Richie wrote:I thought Webb was a liability really. Poor on defence,weak on kick returns, and brought something to the attack with his passing, but not his running. Hopefully, he'll get back to his past form quickly.
Smith was good. Centre isn't his best position, but he does look to be our best right centre.
Burrow didn't seem fit to come on. I suppose that was a long shot gamble that just didn't come off.
Ablett and Sinfield both had problems in defence. Saints did very well at getting to Sinfield in particular. We need to look at ways of protecting Sinfield in defence.
Bailey's performance is an interesting one in how his clash with Graham is viewed. One great shot, some good niggle, but lost his cool. Running sideways and being pushed back was just stupid. However much you want to go at an opponent and get him, you have to pick your moments. Interesting too what Sky highlighted about Graham before the match - his ability to pass as he hits the line and put a runner into a gap one or two spots outside him. I reckon Saints would have been looking to get Graham to run at a defender one or two spots from Bailey with an expectation of Bailey coming out of the line looking for Graham, and Graham to use that vision he has to put someone into the hole. That's why Bailey came off.
On the refereeing, refs are obviously looking to slow the PTB down. The two sides did that a little differently. Saints had the far quicker speed from their defensive line. We weren't so quick, but got more bodies into the tackle and wrestled better. Players seemed to have fallen into a habit of relying on the ref to get the tacklers off the ballcarrier, and a few inicidents aside, weren't fighting to get up and play the ball as much as you would like.
I'd agree with most of that. PTB's were slow for both sides, I think Kylie was looking to get a quick play by diving into the tackle and trying to choose his own position, but even then Saints were slowing it up.
I also think Webb needs another couple of weeks and maybe even reserve games. We would have looked much more solid with Smith at FB and Ablett or Gibson at centre, but I guees we wouldn't have been able to spare Ablett from the pack anyways with Kirke and Ali out.
