I don't see the kick returns of wingers as vital. They help, obviously. Every metre made helps. But as our results testify, they aren't vital (given that neither Meli nor Makinson is strong on kick returns). To me it is the job of the forwards to put the team on the front foot and not the wingers.

But we'll agree to differ on that one.

Kick returns are maybe 50% of a modern winger's game, most definitely so if you're playing in a tight game against tough opposition, and a massive, massive part of a fullback's game too. It is laughable to even attempt to dismiss their importance to a winger's effectiveness. Makinson will never make a top #1, #2 or #5 until he learns to add this vital facet of the game to his nal.

I wondered WTF he was doing when he feined to throw the ball to the 20m line when it hadn't gone dead, but tbh I think that was actually a good bit of play to try and throw doubt into the Wire defenders minds and have them stop the split second he needed to make it out the in-goal.

He's always good for a try or two from mistakes though.

What is your problem with Meli? That he drops a few balls? He is big, powerful, has a bit of pace and within 10 meters of the line is one of the best finishers in the game.

This is the perfect description.


I think last night Meli had alot to thank Jones jones for, he cleared up his big clanger that was a dead cert try for Warrington.

It's one of those things that Jones will have to be aware of in knockout rugby. Every player has their weaknesses and Melis strike is one of those things that makes him a marmite player even with the same person.

I love his go forward, but I also wish I did not have to hold my hands over my eyes on every kick for the last 10 years or so.

I can see the arguement both ways, we replace him then we may gain on kicks, but lose on go forward.

For those who think he is not quality all these people disagree.

Millward, Anderson, Potter, Royce, Rush, Keiron, Bluey.

It says something when everyone of those people given a choice will pick Meli everytime. They know his weakness, but still see the need to keep him in the team for weekly rounds and finals.

Meli had a very good game last night he put a great deal of work in both in defence and attack. Two mistakes? Look around the team and tell me who didnt make any.

Agree alot of the team made mistakes, but how on earth did he have a very good game? i dont think he had a awful game but a very good game is OTT. All i can remeber from him is a few catches off high bombs, in which the ones he caught he was hardly under pressure, and as a winger he should be taking them all the time, also managing to get to stop a drop out in the 1st half.

i dont think Meli is a bad player but i always seem to naturally wince when the ball is either kicked to him or when the opposition attack to his side. Last night you would of thought Josh Jones would of been in super league years with international caps and Meli was inexperienced in the playoff's and in his first full year.

The nature of his mistakes tends to be on the high balls. When Wire played at LP, they killed him with the high balls and they lead directly to tries.

Other players do make errors no doubt, ie Perry.

However the nature of Perry's errors leads to penalties but the team get a chance to cover the error. With errors on the high kicks, the team gets little chance to stop the resulting try. It was just good fortune Jones did what he did to stop the try yesterday.

Like I say he is marmite. I can see the good, but also the tries that result from the bad.

Sorry to interject but I dare say mine and SaintsFan reasoning will be the same here. (*shudders*

I think we just have to accept he is a gamble player, could blow the opposition to piece, could ruin our chances.

The best option really is to have a young eager centre, willing to mop up any spilt ball from Meli and to expect there to be spit ball on every kick.

Thank god for Jones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is one of the best barge overs in the game; Makinson's finishing outshines his by 100%.

Meli is a liability in the pressure games. Even in 2006 when we won the GF, Meli conceded a try. He always does. He can be banked on to fluff up at important moments and yet he is consistently played in the pressure games and everyone else has to clear up his messes. For heaven's sake last night it was Josh Jones who was clearing up after him; a young guy in his debut season and initial first grade play off game! Ridiculous.

But he has the love of McManus and so he will be with us should we make the GF. My heart has already sunk.

Her problem is that he was gash for a longish spell about 5 years ago and cost us big in a few Grand Finals a few seasons ago. Nothing he does or has done since will ever convince her and the other frothing Meli victimisers otherwise. Their problem is that they are one-eyed fools who lack either the brainpower or the RL knowledge/appreciation to be able to judge players on their actual contribution but have to substitute snap judgements and irrevocable dogma instead.

I just have to bow to the knowledge of greater people, such as the last 5 Saints coaches and the last 2 Exiles coaches.