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I'd also add, don't underestimate the massive impact Jordan Thompson has on the rest of your forwards. Each team has to get 240 combined minutes out of its middles (ie the 8, 10 and 13), but if one can can do regularly do 80 minutes, as Thompson does, then the other 5 know that they are only going to average around 30 minutes each, and with Thompson saving them an interchange too, that has to make a psychological difference if you come onto the field knowing you can give your all with a guaranteed break coming up. Harris seems to get most of the headlines and he's having a very good season but for me Thompson is the best player in the league and has been for a while.

No point booking anything this soon. There might be a terrorist incident on a different continent. Or a pandemic that stops RL players from traveling but not cricket, soccer or rugby union players. Or someone's cousin might be getting married.

This is the "the value of your investment can go down as well as up" warning that comes with any sort of investment. There's a scenario in all of this where the work we do pays off with a brilliant TV deal. There's also a scenario where we do all of this work and, largely due to externalities outside the game's control, the TV deal remains the same. In that scenario, there are two ways to look at that - either the investment has failed, or the result would have been even worse with out it. But the point I'd make is that simply doing the same, not looking at how we add value to broadcasters and commercial partners and hoping that another broadcaster comes along to start a bidding war, or that Fred Done stays friendly with us, is a much higher-risk strategy than doing the sorts of things we're doing at, let's be honest here, not a particularly massive cost. You're right in that we need to ensure that we're pulling in audiences that broadcasters and sponsors want to pay to access, but that was never going to happen without this sort of activity. We need a more diverse audience across as many different mediums and touchpoints as possible and it's perfectly fine for our YouTube and TikTok audiences to be different from the ones that buy our season tickets. I think we need to look at this from the mindset that RL needs to see itself as an entertainment business that is selling content, not as an events business selling tickets.

I notice posts stating video refs should never get it wrong. That's not entirely true. They do have a far better chance of getting it right. However every weekend of games there will be an incident where the VR is involved . Posters on here who will be watching the same constantly repeated pictures that the VR will see, will be split 50/50 . So even with technology some incidents are still far from clear cut.

RL Cares shouldn’t be bagged for any of this. The club are the problem. If they can’t pay the players then release them.

Its like walking into Currys and getting annoyed you cant get root vegetables. Then moaning to everyone that Currys is a rubbish shop.

Well, Featherstone's pitch is actually full length - unlike a number of others, notably Oldham's... Before anyone gets hot under the collar about this - that's not the same as saying Oldham's pitch is not long enough for pro RL, because the RFL Operational Manual states that the pitch must be between 88m and 100m long, and between 55m and 68m wide (Toulouse must have special dispensation if their pitch is indeed 70m - perhaps it's a corprorate stadium where they aren't allowed to change the markings). This is a fairly sore subject for Featherstone fans, because our pitch did indeed use to be less than 100m long but about a dozen years ago the club invested a lot of money in extending it to the maximum length, whilst also reducing the slope significantly and building two new stands with the help of fan volunteers known locally as the "Stand Gang". None of this counts for any IMG points whatsoever! You can imagine how Fev fans feel about the fact that other clubs have done nothing about their own sub-optimal playing surfaces. Personally I don't mind about the pitches that are less than 100m long (such as Castleford's, which measures about 90m from posts to posts), because that doesn't have such a huge impact on gameplay, but width is a totally different matter - it really sticks in the throat that Bradford are allowed to play on a 55m wide pitch (and for one season were allowed to play on an even narrower one, around 52m I believe), yet are still considered to meet minimum standards for SL, because that massively impacts on the quality of the game as the original poster states. So you are right Tim, the farce of IMG rules DOES ignore pitch dimension, albeit it's because of the RFL's ridiculous rule that decrees a 55m pitch is just as ok as a full-width 68m one.

Amazing that. There were no clues in the way he behaved on-field that suggested he would have been a questionable leader.

It all seems to be an attempt to deflect the blame from the club. It always seems to be “somebody else’s problem “. Top and bottom is the way Salford have acted and behaved certainly this year and likely in the past several years is a disgrace. The warning signs were there before the season started and the RL should have acted, but with the series of lies they were fed this hard to blame the RL.

as an american (hence the username) we are no stranger to distances like that, which i think gives us more tolerance when some event/game/whatever makes us drive 3 4 5 hours. while having 5ish RL teams in the entire state of Florida is still lame, i don't think it's distance/travel costs that will hinder the sport here

No need for that mate...

This is very true, but also add to that the impressive amount of work our back three do coming out of yardage early in each set really lays a strong platform for us to get going. The whole squad is absolutely flying!

What a tribute this was

Gadwin has had a few quiet games recently for us, hasn't been at his best for some reason, not sure if he's carrying a knock or just not firing on all cylinders. On Sunday he played 27 minutes but it was his return that was held back by the interchange mess-up referred to by Paul Cooke in his post-game interview. When he's firing Gadwin is a very good middle at this level - he and Vuniyayawa were the two that led the charge when Fev came back in the 2nd half at POR, when York just couldn't handle that pair. But as I say, for whatever reason he hasn't reproduced that form lately; form's a funny thing, because Martin looked a completely different player yesterday to the one we'd seen at our place.

