SgtWilko is spot on in his observations about Bullseye's Post.

Perhaps the Bradford chappie is simply having a last SuperLeague whinge before both he, and his underwhelming team disappear down the pan at the end of the season....

Kirke will be able to look back on moments like that with pride. He must feel so fulfilled.

Seriously though. What is McDermott's rationale behind having Kirke in the side?

I suspect it’s something to do with Peacock’s desire to play long minutes. McDermott knows that he needs someone who doesn’t mind playing 10mins here or there to allow Peacock a breather. Kirke’s obviously ok with being a “bit part” player who while in the 17 doesn’t really contribute anything to the side of any note. I suspect not many players would want this role given that it must make him feel a bit of a fraud when he’s collecting all these winners medals.

Such a pair of sensitive souls

Some of that is total BS. Kirke has had some cracking games for Leeds on the way to finals and in finals. I will never forget him smashing Mike Bennett in the 07' GF. I think that was literally the end of Bennett's Career. Kirke has been making solid contributions for the best part of a decade whilst 99% of SL players are on a beach.

Kirke put a great hit on Delaney in final

Was worth raising

To be fair to the relegated one, Kirke or any other Leeds player are not Champions, they are Final Winners.

He didn't look to happy either when he picked up the cup

Also, I only saw 1 carry, but I was quite hung over when watching the replay on Sunday morning

Another thought is that Kirke probably knows he isn't exactly the most loved player from the fans so wasn't hardly going to get the strongest reaction if he did go for it whilst lifting the cup.

Also had he gone for it he'd probably be getting knocked more on here from guys saying he didn't do anything to warrant celebrating like that.

Also in regards on the subs, I've not really heard anyone mention him but I thought Aiton's work for the 2nd Hall try was very good.

Same thing happened yesterday - the 17 who played were being called out in order - I think the 4 subs potentially first - but even before it had started Kirke came skulking on to the pitch with his head down and no waves or anything.

I'm not a massive fan of his but had he held the trophy properly on Saturday I'd have cheered. Must be coming to something when even during a trophy presentation you are aware of the criticism and don't want to be seen being too involved in celebrating, in case you antagonise the ire of the detractors further.

Wish people would get of Kirkes back. Whilst he is no world beater he is clearly a valued member of our squad and has been for nearly 10 years. Do peaple forget he came from the lower divisions and has made the best of the cards he has been dealt and took his chance, and has a sackful of medals from a full time career as a pro RL player. Also he does loads of community stuff for the club, living the dream, Well done to the lad.

Spot on R.T ,

Kirke has done everything he has been asked of by the last 3 coaches and is well thought of by the players he has played with at Leeds , one or two snipers on here followed by their flock of sheep like to think they know more than the successful coaches we have had . As for the opinion of any Bulls fan they are not worthy of a response .

I actually felt sorry for him when he looked so subdued on holding the cup

Yes they slag our players off until they sign for them

I don't rate Kirke at all and am one that has made it quite clear over the last couple of seasons.I don't see myself as a 'sheep' as you put it.i make my own judgments on what i see on the field of play and during his time at the club i really do fail to see what he brings and that still remains the case imo unfortunately as much as i want him to prove me wrong.

Yes he has been selected as a bench player in most of our big games over the years but i fail to really recall any real impact or anything of any significance he has brought to any of those games aside from being a 10 minute or so stop gap while Kylie or JP rest up.The biggest compliment i can pay him here is that i also don't recall him making a mistake in any of those games which is maybe the reason why those coaches tend to stick by him in big games as opposed to the likes of Singleton or Achurch, who knows?

Maybe you're overreading it and he's just shy? I'd be very surprised if he was an avid reader of Southstander. If he was I doubt he'd be able to resist offering one or two of the posters out.

I've not seen anything so far in singleton to suggest he is anything other than a championship quality player and certainly not enough to displace Kirke. But he is still young. As Achurch is a back rower he needs to up his game to replace Delaney Jjb and ablett. Not Kirke.
Kirke may struggle to get a game next year with cuthbertson arriving anyway.

Throughout the history there has always been a long serving player who people used to 'not rate' 'don't know what the coach see's in him'etc

Our success over the last ten years has been built on a team ethic. If Kirke wasn't adding something to that, he'd be gone.

I've always said that...why would the coaches pick him otherwise...they know better than most of us.

Oh its been mentioned...........

in a salary capped sport each team has to have it's Kirkes. The problems come when they get ideas above their station, Kirke has never gone down that route.

He's got a drawer full of rings and medals and he seems on good terms with the rest of the players.He really had no need to look sheepish when he held the cup