Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 11:28 am  

Velcro Boots wrote:

My thoughts Ratch was most probably picked ahead of Leyland for his goal kicking, we must of anticipated a rusty performance in a low scoring game where two/four points could make the difference, also he has tons of experience and a calm figure in the squad as previously mentioned. I would like to see Leyland given a chance but that is up to him now to snatch that shirt away from Ratch and impress in training.

Leyland’s goal-kicking was superb in the pre-season friendlies so it can’t have been that. I’ve no idea what he is like in training but he had two good games pre-season (I didn’t catch the Whitehaven game but by all accounts he did well). Strange decision.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 11:51 am  

ratticusfinch wrote:

Leyland’s goal-kicking was superb in the pre-season friendlies so it can’t have been that. I’ve no idea what he is like in training but he had two good games pre-season (I didn’t catch the Whitehaven game but by all accounts he did well). Strange decision.

Just reading Sam's post-match quotes. On the Ratchford/Leyland call, he says: "It’s just the way I felt on selection day. It was hard to choose between them but I went with a bit of experience. Oli’s been awesome and would have done a very good job for us, so it’s a tough one. Oli’s handled himself really well and has been a really good pro."

Not really sure what to make of that. Yes, you can make a case for going with experience, but it seems quite un-Sam-like, given his previous willingness to give youth a chance. Perhaps there was a bit of sentimentality involved, regarding Stef? I just assumed that Stef would have a 'bits and pieces' kind of role on the fringes of the team this season, but maybe Sam sees it differently? Either way, the onus is on Stef to prove that he deserves to keep the jersey.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 1:27 pm  

IIm a very simple person ... in my opinion the only way to decide whether Sam Burgess made the right decision is to look at the score line .. We won ... Therefore he picked the right team for the game

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 1:31 pm  

Was it just my telly or did anyone else notice the commentary was running about 15 sec ahead of the picture on Sky+
Very annoying/confusing.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:20 pm  

wigginswarrior wrote:

Was it just my telly or did anyone else notice the commentary was running about 15 sec ahead of the picture on Sky+
Very annoying/confusing.

That is annoying. I watched it on Now TV and it was fine on there.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 3:09 pm  

Hope Leyland plays on Friday as half backs need to work on combinations and plays. He is more dynamic and takes the line on more than Drinkwater and deserves his chance.
Ratch just doesn’t have the pace anymore and his kicking wasn’t up to scratch.
Having said that Williams had worst game for us that I can recall.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 3:27 pm  

I don’t get the Ratchford bashing.
You don’t forget how to ride a bike.
He is older that means if he’s injured, it may take him a bit longer to recover.
But the guy is fit, and so is better than Hayes and Leyland.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 6:03 pm  

rubber duckie wrote:

I don’t get the Ratchford bashing.
You don’t forget how to ride a bike.
He is older that means if he’s injured, it may take him a bit longer to recover.
But the guy is fit, and so is better than Hayes and Leyland.

He will be 37 later in the season and it is not bashing - it’s just a realisation that time catches up with everyone and youth has to be given a chance. I am sure he will do a decent job of covering for injuries.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 6:48 pm  

I’m baffled by the Ratchford selection too. Especially as he didn't feature much last season. In the games be did play last season, i thought he was quite ineffective and was only useful for his goal kicking. I suspect Burgess wasn't confident using Leyland with Hudds big pack. I reckon we would have created more chances if Leyland played. Also, talk of Dufty covering at half back? Didnt we trial that last year (or maybe the year before) and it was a disaster. So that would also be a strange choice.

Re: Today’s match v Giants : Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:45 pm  

We don’t seem to get enough height on attacking kicks which are often fielded without challenge. Richardson was much better than us on Sunday and it’s a major part of Mikey Lewis and Harry Smith’s game. We have not perfected spiral kicks either since Blake Austin left.
On the other hand, Danny Walker’s 40:20’s are as good as anyone’s.