moto748 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 12, 2025 9:27 pm
I think it's fair to say, the 'ball tip touching the turf' try (Miski), if it had been given against Wigan, we'd all be fuming. Going up as no try was absolutely reasonable. And if you looked hard enough and long enough (as Rush did!), yeah, he just about got it down. But touch and go.
Absolutely right Moto . The plus point with Liam Rush as VR he was committed to getting the right answer and not just pussy footing around and then agreeing with on field decision. A really good young referee in my opinion.
I was really pleased with the way we performed. I always lean more pessimistic but with the way they had started the season, them being at home and the fact that our form has been patchy I thought they would have the edge.
I was impressed with how our forwards performed in the absence of Thompson. I thought Tyler Dupree had his best game of the season so far. Mago's usual cameo did its job and Ellis looked back to his usual self. Walters deserves to be singled out for praise though. An outstadning performance with and without the ball. For those of us banging on about how he should have been selected at prop this isn't really a surprise. He was such a big presence for Leeds down the middle of the field when he played for them and its always been a waste when he's not been picked. He's currently one of the best props in Super League but I think he's going under the radar a little bit.
I also thought Brad O'Neill looked to be getting back to his best. His defence and work rate was excellent. His running from dummy half is also very underrated. He doesn't do it often, but when he does it's pretty much always effective and getting us about 10 metres and has the defence retreating. His ability to pick and choose the right moments is a very good trait. If he ran it more he probably wouldn't be as effective. He's very Riddell-esque in his play style which is a compliment as Piggy never got the credit he deserved in my opinion.
French and Field were watched like hawks by the Rovers defence but it was good that they were still able to make the most of the opportunities that presented themselves. Smith's last tackle plays were definitely lacking and I know that was picked up by Sky a bit, but I thought his distribution in general was excellent against a tough defence.
Credit also to the outside backs. Marshall being the top metre maker is no longer a surprise but his carries and his work rate are exceptional. He was more impressive than Tom Davies in that regard and when you think back to when both played for us it was the work rate that made Davies stand out and the pace and flair that set Marshall apart. Marshall is now comfortably the better player having added that string to his bow.
Wardle was classy as ever and that try was great to watch. His pace is deceptive sometimes. Eckersley is looking more composed and confident on the right edge and considering his lack of game time Miski deserves credit too.
If I was to be picky, I thought Rovers did expose our tendency to be very compact defensively with their first try. Yes, it was an incredible finish and one that many wouldn't be able to score but sometimes it's very easy for teams to get on the outside of our defence and leave us scrambling. It's always a risk so close to the line.
While I think he's been stronger than people give him credit for this year I think Farrell was exposed for their 2nd try. There was a bit of miscommunication between him and French where the middle was compact and French was defending wider only focused on his opposite number. If there's a weakness to having Faz on the right it's that he seems to favour tackling with his left shoulder as a left-hander and that leaves him prone to squaring up and makes him vulnerable to getting beaten on his outside. Other than that his defending against their left edge was good and his work rate and the way he gets around the field and over to the other edge at times and makes repeat efforts is exceptional.
I think it's a bit harsh to blame Farrell for that 2nd try. O'Neill and Dupree failed to stop the offload of the HKR player when they had him tackled.
Farrells contribution was outstanding again, 47 tackles and 82 metres.
Kaide Ellis must be one of the most underrated players in superleague at the moment, his workrate is superb, but vey rarely gets the praise he deserves.
It's good to read so many positive comments on here from all sources, so, without wanting to spoil it, I'll add that we don't have cause for unlimited optimism just yet: in particular because we need to factor in the effects of our week off.
I'm also sure that Rovers are still on the up under WP, and will learn and come back stronger and better prepared next time. Can't wait.
morley pie eater wrote: ↑Sun Apr 13, 2025 1:37 pm
A great analysis as always, EEP.
It's good to read so many positive comments on here from all sources, so, without wanting to spoil it, I'll add that we don't have cause for unlimited optimism just yet: in particular because we need to factor in the effects of our week off.
I'm also sure that Rovers are still on the up under WP, and will learn and come back stronger and better prepared next time. Can't wait.
We have both Thompson and Havard to come back into the team, both of whom are big match players with great engines.
I would add that Miski who, given that he has been out injured, had a good game should have trusted Eckersley more when defending Budgies try. Zac had the pace to cover Gildart and Abbas should have stayed on the wing rather than coming inside. Talking about Zac, how quick is he?
No straw damn us wrote: ↑Sun Apr 13, 2025 11:26 am
I think it's a bit harsh to blame Farrell for that 2nd try. O'Neill and Dupree failed to stop the offload of the HKR player when they had him tackled.
Farrells contribution was outstanding again, 47 tackles and 82 metres.
Kaide Ellis must be one of the most underrated players in superleague at the moment, his workrate is superb, but vey rarely gets the praise he deserves.
Charriots Offiah wrote: ↑Sun Apr 13, 2025 2:03 pm
I would add that Miski who, given that he has been out injured, had a good game should have trusted Eckersley more when defending Budgies try. Zac had the pace to cover Gildart and Abbas should have stayed on the wing rather than coming inside. Talking about Zac, how quick is he?
To be fair, I think you've got to give Gildart some credit with that try. Zac was stretching just a tad and Abbas changed his weight from left to right foot for a split second. Just enough for Gildart to give Burgess the space.
Charriots Offiah wrote: ↑Sun Apr 13, 2025 2:03 pm
I would add that Miski who, given that he has been out injured, had a good game should have trusted Eckersley more when defending Budgies try. Zac had the pace to cover Gildart and Abbas should have stayed on the wing rather than coming inside. Talking about Zac, how quick is he?
To be fair, I think you've got to give Gildart some credit with that try. Zac was stretching just a tad and Abbas changed his weight from left to right foot for a split second. Just enough for Gildart to give Burgess the space.
I'd never argue with someone praising a lad from Hindley, and am happy to give credit to Gildart, but watching our defence, I could see that we weren't moving across quick enough, and I think it started with Faz. I haven't watched it again so could be wrong, but EEP alludes to it above.
Walters was a revelation at starting prop and must have been close to MoM.
That means we have 2 young 2nd rows who can make monster yards, with Havard and Thompson to return and O'Neil to reach full match fitness and Miski to get fit we have lots of yards in us down the line. I suppose it does mean we may be looking for a running 2nd row in the near future?