More than 800 and for the poster being replied to I'm more than willing to be pedantic on that point

https://www.intrl.sport/article/455/peace-on-a-rugby-league-mission-ugandan-trailblazer-joins-york Peace Lekuru is hoping to be a trailblazer for Uganda women’s Rugby League. The 25-year-old centre or backrower has signed for York Valkyrie, a club who have been consistent supporters of the development of the sport in the African nation.

And we wonder why Australian led tournaments take so long to confirm anything. They've got 4 months and nothing other than them playing matches at the stadiums has been organised. No hotels, no training facilities, no catering, no pre tour scouting of any of the aspects of the tour schoolboy rugby does now. I really hope we punish them for not being able to take things seriously.

I guess the only way someone becomes a household name is if you turn a player into one. Nsemba is a good candidate: young, massive, talented.

Add to that the try from their full back to take it to 20-8 was a blatant obstruction if you watch it back the kicker runs behind his own man before kicking through stopping Bailey Aldridge from tackling him. This was critical as it gave them a bit of breathing space on the score board.

If the New Old Kids on the Block are going to try to get more money out of Sky, or to try to get a new TV partner, then they'll have to have enough cards in their hands. Sky will know exactly the value they are getting from their SuperLeague rights and if that value is trivial (subscriptions and ad revenue minus costs?) then they can just walk away from any quit threats from Wood . Of course, we don't know what money Sky make from SuperLeague so work needs doing there. So the RFL needs to work on a value proposition and although Wood is an accountant, maybe he needs help in creating the value proposition to put before Sky and it's competitors. If only I could find one to suggest. One that has a long term track record of success in multiple sports, across the whole world. I Must Get looking for one.

And the coconut goes to BSJ spot on.

Just watched the Toulouse game back and heard George mention their pitch was 70 metres wide........2 metres wider than BP. Then we play against Halifax at Odsal on a 55 metre wide pitch which is the minimum size a pitch can be according to the RFL Operational rules. Interesting though they state the maximum width is 68 metres! Have Toulouse got dispensation to play on a wider pitch then? It must have been difficult for the players to adapt to such a narrow pitch on Sunday so a wins a win despite the efforts of the referee! It might help us when we play Bradford in a few weeks time.

The attributes you describe in the first paragraph are exactly the ones that should exclude him from being in charge of managing and coaching people yet that’s what happened

for me Jordan Thompson could be M O M most weeks, his workrate is phenominal, and as has been said it is for the full 80 minutes week in week out, on the odd occasion he has come off you can see he isn't happy. We have an outstanding pack this season , plus every one of the 17 out there give everything for their team mates, I have never know such a 'together' squad at York, certainly not in recent years, I am sure if Mash asked them to run through a brick wall they would say how many times!!!

To be fair to Springer he played well against us at POR. There’s always a debate that we need big forwards but we have a team that suit the weather and conditions. We aren’t the biggest but we’re the fittest. Martin and Santi can work big minutes and are always happy taking up 2 hits a set. Hudson comes on and gets over the top of teams. They all compliment each other. Thompson is just a grafter and one of our best players. Always makes yards and does the hard work and is always at least an 8/10 each week.

There’s going to be some good competition in the centres in the next few years. There’s Pratt, Robertson, Litten, Eckersley, Lindop and Dagnall all coming through

He was a great skipper, so it'll be interesting how that translates to coaching and how he gets on with that NSW v Queensland dimension that Aussies coaches have to face. Talking of running through walls, I think our coach will have our lads doing that. Say what you want about who he hasn't picked but Wane is loyal to the lads he does pick and I've seen it time and again in the big games that lads will bust an absolute gut for him. I think we'll see the England side come out with at a huge intensity in that first test and throughout the series.

Bad news for England - I reckon Cam Smith is a great appointment and have the squad running through walls for him.

Spot on, he’s been the best forward I’ve seen for York since I started watching them in 2016. The only thing I’ll never understand is why no one backs him up - most games he makes a break or two but there’s rarely anyone with him.

Yeah that’s it. So that is pleasing to see. I think a Wembley specific one would be great now the other two are sold out. “National Stadium” “WEMBLEY” “the home of ALL FOOTBALL/RUGBY LEAGUE” Really spice up another one specific for the southern market.”Watch England create history and achieve what hasn’t been achieved in xxxx years, a win at Wembley”. But as I say, with the video you’ve shared, it’s good to see there is good marketing content.

I really enjoyed Prodigy, Biffy Clyro, Shed Seven, Fat Dog and Turnstile. There are a few others I need to catch up on

It's daft no need for ANY fan to get personal, it's a game of Rugby League.

no , he's just the coolie of the york forum

The coach has been given the job to pick what he considers the best combinations and especially at half back, we can look back over time and probably most would disagree with the coaches selection in the half's and especially when disregarding the player's who are those who make their teams tick, player's like Briers Cooke and Brough who could create gaps when there are none there in favour of playing it safe with the likes of Sculthorpe, Farrell and Sinfield.

