Sinfield is doing a LOT more defensive work this year than the previous 2 years he spent at stand-off. Because we play Burrow at hooker we don't get the usual high amount of tackles from a number 9. The last 2 years Sinfield has averaged 19 tackles a game........

Some halfback tackling comparisions in 2013 (before Mondays games)......
Sinfield - 27 average
Danny Brough - 13.4
Luke Robinson - 15.8
Blake Green - 17.4
Matty Smith - 17.1
Rangi Chase - 8.1
Richie Myler - 17.3
Michael Dobson - 14.3
Tim Smith - 12.2
Jarrod Sammut - 16.7
Daniel Holdsworth - 18.6
Danny McGuire - 14.8
Rob Burrow - 8.7

He works considerably harder in defence than other halves in SL, roughly double of others. He made another 32 tackles vs Catalans to push his season average up to 27.6. I think this is the key reason he hasn't been as good in attack this year, but the difference for England is that he'll have a genuine tackling number 9 in there in Roby.

Leeds after 8 Games
2011 = Points For 226.....Points Against 178
2012 = Points For 220.....Points Against 168
2013 = Points For 181.....Points Against 122

Sinfield's defensive workload increases significantly in 2013 and the defence improves a great deal, whilst the attack has suffered. So he's still having a good year, but in defence not attack, which might seem wrong for a Stand Off but it's the unique way that Leeds line up with Burrow at hooker.

He is very smart, little things like keeping the Ref talking when he knows his team are exhausted, knowing when to kick at goal when every other player would tap, knowing the right time to instruct the team that he needs 5 mins of massive effort. its these little things that he does that require intelligence. Leeds without Sinfield are a good team, with him they are a great team

Be honest Leeds are an average team for about 3/4 of the year and a good side for the last 1/4 when it counts.

Hmmmm.... Better that than being good for the first half of the year then falling asleep when it counts.

If the national squad were "just good when it counted" (like Australia are)then I would be happy.

They do seem to fall in love with certain players, and once they do, objective analysis of what's in front of them is even rarer.

I think Sinfield himself acknowledges that his talent is being decent at all parts of the game, rather than outstanding at one. That's fine, and we all know those type of player can be under appreciated, but it doesn't help people appreciate a player if commentators just blindly praise when anyone with a pair of eyes can see that a particular play didn't warrant it. Its embarrassing at times ( Wellens is another they adore unconditionally ). I think Stevo would be much better served, and less prone to this stuff, with a really high quality lead commentator alongside him.

Honest question, are you OK with a competition that's winnable even though a team has been average for three quarters of the year? Not knocking Leeds at all here, the reason I ask is that my mate is a Leeds fan and said that whilst he likes winning the GF of course, his RL enjoyment is supposed to last all year, not just the last few games, and even he was questioning the wisdom of being allowed to 'get away with it' ( average, inconsistent play that is) for too many games.

You say winnable but it seems to be Leeds the only side capable of it. The really simple way to shut big bad inconsistent Leeds up and maybe make them more entertaining throughout the year is if the likes of Saints, Wigan & Warrington stood up and beat them in the playoffs.

The CC can also be won by teams that aren't necessarily good throughout the year, so in principle I can be happy with that. Re Leeds in particular -and I'm a fan - of course I want them to play better in the regular season than they did in 2012. As do the players and coach. I'm certain the 5th-placed finish wasn't intentional and happily the signs are there that we're capable of better this year. We may not, however, win the grand final but should we fail to do so I don't think it will be a consequence of devoting more effort to the league.

sinfield was brilliant again tonight!

He was but he was not on his own.

I thought Peacock was immense once again.

Scoreline flattened Warrington who looked clueless without Briers directing traffic.

is this sarcasm? He wasn't even close to being brilliant in my opinion. seems that every time leeds grind a win out all of sudden every one bigs up Sinfield.

Best player in the world according to League Express.