Hull FC Friendly : Mon Jan 29, 2024 1:17 pm  

Should be a good one as I’ve heard we’re going full strength in this one. Not heard much about the FC pack so not sure what to expect. Hopefully we’re a bit more switched on in the middle and can make meters a bit more than we did against Wakey. Last pre season game before we go into the season so although it isn’t important would be good to get a decent performance under the belt.

Re: Hull FC Friendly : Mon Jan 29, 2024 3:04 pm  

Be interesting to see who doesn't make the cut in the pack, tough decisions looming for MP

Re: Hull FC Friendly : Mon Jan 29, 2024 6:59 pm  

apollosghost wrote:

Be interesting to see who doesn't make the cut in the pack, tough decisions looming for MP

Don’t think any of our pack covered themselves in glory vs Wakefield so I’d hope that those spots in the squad are still all up for grabs.

Re: Hull FC Friendly : Mon Jan 29, 2024 8:01 pm  

We usually go as much as first 17 as we can in the last friendly before our first League game.
As has been said, backs pretty much select themselves but the pack is anyone's guess.
Also and interesting one, for me, will be the bench. Will we see Eckersley, Douglas or Sumner? Thought Sumner v Wakey was very good. Doubt he'll get a game though!

Re: Hull FC Friendly : Mon Jan 29, 2024 8:05 pm  

I did like the look of eckersley he seemed to tower above the rest as well

Re: Hull FC Friendly : Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:05 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

We usually go as much as first 17 as we can in the last friendly before our first League game.
As has been said, backs pretty much select themselves but the pack is anyone's guess.
Also and interesting one, for me, will be the bench. Will we see Eckersley, Douglas or Sumner? Thought Sumner v Wakey was very good. Doubt he'll get a game though!

We’ll see at least one of them I’d imagine. I saw an interview with Miski from the media day and he said he should be ok for Cas but it didn’t sound certain that he’d get minutes in this one and if he does, I can’t see it being a full games worth.

As for the team, the 1-7 picks itself (if Miski does start), so it just looks like the make up of the pack up for debate. I’d imagine Byrne, Thompson, Farrell and Ellis will be 4 of the starters, so it’s just then a choice of Leeming or O’Neill and Isa or Walters. I’d personally be starting O’Neill and Walters in the opening few weeks of the season (including the WCC).

Re: Hull FC Friendly : Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:22 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

We’ll see at least one of them I’d imagine. I saw an interview with Miski from the media day and he said he should be ok for Cas but it didn’t sound certain that he’d get minutes in this one and if he does, I can’t see it being a full games worth.

As for the team, the 1-7 picks itself (if Miski does start), so it just looks like the make up of the pack up for debate. I’d imagine Byrne, Thompson, Farrell and Ellis will be 4 of the starters, so it’s just then a choice of Leeming or O’Neill and Isa or Walters. I’d personally be starting O’Neill and Walters in the opening few weeks of the season (including the WCC).

I wouldn’t see the point personally of starting with Walters and Leeming.

O’Neil and Isa are tougher and superior defensively and should start whilst the intensity of the game in the initial exchanges is at it’s highest, once we take the sting out of the game Leeming with his superior attacking play around the ruck and Walters coming into an edge with his size will be challenging puzzles to solve in attack against tired Leeds who have been accustomed to more conservative style players for 20-25 minutes.

Re: Hull FC Friendly : Tue Jan 30, 2024 11:11 am  

Not sure how we will line up really for the game against you guys - most of the first teamers got 30 minutes against Doncaster last week, and he has said it will be a strong line up on Sunday. The pack is bigger this year - we have added 4 guys who are 6"2 or bigger, and we've added some pace with Tindall and Walker, but hard to call how we will go this uear - but hoping for a good game and give Tag a good round of applause (think hes getting some minutes as well!)

Re: Hull FC Friendly : Tue Jan 30, 2024 12:26 pm  

jonh wrote:

I wouldn’t see the point personally of starting with Walters and Leeming.

O’Neil and Isa are tougher and superior defensively and should start whilst the intensity of the game in the initial exchanges is at it’s highest, once we take the sting out of the game Leeming with his superior attacking play around the ruck and Walters coming into an edge with his size will be challenging puzzles to solve in attack against tired Leeds who have been accustomed to more conservative style players for 20-25 minutes.

O'Neill deserves the starting shirt, not only on his previous work for us but I thought he was the better of the two at Wakey as well and as you say, I think he suits the starting role and Leeming the bench role, more than the other way around.

I'm a bit less sure on the Walters/Isa pick. I do think Isa will get the start but I was massively impressed with Walters on Friday and I would like that extra threat he'll bring right from the start. The question marks I suppose are on his engine and what sort of defensive intensity he can bring compared to Isa. Either way he looks a fantastic bit of business and with guys like French and Field supporting around him, he should have some big moments for us this year.

Re: Hull FC Friendly : Tue Jan 30, 2024 12:35 pm  

I think, in the absence of Harvard and Cooper, Thompson, Byrne, Dupree and Mago are the props. Probably Hill or Eseh if we go with a 5th. O'Neil to start at Hooker with Leeming on the bench. 2nd row of Farrell and Walters with Isa on the bench, although it may be Isa to start for the reasons Jonh has stated. Ellis at loose.

As this is a friendly, though, are we not playing unlimited interchanges?