This for me is key. We are desperately missing that 3rd playermaker from the back that our game plan depends on, Bowen is not it. Bowen is a very good player in so many ways but a playmaker he aint.

Just watched the superleague show highlights and a couple of points worth clearing up. The Gil Dudson penalty first; could someone clarify the rules on lifting as I thought both legs had to be lifted above horizontal for it to be a penalty. Dudson lifts one leg but Masoe's other foot is still on the floor and he certainly doesn't go above horizontal either. What's the actual rule on this? On the Burgess try; Ian Smith said it was a 'no brainer' as the player had hands on him when the arm touched the floor. In fact he doesn't. Neither Saints player is touching him when the arm touches the floor and Turner only puts his hand on him once he is already back on the move. My question is this: Can a tackle be effected merely by touching a player now (and if so under what circumstances?). The touch was [unot[/u part of the initial tackle in this instance and neither was he lying there waiting for the tackle. He was definitely back on the move after both defenders fell off the first tackle.

If this discussion was going on after the first few games of the season i have agreed but i think slowly but surely the speed and accuracy in the line is increasing week on week and Bowen is showing some glimpses of his former glory. Maybe by the play-off's he will be in tip top shape, you can never replace Sam Tompkins he's got everything a coach cant teach and more but im content with Bowen at the minute I think he's been one of our better players going forward whereas Lockers and Bateman who have been on fire going forward all season are now starting to look a little tires so they may need a good rest before the play-offs start I feel we've relied to much on them for too long and it showed going forward against Saints. Although i must say Bateman was like a bull again in defence, he's one tough cookie for 20 years of age!!