HI, it’s Luke here.
And all I can say is ‘roll on tomorrow!’
As a group, we don’t like training at the best of times, but last week was absolute torture.
It’s been a lot more bearable this week, and we’ve been able to produce some top-quality work.
But we’re bored of that now, and we can’t wait to get back onto the field this weekend and put on a real show against one of my former clubs in Salford.
I know the City Reds will be determined to try and knock us out of our stride, but I really don’t think any of what they throw at us will be as painful as what we went through at training last week.
It’s difficult to put into words exactly how tough some of our training can be, but I think it was summed up by the actions of one of our young props, Josh Johnson.
After one tough wrestling session, an exhausted Josh began to think about heading off home. All he could think about was getting home so he could go back to bed.
So off he set out of the gym and walked across the car park and eventually got into his car.
It was only when he got ready to start up his motor did he realise he’d forgotten to put on his shoes and socks. He was too exhausted to do so, and even the walk across a rough, tarmacked surface hadn’t registered with him.
Obviously, I’ve taken into account the fact he’s a typical front-row forward from Oldham and is, therefore, not exactly Albert Einstein.
But even individuals such as this are usually aware they’ve gone outside with nothing on their feet.
As a general rule, props aren’t noted for their brainpower. It’s usually the backs who boast the intelligence, particularly those in the halves (yes, that’s me!).
But I’m afraid Ben Blackmore is a bit of an exception to that particular rule.
His head was obviously in the clouds last week after making a successful Super League debut against Castleford.
But he still shouldn’t have been quite so gullible as he was. Let me explain.
Following the birth of the royal baby, I was having a bit of banter with Leroy Cudjoe on twitter.
Young Ben joined in. So, jokingly, I asked him what he thought about the baby being named after our Leroy. Yes, we told Ben he was Prince Leroy.
But young Blacky believed it, and made it quite clear he was appalled by that name because it was breaking with royal tradition.
So, may be, Castleford wingers are on a par with Oldham front-rowers when it comes to IQ.