Northern Eel

I had the need to drive there from Notts. Parked at Maghul and did the Park and Ride to Sandhills. £4.80. I left on the final hooter and was home again for 7.30pm. The stuff that was in the hands of the RFL, such as merch etc was exactly the same as other venues; almost anonymous. The outside area of the stadium has so much potential for a proper fan zone, although I’m not sure what arrangement would be available with Everton. Not sure it is any better than SJP for Magic Weekend, but it is certainly a no brainer for future big internationals and possibly the GF whilst OT is being flattened.

Exactly my conversation leaving the ground. We had a couple of half breaks, but nobody could quite find the illusory step or acceleration. So close again.

Whilst it is being flattened, I mean.

There is no debate in my mind where the grand final needs to go…

There’s no obvious gaps in the stadium. Looks like every ticket went…

This place is incredible! What a superb venue for rugby league. We’ve got to come back….

Well, I suppose I'd better get my gladrags on an mosey on over to the North West. I hope everyone enjoys the game. Despite my fears about the scoreline, I’m really excited to experience the new ground as I could see it becoming a firm favourite for big games in the future.

It's a week already. Wow. There's been a lot of chat over the first game. Can we improve sufficiently to make a go of game 2?

Very loudly, nearing the end of a long session on the IPA, and at an unexpected lull... 'I know he's a bit of a character, but I reckon that Gledhill fella is just a big fluffy bear that needs a bit of love'.

Perhaps a current Exiles squad would look like this: Backs Bevan French, Jai Field, Matt Duffy, Fanitesi Niu, Peta Hiku, David Fusitu'a, Tristan Sailor, Lachlan Lam, Luke Kearey, Maso Lino, Tyrone May, Adam Keighran, Jordan Rapana Forwards Keenan Palasia, Jesse Sue, Kepeli Tanginoa, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Moses Mbye, Hermon Ese'ese, Curtis Sironen, Agnatius Paasi, Edwin Ipape, Issac Lui, John Asiata Would that do the job? (I've probably missed out loads of other obvious contenders)

Great, hopefully it is the same 1m that was in the gap between Reece Walsh and the rest of the England boys on Saturday.

Is the pitch narrower as well? I would be surprised.

+1. Agree entirely. Makes sense on lots of levels.

Here's the match report. Game two is on Sunday... https://www.rugby-league.com/article/64355/england-wheelchair-defeat-wheelaroos-in-first-test

Think how many extra seats there could have been in the stadium if the pitch was regulation size?