In all honesty I think it stems from ego. Its not really a criticism - if you win four titles and a WCC you obviously have a right to think highly of yourself. But perhaps after beating Penrith and playing a Leeds side that everyone was expecting would be beaten heavily there was a sense of incredulity that the game was even in the balance. That's what led to the brain explosions from the players and fans for me.

If you actually look at the supposed 'shoulder charge' without seeing what you want to see it's clear that there is no rotation of the body to lead with the shoulder and the left arm is around the body of the attacker. The players and fans latched on to it to try and attribute the defeat to external factors.

I think it was really poor from St Helens. They deserved everything they got and were pretty grubby throughout the game. I don’t know if it was fatigue, tactical or just players losing self control. It’s all about composure, we’ve been guilty of losing composure in the past (and I’m sure we will do again), in a way it was nice to see them do it too.

If Welsby doesn’t go flying in they would have ended up with a penalty not Leeds. There were quite a few late shots, something all the players know has been clamped down on, yet they kept doing it.

Hurrell’s red was as blatant as they come. A few years ago it would have been yellow, but today it’s a text book red. Shoulder charge, Direct contact with the head and late. People will say he he’s not that kind of player and didn’t intend it but he had the opportunity to start to turn and follow the play, he chose to stand his ground and put the shoulder in.

As for that small section of fans, appalling behaviour. Well done to (can’t remember her name) for calling them out. Wilkin wasn’t any better either.

Wilkin was showing his true colours big time. He was furious that it wasn't the Saints party night he'd been hoping for.

But it could have been worse. Imagine if Eddie Hemmings had been on the mic.

Are saints the grubbiest team in the league?

Imagine the uproar if Wigan could done for all the late shots to a passer?

“They don’t like it up ‘em”

I had a Saints fan on another forum telling me Morgan Smithies needs to improve his behaviour. He conceded 4 penalties in 2022 and had zero red or yellow cards.

Saints gave away 8 penalties, had 2 players sin binned, one red carded, abused the ref, abused the opposition coach and we’re falling out with each other on the field on Friday.

I’ll ask him again for some suggestions.

Theyve been up there since Wolfe came in, coupled with the dark arts that has been spoken about numerous times.
Constantly throwing their arms in the air pleading for decisions, yapping away at officials, going down at "Smart" moments in games to get decisions reviewed.
In fact Friday you could hear Wilking almost praising Wilkin for interfering to get the game stopped to review the incident and then 2 mins later he was a millimeter away from having a pop at Myler for staying down to do the same, until he realised Hurrwll didn't have a leg to stand on.

Good to see the reactions we provoke after losing a game

I'd be more worried if i were you about your own players and fans reactions after losing than ours

There is an element of it being Saints, of course there is, but I think any club would be getting talked about when they’ve gone in to the sort of meltdown Saints did Friday. The only time I see/hear players, officials and the crowd going in to that sort of tantrum mode is at Catalans. It’s not an excuse but I think they feel there’s a bit of them (as in the English) against us that goes on and while it’s not true, you do always have that in your mind, much in the same way as when we get an Aussie ref in games against Australia.