Good to see Ian Kirke put in a stint.

2 carries for 9 metres.

Oh and 10 tackles with 1 miss.

An integral part of the Rhinos machine.

Least minutes of anyone in the squad with a shade under 12 minutes, I'd say 10 tackles, with several other assisted tackles is pretty decent, thats about 2 tackles per defensive set. 2 carries is low, but in a game where the forwards didn't carry a massive amount of ball our backs were making approximately half of the carries in a set I have no issue with a low number.

I'm sure he'd have liked more minutes, which may explain his muted appearance at the end (If so, the whilst no Matt Adamson style sulk, it could be seen as unprofessional), but with Peacock doing a big stint, and Bailey looking quite strong, Kirke's place in the sqaud would show he'd get small minutes

Obviously his 12 minutes were of such a standard that McDermott thought he needed someone else on the field.

Where are you getting the stats from Bullseye?

Hold on? What right have you to bag a champion like Kirke. Great squad player would be captain at a $hithouse club like yours.

No wonder Kirke looked so sheepish about lifting the cup. Surprised he didn't ask Peacock to do it for him.

Why the animosity, Bullseye is right, 12 mins in a game is a strange contribution and even more so in a final but it's not the first time McDermott has baffled us with his use of subs.

I noticed kirkes first drive got us 0 meters after two good runs from our backs.

If you are going to be theoretical about Kirkes place in the Bulls squad it would be better to guess his use to the Bulls 2003ish squad and not the current one.

I'm sure that Kirke did exactly what his coach asked him to do ie sub JP for the 10 or so minutes he was off the field.
From recollection one tackle he did do was a one on one on Clarke who otherwise could have made one of his trademark darts from dummy half & who knows what that could have led to?

I’m not sure what the Bulls have to do with this discussion. You’re sensitivity about Kirke suggests you’re not convinced by him either.

As for my "right"... get a grip.

I have a problem with a bulls fan slagging a players contribution from another club (a champion player at a champion club) after the performances they have turned in this season and many more since 2003.

SgtWilko is spot on in his observations about Bullseye's Post.

Perhaps the Bradford chappie is simply having a last SuperLeague whinge before both he, and his underwhelming team disappear down the pan at the end of the season....

Kirke will be able to look back on moments like that with pride. He must feel so fulfilled.

Seriously though. What is McDermott's rationale behind having Kirke in the side?

I suspect it’s something to do with Peacock’s desire to play long minutes. McDermott knows that he needs someone who doesn’t mind playing 10mins here or there to allow Peacock a breather. Kirke’s obviously ok with being a “bit part” player who while in the 17 doesn’t really contribute anything to the side of any note. I suspect not many players would want this role given that it must make him feel a bit of a fraud when he’s collecting all these winners medals.

Such a pair of sensitive souls

Some of that is total BS. Kirke has had some cracking games for Leeds on the way to finals and in finals. I will never forget him smashing Mike Bennett in the 07' GF. I think that was literally the end of Bennett's Career. Kirke has been making solid contributions for the best part of a decade whilst 99% of SL players are on a beach.

Kirke put a great hit on Delaney in final