: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:46 pm  

LeedsPokerGuru wrote:

10th October 2003
Headingley
17,264
Steve Ganson (St Helens)
22 - 23
14 - 10

Leeds:
Danny McGuire
Richard Mathers, Gary Connolly, Keith Senior, Francis Cummins
Andrew Dunemann, Rob Burrow
Matt Adamson, Matt Diskin, Barrie McDermott
David Furner, Chris McKenna, Kevin Sinfield


Who won MOM in 2003?

?

Are you asking who was MOM in that game from Headingley you've posted? Was it a final of some sort?

I note, btw, that our right cenrte in that game was an ageing about to retire player who was actually signed to play full back. Top line centres are really essential aren't they?

That ageing full back filling in at centre won MOM in the 2003 CC Final playing his natural, important role at full back.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:47 pm  

Carney?

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:48 pm  

RB wrote:

Carney?

Possibly, was that the night of his two spectacular tries as well as the Danny Tickle drop goal that wasn't?

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:49 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

Possibly, was that the night of his two spectacular tries as well as the Danny Tickle drop goal that wasn't?

Yes.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:50 pm  

G1 wrote:

?

Are you asking who was MOM in that game from Headingley you've posted? Was it a final of some sort?

playoffs 2003

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:53 pm  

tvoc wrote:

St Helens didn't just hand over Martin Gleeson to Warrington but the move still happened. Players still occasionally move when contracted. I'd be looking towards Castleford (currently looking for funding) to see if Shenton could become available anytime soon for the right price.

Apparently the WCC is a big money spinner to the English club involved (I think someone wise said that on here recently) it would be a shame to see those proceeds just sit in a bank account somewhere losing money.

If looking overseas Australia is literally full of players better than Gibson will ever now become. Plenty of Aussies seem to like giving SL a look up for a couple of seasons.

Shenton has already been offered to Leeds who turned him down - not sure how much of that was because of his agent

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:57 pm  

Sibbs Rhinos wrote:

Whats the point in buying a quick fix? With no relegation for three years this is the perfect oppertunity to use the young british talent. I would personally much rather not win anything this year because of using young players then buying over 30 year old aussies that may win us something quickly but ensuring future success. Take Man U for example they could sign anyone really with their money and appeal but they choose to play the likes of Welbeck, Gibson, Foster and Evans to ensure not only thier future success but english success!

Ramble Over

Welbeck is coming through UNDER rooney, tevez, berbatov et al. He is been given targeted games in order to aid development and see if he cuts the mustard.

Now imagine Man U with JUST Rooney & Welbeck. I don't think welbeck would be putting in the same performances if asked to play week in week out.

Some people think juniors do not develop unless they're put in sink or swim scenarios playing week in week out.

Dominant teams don't last forever in Rugby. Just ask Wigan, Bradford the Saints in recent years. We need to do everything possible to make this run of success last. If that means admitting we're short in the centres and getting someone in then so be it. Deny that fact all you want and mix it up with senitments of youth development but the fact remains.

If gibson and Watkins were first teams players they would have played last year WHEN WE HAD 1 FIRST TEAM CENTRE. All we've done is carry over the same squad weakness with no improvements.

fwiw the most impressive youngster this season (early as it is) has been McShane for me and look who he has infront of him.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:03 pm  

G1 wrote:

Just imagine Saints WITH Gidley - no Grand final wins. Just ghow essential is a centre again?

If quality centres are so hard to find then why are we having this discussion? Oh, and luckily Ablett and Watkins won't have to face Lyon and matain again.

And if Lyon comes back to SL maybe we could get a solid 2nd rower like, say, Chris Mckenna to do a job on him in a playoff game.

Wasn't Gidley in the 2006 Saints side that won the treble and was he also in the CC semi and final side in 2008 - not sure who Saints beat in the 2007 CC semi? So I think Gidley record stands up to anyone in the Leeds side Peacock apart. I think he has 3 CC winners medals and a GF winners medal!!!

As am aside top centres are the most exciting players on the field to watch - they have the handling skills of a half back with more pace and power - to simply disregard them as unnecessary does them a great injustice

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:03 pm  

LeedsPokerGuru wrote:

If gibson and Watkins were first teams players they would have played last year WHEN WE HAD 1 FIRST TEAM CENTRE. All we've done is carry over the same squad weakness with no improvements.

fwiw the most impressive youngster this season (early as it is) has been McShane for me and look who he has infront of him.

Except of course that Gibson wasn't able to play as he was injured for most of the season, and Watkins was barely turned 17 and while talented, physically underdeveloped to play at SL level week in, week out.

So if we had just Diskin and McShane available to play 9, you think McShane would be up to playing every game? What happens if Diskin for example then got a long-term injury and McShane was having to play 65-70 minutes every week?

Anyone who can't see the potential benefits to McShane from having someone like Buderus at the club is failing to see the wood for the trees.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:13 pm  

Eccleshill Rhino wrote:

Wasn't Gidley in the 2006 Saints side that won the treble and was he also in the CC semi and final side in 2008 - not sure who Saints beat in the 2007 CC semi? So I think Gidley record stands up to anyone in the Leeds side Peacock apart. I think he has 3 CC winners medals and a GF winners medal!!!

As am aside top centres are the most exciting players on the field to watch - they have the handling skills of a half back with more pace and power - to simply disregard them as unnecessary does them a great injustice

I think Lyon was at Saints in 2006. Gidley doesn't have a GF ring. Carl Ablett has 2.

Who has dis-regarded centres?

I am simply pointing out the really important spine of the team.

The one true quality centre in the league (Gidley - your words) hasn't delivered a championship for his team.