I certainly think so in this week's Damo Bit - leeds.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=1718 On a sidenote I hope to god I’m not turning into Keith Swiftcorn (like Paul is suggesting) where my idea of good rugby league is some match report from the 1920s telling us all about a player with a receding hairline scoring a good try. Only joking Jeff Oh and thanks to El Diablo for the word Sharticle which I’m going to use in the weekly poll that I’m trailing

I certainly think so in this week's Damo Bit - leeds.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=1718 On a sidenote I hope to god I’m not turning into Keith Swiftcorn (like Paul is suggesting) where my idea of good rugby league is some match report from the 1920s telling us all about a player with a receding hairline scoring a good try. Only joking Jeff Oh and thanks to El Diablo for the word Sharticle which I’m going to use in the weekly poll that I’m trailing

He can play Saints there next year.

This probably will be the case!

He's signing for Widnes next year


He shouldn't have been ahead of Ali at all this season when both are fit in my opinion

It’s the first time I’ve heard of the Widnes rumour. I suppose if it does happen then he’ll be reunited with Ben Cross.

Personally I’m glad with how Brian has rotated the team this year (in hindsight) apart from in the grand final.

League Weekly are reporting that Weller was injured.

I suppose that answers the question!

First time I’ve heard of this as well though. It certainly wasn’t news as far as I’m aware prior to the grand final.

He was in 18th man gear along with Watkins. Wheras Smith, McShane and Co were in club suits

Whilst I, like most others, think Ali has been a tremendous servant to the club it was a little harsh on Weller.

Im not Weller's biggest fan but he has kept plugging away all season and has improved. In my view, all those who played in the semi should have played in the final, fitness permitting.

Not that Ali didn't do what was asked of him in the final, just that Weller had done nothing to warrant being dropped (assuming he wasn't injured which I think was the case given his enthusiastic warming up and being 18th man).

Ali got us on the front foot when we were down. He gained us 2 vital penalties that IMO, was the start of the shift in momentum. Weller is only young (24?) and ill have other chances. Ali has played well when picked this season and his experience in big games will have been key to his selection.

It’s the opposition team that conceded these penalties rather than Ali deliberately creating them. After these conceded penalties Leeds Rhinos went on capitalise on the oppositions lack of discipline.

Well the 1st was for markers not being square when Ali recognised this and ran through them gaining the penalty. The second was for a ball steal but again, Ali took the line on quick and was gaining yards forward in the tackle before the ball was stolen. There's nothing to say Weller wouldnt have done this, but the experience of having Ali in the team payed off IMO.

Leaving him sat on the bench for 55(?) minutes paid off IMO.

Restricting his input to one big, impact spell when the opposition are tiring got more out of him than two 15-20 minute spells would have done I reckon.

yes ... But not instead of Ali ...



.....they probably couldn't find a club suit big enough to fit Kirke so he simply had to play.

How many GF rings has the big man got now ? What a star. Surely testament to his greatness. Kirke for England.

Ali got to play his 200th game, after missing last 2 CC finals to get a final game and another ring is a sweet ending.

But not all about sentiment, his important go forward in his sole spell late on was a neat trick and worked perfectly.

Final quarter to go, nothing in it, we bring on a fresh (ball hungry) Ali on the field..........GULP

Yes I think it was tough on Hauraki not to make the team. He has shown dramatic improvement and has played his part in our successful final run in. I think his early season poor form was perhaps due to trying just a bit too hard hence the high missed tackle & error count.

However I think Macca may have chosen Ali for good rugby reasons. Kylie had ham string problems and I think Ali could provide better cover for a prop than Weller. That was maybe why he was held back for so long.

I was told friday that ali was in for hauraki.
Good move?
The result says so

The result I don't think is an indication one way or the other.

Pleased Lauitiiti was allowed to reach his personal Leeds milestone and get the send-off his years at the club fully deserved.

__________

Somebody asked earlier for a GF winners ring count:

From playing in the GF with Leeds:

5 - Kevin Sinfield, Ali Lauitiiti, Danny McGuire, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Rob Burrow, Ryan Bailey

4 - Jamie Peacock, Keith Senior, Matt Diskin, Carl Ablett, Ian Kirke, Kylie Leuluai

3 - Lee Smith, Scott Donald, Brent Webb, Ryan Hall

2 - Gareth Ellis

1 - Barrie McDermott, Chev Walker, Chris McKenna, Mark Calderwood, Clinton Toopi, Danny Ward, David Furner, Marcis Bai, Richard Mathers, Willie Poching, Nick Scruton, Luke Burgess, Ben Jones-Bishop, Brett Delaney, Danny Buderus, Chris Clarkson, Zak Hardaker

I would imagine that Buderus got one in 2009, even though he didn't play in the final. I think Keith will have got one this season too, and Burgess in 2008

I've answered the poll but I used the options 'Good for Damo' and 'Bad for Damo' instead of the defaults given. This is why you have got your first Yes.

I heard that he was fit, and that it was the hardest thing he's ever had to do as a player. But that he was very pleased for everyone and he had his ring to show for his contribution during the campaign.

I heard that he was looking forward to next year, and that he is really pleased with the work he's done on his defence and how he is looking forward to being more influential in gam,es next year.

The tide is turning.



Hopefully a crowd of saints fans will see this thread and vote yes because Weller playing would have seen the saints having a better chance of winning the grand final!

I'm suprised Lee Smith didn't have his tie on around his head. He was absolutely ratd.

No doubt but the list was specific to the players that played in the Leeds winning finals. I understand the winning club each year is given around 25 in total (from memory) and the club decides who receives the remaining eight.

__________

As above for the Leeds losers medals:

1 - Terry Newton, Iestyn Harris, Adrian Morley, Ali Lauitiiti, Andrew Dunemann, Andy Hay, Anthony Farrell, Barrie McDermott, Brad Godden, Chev Walker, Chris McKenna, Danny McGuire, Danny Ward, Darren Fleary, Daryl Powell, Francis Cummins, Gareth Ellis, Graham Holroyd, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Jamie Mathiou, Kevin Sinfield, Leroy Rivett, Marc Glanville, Marcus Bai, Marcus St Hilaire, Mark Calderwood, Martin Masella, Matt Diskin, Richard Mathers, Richie Blackmore, Rob Burrow, Ryan Bailey, Ryan Sheridan, Willie Poching