The 2025 Valkyrie Thread

[HaxbyKnight]

Disappointing when players leave, but whatever the reasons, if they want to go,there is no point keeping them here. I think Kelsey may struggle to regain full fitness, but she played a big part in recruiting many of our current squad, and in the Valks winning two grand finals. Thanks Kelsey, good luck to her whatever she does in the future. 

 

 

 

[HolmeKnight]

13 hours ago, cookesp said:

Two departures today with little explanation. Poor results and performances recently. Big match this weekend.

Jess Sharp has joined Leeds.

[andyacko]

The explanation will be that they are restricted to, I think, a 25 player squad so expect a couple of signings.

[RBKnight]

On 01/06/2025 at 19:43, cookesp said:

Disappointing performance again today. Too many errors although the ref didn’t help. Interesting comment from Lindsey Anfield that “we need to be fitter”. What did they do in pre season ? 

I think the coach's problem is this - unexpectedly, we've lost the fastest member of the pack (Lacey Owen) and an 80 minute dynamo in Megan Pakulis. The Valks were also missing the injured Liv Wood, another player who regularly does 80 minutes as a middle forward.

That means we were lacking in a bit of pace and endurance up front, running out of interchanges at the end of the match (after having to make five before half time) and unable to replicate our first half efforts.

[Gav Wilson]

15 hours ago, cookesp said:

Two departures today with little explanation. Poor results and performances recently. Big match this weekend.

A bit harsh. We've beaten Leeds and the two games against St Helens could've gone either way. We were caught cold against Wigan in an away game that kicked off at 5pm on a Friday, who seem to have gone up several levels this year.

We've lost some key players but we're not a million miles away.

[Gav Wilson]

Anyway...

 

[Skelton Knight]

9 hours ago, Gav Wilson said:

A bit harsh. We've beaten Leeds and the two games against St Helens could've gone either way. We were caught cold against Wigan in an away game that kicked off at 5pm on a Friday, who seem to have gone up several levels this year.

We've lost some key players but we're not a million miles away.

Think the club have lost some real assets today. Bitterly disappointed about Kelsey - legend of the side, but Father ‘injury’ Time catches up and the remarkable athlete and Valk legend she has been is without doubt hall of fame material.
 

I suppose in some circumstances I’m more disappointed about Jess Sharp… my son went to 10 of the foundation sessions at Easter and she was a volunteer at most. A humble, articulate human that in my opinion was right to want more game time. She’s been under used in the four games I’ve seen. Lindsay had forgotten more about the game than i will ever know - but an opinion is an opinion. 

Gav has posted a new player incoming - time will tell which side of the bounce we are on.

 

[KH17]

Has there been any word on why Jazz Rampton has left? The Press just listed she'd left 'to pursue another oppurtinity'.

Weird that the club haven't officially posted anything.

And I've noticed on the Valkyrie squad page on the official site, Manuqalo Komaitai is no longer listed. Is that another one that's quietly departed?

[HaxbyKnight]

I've  said it over and over again, there are times when the communication between the club and the supporters leaves a lot to be desired. Komaitai is I believe in the army, so she has probably been deployed elsewhere, but if so, why not say. 

The Valks have only named 20 players this week, including Evie Sexton who I believe is a long term injury, and 2 under 19's.  No Renouf, Rihari, Liv. Wood, or Fjtzpatrick.   

[cookesp]

4 minutes ago, HaxbyKnight said:

I've  said it over and over again, there are times when the communication between the club and the supporters leaves a lot to be desired. Komaitai is I believe in the army, so she has probably been deployed elsewhere, but if so, why not say. 

The Valks have only named 20 players this week, including Evie Sexton who I believe is a long term injury, and 2 under 19's.  No Renouf, Rihari, Liv. Wood, or Fjtzpatrick.   

I agree with the point about communication. Also, I’d like to understand better why we recruit from the Army when playing time / opportunities appear to be limited by the day job. Seems an odd strategy.

[cookesp]

22 hours ago, Gav Wilson said:

A bit harsh. We've beaten Leeds and the two games against St Helens could've gone either way. We were caught cold against Wigan in an away game that kicked off at 5pm on a Friday, who seem to have gone up several levels this year.

