228 replies to this topic

[T-Dub]

Finch was going to be "something" and it never happened.
Every NRL Club he went to they moved him on.
He is back at the Storm but only as a part timer.
Did he get any game time yesterday?

Took no part, although I wasnt follwoing the water carriers so he may have got on the pitch after all

[T-Dub]

Great game and Melbourne defence was world class despite being still in pre season. The best team won and Cronk, Smith and Slater controlled things whilst Sinfield was tackled out the game. Melbourne still a bit rusty in attack at times with some forward passes. Cronks kicking was quality and Leeds couldnt stop him controlling the game

Also Smith split the atom at half time, Cronk wrestled a grizzly bear and Slater solved world hunger

[AndyCapp]

Also Smith split the atom at half time, Cronk wrestled a grizzly bear and Slater solved world hunger

Its a game that barely gets noticed in Oz, it obviously means more to Test victory deprived English fans than Australians, even Bellamy said today we take it serious many Clubs from the NRL do not.

[petero]

Glad to see that I not in a minority of one in my opinion that far and away the best PLAYER on view last night was Jamie Peacock, he had one the best(and thats saying something) games I have seen him play. I also thought that Watkins did himself no harm at all and looked possibly the classiest back on view in a running mode especially.

Ward and Delaney also had pretty outstanding games as well and but for a couple of uncharacteristic fumbles from McGuire and Burrow they could quite easily have won the game, as things transpired by half-time too.

I have to agree with the comments made on Widdop, whom I also praise constantly, but last night I thought he was quite mediocre,at best. I also thought that Cameron Smith was well below his impeccable best and no matter how well Cronk did control the game for Melbourne the MoM should have gone to Peacock for his fabulous performance.

PS: I did not think that Sinfield played that badly, despite the fact that I usually point out his deficiences rather than his good points. I do not believe that he deserves rubbishing the way some have over last nights match, however I do believe also that the accolade of 'Worlds Best Player' was something that he should not have been awarded for once again this aptly displayed his inability to control matches outside and above those of the S/L calibre.

[Father Ted]

Peacock was outstanding but so was Bromwich.
Watkins proved what a lot of us have thought for some time that he is brilliant in attack and very vulnerable defence wise.
If he was selected at 3 for the England squad v the Aussies or Kiwis Inglis and Kenny Dowall would go past him easier than Bromwich did last night.
Sinfield can't hack it v the Aussies, out of his depth. His goalkicking though is excellent.
Leeds tried very hard and threw everything they had at Melbourne but two lapses, one by Burrow and the other by Watkins and McShane cost them the match.
A Melbourne squad without a game deserved their win, Leeds could have won it though

[bobbruce]

Glad to see that I not in a minority of one in my opinion that far and away the best PLAYER on view last night was Jamie Peacock, he had one the best(and thats saying something) games I have seen him play. I also thought that Watkins did himself no harm at all and looked possibly the classiest back on view in a running mode especially.

Got to make a comment with everyone praising Peacock. Although I agree for most of the game he was head and shoulders above everyone else. His continued use of the off load in the last 20 despite it usually resulting in Leeds losing possession in good positions probably cost them the game.

Agree on Watkins at times he looked unstoppable when Leeds managed to work a 1 on 1 for him. I've not doubt Craig Bellamy took notice he's definatly his kind of player.

[1jordy]

Sinfield is nothing more than a slightly above average player with great goal kicking in my opinion, best in the world is laughable, really enjoyed the game though, Watkins & Cronk stood out for me as the best players on the pitch, the best team on the day won in my opinion with Leeds not quite emulating last years great performance against Manly, Sinfield barely ever shows up against Australian opposition with the exception of last years WCC.

[Johnoco]

Its a game that barely gets noticed in Oz, it obviously means more to Test victory deprived English fans than Australians, even Bellamy said today we take it serious many Clubs from the NRL do not.

That's not a good thing you know. The Aussie game should make more of it. The Aussie rules lot certainly did when they were playing their made up International Rules series against effectively amateur players from Ireland.

[Dave T]

Agree with most about the good players, petero's summary was pretty on the ball for me.

On Sinfield though, I felt his main weakness was his reluctance to take a tackle. When it was a structured play moving the ball out wide he played his part well, but the amount of times he gave flat hospital passes was infuriating. On too many occasions he hadnt organised his attack and he ended up just throwing it to a player stood still not expecting it.

Storm were there for the taking, some shoddy defence (Aichurch) and sloppy handling (Burrow) and it could have been very different.

