Rugby League

[tyke1962]

Rugby League at the moment is going through one of it's which direction are we going periods , it's not the first time and  it won't be the last , such is Rugby League .

I'm an ST holder at Wakefield Trinity and I had a 15 minute conversation with our owner Matt Ellis before our Challenge Cup tie last week against the Rhinos , Matt mingles with fans before every home game and he came over where I sit for a chat .

Matt is part of the Super League ownership who want to go to 16 Super League clubs from the 14 who exist at the moment .

The other side of that are Super League owners who want to reduce the comp to 10 , he didn't name names but it's well known that Wigan and Hull FC are resistant to Super League expansion and aren't keen on having to share out more of the tv revenue pie .

I suspect within the Super League owners those wanting to expand Super League have the majority vote which is why York , Bradford and Toulouse were promoted for this season when we went from 12 clubs to 14 with Salford going under .

However the waters are muddy , the NRL are wanting to invest £250m in to UK Rugby League because they are concerned for it's sustainability and it's in their interests to protect the game but as ever the devil is in the detail .

I understand they want 10 Super League franchise models with London a shoe in , an independent body to run the game with no control for club owners for their money and the game will therefore not require ownership investment anymore .

Who the 10 Super League clubs are isn't known but safe to say Wigan , Leeds , Saints , Warrington , London , Hull FC , Catalan will probably be a slam dunk .

There's talk of mergers for the other three places , anyone thinking a Wakefield - Castleford merger would work or even Wigan absorbing Leigh might want to check at the bottom of their garden for fairies .

My opinion is that it won't happen and the NRL offer will be rejected and we will see a 16 team Super League possibly next season .

This in my opinion gives the Dons a crack at achieving Super League status if they have a successful championship campaign this season in much the same way York Knights did last season .

London are a shoe in but the other Super League spot is definitely up for grabs in my opinion for next season if the Dons can convert to full time player status financially .

You can't compete in Super League on semi pro terms today , you'll get blown away almost every week .

Interesting times .

[idler]

Dons winning 14 0 a few minutes ago.

[dknward2]

16 nil at half time just kicked off the 2nd half

[dknward2]

2 quick try’s from Widnes and they are right back in it

[dknward2]

Dons score 22-12 come on you dons

[BobG]

28-12.

Come on....!

[dknward2]

68 | TRRRRRYYYYY DONSSSSS!!!

EDENE GEBBIE IS IN!!!

The Dons go all the way from right to left and Gebbie dances in at the corner!

Robinson converts!

Dons 28-12 Widnes

[scawsby steve]

Rugby League at the moment is going through one of it's which direction are we going periods , it's not the first time and  it won't be the last , such is Rugby League .

I'm an ST holder at Wakefield Trinity and I had a 15 minute conversation with our owner Matt Ellis before our Challenge Cup tie last week against the Rhinos , Matt mingles with fans before every home game and he came over where I sit for a chat .

Matt is part of the Super League ownership who want to go to 16 Super League clubs from the 14 who exist at the moment .

The other side of that are Super League owners who want to reduce the comp to 10 , he didn't name names but it's well known that Wigan and Hull FC are resistant to Super League expansion and aren't keen on having to share out more of the tv revenue pie .

I suspect within the Super League owners those wanting to expand Super League have the majority vote which is why York , Bradford and Toulouse were promoted for this season when we went from 12 clubs to 14 with Salford going under .

However the waters are muddy , the NRL are wanting to invest £250m in to UK Rugby League because they are concerned for it's sustainability and it's in their interests to protect the game but as ever the devil is in the detail .

I understand they want 10 Super League franchise models with London a shoe in , an independent body to run the game with no control for club owners for their money and the game will therefore not require ownership investment anymore .

Who the 10 Super League clubs are isn't known but safe to say Wigan , Leeds , Saints , Warrington , London , Hull FC , Catalan will probably be a slam dunk .

There's talk of mergers for the other three places , anyone thinking a Wakefield - Castleford merger would work or even Wigan absorbing Leigh might want to check at the bottom of their garden for fairies .

My opinion is that it won't happen and the NRL offer will be rejected and we will see a 16 team Super League possibly next season .

This in my opinion gives the Dons a crack at achieving Super League status if they have a successful championship campaign this season in much the same way York Knights did last season .

London are a shoe in but the other Super League spot is definitely up for grabs in my opinion for next season if the Dons can convert to full time player status financially .

You can't compete in Super League on semi pro terms today , you'll get blown away almost every week .

Interesting times .

By God, Tyke, it's good to see you back. Whatever it is that's kept you away, I hope you're OK now.

[Jemmo]

A five minute spell after half time aside, that was all Dons. The score line flattered Widnes in the end. Incredible defending from the Dons and taking chances when they popped up

[danumdon]

This is starting to look like  serious team that he Dons have assembled.

I just wish a few more people would attend, they may just appreciate a sport that is truly value for money.

