Problem is once a side gets a reputation for poor discipline the refs tend to be quicker with penalties. You lose the 'benefit of the doubt' factor. So we actually have to be cleaner than the opposition just to come out even.

Got to be done, though. SL refs are e and won't get better any time soon. We have to learn how to play them as well as the opposition.

.... I know, it annoying that these penalties can easily change a game.

Another way to look at it - how often does a ref not give a penalty at the tackle, when he probably should have.

Mcdonell gone mate, you only have to read the Shaul interview to see that.

Rankin played more NRL games at FB than SO.

Only going by the radio, so will have to watch the game to get a better idea, but rankin has been subbed the last two games, doesn't happen vert often in games that.

Bingo. It's the decisions that aren't given that have the biggest influence on the game. I'll reserve judgement until I watch the game back but I already know there'll be decisions not given that were the same as others that were.

thank god lloyd wasn`t commentating.

listened on humberside to the doc who i personally like as a pundit and commentator.he said the ref penalised both teams all match and he was very consistant which is all we really want.the most telling point for me though was even radders stated we have to be smarter.when we don't dominate the collision you need to clear the ruck and allow the line defence to do their job.a few times we had a secound bite on 5th tackle which like he said is normally a kick play so better to clear ruck than conseed another set.pretty happy with performance but more happy with the fact radders knows where problems lie.doing alright for me at moment.

Need to kick on now and improve a few things.

Big 10 games coming up all winnable, 7 at home, 2 away one MM.

Penalties are one thing, but conceding try's on the sixth are really frustrating, we did it twice today.

I've got mates who've been, level headed usually properly kicking off about the ref. That aside though if smarter ourselves we could of easily won today and even last week. This is saints and wire we're talking about.
We're blatantly better in attack this year, found our defensive steel again today and yet to put a full strength team out!
Not feeling too bad about stuff to be honest!

That you said

It's no real shock, it's not often an away side gets much at all at the HJ.

Disappointing to not get the win but that's two of (on paper) the toughest games of the season out of the way in our first three. No points from either but some encouraging signs.

Carvell and Tuson will be big plusses coming back.

agree about defence.very happy to nil them 2nd half.all i wanted this season (and don't think i'm alone) was mainly a better attacking structure which includes harder running,quicker ball handling and dummy runners.pride and desire to win every game regardless of top or bottom of league is a big must as well.up to now there has been a definate improvement in most of these areas,as long as it continues the results will look after them selves

Have to say we seem to be dropping the ball a lot less. Which is nice.

I refuse to listen to blunderside and instead had radio merseyside on with Alan Rooney and Ray French. Much as I think he's past his sell by date French gave a good impartial commentary and was very complimentary about our team and Minty in particular.