Props looked like they got asked to step it up at half time.


Big players stepped up tonight.


So good to bring Mago and Leeming on when they started to fatigue. 

Hull KR had the best of the arm wrestle and their pack got the upper hand but we always looked dangerous out wide, I’d like to think with Thompson and Havard playing we could even it out in the middle but they’d probably think they could create more in the backs with Lewis, great game and you’d think the likely grand final again but a long way to go.

How bloody good was that, then!


Big players stepped up, Wardle fantastic, French always dangerous, Walter’s was immense. Even bloody Mago didn’t give me a heart attack! 

And Field, and the distance he ran from deep to take that pass after Bevan's magic footwork!

Really enjoyed that game irrespective of the result. Got a little fortunate at times but clearly a massive step forward. 


Walters stepped up big time in place of Luke Thompson and justified the decision to start him. Thought O'Neill, Eckersley, Miski and French were great. 


Was very annoyed at the ref giving a penalty to KR purely because JWH ran in and made a scene. Very weak refereeing.

Going forward Eckersley is great but he’s not quite there defensively. 


I was comfortable with Keighran going next year and him stepping in but I think we need him to stay for another year. 


It’s not helped that Faz isn’t as mobile as he once was which is understandable at this stage of his career. 

If we're looking at small negatives I thought Faz looked off the pace a little at times. Few too many missed tackles as well. 

I think he’s being asked to do more as just like tonight teams are targeting that side and Eckersley. 

AK does give away penalties but defensively he’s very good and I think that edge is really missing that element of his game. 

But equally AK wouldn't have gone the length of the field (twice) Jon. It's not like he's a liability in defense or anything, it's just that AK is a bit more experienced. That will come. He's a better defender than Robertson for example (which is also fair enough as he's a year or two ahead of him). 


I thought that was a terrific performance, especially in the 2nd half which was Vegas like but against a better team on the night. Some of the attacking flair was outstanding and we were defensively very resolute, especially when you factor in the intensity of the game. KR were visibly running on empty for the last 15 mins. 


Walters is turning into a top player. His engine is immense for such a big guy. The highest praise I can offer is that we didn't seem to miss Thompson (if you get my drift). Miski and Marshy were also exceptional. Their work rates were both top drawer. 


On to Good Friday.

I never thought Eckersley would be an upgrade on AK and still don't. Still a valuable squad player, though.

It’s not about being an upgrade. You have to look at his age, opportunity and where we could use the AK quota spot and cap space.


I think he is nailed on to take that centre spot from AK but I think it will be wise to retain AK for 26 with a view to ZE taking over in 27, which is a year later than I thought it would happen. 

What was the pen count last night? Watching it back and KR got an away with a lot in the ruck and were standing offside on a few plays.