[Jemmo]

Dons are sitting 2nd after this weeks game, making that ludicrous defeat at Midlands slightly more frustrating

[Jemmo]

The tries from today

https://youtu.be/SaHpa1H525A

[Iberian Red]

Thanks Jemmo!

[Jemmo]

Full highlights. It should be noted the output of highlights etc has massively imrpoved this season

https://youtu.be/im4YX_fOjY8?si=og8Gu1wzpdG7uVIR

[Jemmo]

Rugby League at the moment is going through one of it's which direction are we going periods , it's not the first time and  it won't be the last , such is Rugby League .

I'm an ST holder at Wakefield Trinity and I had a 15 minute conversation with our owner Matt Ellis before our Challenge Cup tie last week against the Rhinos , Matt mingles with fans before every home game and he came over where I sit for a chat .

Matt is part of the Super League ownership who want to go to 16 Super League clubs from the 14 who exist at the moment .

The other side of that are Super League owners who want to reduce the comp to 10 , he didn't name names but it's well known that Wigan and Hull FC are resistant to Super League expansion and aren't keen on having to share out more of the tv revenue pie .

I suspect within the Super League owners those wanting to expand Super League have the majority vote which is why York , Bradford and Toulouse were promoted for this season when we went from 12 clubs to 14 with Salford going under .

However the waters are muddy , the NRL are wanting to invest £250m in to UK Rugby League because they are concerned for it's sustainability and it's in their interests to protect the game but as ever the devil is in the detail .

I understand they want 10 Super League franchise models with London a shoe in , an independent body to run the game with no control for club owners for their money and the game will therefore not require ownership investment anymore .

Who the 10 Super League clubs are isn't known but safe to say Wigan , Leeds , Saints , Warrington , London , Hull FC , Catalan will probably be a slam dunk .

There's talk of mergers for the other three places , anyone thinking a Wakefield - Castleford merger would work or even Wigan absorbing Leigh might want to check at the bottom of their garden for fairies .

My opinion is that it won't happen and the NRL offer will be rejected and we will see a 16 team Super League possibly next season .

This in my opinion gives the Dons a crack at achieving Super League status if they have a successful championship campaign this season in much the same way York Knights did last season .

London are a shoe in but the other Super League spot is definitely up for grabs in my opinion for next season if the Dons can convert to full time player status financially .

You can't compete in Super League on semi pro terms today , you'll get blown away almost every week .

Interesting times .

Sorry meant to reply to this, mainly because it is bang on the money.

For Doncaster it is like a game oif musical chairs, we need to make sure we have the things in place at the moment that is the things they're looking for. Sometimes it's win the league, sometimes it's not

[tyke1962]

Rugby League at the moment is going through one of it's which direction are we going periods , it's not the first time and  it won't be the last , such is Rugby League .

I'm an ST holder at Wakefield Trinity and I had a 15 minute conversation with our owner Matt Ellis before our Challenge Cup tie last week against the Rhinos , Matt mingles with fans before every home game and he came over where I sit for a chat .

Matt is part of the Super League ownership who want to go to 16 Super League clubs from the 14 who exist at the moment .

The other side of that are Super League owners who want to reduce the comp to 10 , he didn't name names but it's well known that Wigan and Hull FC are resistant to Super League expansion and aren't keen on having to share out more of the tv revenue pie .

I suspect within the Super League owners those wanting to expand Super League have the majority vote which is why York , Bradford and Toulouse were promoted for this season when we went from 12 clubs to 14 with Salford going under .

However the waters are muddy , the NRL are wanting to invest £250m in to UK Rugby League because they are concerned for it's sustainability and it's in their interests to protect the game but as ever the devil is in the detail .

I understand they want 10 Super League franchise models with London a shoe in , an independent body to run the game with no control for club owners for their money and the game will therefore not require ownership investment anymore .

Who the 10 Super League clubs are isn't known but safe to say Wigan , Leeds , Saints , Warrington , London , Hull FC , Catalan will probably be a slam dunk .

There's talk of mergers for the other three places , anyone thinking a Wakefield - Castleford merger would work or even Wigan absorbing Leigh might want to check at the bottom of their garden for fairies .

My opinion is that it won't happen and the NRL offer will be rejected and we will see a 16 team Super League possibly next season .

This in my opinion gives the Dons a crack at achieving Super League status if they have a successful championship campaign this season in much the same way York Knights did last season .

London are a shoe in but the other Super League spot is definitely up for grabs in my opinion for next season if the Dons can convert to full time player status financially .

You can't compete in Super League on semi pro terms today , you'll get blown away almost every week .

Interesting times .

Sorry meant to reply to this, mainly because it is bang on the money.

For Doncaster it is like a game oif musical chairs, we need to make sure we have the things in place at the moment that is the things they're looking for. Sometimes it's win the league, sometimes it's not

The argument for not expanding Super League was that there aren't enough quality players within budget that the promoted club's could recruit that would make them competitive .

I know it's fairly early days but York , Bradford and to a lesser extent Toulouse have acquitted themselves very well and are making the best case there is to expand Super League .

