Cracking post!

Quote Omar Little="Omar Little"=#FF0000I predict a s-o-s for moon as he has a clear defence that he was only coming into the tackle (from the replay I saw I thought his arm was swinging in just misstimed/misjudged) I also suspect Zak is a (rather pathetic) storm in a teacup on here and will come to nowt. We have a good chance but the playoffs are tough to call this year. We have a distinct advantage of having the other major trophy in the bag so have less pressure than any other side. Last night we came very close to beating saints with 12 men for most of the game and with McGuire and Burrow rested. On that basis your post is rather odd.'" Here's the wording from the Operational Rules – Section - Sentencing Guidelines Shoulder Charge B-D Indirect or secondary contact with the head of an attacking player C-E Direct initial contact with the head of an attacking player GRADE NORMAL SUSPENSION RANGE A.... NFA -1 B.....1 – 2 C.....2 -3 D.... 3-5 E.... 4-8 F.... 8+ or period suspension So I'm guessing Grade C and a two game ban if he submits an egp. media.therfl.co.uk/docs/On%20Fie ... -Final.pdf

Quote Omar Little="Omar Little"=#FF0000I predict a s-o-s for moon as he has a clear defence that he was only coming into the tackle (from the replay I saw I thought his arm was swinging in just misstimed/misjudged) I also suspect Zak is a (rather pathetic) storm in a teacup on here and will come to nowt. We have a good chance but the playoffs are tough to call this year. We have a distinct advantage of having the other major trophy in the bag so have less pressure than any other side. Last night we came very close to beating saints with 12 men for most of the game and with McGuire and Burrow rested. On that basis your post is rather odd.'" Here's the wording from the Operational Rules – Section - Sentencing Guidelines Shoulder Charge B-D Indirect or secondary contact with the head of an attacking player C-E Direct initial contact with the head of an attacking player GRADE NORMAL SUSPENSION RANGE A.... NFA -1 B.....1 – 2 C.....2 -3 D.... 3-5 E.... 4-8 F.... 8+ or period suspension So I'm guessing Grade C and a two game ban if he submits an egp. media.therfl.co.uk/docs/On%20Fie ... -Final.pdf

Quote Rogues Gallery="Rogues Gallery"Here's the wording from the Operational Rules – Section - Sentencing Guidelines Shoulder Charge B-D Indirect or secondary contact with the head of an attacking player C-E Direct initial contact with the head of an attacking player GRADE NORMAL SUSPENSION RANGE A.... NFA -1 B.....1 – 2 C.....2 -3 D.... 3-5 E.... 4-8 F.... 8+ or period suspension So I'm guessing Grade C and a two game ban if he submits an egp. media.therfl.co.uk/docs/On%20Fie ... -Final.pdf'" As others have said its arguable whether it was a shoulder charge. In which case surely its a A-B for careless contact with head or neck of an opponent When tackling or attempting to tackle makes. Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920

Quote Rogues Gallery="Rogues Gallery"Here's the wording from the Operational Rules – Section - Sentencing Guidelines Shoulder Charge B-D Indirect or secondary contact with the head of an attacking player C-E Direct initial contact with the head of an attacking player GRADE NORMAL SUSPENSION RANGE A.... NFA -1 B.....1 – 2 C.....2 -3 D.... 3-5 E.... 4-8 F.... 8+ or period suspension So I'm guessing Grade C and a two game ban if he submits an egp. media.therfl.co.uk/docs/On%20Fie ... -Final.pdf'" As others have said its arguable whether it was a shoulder charge. In which case surely its a A-B for careless contact with head or neck of an opponent When tackling or attempting to tackle makes. Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920

Quote Omar Little="Omar Little"As others have said its arguable whether it was a shoulder charge. In which case surely its a A-B for careless contact with head or neck of an opponent When tackling or attempting to tackle makes. Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920'" Not sure how there can be any argument whether it was a shoulder charge... He made contact with his shoulder (on the chin)... With no arms raised. It was pretty much textbook. Now the player falling and second man mitigates the tackle, putting it at the lowest end, but that's a C grade, 2 game ban with egp. I'd be very surprised if it was anything else

Quote Omar Little="Omar Little"As others have said its arguable whether it was a shoulder charge. In which case surely its a A-B for careless contact with head or neck of an opponent When tackling or attempting to tackle makes. Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920'" Not sure how there can be any argument whether it was a shoulder charge... He made contact with his shoulder (on the chin)... With no arms raised. It was pretty much textbook. Now the player falling and second man mitigates the tackle, putting it at the lowest end, but that's a C grade, 2 game ban with egp. I'd be very surprised if it was anything else

Quote Omar Little="Omar Little"Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920'" I'll give people one guess as to who was the ref in that game with the Matty Bowen high tackle

Quote Omar Little="Omar Little"Of course its pointless even trying to second guess the RFL lottery. I still think about the worst "tackle" I've seen this season was this one: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4920'" I'll give people one guess as to who was the ref in that game with the Matty Bowen high tackle

I agree with the last statement, but my point seems to have been overlooked. Do you really think the team can sustain that level of committted consistency right up until and on into the GF; a team that could be lacking (almost certainly) at least Moon and trial-by-twitter-Hardaker?



This is not even considering any other potential injuries/suspensions to McDermott's first choice 17 and his inabilty to grasp the concept of wisely using or trusting subs that might fall outside this first choice 17

If you have a sneaky feeling for Cas Nantwich then i suggest you take the 16/1 availible . personally i would not touch them with a bargepole.

Moon will probably get a suspension but with an EGP can't see it running into the playoffs. With Hardaker, unless the ref says he heard anything I don't think trial by lip reading will be enough to condemn him.



As far as level of consistency, perhaps not. Perhaps we may be poor against Wigan and Hull in the last two games before raising again. Also may not be great against Widnes/Catalans in the first week but still have enough to beat them at home if we do end up 5th/6th. We weren't at our best in 2012 in the first week vs Wakey but we got the job done.



All the issues you raise are ones that can be turned around and pointed at the other 5 legitimate contenders. Time will tell, we aren't in any worse state then them, yes we had to raise for the CC, but so did Cas and so did Wigan in 2013 and Leeds and Wire in 2012, the latter three all Grand Finalists, two of them winners.

If you take the table as it is whichever way you look at potential results and combinations it's a very difficult task from 6th place. Leeds need to get top 4, get a win in the first game then they have a week off and a home tie into the final. That is the route that gives them the best chance winning the grand final, no question IMO. That means winning the 2 remaining league games which would hopefully be enough.

There's no formula that is "best" IMO for reaching the GF in terms of where you finish.



2012, Wigan and Saints both got the week off in the playoffs, both failed in the semis.



2013, Wigan and Warrington both got the week off in the playoffs, both won their semis.



Its playing good, being injury free, and playoff 'smarts' that count more than home/away advantage or a week off.

I can't say im all that bothered what happens in the last 2 games now, the main thing is we got to the start of the play offs with our main men available,.if we do, im confident we can go away to any of the sides in the top 4 back to back and do the job as we did 2011,2012.

I agree 100% with the points that both The Printer and Sal make here





Having an injury free squad come play off time is the common denominator to winning the Grand Final IMO,especially under this play off format



We have admittedly lost 3 very winnable games recently against Wakefield,Bulls and London which has clearly made our task far trickier than had we won those, but i suppose all of the other top sides could say that they have too could they not?









We will be a side to be feared in the play offs and from where ever we finish in the league table

If we play like we did in the Challenge Cup games against Warrington and Castleford in the play offs then it will clearly take a good side to knock us out, as that was typical play off footy at it's best IMO