we are losing youngsters that we should be hanging on to.

: Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:44 pm  

do you know what kicking game means

: Tue Nov 04, 2008 2:08 pm  

Gordon Gekko wrote:

True, but what i will say is that two or three of them were offered one of those 'elite junior' contracts by Hull, but turned them down.

Like who?

Most of the best Juniors are still signing for Hull, certainly at under 16 level.

: Tue Nov 04, 2008 2:36 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Most of the best Juniors are still signing for Hull, certainly at under 16 level.

and at 15's and 14's.

Makes me laugh when people say about Rovers are gonna start getting the best youngsters. The side i coach has the Yorkshire 'Top Gun' at 14's and him and his whole family are Rovers barmy and are all passholders but he is still chose to go to Hull FC as he knows the system we have in place is far superior.

: Tue Nov 04, 2008 2:39 pm  

Gordon Gekko wrote:

Plenty of last seasons reserves have now left the club and signed for NL clubs. TBH I think Hull will struggle at reserve grade and acadamy grade for a few years now, particularly with Rovers being so active in this area.

Dont quite see how other players leaving relates to Jack Briscoe but nevermind and anyway the players that left knew they wouldnt get 1st grade chances and left the club on great terms.

What do you mean Rovers being so active in that area ???

: Tue Nov 04, 2008 2:44 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Like who?

Most of the best Juniors are still signing for Hull, certainly at under 16 level.

Have to agree, the players I have seen Rovers sign on this year were a little surprising except for one or two.

Think both reserve teams will struggle again, both are going through a big change and it will be a big ask to expect them to compete with some of the better young players in the Reserve league.

: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:28 pm  

Seems Smith is recalling Lee Smith...will this be at the expense of Calderwood??..I thought Gardiner did nothing to warrant keeping his place.His defence was definately suspect. Over rated and made to look better by having world class centre partners...Lyon/Gidley.

: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:43 pm  

techno wrote:

Seems Smith is recalling Lee Smith...will this be at the expense of Calderwood??..I thought Gardiner did nothing to warrant keeping his place.His defence was definately suspect. Over rated and made to look better by having world class centre partners...Lyon/Gidley.

I saw this too and thought the same.

A travesty if Smith drops Calderwood instead of the Wandering Gardner, who was shown up utterly by Calderwood on Saturday. Couldn't even recover from yet another out-of-position howler to run after Slater on his own wing. Calders had to run diagonally from his own wing to reach him. If Gardner and co had backed up Slater wouldn't have scored. Interesting that the Aussies chose to score most tries down the Gardner/Gleeson wind tunnel of a wing, and not Calders'.

Smith needs to put his money where is mouth is and choose his players on current merit not reputation through his St Leeds couloured glasses. But I bet he won't.

: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:51 pm  

I would also consider dropping Sinfield for Purdham..Noble dropped him several times for good reason. He is the most over rated player in the country.