Match: Doncaster RL vs Coventry Bears

Date: Sunday 18th February

Venue: Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster

Kick off: 3 pm

Pre-season round up...

We have had a very productive off-season, signing some quality young, locally based players and for the first time have a settled halfback pairing that have worked together the whole of the pre-season. The location of the players is an important factor as this has allowed us to train consistently since November with everyone present, meaning we have been able to work on our playing structures and gameplans from the start. This will continue to pay dividends as we go through the season and new combinations continue to be improved.

We have brought in a couple of experienced players who will be key to any successes we have through the season. Of these, loose-forward Chris Vitalini and Ben Stead stand out as potential game changers, while local lads Dan Gover, Alex Beddows and Hayden Freeman will look to take their games to the next level.

We have a very tough opening few games in the League - Doncaster away to start the campaign and York at home in Round 2.

On the opposition…

Doncaster have made it clear they want to push for promotion again this season and I expect them to be in or around the top 4 come the end of the season. They have a load of experience across their team, especially in the key positions of hooker and halfback. They have had some close results in pre-season against quality championship opposition and so they will come into Sunday's game full of confidence and expectations of starting their season with a win. We will of course be backing ourselves to cause an upset and gain our own momentum.

Any squad changes…

From last season we have had to say goodbye to a number players who were high performers for us in 2017. Of these, centre Matt Reid, halfback Brad Delaney and prop Brad Brennan are standouts. Matt has been picked up by Oldham and seems to have been turning heads for them through preseason. Brad Delaney has signed for York and will be working hard to find himself in their starting lineup each week. Brad Brennan has found a new lease of life at North Wales. I cant wait to face off against all of these and other former players throughout the season.