That's not true though. Sutcliffe was never a top player as a kid, and he never stood out in the academy either. It is something from that the coaches have seen to work with, and the hype came from the first team appearances. For me I never understood what they saw in him. A game lad with good hands, but it ends there.

have to say if that refereeing sets the standard for this season then no complaints from me, massive improvement on last year, and penalized for moving of the mark fair call. the ruck speed was just about right as well, and the game moved along at a fine pace, despite the low score line. keep up the good work.

I would agree with most of this although on ablett I would say he looked a lot better than the 2016 version and cuthbertson although not of the 2015 vintage showed more than last season.

I know a lot seem to think liley won't make it at leeds but for me It's sutcliffe who looks lost at this level

Maybe because of different neck of the woods but heard plenty of him before he made a first team debut for Leeds....surprised he hasn't walked on water.

Not a lot because he never returned properly fit and broke down again. If we can get a fit version of McGuire he's offers us much much more than Sutcliffe.

Wasn't the rumour the other day that he would be fit to play? I suppose at the moment at least McDermott stuck to his plan to not risk players who aren't ready.

McGuire would certainly offer us a lot more in running and moving the ball. However, the biggest weakness we have of game management and kicking, is a major loss for this team from the players we have. For kIcking and game management, in reality Lilley is the best option we have.

From reading the above it seems to me that Lilley, as with others in the past, improves with every game that he doesn't play.
Seriously, the last tackle options are an ongoing, serious concern.

Has the coach given the usual comments after a loss ? Any explanation for the odd bench use or sending away Lilley before Mags is back at least ?

The Old Leeds would have took 4/5 kickable penalties and closed the game out by boring the other team to death.

Game management still seems to be your weakness currently.

Only the first game of the season though, might not be your ideal start but once the wins start coming in it'll be long forgotten.

I've heard of about 3 players in my adult life that were hailed as the best of their age group or even best junior prospect ever. the first was marcus Vassilakopolous, the second kevin Sinfield, the third Liam Sutcliffe. i have been a fan of sutcliffe but he is going down the road of vassilakopolous not Sinfield.

Please watch back and note - it was the coach that decided to play on with the penalty a minute before HT. Burrow looked to be about to signal to go for goal and Mac was shown giving the 'roll on' signal even though we had looked about as threatening as baby at a bar brawl.

It was the coach who took that call before HT.

Before the season started I thought we would line up with Sutty at FB, Mags and Lilley at 6&7 with one of Burrow or Golding on the bench.
Golding has earned his place next week, Though he really needs to have abit more confidence when popping up on the attack and try not to get turned over when bringing the ball back.

The use of the bench was again ridiculous. How many minutes did Mullally, Keinhorst and Baldwinson play?.

You don't remember Gareth Stephens or Richard Gunn?

Liam Sutcliffe was never anything close to best in his age group. In fact at Junior and scholarship, I bet he wouldn't have been close to top 50.

He has got better with age, and I suspect that is what appeals to the club, in that he puts the work in to improve, and has the right attitude.

I will give you Vass and Sinfield though. And you missed off Walker and Ward.

He got in the England Academy 24 for 2013 - not sure what that says?

FWIW I doubt the coach made the decision go send Liley to Bradford.

It's our chief executive that seems to think they are a club worth saving.

It means he got better with age (well to some),as said. At Junior and scholarship he didn't have any hype.

Probably the case.

i could throw in Jamie field and to some extent nick Fozzard, but i was thinking more pivotal type players. Gareth Stephens yes, and Francis Maloney plus Gavin Brown were all highly rated as well.

but vass and sinfield both were meant to be a cut above, the first time i heard of sutcliffe was an interview with mcdermott who was saying they were struggling to hold him back he was that good. and a debut was coming in next few weeks and i'd not heard that since just before sinfield made is debut.

I agree that the highlight was Golding and the lowlight(s) were the half backs, but it's only the first game of the season so no need to get our knickers in a twist just yet..

I wonder though, had McGuire been fit would Sutcliffe have even played? If so, where?

I think we have a real problem in that none of our spine is particularly creative, Burrow Sutcliffe Golding and Parcell all seem to be primarily running threats.

Even though Golding was very good in defence yesterday, we might need to move Sutcliffe to fullback, as he showed last year that he can create when given the extra space.

Considering we had a lot of possession and territory but only managed to come out with 4 points when it should've easily been at least 30, what's the excuse this time?

Kirkstall training ground and other facilities were too dry and they'd spent too long there?

There were several highlights.

1. Free coach travel to the game.
2. Free pair of socks.
3. Free booklet with list of SL fixtures.
4. Coupon for a free 300g tin of Batchelors Mushy Peas.
5. Missing Saints score because I was still queuing to purchase a drink.

Leeds therefore won 4-0 on my watch

In all this has anybody considered that Saints defence was very good?
Or was it all Bentham's fault not enforcing a strict 10 metres?
Just speculating you understand, I've no other agenda.

It was decent mate but it was never stretched beyond a solo run or us trying to barge through. Training ground stuff really.we looked more likely from beyond half way which says it all.ah well, first game and all that lets see if they can sort it for next week.