It's actually Castleford and Huddersfield who look way out of their depth although the demise of Castleford is music to the ears of this particular Trinity fan and long may it continue.

London look a shoe in with the wealthy Australian owners behind them and of course the growing of the game outside the heartlands argument is in there too , with the squad they've assembled this season it would take something of an upset for them not to win the championship this season although anyone can lose a Grand Final or semi final as York did last season and Fev 3 years ago despite winning the league .

If the Dons can at least finish second in the championship and lose the Grand Final it would be hard for them to be denied a place in Super League in my opinion .

The Dons could even play the outside of the Rugby League heartlands card and the growing of the game to further bolster their prospects .

The stadium obviously stacks up with the only question in my opinion is the conversation to full time because I'd like to think the folk of Donny would come out and support their Super League club .

It wouldn't be the worst idea to give the Dons a three year relegation exemption as the RFL did with Catalans and give a South Yorkshire club a real go in Super League and get them established .

[Jemmo]

Yes. I am very confident we, as a club, would offer more to the competition than Huddersfield currently do. Given a chance

[Jemmo]

This weekend; home to Swinton which we'll be huge favourites for considering we're sitting second and they've lost all their opening 6 games. I'm guessing the bookies will go for about a 40 point start

While there will be the normal talk about complacency and getting the job done I am expecting wholesale changes to the squad, giving the fringe players game time and resting some aching bodies.

[tyke1962]

This weekend; home to Swinton which we'll be huge favourites for considering we're sitting second and they've lost all their opening 6 games. I'm guessing the bookies will go for about a 40 point start

While there will be the normal talk about complacency and getting the job done I am expecting wholesale changes to the squad, giving the fringe players game time and resting some aching bodies.

We played them in the Challenge Cup a few weeks back Jemmo and Swinton are a really young side and very raw which you'd expect .

[tommy toes]

My mate is refereeing the game against Swinton on Sunday.
He used to play for the Dons!

[BobG]

Ouch. Is that allowed?!

[knockers]

My mate is refereeing the game against Swinton on Sunday.
He used to play for the Dons!

Is it Jamie Bloem?

[Jemmo]

My mate is refereeing the game against Swinton on Sunday.
He used to play for the Dons!

Oh yeah I saw it was Carl Hughes the other day and didn't realise it was reffing now. He was a good solid player, we had him and his brother at the same time

[tommy toes]

Yes Carl played for a few teams locally.
There’s no problem reffing former teams in RL.
Carl’s only been reffing for a couple of years so he’s done well.

[Jemmo]

In (semi) recent times we have been refereed by Jamie Bloem, David Merrick and now Carl Hughes who are all ex players

The first two don't referee anymore as far as I am aware

[Jemmo]

As suspected 4 changes to the announced 21 man squad with Faraimo, Misky, Pauli, and Springer coming in. I assume all 4 will feature as well as a couple of others who have been in the 21 but not playing (Boas, Smeaton, McConnell etc)

[scawsby steve]

Yes. I am very confident we, as a club, would offer more to the competition than Huddersfield currently do. Given a chance

Bloody hell, Jemmo. On the back of that, I watched Wigan v Huddersfield today, expecting to see a mullering.

I did, but the opposite way to what we all thought. 34-16 to Huddersfield. Unbelievable.

[tyke1962]

Yes. I am very confident we, as a club, would offer more to the competition than Huddersfield currently do. Given a chance

Bloody hell, Jemmo. On the back of that, I watched Wigan v Huddersfield today, expecting to see a mullering.

I did, but the opposite way to what we all thought. 34-16 to Huddersfield. Unbelievable.

Without Field and French Wigan just aren't the same team , that said I thought they'd still have too much for Huddersfield .

Got to turn up every week in Super League or this is what can happen .

[tyke1962]

Other than highlights on YouTube we don't get to see too much championship Rugby League so I was wondering how the new rules around quicker play the balls are playing out in the championship ?

To be honest it's mayhem at the moment in Super League , the amount of 6 agains and penalties conceded for holding on too long in the ruck is creating chaos .

I'm all for a quick game but at the moment I feel that the refs are way too harsh and we haven't got the balance right especially at the start of games when the referee wants to put a marker down .

At York on Friday night within 2 minutes Trinity conceded three 6 agains and a penalty , as I say I'm all for a quick game but the speed has to be factored in to reality , nobody can play Rugby League at the speed some referees are demanding .

I'm wondering how this is getting played out in the championship ? , with all due respect there is a massive difference in skill , fitness and conditioning to factor in at championship level and they can't possibly be expected to play Rugby League at the speed the new rules are demanding if we are struggling to adapt in Super League .

[Jemmo]

The first 4 weeks or so were chaos, it was a major contribution to our loss at Midlands. The referees just had no consistency between them and you didn’t know what they were going to do til the game started. It has calmed down a bit now

The game against Castleford though, we had no chance. He was reffing the tackles at SL speed