Hull FC season preview

An impressive and much-improved campaign for the black and whites in 2016 saw Hull FC compete for all three trophies and finally break the curse of winning at Wembley as they lifted the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

 

The Black and Whites are again expected to fight for silverware this season and are aiming to make their first Grand Final appearance since 2006.

Josh Griffin and Jake Connor are exciting additions to the squad and Albert Kelly has moved from city rivals Hull KR to bolster their kicking game.

 

The departures of Frank Pritchard and club legend Kirk Yeaman are big losses but Hull have plenty of talent across the park and strength in depth to challenge for all the major honours in 2017.

Pre-season friendliest have seen the FC side lose heavily to close rivals Hull KR and a narrow victory to the newly formed Toronto Wolfpack.

 

TRANSFERS

In: Josh Griffin (Salford Red Devils), Jake Connor (Huddersfield Giants), Albert Kelly (Hull KR), Nick Rawsthorne (Halifax RLFC).

Out: Frank Pritchard (Parramatta Eels), Leon Pryce (Bradford Bulls), Iafeta Paleaaesina (Doncaster RLFC), Jordan Abdull (Hull KR, loan), Kirk Yeaman (Retired), Reece Dean (Toronto Wolfpack).

Your listening to this weeks podcast. Ryan Wilkinson. joins the boys to talk about all things Salford Red Devils, We look back at our great win v St Helens with Gaz Obrien, George GrIffin and Lami Tasi and Ian Watson in coaches corner, Review all the big stories of the week including the return of Robbie Hunter Paul. Paul Whiteside looks at what our amateur sides have been upto this week as we preview the mouth watering clash with Hull on Friday night

Salford 18 Hull FC 6

The 2016 challenge cup winners were Salford's final opponents of the pre season and they put out what looked a near full strength side. 

 

Hull looked sharp in the early stages with half backs Albert Kelly and Mark Sneyd created chances. An excellent tackle from Gareth O Brien held Kelly up over the line. Hull continued to press with lots of possession but great defence from Justin Carney and Junior Sau bundled Kelly in to touch. Twenty one minutes in and Salford get the first try after great work from Lee Mossop, quick hands out to Sau who scores in the corner. O Brien's conversation is superb. 6-0.

Robert Lui comes up with a short ball for Weller Hauraki but the try is denied by referee Robert Hicks because of a forward pass. Just when Hauraki was starting to look really dangerous he hobbles off injured much to the concern of the home supporters. 

 

Robert Lui is the creator as his ball back on the inside to George Griffin is real quality! Griffin with a real powerful angled run under the posts! O Brien adds the goal 12-0.

A very satisfying first performance from Salford with some real solid defence.

As the second starts Hull continue to throw everything at Salford but Sneyd's high kicks are well dealt with. Michael Dobson having a super game is bossing the show for Salford and really out playing his opposite number. Sneyd comes up with a 40-20 to get hull on the front foot but the in form Greg Johnson comes up with a try saving tackle. Josh Griffin on his return to the AJ Bell stadium is met by a ferocious tackle from brother George to the delight of the home supporters! 

 

Salford's excellent hard working defence finally cracks after 66 minutes when Sneyds cross field kick is pouched by Steve Michaels. Sneyd ever reliable with the boot kicks off the touch line 12-6.

The Red Devil's are not to be denied and keep piling on the pressure, asking questions of Hulls defence. Dobson's excellent kick keep the pressure on and forces a drop out. Hull crack after another lovely kick causes havoc as ex Hull kr favourite Kris Welham is on the spot to touch down! O Brien kicks the goal 18-6. 

 

Salford might not have got two league points today but what they did get was a confidence and belief to take in to the new season. Deep in the second half the amount of young players on the pitch was heart warming to see and they all did themselves proud! Liam Bent Chester Butler ,Conor McGrath , Dan Murray, Matty Wilkinson, Jake Bibby, Ryan Lannon and Josh Wood might not have many years of experience but the desire and spirit was there for all to see.

 Exciting times lie ahead for Salford and 11th of February can't come soon enough. Final score Salford 18 Hull 6.

Paul Whiteside

Pictures by steve McCormick 

Halifax 6 Salford 13 Match Report

Salford made the short trip across the Pennines on a bitterly cold day to face Halifax in the Colin Dixon memorial trophy. Ben Johnston opened the scoring after good work from stand off Scott murrell. Ex red Steve Tyrer added the goal 6-0. There didn't seem to look to much between the sides and Halifax were tackling well. Salford hit back when Craig kopzack went over from close range. Michael Dobson kicked the conversation 6-6.

