Totally agree on all counts.

I'm more disappointed in letting an 18 point lead slip through woeful defense and only playing for 20 minutes of the match, than I am in Wane's selection of yesterday's team. I don't know whether Mellor and Logan have struggled with defense in the past, but yesterday's effort on Winterstein was atrocious.

I actually thought mellor was pretty good yesterday. A great ball to put tuson through a gap and a very good support player. He seemed to get through alot of defence and widnes definately targeted him. Personally think he looks ready for first team and I would like to see him playing in the same side as tommy and finch.

For his 'try'?

Not the best effort but they did force him to drop it short of the line but sadly it was still given through the sheer incompetence of the officials.

Widnes deserved the result and that slice of fortune but I still can't get my head round it being given. I was dead in line with it about 8 rows up in the east and it was blatant.

Swings and roundabouts though.

In fairness to Mellor he was working his socks off defensively. I think he made 32 tackles during the game. The more he plays the more he'll improve defensively. Powell is definitely better defensively but he's not quick or direct enough to compliment Leuluai or Finch. Mellor had some good touches with ball in hand.

Russell did very well though. He was a bit shaky under the high ball but Sam Tomkins can be like that too. Russell made 175 metres during the game which is more than Tomkins' average.

Yep the try.

I didn't see him drop it personally. But he should never have got within touching distance of the line, but Mellor and Tomkins just weren't physically strong enough to stop him.

Shame about the Lloyd White try also. School boy error both marks retreating to the same side of the ruck.

Probably won't be here next season, Several NRL clubs are chasing his signature

What I was getting at was that if Leuluai wasn't playing then I would have used Powell, however if Finch had been left out then I would have used Mellor.

Those stats for Mellor do look good and he was targeted by Widnes. We commented at half time how well he's done in defence but maybe fatigue caught up with him later in the game.

I see what you mean, although I'd say Finch is a stronger defender than Leuluai, it's just that Leuluai hits harder.
I think both young halfbacks will need games and I also think they'll need to be tried on both sides of the pitch as it can make a big difference to some players.

I hope Wane keeps Mellor in the side or has Powell on the bench against London, so long as the rest of the squad is close to full strength. I'm not sure when clubs are allowed to start negotiating with out of contract players but Wane will need to know what type of player we're looking for in the halves next year, because it seems like we will need to sign one.

Come to think of it, I think you're right in saying that Powell should have played instead of Leuluai. He's a halfback who can play hooker (I'd rather he played there than Logan Tomkins or Carberry) and passes well to his right while I think Mellor tends to look better on the left.

You are entitled to your opinion, however, dont expect to be appointed youth talent scout any time soon will you.

First team debut, 19 years of age,scores two tries, fielded every high ball except for the off side one, pulled off a superb one on one ball and all tackle when they broke in the second half, and you were disapointed !!!

Yes he's raw, a bit flat behind Finch in attack and wasnt deep enough in defence occasionally, but
Matty is one of the best prospects in the super league at the moment, and barring injury I expect him to be our first choice full back next season.

Fully agree.

His flaws were minor and his strengths a major plus. There will be very few 18/19 yr old kids make debuts like that anytime soon.

5 or 6 games at fullback with Sam at 6 this season and plenty of appearances for Leigh should ready him for a possible starting berth next year.

The above scenario should it pan out as we'd all like it too, would go along way to solving next years problems at halfback. I'd be all for it.

It would indeed. In attack at least we'd have a scary team with Russell at 1 and Sam at 6.

I'm still saying we should try and sign Matty Smith for the 7 jersey if Finch goes. He's not a superstar but he'd keep us ticking over with 2 attackers like Sam and Russell in the team.

I can certainly see the sense in that. A good steady away player with a great kicking and passing game would compliment Sam and Russel perfectly. Whether that's Matty Smith I don't know.

Just watched the tries he scored on the highlights, they needed some scoring. he looks a powerful runner for an 18yo.