phiggins

https://x.com/AaronBower/status/1782798844377399591

Trouble with penalising players going to ground is that you will almost guarantee a repeat set with any sort of kick to the corner. In those instances, the defending team gets a bit longer to setup from the surrender tackle and are in a good position to pen a team in. Agree on the VR, I personally would like to see it scrapped. And I think with all the negative noise about VAR in football, it would be a good time to scrap it. If we do keep VR, I'd bring something in to deter defending teams from trying to influence the referee when they're about to make a decision or on field decision for the video ref. If a player approaches the referee before he's made his decision, or completed the referral, then the play will restart with a 20 metre tap to the opposition, regardless of the outcome of the video check. I'd also give referees the power to give yellow cards to players if they think they're trying to referee the game on their behalf. When both Jai Field and Bevan French gave the sin bin signal to the ref after a trip on Good Friday, I wouldn't have had any problem with the ref saying, "you want a yellow card, there you go!"

That play at the end, he might have had a chance if he'd gone straight away and kept low, but he got himself upright and went straight into two defenders. Worst possible option. Also thought he was wrong to go right to McNamara when Ashton got the intercept which changed the momentum of the game. Some very good defence, some poor passes by Leigh, but also 6 very good tries imo.

Yep. A lot made of their departures, but Shorrocks and MacDonald were excellent signings, and Mellor also a very shrewd signing.

Just seen that about Chamberlain. That one does make sense to me, he does need to be playing regularly, and it's not going to happen at Leigh now. In fact, if none of these deals were happening, I could see a situation where Briscoe would come in if one of our centres got injured, rather than Chamberlain.

If it does create room on the salary cap, then it makes it a good deal for us. Will have to judge it in context of what other deals get done. Hopefully we can still offload Nakubuwai and then bring someone in that improves the starting 13.

I'm finding it a bit of a puzzler to be honest. Big questions about McIntosh are, is he any good at full back? Would he get in the team on the wing? Are we likely to be able to keep Hanley next year and beyond?

I don't think it would be too big a gamble for Rowley. If it doesn't work out, plenty will believe the issues led beyond the coach and his reputation won't take too much of a hit. Just a case of whether he personally wants to work in Hull

I think GOB at 6 will be a different proposition with Moylan at full back, than he was with Hardaker there to be fair. I don't think Ashton picks up that intercept if O'Brien is making the play on that side. To be honest, if he has any more performances like Saturday, then Lam's place won't be assured. There was a lot of wayward passes.

I can see O'Brien playing at 6 when he comes back, with Moylan staying at full back.

Leigh. Only one win, and several injuries, some of which may be related to the club's pre season departures in the backroom staff. At least two wins thrown away. Grade E

Shame to see him injured. All reports I've seen about him from reserve games and pre season friendlies have all been positive, so not sure why he's never been given a chance at Leigh. Can only assume Lam doesn't think he's ready for SL yet, hence the season long loan rather than week to week.

Have they maxxed out though? From their indicative grading, their biggest failing was finances, where they scored 2.15 out of 4.5. It's not beyond the realms of possibility to see them increase on that score with transfer fees for Dupree, Croft and Ackers accounted for, as well as any money they've had in from the council. If they do, then that plus the fact they scored 4.15/5 for fandom will show some pretty significant gaps between how this system sees clubs and reality.

Thompson?

I don't think the football, and the Gateshead story is a particularly valid comparison or vindication of this grading system. In football they use on field competition to determine who is promoted and off field criteria to determine their eligibility. In RL, we're moving to a system where it is a competition both on and off the field for those clubs that are uncertain of which league they will be in. I think if we'd adopted a similiar approach to football, with P&R subject to minimum standards, then there wouldn't be quite as much debate on the subject as long as implemented fairly (i.e. clubs already in have to also meet those minimum standards)

Of course ‘sorted’ could mean various things. I remember Lam saying Reynolds’ contract situation would be sorted soon last year. When with Lam and O’Donnell he was able to give a much more positive update. Out of all those out of contract, I think we need to get Asiata, Amone, Hanley and Leutele signed up. Can take or leave the rest. But am sure they will assemble a good squad for next year and hopefully prepare for the season than they have this year.

Gannon not been up to much on loan?

If that is the case, then I think they’re overthinking it a bit. If McNamara is clearly a better goal kicker, he should be given the job

I think 1st May is a bit of a red herring. Most players will already know where they will be playing next year, even if they are out of contract with their current club. Don’t think many, if any, clubs wait till May to talk to players

Yes, lots of players. But that performance yesterday didn’t look like a team with issues behind the scenes

A lot being made of the goal kicking yesterday. Moylan missed one from the touch line and slipped for another. But it is a potential route for McNamara to cement a place in the team. Reynolds could just have easily been the one to make a mistake in attack or defence which cost us. His goal kicking was very good, general play, not so good.

If I was Ben McNamara, I’d be spending as much time as I can working on my goal kicking. If he can establish himself as the goal kicker and his defence holds up (25 tackles yesterday, albeit he also missed 3), then he’ll keep his place in the side and buy himself time to work on his playmaking

Read that the Knights first choice full back picked up an injury so that one would be pretty much dead. Similar to the Tristan Sailor pursuit. All would’ve been much easier if we had an overseas spot free!

I noticed it at home watching live. But it’s only mentioned because we let them go 60 yards to score

Hopefully you’re just reading too much into it. Lam never talks specifically about a player unless explicitly asked about him, unless the news is that they are returning. Holmes was a prime example, no word about him until he was back in contention to play. Lam has said that everyone’s back in the next 2 or 3 weeks, have assumed Ipape will be amongst those. That said, he’s clearly not training yet. Hopefully Nakubuwai has played his last game for us. We didn’t have the usual drop off from the bench yesterday, and it isn’t a coincidence.