Nice posting skills.

Agreed but having Burrow coming off the bench on 26 minutes, as he did at Old Trafford that night, allowed him an edge in energy to dart around, mixing and matching, looking to exploit gaps that are less likely to open up in the early exchanges. Burrow IMO has always been most effective when challenging the line with elusive, scampering runs in and around tiring defences rather than with a devastating passing game that you might traditionally expect from a starting half-back.

You are also correct to highlight that Danny Buderus played the full eighty minutes and was absolute world class quality just as he had been throughout and in particular during the play-off series of 2011 when finally unleased for the full match durations. He was at acting half for 69.53% of the Leeds total of play the balls plus he defended in the middle third throughout and was again superb defensively. Bar Burrow's eye-catching moments of genius (which will often sway the MOTM voting) Buderus was my pick as Leeds' star player.

Compare that to what we've had to endure in that crucial position this season and you have to question the sanity of releasing Buderus without first securing an adequate replacement? Some thought Hood would be ready to step up as 1st choice but it appears the coaching staff felt it was too soon.



I don't believe Ryan Hall went into dummy half at all during the 2011 Grand Final so I think it's safe to agree that he didn't play hooker that night. You could have had Webb (9), Sinfield (9), McGuire (icon_cool.gif, Ablett (3), Jones-Bishop (1), Hardaker (1), Jones-Buchanan (1) Buderus or Burrow but not Hall unfortunately.

Absolutely AGREE ...

....a key factor throughout Buderus' tenure .... How often did Leeds look their best as a team coincide with Buderus playing the FULL 80 ??