Big Dave Fairleigh wrote:I was behind the sticks at the other end, my gripe is that the touch judge seemed to wait for the try to be scored before getting involved. Suspicious indeed but I can't comment on whether it was forward or not.
Well it certainly was mate - watch the SL show today.
Big Dave Fairleigh wrote:We did deserve a draw, end of story, taking a drop as early as 10 to go is not something we normally do but let's face it you never got close to getting over after it did you?????? Not even close once. The penalty won you the game.
No you didn't and besides, the penalty was conceeded as Graham was spent and was struggling to get back - we were looking good for a try at that point anyway.
Big Dave Fairleigh wrote:The decision on the first drop was not a bad one, it underlined the belief in our defence to hold you out which it did.
Not at all, against a team like Leeds they would have gone for the try all the way - as would ourselves. It outlined your team's lack of bottle.
Big Dave Fairleigh wrote:It was only breached three times, one with a disputed try that hardly anyone can confirm was legit and came off a hopeful punt down the field and another from a high kick. You had loads of territory and possession and couldn't turn it into the tries to reflect that. Our defence is still awesome.
You really think any team would kick from the scrum on the first tackle - think about it... It was a planned moved to exploit Gardner's distinct lack of pace and it paid off with a deserved try.
Big Dave Fairleigh wrote:I don't know how you can say we go into our shell in tough games, when we have lost less matches in 5 years than anyone else. Most of those games have been tough and in plenty we've had the ringcraft to win them from losing positions. You're simply talking rubbish about that.
Not really, as like in the Grand Final, unless Gidley gets your team a few tries up, your team doesn't front up well enough and it is that reason you are no longer SL Champions.
Big Dave Fairleigh wrote:It just wasn't our night in attack with a patched up side, and Rovers played very well indeed. They're the simple facts. I'd have been happy with a draw.
A patched up side? We were missing Vella, Cooke, Gene & Colbon yet injuries are a fact of RL and it maybe it highlighted your lack of strength in depth?
Big Dave Fairleigh wrote:In my opinion we bombed the draw and gave it away. We could and should have tied it up with a 2nd drop with 2 mins to go. We could not have been any closer and under the sticks as well, and Long even dropped back a bit for prime position but the ball was moved wide instead. BAD OPTION INDEED.
Fair point.
Big Dave Fairleigh wrote:You expect your return victory by the way and enjoy this one as we're still a superior side to Rovers. A one point win and suddenly you expect to turn us over, that is arrogant, even if you end up being correct.
Under Justin Morgan we are proving a team and club with sustainable improvement and in Saints; whilst I expect you to finish top 2, in the long term I think you will struggle to maintain that due to a lack of strength in depth and the retirement of some irreplaceble, world class players in Gidley & Cunningham etc.