As for whether clu s take it seriously, they all do. We have the same conversations every year, champion teams want to win every game they play.

[T-Dub]

Turning point in the match was Achurchs penalty - Storm scored, pendulum swung, Achurch was taken off immediately (didnt notice him back on) and Leeds left with too much to do

[T-Dub]

As for whether clu s take it seriously, they all do. We have the same conversations every year, champion teams want to win every game they play.

Top comment. Blindingly obvious of course, but some in RL are fairly blind

[Ant]

Leeds suffered on two fronts
1. Fullback - I cant believe Watkins is their best backup fullback. He was constantly put of position in defence and often in attack.
2. Rob Burrows takes a pass he'd take 99/100 times and its a very very different game

[Phil]

I thought it was a great game to watch, Leeds played well and Melbourne played a little better. sinfiled played as well as Melbourne let him. Peacock was great going forward.

It seemed to me that Melbourne were taking it very seriously indeed.

Just been talking on Facebook to a friend who has watched very little RL he said it was "awesome"

[terrywebbisgod]

Any team that defends as Melbourne did deserve to win.The best team won.Rugby League at it's best.

[terrywebbisgod]

Leeds suffered on two fronts
1. Fullback - I cant believe Watkins is their best backup fullback. He was constantly put of position in defence and often in attack.
2. Rob Burrows takes a pass he'd take 99/100 times and its a very very different game

1.Hardaker and BJB both unavailable.
2.Spot on.

[Maximus Decimus]

Its a game that barely gets noticed in Oz, it obviously means more to Test victory deprived English fans than Australians, even Bellamy said today we take it serious many Clubs from the NRL do not.

Seeing as though it barely gets noticed, it was part of the headlines of Fox Sports Australia prior to the game.

[markleeds]

AndyCapp talking rubbish again!

[Lounge Room Lizard]

Peacock had a very good game, but he was trying to offload way too much and gave the ball away on a few occassions or Leeds lost momentum. Man of the match was Cronk by a fair way for me. Peacock was Leeds best by far, but was for me not the man of the match, as he made too many errors. Cronks kicking was an area where Leeds struggled with big style. Cronk showed why he is one of the best and most intelligent players out there. Smith and Cronk just control the game so much as they read it so well. Melbourne are a team of nobodies with respect but Smith and Cronk just get the rest to run when and where and with Slater sniffing around will always be tough. Add to the mental toughness and the ability to believe in each other instilled by Bellamy. Smith seemed quiet but he organized and helped Bellamy adjust the Melbournes tactics and he controlled the rucks. I can see CamSmith being Melbournes Next Coach and being successful as well.

[Lounge Room Lizard]

Peacock had a very good game, but he was trying to offload way too much and gave the ball away on a few occassions or Leeds lost momentum. Man of the match was Cronk by a fair way for me. Peacock was Leeds best by far, but was for me not the man of the match, as he made too many errors. Watkins understandably made a few mistakes at Fullback and his attempt to stop Bromwich was very poor. Cronks kicking was an area where Leeds struggled with big style. Cronk showed why he is one of the best and most intelligent players out there. Smith and Cronk just control the game so much as they read it so well. Melbourne are a team of nobodies with respect but Smith and Cronk just get the rest to run when and where and with Slater sniffing around will always be tough. Add to the mental toughness and the ability to believe in each other instilled by Bellamy. Smith seemed quiet but he organized and helped Bellamy adjust the Melbournes tactics and he controlled the rucks. I can see CamSmith being Melbournes Next Coach and being successful as well.

[foozler]

Finally caught the match video, great game.

Leeds had opportunities to win that match in the second half but they seemed to want to walk the ball in. People talking about Sinfield having a quiet game, thought Maguire didn't really offer much inventiveness close to the Storm line, Ablett did well as did Watkins out wide.

Storm were rock solid in defense, and played the smarter football. Thought the scrum penalty in the first half was a very clever play, with Smith and Cronk directing the play Widdop can be a bit wider out and I thought he always looked to offer something when he got the ball. And Smith could teach Golden Boot a thing or two about distance on the goal line DO, Smith was getting his almost to half way.

Thought the ref did ok as well, found it amusing when he told Atchurch he needed to 'sort your face out pal' and comedy scrum moment when the Rhinos formed the scrum to stop the clock and the ref reminded them they weren't playing that rule! (Does show the need to sort those variances out though).

Edited by foozler, 23 February 2013 - 10:22 PM.