We've lost some key players but we're not a million miles away.

I hope im wrong but I think we are a long way off. Wigan have changed the game, we need to catch up. I’m sure we will but it will take time. 

[HaxbyKnight]

Panic over. Valks, with a few players playing out of position come home with a 26 _ 0 win. Well done ladies.

[andyacko]

On 13/06/2025 at 09:30, KH17 said:

Has there been any word on why Jazz Rampton has left? The Press just listed she'd left 'to pursue another oppurtinity'.

Weird that the club haven't officially posted anything.

And I've noticed on the Valkyrie squad page on the official site, Manuqalo Komaitai is no longer listed. Is that another one that's quietly departed?

Jazz was essentially a nines player and, apparently, didn't like the contact side of the sport.

[RBKnight]

For those of you who remember the Valkyrie Uganda trip, here are the first fruits :-

'Peace on a Rugby League mission': Ugandan trailblazer joins York

Great story - good luck Peace !

[Nearenough]

brilliant stuff. good luck lass

[HaxbyKnight]

I've just read in the League Express that Demi Fisher has left the Valks, and has signed for Swinton. How many supporters knew this, why can't the club announce when players leave? Are there any  more of those who haven't featured in the past few games who have left? The communication between the club and the supporters really is poor.

[HolmeKnight]

3 hours ago, HaxbyKnight said:

I've just read in the League Express that Demi Fisher has left the Valks, and has signed for Swinton. How many supporters knew this, why can't the club announce when players leave? Are there any  more of those who haven't featured in the past few games who have left? The communication between the club and the supporters really is poor.

Especially Sade Rihari. Hasn't played for weeks but I haven't heard any reason given.  Apologies if it's a personal issue.

[andyacko]

14 hours ago, HolmeKnight said:

Especially Sade Rihari. Hasn't played for weeks but I haven't heard any reason given.  Apologies if it's a personal issue.

I'll ask the question on Sunday, fellas. If you listened to Lindsay's interview after Leigh, she did say she was experimenting a bit, particularly at half back.

[cookesp]

I saw the interview. All very odd (to me at least). Players disappearing, new players from all over the place, half back on the wing because she can’t stick to the game plan, experimenting with the team halfway through the season etc. I know nothing compared to Lindsey Anfield and assume she knows what she is doing but, as people have said, it would be good if there was better communication with the fans.

[HaxbyKnight]

Much more balance side yesterday, although key players either still missing or playing out of position. I see in today's League Express that Lauren Exley has now left and signed for Huddersfield, even though she still appears in the Valks squad on the website. Why can't the club communicate player departures to the supporters?

[HolmeKnight]

5 hours ago, HaxbyKnight said:

Much more balance side yesterday, although key players either still missing or playing out of position. I see in today's League Express that Lauren Exley has now left and signed for Huddersfield, even though she still appears in the Valks squad on the website. Why can't the club communicate player departures to the supporters?

I am still none the wiser as to what has happened to Sade Rihari who hasn't played for weeks. And Rhiannion Marshall usually appears in the squad but rarely in the team. If they're saving her for the "big games" she'll be very short of match practice. 

[andyacko]

On 14/07/2025 at 23:10, HolmeKnight said:

Especially Sade Rihari. Hasn't played for weeks but I haven't heard any reason given.  Apologies if it's a personal issue.

Answered by Lindsay in her post-match.

[HolmeKnight]

16 minutes ago, andyacko said:

Answered by Lindsay in her post-match.

Sorry, Andy, I've listened to this interview twice (BBC Sounds, 6mins 25) but didn't hear any reference to Sade. Has it been edited or am I being stupid? 

[andyacko]

2 hours ago, HolmeKnight said:

Sorry, Andy, I've listened to this interview twice (BBC Sounds, 6mins 25) but didn't hear any reference to Sade. Has it been edited or am I being stupid? 

May have been edited. Missing due to personal reasons.

[Stirlin]

On the Sportsman channel......YouTube.

 

Edited August 29 by Stirlin