Yorkshire Rugby

Time to get some predictions in for this weekend I think lads.

Whats odds are we getting on a hattrick for the NRL star?

Might head dowm to watch Bradford now seeing as they are fielding superstars. Should be some brilliant rugby.

In all honisty though at Nat 2 level playing ex pros I get but at regional 2 level it seems a bit wasted when you could put money in to a club for the actual community and improve it. Unless they aren't getting paid and are simply playing at Bradford for the love of the club and area...

Quote from: SomecrapbackfromWestYorks on Oct 24, 2025, 02:28 PMTime to get some predictions in for this weekend I think lads.

Whats odds are we getting on a hattrick for the NRL star?

Might head dowm to watch Bradford now seeing as they are fielding superstars. Should be some brilliant rugby.

In all honisty though at Nat 2 level playing ex pros I get but at regional 2 level it seems a bit wasted when you could put money in to a club for the actual community and improve it. Unless they aren't getting paid and are simply playing at Bradford for the love of the club and area...

They won Counties Yorkshire 1 and the cup double 23 / 24 season with the two Doncaster lads, I doubt the fans think it was a waste, even if they were asked to pay towards the "unexpected bill"

I don't care if clubs want to pay players and I actually think ex NRL players like that will drive interest in the sport at our level and grow the junior game at those clubs. It was great for our lads and I'm sure others as well to be able to say they'd gone up against international players fresh from professional super league clubs, even if Matagi did hit me so hard I felt like I'd been in a car crash! The issue I have is forking out thick brown envelopes for these (and other) players and then turning round and begging for cash via crowdfunder.

Good luck to Salem. Decent people and a club with below average player facilities, compared to the clubs they are playing against, (Scarbs,Selby,Donny,Brods,Morley,Pock, Malton) to name but a few. unless the crowd funding has changed things. Its up to every club how they organise themselves with regard to playing personnel
Wish Salem well and sincerely hope it does not go Pete Tong in next few years.

Quote from: backrowbandit on Oct 24, 2025, 08:26 AM"The hardest hitting professional rugby league player in the world"

Has he ever played rugby union?

Playing against willing amateurs.

Someone needs to have a serious word with the egos running Bradford Salem and discuss how to develop a club and rugby. This is dangerous short-term desperation.

He's in their squad tomorrow.

https://youtu.be/aii6QVemPcQ?si=36oSQdVI8XCO96P6

He wasnt even the hardest hitter on his edge at Manley     

Massively over hyped and under delivered in England.

Quote from: ac/dc on Oct 24, 2025, 10:22 AMNeed to calm down the player in question is 34 years old and is out of contract championship rugby league player. He has played RU before albeit not professionally. The videos on YouTube are from is hey day in his 20's playing in the NRL. The guy is good friends with current and past players of the club who all support a foundation for mental health. The squad has 7 players tomorrow who have come through the junior system and plenty of others who have 50+ 1st team appearances.
Anyone with a heart beat is entitled to play Rugby, other clubs have past & current professional RL playing.

100%

some people on an early Friday session and not thinking straight? you have to remember the time, love, effort and cost to clubs to bring up their own players through with people following in there brothers and dads footsteps.

Community clubs are the cornerstone of our game and in times of need theyd all look out for each other.

Salem are begging for money and spending hundreds a week on professionals who are coming up against community players.

few people seem to be a few pennies short of a pound

Quote from: FlankSinatra on Oct 24, 2025, 03:22 PMsome people on an early Friday session and not thinking straight? you have to remember the time, love, effort and cost to clubs to bring up their own players through with people following in there brothers and dads footsteps.

Community clubs are the cornerstone of our game and in times of need theyd all look out for each other.

Salem are begging for money and spending hundreds a week on professionals who are coming up against community players.

few people seem to be a few pennies short of a pound

Completely agree - I do however think there are a fair few number of players in this league that would enjoy the challenge of playing against these 'superstars' even if it does result in a sore shoulder the next day. I'm not sure how many players comment on the forum but it would be interesting to get a few opinions from the players

Pock brought an ex rugby league player on at 8 partway through the match last week. He changed the game for them (as well as our yellow cards)

Pock's 'ex rugby league player' played amateur rugby league as a teenager in York then gave up the 13-a-side game. A couple of years later he played an odd game of rugby union for Rowntrees then moved to leave a Pock. Not excactly an ex-NRL or Superleague big hitter but he has become a much valued squad player for us.
BTW when the Scarboro' centre was yellow carded that had so much effect on the game, the Pocklington centre who he grappled with also saw yellow so both sides went down to 14.

Be interested to know what motivated half of Scarborough's first team to relocate to Scarborough from the southern hemisphere?

Can't imagine they are just getting a free chippy and a go on the waltzers..

Glad to see some sense from some members. Supporters have absolutely no say in player recruitment as you well know. Been at the club 35 years, it's a brilliant club, family feel and great atmosphere. We aren't the only club to do this as you also well know, and no I don't feel like a clown thanks and no I didn't know the facts until you probably did. I can't wait to watch the match today. Have a great rugby day all. Rugby for the win 🏆

Quote from: Pristine Shorts on Oct 24, 2025, 11:46 AMSalem embraced the "semi-pro" code many years ago and it took them to Twickenham a couple of times. They lost a lot of friends doing so though, like the Bees down the road.

Our teamsheet from our 2007 trip to twickenham, had not one professional or ex professional player. #factcheck

Quote from: SassySideline on Oct 25, 2025, 11:11 AMGlad to see some sense from some members. Supporters have absolutely no say in player recruitment as you well know. Been at the club 35 years, it's a brilliant club, family feel and great atmosphere. We aren't the only club to do this as you also well know, and no I don't feel like a clown thanks and no I didn't know the facts until you probably did. I can't wait to watch the match today. Have a great rugby day all. Rugby for the win 🏆

Well said, I do think there are a few on here casting aspersions from their glass houses. Whilst the Just Giving account was ironic at best, the supporters aren't responsible for that and how long are people going to keep banging on about it?

I was at the cup semi a few seasons ago and the atmosphere for the game and in the clubhouse after was brilliant, although it was the same decor in the club as all the christenings and birthdays I went to in the 90's!

Quote from: SassySideline on Oct 25, 2025, 11:21 AM

Quote from: Pristine Shorts on Oct 24, 2025, 11:46 AMSalem embraced the "semi-pro" code many years ago and it took them to Twickenham a couple of times. They lost a lot of friends doing so though, like the Bees down the road.

Our teamsheet from our 2007 trip to twickenham, had not one professional or ex professional player. #factcheck

Does Fogi being on the books at Bradford City count as being an ex-professional sportsman? 😂