So near yet so far. Season over after the Featherstone game in the eights. Thought played quicker in the eights but as others have said a number of times not dominating enough up front. However we failed to really dominate the vast majority of teams we played throughout the season. And the falling asleep either side of half time was there from day one. Tend not to win the tackle either in defence or when our players get tackled. So in terms of first team final position, no real improvement. Yet elsewhere the junior teams have progressed significantly. And the club appear to be developing the community work. still a work in progress.
Views on the first team squad:
Walker - made the fullback spot his own after a dodgy performance at Halifax. Felt has grown, solid under the high ball.
Dixon - iffy start as he and Purtell failed to gel. Once had a centre who worked with (or protected) him confidence grew.
Purtell - never trusted Dixon and the partnership wasn't working.
Kear - been dependable even in what is probably out of position.
Williams - must wonder what the ball looks like. Never lets us down but ability could be used more as a winger than in the first tackle.
Sammut - been excellent and probably the most I've seen him play as a team player, while giving us something extra.
Barthau - feel he has grown and developed this year. Been very good and the partnership with Sammut somehow works. Kicking game has been mostly superb.
Ioane - stand out all season. Is cloaning legal yet?
Ackers - feel has developed and possibly replaced Cunningham as our first choice hooker.
Spencer - if only not so unlucky with injuries. When available added to the go forward.
Garside - pretty solid all year.
Harrison - have missed him when he's not been there.
Pitts - I think underestimate the contribution being made.
Davis - feel has grown through the season when played. Came back from injury and has a good level of enthusiasm.
Cunningham - maybe usurped by Ackers as our first choice hooker. Maybe struggled to get his mojo back, but appeared to be improving as we got to the end of the eights.
Channing - well his understanding and ability work with Dixon helped solve a few problems. Think we and Dixon missed him when injured.
Grant - well could be a new signing for next year as failed to feature due to injury. Not our first in that position.
Battye - injury curtailed what looked like a good start. Think still trying to recapture that form. Attracts penalties like moths round a light. Maybe trying to over compensate for our lack of physical depth elsewhere.
Pewhairangi - Not convinced as a centre. Seems to have time others don't and always entertaining.
Hellewell - has been solid but not as much of an impact as last year.
Gee, Evans and Offendahl - interchangeable or am I being harsh. Solid if unspectacular. But if Battye and Ioane were off the field together I'm not sure we had the same sort of impact and go forward, at least not as consistently
Roqica and Bienek - one will be here next year the other won't. Roqica really hasn't lived up to the billing. Maybe one game. Bienek is still raw and it is true he has run through a gap rather than over a player.
Pointer, Pearce-Paul and Adebiyi - all three need game time and experience. Loan will help them develop. Plus another year of training should enable them to bulk a little. Opportunities have been slim and not much impact when on field to date.
Wilde and Boudebza - difficult to join late on and fit into systems. Both potentially good replacements but unsure whether added that extra something.
HOW MANY TIMES?????