The best chance after that fell to the lively Kris Welham who just couldn't take the pass in after a good Salford move. I tough and tightly fought first half ended 6-6.
Kris brining scored his first Salford try to open the second half scoring as he pinched one from close range. Dobson kicked the conversation 6-12. Weller Hauraki went close but was held up over the line. Halifax grew in confidence on the back of murrell's kicking game and at times looked the better side. Hauraki worked hard and came up with a ball steal. Salford broke and looked to get the killer try but Halifax defended well and forced welham into touch.

As the clock counted down Halifax kept the ball alive and made a thrilling break but young Chester Butler who is Colin Dixon's grandson couldn't keep hold of the ball close to the line.
As the game drew to a close Salford received a penalty close to the Halifax line and spurned the chance to kick at goal. How ever a few tackles later Robert Lui dropped a goal to make the game safe. 6-13. The hooter sounded shortly after and Salford retained the trophy.

Improvements are needed and it's another tough test at home to challenge cup winners Hull next Sunday in are final pre season match.
Paul Whiteside away day red

Rochdale 18 Salford 44 - Pre Season game ruined by injurys

It was a damp day at spotland soon brightened by the return of Salford and a good following army of supporters. Playing in the new kits for 2017, red and white hoops socks were back! The match got under way and the first real action saw Ben Murdoch Masila injured. He was helped from the field and returned to the sidelines with a leg brace on. Speaking to him after the game it's a scan today to assess the damage

Salford opened the scoring with a burst of tries from Gaz o Brien and Josh Jones. O Brien kicked both goals 0-12.
Then came a crucial moment as hornets launched a high bomb o Brien claimed it but was clattered and lost the ball. Rochdale pounced for there first try. O brien was flat out for a good 5 minutes before he was stretched off. Hornets conversation 6-12. Salford we're not to disheartened as Greg Johnson and Junior Sau ran tries in with Michael Dobson converting both to give Salford a comfortable 6-24 half time lead.

Hornets were very durable and showing a great spirit they came out for the second half with a real zip scoring two tries to peg Salford back to 18-24. The Red Devil's responded well with Kris Welham scoring on his debut and Greg Johnson powered in for two more tries to complete an impressive hat trick. Kris Brining was really lively on his debut as were all the young lads!

Matty Wilkinson, Jake Bibby, Josh Wood all looked sharp. Young Daniel Murray and Ryan Lannon looked a real handful. There are some real young talented players in our side now! Niall Evalds now a more senior player never put a foot wrong! Lee Mossop looked strong along with the return of Lama Tasi. Jake Bibby rounded the scoring off with a well finished try. So despite the injuries plenty to be positive about as we turn our attention to Halifax away next Sunday in the Colin Dixon trophy match. Final score at spotland Rochdale hornets 18 Salford 44.

Paul Whiteside away day red

Catalan Dragons Super league season preview 2017

Home ground

The Brutus Stadium has been the scene of many memorable moments in Catalan and French rugby league during the seventies, eighties and nineties. After some further development It will have a capacity of 13,180 and will be equipped with all the infrastructures necessary for the development of a professional sports club..

Previewing 2017

AFTER A SEASON OF TWO HALVES IN 2016, CATALANS DRAGONS WILL BE HOPING FOR A MORE CONSISTENT CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR.

After a strong first half to their 2016 campaign Catalans faltered to a fifth placed finish and will have their sights set on a play-off place for sure in 2017. An impressive home record has always been crucial for the Dragons and they will look to continue to make it difficult for sides to leave the Stade Gilbert Brutus with the two points this season. Catalans have lost some big names ahead of 2017 with the likes of Gregory Mounis, Pat Richards and Todd Carney leaving Perpignan.

Laurent Frayssinous has recruited well from the Super League and NRL with the likes of Luke Walsh and the return of Greg Bird to bolster their ranks for 2017. However the dragons fans will also be looking for their emerging French stars to hold down first team places in 2017.

last season finish 5th place
2017 prediction 6th place

Salford 12 Catalan Dragons 26

Catalan Dragons 42 Salford Red Devils 32
Player links

Catalan Dragons have 3 former Reds in their squad. Luke Burgess who played for Salford in the 2016 Middle 8 playoffs will bolster a already big French pack, ex Salford Speedster Jodie Broughton will be among the tries again and Richie Myler will be the creative force for the French men in 2017.

