Re: What we currently look like for 2023 : Mon Sep 19, 2022 10:34 am  

Eseh is a real handful and has a lot going for him, size, footwork at the line, a well informed offload, mostly finds his front, courage, work rate and he’s getting some valuable experience at Featherstone.

A word of caution though, on that clip there’s another big front rower called Sam Kibula who was doing much the same as Eseh through the Wigan Academy, England Academy etc. He’s been unable to carry his attributes through to the very top level and is now playing for Dewsbury Rams.

I think Eseh still needs another year or so at Featherstone or another good Championship club before coming back to try his hand at Super League level,

He’s an exciting prospect for the future though

Re: What we currently look like for 2023 : Mon Sep 19, 2022 11:30 am  

The Avenger wrote:

Eseh is a real handful and has a lot going for him, size, footwork at the line, a well informed offload, mostly finds his front, courage, work rate and he’s getting some valuable experience at Featherstone.

A word of caution though, on that clip there’s another big front rower called Sam Kibula who was doing much the same as Eseh through the Wigan Academy, England Academy etc. He’s been unable to carry his attributes through to the very top level and is now playing for Dewsbury Rams.

I think Eseh still needs another year or so at Featherstone or another good Championship club before coming back to try his hand at Super League level,

He’s an exciting prospect for the future though

I completely understand that we shouldn’t burden Eseh with too much expectation. That said I think he is ready for some games from the bench so he can continue his learning. We may not see the best of him for a couple of years at superleague level but at the least he seems to have the attributes and has done well at the closest level to superleague.

Fingers crossed we see him transition well and end up with a player on our hands.

Also, I think next season if we re-sign Shaw that he would also benefit from a loan period in the championship.

Re: What we currently look like for 2023 : Mon Sep 19, 2022 1:01 pm  

The Avenger wrote:

Eseh is a real handful and has a lot going for him, size, footwork at the line, a well informed offload, mostly finds his front, courage, work rate and he’s getting some valuable experience at Featherstone.

A word of caution though, on that clip there’s another big front rower called Sam Kibula who was doing much the same as Eseh through the Wigan Academy, England Academy etc. He’s been unable to carry his attributes through to the very top level and is now playing for Dewsbury Rams.

I think Eseh still needs another year or so at Featherstone or another good Championship club before coming back to try his hand at Super League level,

He’s an exciting prospect for the future though

Agreed, a special talent hence him being loaned to a top Championship side.

Talking of big units Windrow is a big lad and puts it about, I hope he breaks through next season.

Re: What we currently look like for 2023 : Mon Sep 19, 2022 2:03 pm  

vastman wrote:

Agreed, a special talent hence him being loaned to a top Championship side.

Talking of big units Windrow is a big lad and puts it about, I hope he breaks through next season.

Windrow is an interesting one. Definitely needs to break through next year along with O’Donnovan. These players again may benefit from a loan to a championship club.

Re: What we currently look like for 2023 : Mon Sep 19, 2022 3:53 pm  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Windrow is an interesting one. Definitely needs to break through next year along with O’Donnovan. These players again may benefit from a loan to a championship club.

For me Windrow is ready. He an instant replacement for Batch though a different kind of player. I was amazed as to how big and strong he’s got. Not a bad player either, some way off international class yet but SL he should be in contention every week even if not an automatic.

O’Donovan has a bit to go yet.

I think, no I hope Applegarth backs himself and runs with these lads.

Also wonder whether he might look at Ruane again. Let’s face it that lads a better bet than Minns, SId and especially Army Dave ever were.

Re: What we currently look like for 2023 : Mon Sep 19, 2022 6:09 pm  

vastman wrote:

For me Windrow is ready. He an instant replacement for Batch though a different kind of player. I was amazed as to how big and strong he’s got. Not a bad player either, some way off international class yet but SL he should be in contention every week even if not an automatic.

O’Donovan has a bit to go yet.

I think, no I hope Applegarth backs himself and runs with these lads.

Also wonder whether he might look at Ruane again. Let’s face it that lads a better bet than Minns, SId and especially Army Dave ever were.

Yes I agree with Ruan but by all accounts on the Leeds rlfans they believe he’s signed a long term deal with them. If he’s available it’s worth a look as I thought he would be worth a deal last year being standout in academy. Even more so now with many games under his belt for Doncaster.

Re: What we currently look like for 2023 : Tue Sep 20, 2022 1:48 am  

interesting debate about who's ready and who needs to break through NOW! or he's useless...

when they signed for Trinity in Jan 2021 Eshe was 17 and O'Donovan 18... the Oldham press reported that Windrow is a highly rated 19 year old when he signed on loan in May 2022... It seems like they've been at the club for ages but they are barely out of their teens... Harry Bowes turned 21 in the past few days and Issac Shaw does not have his age recorded but played for England Youth in 2019 (which is I think is under 18)

Trinity stated their aim was to create an environment which transitioned talented youngsters into Super league players, and I think they're doing pretty well.... My (uneducated guess) is the Shaw, Eshe and Bowes will be regular starters (first 17/21) next season... Windrow and O'Donovan will play some first grade and I think Scriven might also...


I'm also picking up vibes that the aim is to move to a 14 team Super League in 2024 and there will be no relegation and two promoted teams from the 23 season... If this is so, it would more than explain the reasoning behind hastening MA's promotion to first team coach... a year of embedding his philosophy and blooding younger players without the fear of the drop... Time will tell on that rumour though I guess.

Re: What we currently look like for 2023 : Tue Sep 20, 2022 4:40 am  

This for me is where Mash has the advantages, he’s brought these young through the set up, he knows them inside out and He’ll make the informed judgement when the time is right as to when these lads are up to the rigours of SL. The more I think about his head coaching appointment the more it makes sense to a club that has to look towards its youth set up more than most due to money restraints . Get a standout half like Salford and a workmanlike team around you and all pulling in the same direction , and your going places. Losing miller may be a blessing if we can get the right man to replace him . Salford have a knack of picking up rare quality players who transform the team around them , Hastings and now Crofts have got those abilities, and you certainly don’t need a team bristling with super star as they have proven time and time again in recent seasons

Re: What we currently look like for 2023 : Tue Sep 20, 2022 6:04 am  

Have we actually signed anyone as yet. I have been away, dint know if I've missed anything.

It's coming up to 4 weeks since our super league status was confirmed for 2023.

Re: What we currently look like for 2023 : Tue Sep 20, 2022 6:06 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Yes I agree with Ruan but by all accounts on the Leeds rlfans they believe he’s signed a long term deal with them. If he’s available it’s worth a look as I thought he would be worth a deal last year being standout in academy. Even more so now with many games under his belt for Doncaster.

That was a bit back not heard.much recently.