Francis Meli is a rugby league footballer for St Helens, whom has done untold good for our club Leeds Rhinos.

Acts of kindness from meli towards leeds rhinos:

1. In october 2007 Francis, in an act of untold kindness gave leeds the ball in his own 20 metres. This allowed leeds to score through lauititi and go on to win the game.

2.In october 2008 francis sent an early christmas present to one Danny Mcguire who scored the game clinching try.

3. Next on Francis' christmas list, was lee smith, who profited from an inch perfect lay off by the big man. As if this wasn't enough Meli then repeats his october 2007 gift with 10 minutes remaining.

He has become almost a mythical figure among leeds fans, someone who pops up with a gift or 2 every october.

He really is the gift, that keeps on giving.

Obsessed.



I recall during the back end of the season a Saints fan posted that Meli was a better winger than Hall. I listed at some length Hall's qualities and then simply posted that meli couldn't catch.

Stirlingshire Saint perhaps?

Hall is already a gazillion times better than Meli and the gap will only widen.

Were it not for the brain explosions Francis Meli would be a better winger than Hall is at present. Meli, despite the complete and utter lack of service, had a fine and largely faultless season. He was probably our player of the year behind James Graham. His finishing from close range is remarkable, he managed to squeeze in at the corner despite there being no room several times this season. His kick returns and catcing were, for the most part, perfect until OT.

The 'mong moments' are something you cannot coach out of him, therefore you can never trust him in a big game.

Having said all that I'm convinced the Lee Smith moment in this years final was more to do with betting than poor technique.

Castleford vs St Helens in the 2008 season, Young Francis is aiming to catch a cross field kick 10 yards from his line or so, he follows the flight of the ball and jumps to collect

however he hasnt noticed a Cas player come sprinting in and catches the ball in front of him to score one of the easiest tries seen in Super League

the look on my St Helens friends face was priceless

Honestly?

Yup.

Does he ever know that he's our hero?
He's helped us be all that we've become
And we can win title after title
Because of the man upon Saint's wing.

Wellens cost St Helens the game in the end though rather than Meli, that and Fa'asavalu getting sent off by Bentham IIRC.

and the weather.....

It's St Helens so doesn't that go without saying.





How big a bet do you have to put on the favourites to make it worthwhile in a two horse race?

There are many other betting possibilities than the outcome.

Is it worth starting a thread so we can keep track of all the excuses Stains have for not being the best team in the land over the last three years?

I'd have thought the odds on Meli making a bollox were so short as to be not worth bothering with.

it was the snow...

Yes but if you know which minute it will be in and which player will benefit, it may be worth having a punt

I can't recall. I'd have happily attributed it to an obvious idiot such as Stirlingshire but then along comes Saddened! to post his little gem after your post so who knows who it was.




Ignoring that being able to retain posession is a fiarly important part of playing rugby the remainder of your statement is silly. Want me to explain why? I'd be happy to do so.

I get it. So this year its' not the rain, its' because the game is dull and Saints threw it to win a few bob on a bet.

Understood.

Right that`s the list started then..

1. It Rained
2. It Didnt Rain
3. The Game is Dull
4. Saints Had a Bet


I will raise you

5. We Cheated

That seems unlikely as it would rely on Meli not fncking up until the time he was supposed to - surely a very risky gamble?

This needs a new thread

The gift would like to thank you

the last sentence must make this post of the year, surely

However, Francis Meli has brain explosions that are always, always costly to us. So please, please don't be embarrassing, Saddened! Don't try to defend him on here. He cannot be defended. In fact, I hope this time around he totally screws up his visa so that instead of just being late, he never actually comes back. I'd much rather see Wheeler on wing than Meli.

Indeed, I'd much rather see any old bloke from the terraces at Knowsley Road on the wing than Meli. Meli should never play for us again after the last Grand Final.

Once again Sir - nail on head.

You can beat around the bush on just state his biggest weakeness - his ball security.

He runs in with plenty of power + gusto but his spillages are far too frequent.

This area has not improved over the last few years and Saints should've got shot. But they didn't and leeds have got the rewards.

Good hair though.

They creamed over him when he scored that try in last years semi (CC). And over last 3 GF's I've been creaming myslef over mistake after mistake after mistake.

Lady G's no better and he has Gidley outside him.

You may cut to the chase, but after this rant it's clear I don't.