I'm a Wigan fan and Eckersley has a lot of improvement to do on the wing yet to even think about that.

Jarred Stack carried that team and Ollie Wilkes also Hitro was class . Yet another prop who was the linchpin of the team was Matt Sturm. Gary Nixon was a class above in a bad team and I suppose Ray Ashton inspired many a win but it was a tricky situation having to leave out either Kitchin or Wear. A player who was a class above in a short loan spell was Shaun Briscoe.

Not much work has been done from their end either

I agree and think it is extremely surprising that he has been left out, especially as it seems to me that the squad is light on genuine half backs. Connor is out in front in the Man of Steel ratings for a reason, and that is that he is having a superb season for Leeds. I like Harry Smith, but he simply isn't as good at the moment.

You are spot on Harry, also we have had a massive drop off of quality forwards, if you look back at 3 burgess boys , James Graham, Peacock, Ellis, Morley,Hill,Walmsley, the new set don't have opposition packs looking over.

Leeds are expecting to sell out our allocation at KR this weekend. Can't remember the last time we've had a message like that from the club.

Another NRL round Pant’s v Dogs 16,738 SEagles v Tiggers 17,055 Knights v Raiders 17,527 Broncs v Wahs 43,424 Drags v Eels 18,191 Phins v Bunbuns 22,041 Storm v Fins 21,399 +i+s v Cows 13,382 One of the better mid season rounds. I think Panthers v Dogs was disappointing. Thursday night I know, but for a game of that magnitude. I almost gave it a pass, but the pessimist in me said there has to be at least two fails in a round. Titans crowd is too low. The club continues to be just a plastic franchise with little attachment and no real affinity with the locals. Knights was too low for a good opponent on a prime time match. Sea Eagles crowd is very impressive for a Friday 6pm KO, lending itself to my theory around Sydbey derbies for Friday night 6pm KOs. Great to see 18k+ in Wollongong. where did that come from? The rest of the ratings speak for themselves.

Oulton failing to raise a team for their fixture with Cardiff this week and rumors that they may not complete the season. Id expect them to be gone from the Championship next season with Widnes and potentially Wakefield moving up. Cas look like the other team that could give way although I am hearing we could even go to yorkshire and Lancashire leagues next season below the Championship. It would lead to an extremley strong Yorkshire league but I fear the standard in Lancashire would be pretty poor. Around the leagues this week, London picked up a win over Salford but not as dominant as I thought it might be and Fev hammered Cas, Ive watched this one and cas are way out of their depth while Fev's pack completley dominated their opposition and they played some good rugby to go with it. Im not as convinced as I were that London will have it all their own way when these two play each other in a play off final. League 1 with 3 pretty tight games, Illingworth with a nail biting last minute win against Fryston to throw spots 3 and below wide open then Wakey only beating Leigh by 16-0. Not sure what team Wakey had out or if they still have players in from Huddersfield but Im surprised how close this one looks. The same goes for Widnes who I am convinced are the best team in this league but only managed a 13-6 win against a tough Workington team at Widnes.

Very much looking forward to this season, especially now the NZ Warriors are back in the competition. First game: Cronulla v Parramatta KO at 10:45am this Thursday.

He always seems quite bitter when it comes to Fev. He just needs to enjoy himself a bit more I like banter like most but he needs to lighten up a bit. As you say TPH I find the vast majority of Yorks fans very decent on the various forums

I think the main part of the question was ..who was a standout in an otherwise ordinary team? That's how I took it. I know I shouldn't say it but that would be most seasons! Zarrin is the latest candidate.

Ian Blease and Jon Wilkin were both asking the same question during the On The Bench podcast and they seem to think not. I agree with the calls for the international pathways to be worked on and things like Academy tours for our lads to be brought back. One thing I would say they missed though was them saying they want our young players to have the experience of playing and beating the Aussies when they're kids (as though none of them currently have that). They didn't mention it but we do have that with many of this current crop. Welsby, Newman, Smith, Trout, Havard, Holroyd, Smithies, McDonnell, Walters, Wilson etc have beaten an Aussie schoolboys team and they did it 2-0. It's the next generation of Nsemba, Robertson etc that haven't been given the chance.

That could be true of York Press reporters in general but the exception is Emma Kennedy who is an excellent reporter and very knowledgeable of rugby league as well as being a great supporter of the York Knights and Valkeries

Watched the highlights of yesterday's game twice this afternoon whilst I was supposed to be "working from home" one the Halifax version and then the version from Roughyeds TV and without a shadow of doubt the Oldham version with George's commentary wins hands down, really professional

Paul King should be banned from RL involvement after this saga. Rowley, as we have been informed by those who know him, is financially secure because of his wife. Clearly the lads he has playing for him aren't all so fortunate.

I was rather hopeful that the long term deal we signed with IMG was an end to the short term thinking that has plagued our sport. Should have known better. I want rid of loop fixtures but not at all costs and not via a fudge or quick fix.