Check out our latest podcast here all your Salford Red Devils chat and news, we talk to Michael Dobson, Lami Tasi and Ian Watson

Castleford Tigers 2017 Superleague preview

Castleford Tigers

Home Ground :  The Mend-A-Hose Jungle

Wheldon Road Stadium first became home to Castleford RLFC in 1927. The ground was originally home to Castleford Town Football Club, with Castleford RLFC taking up home a year after their first season as a senior rugby club (having played the first season as what is now Castleford Lock Lane).
The stadium has a capacity of 12,000, but back in 1935 had a record attendance of 25,449 for a third round challenge Cup match v Hunslet. The stadium has been named the Mend-A-Hose Jungle since 2014.

In what was a good season for The Tigers in 2016, 2017 under the control of Daryl Powell looks again to be a positive one. The Tigers have recruited well with former Leeds fullback Zak Hardaker the main signing for the tigers who will no doubt increase their attacking ability. 2016 saw the return of ex Salford half back Rangi Chase to bolster the tigers ranks and form a great partnership with England international scrum half Luke Gale towards the back end of the season.

The main news coming from the tigers in recent weeks was the loss of the try scoring machine Denny Solomona to rugby union outfit Sale Sharks. The tigers are still in dispute with the sharks over the signing of their top try scorer and I don't think we have seen or heard the last of this situation. The tigers in my opinion will again reach the top 8 if not further as their squad looks keen, motivated and ready to roar.

Last seasons results

Salford 22 Castleford Tigers 18

Castleford Tigers 16 Salford Red Devils 32

2016 6th Place finish
2017 prediction 5th

Ex players

One of the most gifted players in recent years to wear the Salford Shirt Rangi Chase is back in the colours of Castleford Tigers, a fantastic player on his day The Castleford Tigers will be looking for him to rediscover the form of 2011 when he won super leagues man of streel to lead them to success in 2017,.

You are listening to this weeks Devil in the Details for all your latest Salford Red Devils chat and news, this week we have update from the latest fans forum with CEO Ian Blease,, Phil Cooper and Ex Salford player Paul Highton talk about the new magic weekend shirt and State of mind project designed to help ex players and people in the local community and Ian Watson is in Coaches corner to talk us through the defeat against Wakefield.
So Tune in to this weeks Podcast with Rob, Paul and Ryan for all your Salford Red Devils chat and previw of the Castleford game on Sunday.

Fans Forum excitement

A very exciting night took place down at the AJ Bell Stadium on Monday 28th November.

A chance for new CEO and ex Salford Captain Ian Blease to talk about his vision for the club in 2017.

We were impressed, he showed the passion and drive which made him a fans favourite while wearing the shirt. In his new role and we think there will be lots more to come from him though out the season.
Marwan who was in attendance took a back seat and enjoyed the show like the rest of the fans in the room and what he saw must have impressed him.

Ian Watson unveiled Willie Poching as his new assistant coach. It was Willies 1st day but early impressions he seemed impressed with the club and the players in the squad.  Willie will bring some experience to the back room staff and is a positive move for 2017.

New signings were welcomed by the crowd. Lee Mossop, Lama Tasi , Junior Sa'u, Kris Brining, and Daniel Murray all spoke very positively about their plans for the new season.

During the question and answers both Ian Watson and Blease talked about creating a honest professional culture within the club. You build a club from the base and with these core values in place  2017 and beyond is going to be a exciting time for the club.

Marketing and media is always a big talking point for many fans,  Ian Blease explained we are looking to expand in this area.

With a plan to build relationships with local schools, colleges, universities as well as our amateur clubs to help grow our fan base it seems like the club are well placed to tap into this potential goldmine of supporters.

The new official website will be available from the 5th December fans online experience of Salford Red Devil's will improve even more.

The more the club can become visible in the local community the bigger our support will become. A blend of online and real life marketing is key to the clubs plans to grow our fan base in 2017.

With the Local Council and Peel Holdings also helping Salford to reach their potential around the city our brand could be seen by millions of people in the local area through Christmas and into the new year.

The new video advertising the new home shirt was impressive, lots of fan interaction talking about how much the club means to them struck a cord with many leaving the people at the meeting thinking that it was  a very good video.

The 1st fans forum should be viewed as a success, there is still lots to do in the off season but I feel we are heading in the right direction to make 2017 a huge success.