Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Fri Feb 07, 2025 8:43 am  

Steve0 wrote:

IMG had suggestions to revamp the cc didn't they with group stages and two legged semi finals? The club's I imagine rejected it, the RFL came up with this ill thought out novel idea, now they're looking to revamp it again.

Don't spend 500k a year on consultants if you're not going to listen to them! The club's thinking they know best is why IMG were brought in in the first place.

The third round draw would've been better if super league clubs weren't seeded, could've been a few big teams out early doors that way and an amateur/champ team would've had more chance of getting to a later round, thereby rekindling the magic of the cup, rather than it's current state

I think maybe as the word suggests img we’re consulting. Ie a discussion with rather than a directive to the clubs. Img are amongst other things trying to make money for the game. The clubs are trying to make money too but can’t do this by having players play too many games. If most teams can develop sizeable squads filled with youth then fair enough. For me clubs need to have a reserve team and at same time be able to afford a sizeable squad. It’s a conundrum. Given that there is a limited reserve league then the cc certainly needs some youth in it. But clubs need to imprint their training on match day. I’m sure Cartwright knows all this better than us

Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Fri Feb 07, 2025 8:44 am  

Ellam wrote:

Surely Asiata play first half with Cust then rest them, can see Balmforth going in halves 2nd half.
Kemp
Barron
Jebson
Westerman
Martin
Moy
Cust
Fash
Balmforth
Aydin
Holmes
Kirby
Asiata
Subs
Ashworth
Gardiner
Hutchinson
Salabio

Don't think that's far off, although Johnston is a centre I think, so I'd play him there and Jebson off the bench, maybe instead of Ashworth.

Anyone know of Wainhouse is injured, not seen him mentioned at all during pre season?

Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Fri Feb 07, 2025 8:54 am  

Steve0 wrote:

Something needs to change with it, for me and I imagine most other fans, it doesn't really get interesting until the quarter/semi final, even then, given the small no. of top flight teams, it gets boring playing the same teams over and over.

If we're paying for the 'spreadsheet Charlie's' for the next ten years, we might as well use them, rather than listening to chairmen that care about themselves only

I think fan input is great as we want bums on seats but img etc have the responsibility of using the competition to market the game and make money amongst other things. Whatever you think of the RFL and IMG they have a tough job. We need the game on terrestrial tv but not Wigan v Isle of Skye ARLFC

Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Fri Feb 07, 2025 10:27 am  

Dave K. wrote:

Anyone know of Wainhouse is injured, not seen him mentioned at all during pre season?

It was in the HDM last week that he was back in full training after his ACL rupture. I don't think we will be rushing him into anything after such a long recovery.

Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Fri Feb 07, 2025 11:14 am  

C for Cuckoo wrote:

It was in the HDM last week that he was back in full training after his ACL rupture. I don't think we will be rushing him into anything after such a long recovery.

Missed that, but he did play a couple of times for the academy at the end of last season, so you would think he would ready now?

Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Fri Feb 07, 2025 4:15 pm  

TnT wrote:

I think fan input is great as we want bums on seats but img etc have the responsibility of using the competition to market the game and make money amongst other things. Whatever you think of the RFL and IMG they have a tough job. We need the game on terrestrial tv but not Wigan v Isle of Skye ARLFC

Can anyone tell me what IMG have done to market and make money for the game?
The answer is sweet FA
If IMG was an individual person working for a company he would have been sacked by now

Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Fri Feb 07, 2025 4:26 pm  

bonaire wrote:

Can anyone tell me what IMG have done to market and make money for the game?
The answer is sweet FA
If IMG was an individual person working for a company he would have been sacked by now

Tell me sir what would you do different to those who are and have been trying in recent years to resuscitate our great game and guarantee long term sustainability. There’s a lot of criticism so let’s have some ideas, pls

Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Fri Feb 07, 2025 5:02 pm  

TnT wrote:

Tell me sir what would you do different to those who are and have been trying in recent years to resuscitate our great game and guarantee long term sustainability. There’s a lot of criticism so let’s have some ideas, pls

Here you go


Super league needs to pull away from the RFL and align themselves to teams in the NRL.
That alone would would enhance the game in the UK when you have Aussie fans and media following their UK team
Increase the cap substantially so that the UK game has a lot more superstars on view.Thats the way you can really start to market the game when R/L superstars become household names and people start to follow them and the game.
The interlink of an Aussie club and a UK club could also be used as an outside quota means of a limited interchange of players during a season.
TV will always follow success and trying to get TV deals for a product that lacks an audience and Superstars is the wrong way round.
The NRL is a great product but they also spend big on marketing and dont stand still.
The RFL have over the years proved to be not fit for purpose so if we now have a sport where most of the S/L teams have wealthy owners it should be time to ditch the RFL and IMG with it.