Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Mon Jun 17, 2024 11:25 am  

If you a coach under pressure - the last thing you are going to do is take risks - if you play all your most experienced players and it doesn't work that is one area of challenge dealt with.

Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Mon Jun 17, 2024 11:25 am  

Frawley is not up to the job, but whoever plays halfback will have Cameron Smith dictating play most of the time, not them.

Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Mon Jun 17, 2024 11:41 am  

Cameron Smith is so slow both mentally and physically in game time. The less he has his hands on the ball the better matters will be. Reached his peak three years ago and has gone backwards ever since. Over-hyped as a youngster a bit like Morgan Smith and has never trained on. You have to question what the coaching at Leeds does to these young blokes

Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Mon Jun 17, 2024 12:08 pm  

It's not all about coaching. We need individuals who actively want to push themselves to higher and higher levels. Someone like Handley is a case in point. Smith and Newman seem to be going the wrong way.

Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Tue Jun 18, 2024 8:14 am  

Bobtownrhino wrote:

At least Cas gave Wigan a game and a challenge.
Hull looked like they would never win again this season up to last Saturday and Leeds abject pathetic attitude gave them confidence that they built on to finish the game looking like giants against minnows

It’s funny that people go on about Oledski but if you offered Grix Oledski for any of his forwards he would laugh in your face

Oledski was probably our best forward but he would struggle to get into most other SL 1st 13

The only player in Leeds kit who looked like he had talent was Croft who is mired by a pathetic pack led by clueless Smith.

Rohan Smith would struggle to motivate the local girls under 9s team.

Yet another stunning appointment of Gawwy “Total incompetent” Hetherington. But let the trolls on here come to his defence with Oh Gawwy saved our club. That’s in the past now trolls

I'll swap him for Pele and Okunbor. 2 for 1

Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:48 am  

I think Cam Smith is a pivotal player - when he's on form Leeds look way better, when he isn't we tend to lose.

Will be a brave call but I think Gannon might make a better 13, I've said for a while I think he could be in the big/mobile/skilful 13 mode like a Farrell or Sculthorpe (not expecting him to be as good as they were). We also have Cassell coming through who is quality. Smith will have some pressure for sure going forward.

Most of us are on the same page but our pack has been exposed this year. If we are serious about winning titles again, we need to put together the best pack in the league. This is what annoys me about Leeds, we waste money and effort on project players constantly, while our competitors out-sign us. Most of the players who've left us have descended into mediocrity; one or two like Dupree and Walters were losses as players. We are going to have to sign the best players if we want to be the best again, and we should have as much money as Wigan or Saints do to achieve that - it's the judgement that has been lacking as much as anything.

Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:58 am  

I agree Jim, i think Gannon has the potential to be a very good 13. He's got good ball handling skills and very athletic with good power.

Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Wed Jun 19, 2024 8:09 am  

Gannon had a terrific breakthrough year, however, has done nothing since because of injury and concussion issues. I hope he comes back and stars for us, however, I fear we are hanging too much hope on him.

Re: Round 13 | Hull FC (A) : Wed Jun 19, 2024 8:20 am  

rugbyleague88 wrote:

Gannon had a terrific breakthrough year, however, has done nothing since because of injury and concussion issues. I hope he comes back and stars for us, however, I fear we are hanging too much hope on him.

He is risky for sure - as stated though Presley Cassell is also better than Smith at 13 in my view, and he'll be ready for first grade in the next 2 years I'd say. We have some very good back rowers coming through at present.