Looking at John Holmes' Leeds career totals.

I'm not certain at this point but I suspect there could be an error (or up to three) in his total stats as recorded on page 27 of the Leeds V Les Catalans match day programme from the 2nd October 2009.

In a way I hope (and have to expect that) I'm wrong.

I'd never have guessed that.

Also interesting to see that Terry Newton's crown for most GF defeats is under threat this year!

As I posted on another thread a couple of days ago, if Mclennan creates history then how can you justify Nathan Brown being named coach of the year, what with his tremendous showing in the playoffs and cup final?

He created history last year by being the 1st coach to win the WCC and GF in the same season but was still over-looked.

We're always overlooked. Players and coaches.

I hope Bluey uses it to help create a siege mentality.

I'd argue that taking the current champions and getting them to the grand final is no massive achievement.

Taking a mid-low team, and making them contenders is more of an achievement, same as Potter with Catalans last year.

Its the MOS I think is a joke

Isn't it? Winning back to back championships and even a 3rd consecutive championship is the most massive achievement of them all as nobody has managed it before.

I don't think Huddersfield have ever really been contenders. They've never looked like beating us and bombed massively in the playoffs. Has brown improved Huddersfield more than Kear did Wakefield, Morgan did Hull KR, matterson did Cas (bottom to playoffs) or even Tony Smith did Warrington?

I think these awards are decided way too early. We're told the playoffs are what matters but they make their minds up before they even start. Do you really think Brown would've got his award (or Hodgson even) if they'd been voted after the Giants "performances" in the playoffs?

Huddersfield under Brown have risen from being in the middle of a pretty mediocre pack chasing after Leeds and Saints to the top of that same mediocre pack chasing after Leeds and Saints.

Hardly a ground breaking achievement and as G1 has pointed out they tanked massively in their three biggest games of the season. Not what you would expect from a team led by supposedly the coach of the year.

Still, when you look at the St George teams Brown played and coached in a record of underachievement when the chips are down should be expected.

Surely it's harder,afterall our opponents would'nt be more pumped up for any other game!
Last year he also had the pressure of following tony smith who'd broken a 32yr championship hoodoo and was rightly lauded for his achievements.
I'd say it's alot harder to start a season as champions than it is to start at a middle of the road club and whilst i think brown,morgan and matterson have done great jobs at their respective clubs surely carrying on success should be recognised also!

Ask those who decide that particular award, isn't it the SL 1st Grade coaches who nominate in that category?

We could do with a MOS expert on here.



Perhaps the MOS awards should be held the Tuesday after the GF rather than the Tuesday before in that case. Wasn't the coaching award one year delayed and given to the GF winning coach?

On a side note I'm not sure if all the players invited to attend would be in a fit state to do so, I'm thinking in terms of Flintoff at Downing Street here.



Me neither. It was one of those happy accidents when studying the GF history and leaves McClennan with an opportunity to achieve something unique in Super League for the second successive season.

The event might've been held this week but I am told the voting (for MOS anyway) took place around about round 26 of the season.

If Leeds win Saturday does that put JP on 5 or 6 winners?

Mentioned towards the bottom of the previous page but if the hypothetical came to pass he would be on six.



I'm gradually coming round to your idea that the MOS should be awarded the following season just like it was in David Ward's day.

MOS should be awarded after the GF, when the season has finished and can be looked at as a whole, especially as the play-offs are the true test of a player and a team

If only to stop the winner embarrassing himself with non-performaces when it really matters.

Or of course not even getting anywhere near a GF!

Excellent. Now if I can just get you to concede that the right centre has been adequately provided for by Leeds and Buderus is a waste of money phase one of my plan for global domination will have begun.

Yes indeed.



I seem to recall I've been questioning the wisdom of the Buderus signing all along but I'll accept your and Mr Head High's generous offer of support.

On the right centre issue and overall squad strength in 2009 I've had some more good news this week as Mr Leeds RLFC (Harry Jepson OBE) has declared an interest and can now be added to Gary Hetherington in the 'keeping it real' camp.

[url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/rugby-league-headlines/Leeds-Rhinos-Class-of-3909.5705887.jp"I think we'll be stronger because, through no fault of our own, this year we haven't replaced Gareth Ellis and we've had to make do in the centres, after losing Clinton Toopi. We haven't had a settled centre combination all season."[/url

Waste of money or not, with Eastwood, a fully fit Buderus (if we can work out how to use him best), and a new right centre, we should be very strong next season

Next season is looking like Leeds have rectified some of the problems they've had with the squad this season. This squad has been capable of greatness since 2004 but it still needs to be built upon. It's got close and next season looks very, very promising.

My only personal caveat to that is Brett Delaney who in truth I haven't noticed if and when I've ever seen him play in the NRL.

The jury will be out on him. He is relatively unknown. He could be very good, or just average. I'd prefer a british chap in there, but salary cap and books have to be balanced.

Any news on Worral, and where he will be playing next year. He's not every fans cup of tea, but he is a steady player to have around, and a grafter, although never a first choice.

Liking the fact that there are the likes of Pitts, Coady, Amor plus other acadamy lads to come in too

I've seen and heard nothing official re Worrall except that he was still talking to clubs (including Leeds.)

I'm not his biggest fan (cough) and yet in his latest role within the team as interchange hooker with Diskin he's proved his value. Obviously not likely to get the gig there with Buderus, Diskin and McShane on the books but perhaps that is closer to his best option in league, if he can develope the skill set with ball in hand.

Interesting selective quoting.

Did you not like these quoites from Mr Jepson.

The quote was specific to the question of the centre situation from this season, which you had raised.

I provided the link for the full text.

Is Jepson also pandering to the disgruntled fan base in the build up to the Grand Final?

The Leeds club is approaching an unbelievable milestone. Let's save the congratulations for after the final whistle.

They were Mr Jepsons' words not mine. I wouldn't dream of claiming to know more about the game than he.

'The icing on the cake' would be nice later today.