The old "role model" argument. Look up to those that are, sure, but the game would be immensely poorer if it wasn't played by many who aren't.

Wilkin would be better off adapting the Wigan technique and apply a press-blackout on himself for the week after Grand Finals.

I quite like Wilkin as a player, but you can't do that sort of cry-baby act every year and then start talking about commanding respect.

Or, actually, you can, but I'll point and laugh at you. Because I'm childish like that.

By the way, watching the Sky coverage back yesterday, they showed a shot of Leon Pryce on the bench, which I believe was the first sighting of him at a Grand Final since 2005.

He did have a shocked "so this is a grand final?" look on his face too.

Your own players weren't impressed with him either. There was just no context to it. Had Jammer been crying to the ref and had players been giving verbals and lashing out after it went your way I could understand it. But there was none of that, it was a fairly contested final played in a good spirit.

I agree with Sal on many points. Bailey is immature and his behaviour at times compared to that of Peacock, Kylie,Sinny and the rest is poor.His arm waving when Sinny was lining up the kick was as much to rile Saints players as it was to get the Leeds fans celebrating IMO. My only grumble is that the complaint comes from Wilkin. A player who once commented that if you get stuck into the Leeds pack they usually run away or words to that effect. I dont agree with Baileys actions at times but Wilkin is the last Saints player to feel sorry for.

Agree with this, but unless I missed something, Baileys celebrations were all at the Leeds fans. I didn't see him rubbing it in the faces of the Saints players. I just saw a young bloke who was ecstatic at winning the most unlikely of Championships with his mates, playing for his hometown team. Just a pretty normal 'human' reaction for mine. Not all players can be as calm and considered as the likes of Sinfield and Peacock.

Fair enough.


No, it's not understandable at all and should not be countenanced. If these lads do have aggression then it needs to be controlled by the coach. That's his job. That kid of behaviour is actually more acceptable at pro level where players are paid to win, not at junior level where the priorities should only be enjoyment and player development. It is the coaches job to stop his team acting like idiots. If a player does it sub him, punish him in training or drop him for next week. If it's a bigger problem than 1 or 2 lads then the entire team should be punished in training or even better set up a meeting with the parents and set out what is and isn't acceptable from both players and parents.
It's the only way it will change and the coach is responsible for his team.

I like to see the very top level of RL played at the highest intensity and competitive nature, so I quite like a bit of biff every now and again or any other way of gaining an advantage over the opposition. I do not want that kind of attitude anywhere close to any part of the amateur game at youth, junior or even senior level.

Wlikin's moan would have been better before the game as it would have spiced things up a bit on the night. Now he just looks like a whinging, bad-losing, ex-Rovers, sour-graped, cry baby.

If I may...

Classic Bailey

Wilkin is spot on. Not in the way he's gone about it, but in what he's saying.

Bailey is a clown.

If it's within the 80mins well the niggle is a part of the game but as soon as the final whilst goes he should have been straight over to jammer like the others to congratulate/ show respect to a true warrior who has matured and is a true champion. And all the other saints lads deserved respect big time. There is no doubt our clubs, fans and players have become closer due to our epic battles.

I'm having far too much fun over on Redvee's facebook site, they're a touchy lot these lot!

I suppose Wilkin is upset seeing someone celebrate in front of him in the same way as someone with no arms would get cheesed off if you went up to him and started juggling.

It's funny really, he never had a problem with James Graham celebrating like a moron in front of Leeds fans at the 2008 semi final....like I said, double standards have been duly noted!

Can anyone, Wilikin included, tell me specifically what Bailey did exactly?

Not general comments like "childish" etc but specific incidents from the game.