As the game isn't covered by the Opta stats on the SL website (so I get a welcome weekend off) Kirkey needs his own thread.

Eight aggressive carries (nine if you include the knock on.)

Nice to see him up his game after signing the new deal.

Will Bailey have another case to answer concerning his running style? There appeared a raised knee on the drive where he almost stretched over before being robbed of possession in a three man tackle. Already has a warning on file from a similar action on Gearge Carmont at Headingley last season IIRC.

Would be a massive loss for the final.

I wouldn't worry, he got another caution a few months ago for the same thing (against Bradford I think) and nothing was done.

EDIT - rlYes it was against Bradfordrl

I'm not worried, can you recall the last time Wigan lost to Leeds in a final at 1st grade level?

I can't remember a single occasion but I've only been watching this great sport for 40 plus years so only a nipper still.

(IIRC you came up with the goods on Carmont also so thanks again)

Surely any suspension would have been and gone by the Final.

OT but shouldn't it have been a penalty when Bailey stretched out - on the BBC Nobby and Morgan both agreed that it was fair as he was trying to score but surely a tackle is a tackle (especially since he wasn't over the line) and while I have some sympathy with their point of view it doesn't seem to have any basis in the Rules of the game?!

Yet Kirke managed to keep our potential game breaker (Ali) out of the 17. To be fair I'd have Ali in over either Kirke, Clarkson or Hauraki at the moment. Some Ali magic could be just what we need in the final, hope he gets a game

I think the ref decided that Baily wasn't doing enough to protect the ball, which I think was a pretty fair call.

Kirke had one of his best games of the season. He might not be a gamebreaker but he made some good solid yards and his tackle on Jones as he went for the line was a try saver. I'd say he more than earnt his place yesterday.

I'd have gone to the screen.

Just to see TMFMISL in slow-mo.

Surely you could have recorded the game and worked out the opta stats. Bit of laziness going on there.

you are dead right there

Fair enough, I'm sure Kirke will feature at Wembley, because he's clearly in McD's clique. I just find it frustrating watching him. He's a unit, a massive bloke, but has no heart for collision or impact. He could tear it up if he really wanted to, would love to see that.

I thought his effort with ball in hand was improved against Cas. More drives and most of them were actually drives.

Gentle Giant though. That aggression you just can't teach. You've got it or you ain't.

I don't know.

If we caged him for a few weeks, prodded him with a sharp stick and fed him raw meat, i think he'd come out pretty aggressive.

Kirke had a good game, Hauraki was terrible in defence again

Which is why he shouldn't be playing SL! I've spent 7 years waiting for him to get mad and show us what he can really do, but it ain't gonna happen for that simple reason - he's a nice guy.

Couldn't see him getting a look in at Wigan, Saints or Wire