gogledd

Congratulations to Swinton. Well played Doncaster. It was a really good contest, which for once I predicted correctly!

I always enjoyed our trips to Batley. Smashing club and a brilliant set of fans......but I cant see them winning. Leigh by 10 at least. Good luck to both teams

Swinton by 6. Good luck to both teams

"French sides bring nothing to the game" ....lights blue touch paper and retires being a strong wall!!

Maybe we'lll find out more when the IMG statement comes out on 28th!!

I just hope the change in structure treats everyone fairly...but if the predictions are true League 1 teams could potentially be cut adrift financially. Those promoted this season have done more than just beat Cornwall and West Wales. Keighley have beaten everyone home and away and are deservedly promoted. Whoever gets the second spot will have had some really tough games especially against the teams in the top 6 of League 1....and those relegated will have had a bigger slice of the RFL central funding for the previous 12 months.

I'm still backing Swinton to win...but fair play, Doncaster have hit really good form in the last 5 weeks or so Could be very close game.

Great semi-final that. Well done Bulldogs.

Agree

Well done Doncaster. They've certainly hit form at the business end of the season. Should be a good game v Swinton next week

Where did you see this please?

I've no dog in this fight but based on what I've seen after North Wales Crusaders lost to both of them, I think Doncaster will edge it. Whatever the result I think Swinton will end up getting the second promotion slot. Best of luck to both teams.

I'm not sure they are published, Why would they be? I can tell you we have no players on contract; they are all on pay-per-play with additional win bonuses.

Combination of both. Today we didn't get the rub of the green but then again we weren't in attacking positions often enough. A really positive season for Crusaders considering our budget compared to the rest of the top 6. We definitely punched above our weight

Two close games...two home wins.

...but you cant beat getting the live experience.....get down to Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay and experience it in person!

The only inside knowledge I have is that Anthony and the coaching team are being paid. I was on the Board of Directors until quite recently so I know this to be a fact. As I've now stood down to concentrate on the Rugby League World Cup (I'm Team Manager for Wales Wheelchair RL) I have no more idea of why the announcement was made. In fact it was a huge shock as we'd been down to Cornwall and met Muzza and his team the day before the announcement. They were all in good spirits, had been for a swim before the game ad all seemed business as usual. Its taken us all by surprise. I'd prefer to let the guys tell everyone what their thoughts and prospects are. There may have been offers made but in all honesty, I really have no idea.

Lots of speculation on this thread. One think is for definite - Anthony Murray and his coaching team are being paid, maybe not enough but thats mainly down to the ridiculous constraint that a 65% cut in central funding has put on all League 1 clubs. Any suggestion that the team are going to Rochdale is total speculation; I can see why people are saying it and it may come to pass but Anthony and his team haven't announced IF they have been offered a contract elsewhere next season. I am confident that Muzza and his team will continue to give their all for the run in to the playoffs. We have Rochdale (H), Keighley (A) and Swinton (H, venue to be confirmed!) to play. Mathematically we COULD finish first but that is very unlikely but coming second is very doable. I'm sure thats what our coaches and players will be concentrating on and then getting through the playoffs with a chance of promotion to the Championship.

Speculation

They DO get paid.... ....and they're not leaving until the end of the year - which includes the playoffs.... And yes it is a shame. We are in a great position thanks to Muzza and his team. We're having our best season since 2013 and will be in the fight for the playoffs. I'm sure all the North Wales Crusaders fans wish Muzza an his team all the very best for whatever the future holds. All other posts about Rochdale and payment are just speculation.

I was going to pick him as he was on the Crusaders fans radar on Sunday with shouts of Billy Ray Cirus and choruses of "Achy Breaky Heart"

I spoke to one of our regular fans about the coverage on Channel 4. He is blind but follows Rugby League live and on TV and radio. He gave a fantastic assessment on the Channel 4 commentary; he said the game was described like it would have been on a radio broadcast and found it really easy to follow what was happening.

I play Masters for a local community club and think we have a great name....Chester Gladiators. North Wales Crusaders had a mascot - he was called Colyn the Crusader, and the person undertaking the role of mascot changed and when the mascot re-appeared she had become Collette the Crusader! Was this the first ever mascot to undergo gender reasignment?

I haven't read the whole thread so apologies if I've repeated anyones choice. One of my personal favourites is 'Dub Side of the Moon' by Easy Star All-Stars. The whole of Floyds "Dark Side of the Moon" done in dub reggae - it really is superb. And not a p ss take but a homage. Last week I heard this and fell in love with it:

Just finished "Game of Thrones" George RR Martin - yes, I've watched the HBO TV series and started the books - so now I'm onto "A Clash of Kings" I'm also reading "Born to Run" by Bruce Springteen - hes an excellent writer and the book is probably the best rock autobiog I've read.