Leeds' 'first choice' spine isn't obvious
If you go back 12 months from now, it was very clear who would be operating in Leeds' creative positions. Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin were undoubtedly first-choice while Richie Myler was preferred to Jack Walker. Meanwhile, Jarrod O'Connor had yet to emerge, leaving Kruise Leeming as the undoubted starting nine. Now, the landscape is much different. Ash Handley, who we all know to be a leading winger in the competition, has played almost all of his pre-season at fullback. Could a change be incoming? At nine, O'Connor was preferred at the end of last season and it's unclear who will get the nod come round one. In the halves, you'd argue Sezer and Austin are still likely to play but Morgan Gannon has been almost exclusively featured in the halves so far and Jack Sinfield is developing nicely. The reality is that the Rhinos aren't transitioning Gannon into a halfback for no reason, they clearly have plans for him there. But what that means for the spine in the short and medium-term future is currently unclear. It's not a bad position to be in though.
There has to be a place in the team for Morgan Gannon
The teenager firmly established himself last season, playing 23 Super League games. However, a selection of those were for shorter periods off the bench. The reality is that he is too good for that now. Gannon is arguably the best teenager on the planet and his ability to do a competent job in the halves - he's a back-rower by trade don't forget, is exceptional, especially when you factor in his age. He is a special talent who, alongside a few others, is the future of this team. Clearly, there is strong competition in both the halves and at back-row but it seems unfathomable for him not to be a regular starter this year.
Impressive Leeds youngsters are Bradford's gain
This was a game that saw some younger members of the Leeds squad really stand out. Jack Sinfield was excellent while Joe Gibbons was Rugby League Live's Man of the Match. They might have inflicted some damage on the Bulls in the short-term but you'd have to think Bradford coach Mark Dunning will have been pleased to see so many perform well given they could well be on his side in the coming weeks. The two clubs have a dual-registration agreement that will see Leeds supply their local rivals with plenty of players this season. Based on the evidence of some candidates here, Bradford's squad will be nicely boosted week to week which will do them no harm.
Read more: Every word Chev Walker said on Leeds Rhinos victory and James McDonnell's injury
The short kick-offs are working
Leeds restarted play three times in this game and on two occasions, they got the ball back. Rohan Smith told Leeds Live earlier this month that short kick-offs could be the norm for his team and you suspect they've been working on it in training. Liam Tindall successfully won an aerial duel in the first half to get the ball back and Sinfield got the second half underway with a perfectly weighted kick that landed just over the ten and bounced out of play. Of course, certain scenarios will see Leeds kick long but you'd have to think that, having successfully regained possession in the two previous games as well, the contested returns are here to stay.
Bradford will be better than last year
The Bulls finished ninth last season which was a bitterly disappointing return. It's hard to see them not securing a much higher finish this year though. Jack Walker is their big signing and he showed some very classy touches. Leeds fans know all too well that keeping him on the field is the issue but if Bradford can do that they'll have one of the Championship's best players at their disposal. They were far more innovative on the ball here than they showed during 2022 and while the defensive qualities of some players in the squad is a concern, they should be mixing it up in the upper half of the table, rather than having to accept mid-table mediocrity.
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