Having watched Saints a few times this year, and most recently in the GF, I'd be interested to know what happened to the Wilkin at 6 experiment the team played against Leeds.

I know it seemed odd but it's most incisive I have seen Saints all year.

Was it just to cover injury or was it a gamble that paid off on the day?

We were forced into it at Headingley yes, no Longy out on the paddock.

When both available it was always goign to be Leon and Seon at 6 + 7.

I don't think the position he played was the key thing, just that Wilkin was given more responsibility in the side.

Potter uses him as a ball carrying second rower, a grunt if you like. He's one of the most intelligent and talented players in SL and it showed during that game. His kicking game is probably the best at Saints, several times during that game he turned Leeds round by clipping the ball down the line.

This is the first time ( i can recall) that you are 100% spot on

Wilkin has everything to be top class loose forward which IMO is his best postion.

His form over last 2-3 year has not been very good at all.

The game at Leeds was just 1 of them days where everything goes for him. He played awesome but IMO he had 1 of them genes where your in rite place at rite time.

Wilkin is the most gifted loose forward at Saints, but for some reason is constantly overlooked in favour of Flannery who has never produced anything, Gilmour who is a top second rower, Roby the hooking refugee and even Hargreaves. Waste of his talent, put him at loose for an extended spell.

6 and 13 are similar positions in many aspects - he played in a role that suited him much more than the battering ram role some coaches have tried to play him in when he's been named in the second row.

Again, in your opinion.

He could win a few medals by signing for Leeds when Sinfield hangs up his boots.

Given that he has more medals than Sinfield himself, I doubt thats a major concern right now.

Except tackle everything that moves!

That isn't the role of a loose forward though, is it? Second row, yes, but I expecet far mare creativity from a lf, including a kicking game. Flannery seems far more of a second rower than Wilkin, and Wilkin a far better choice at loose.

I've maintained for a while that he would thrive on the extra responsibility at LF, he's far too talented a player to be a battering-ram type. Should definitely be the lock from now on, especially with a relatively untried half back combination.

Wilkin has been tragicomically underrated by Saints boo boys for the best part of five years. In their minds (which wouldn't qualify as a mind if you grouped them together) you can't be any good unless you can swat people aside like a giant Ent or defeat Roadrunner two races out of every three.

Wilkin is tactically astute, multi-skilled, multi-roled and works his knackers off. He also chips in with the odd try. Oh, and he can string a dozen words together without a "You know" in site.

Not in Australia they aren't, but they expect their half backs to do their job properly.

Or off site or with foresight

Even.

I read a post from a Wigan fan Either on here or red vee, and he said our back three forwards next year should be Wilkin ( footballer ) Flannery ( tackler ) and Pryce ( runner ). I have to say I agree that's a well balanced trio, we could give Wheeler a run at stand-off to see how it goes, he should be alright with Wilkin and Pryce around him.

Rookies make mistakes. They are an inevitable part of the learning process. Which is why playing two rookies alongside each other is bad tactical management. Playing two rookies alongside each other in the PLAYMAKING positions is suicidal. Bad enough if one of them has a mare. It'll be tough to see out the game as winners. If BOTH play badly together your problems jump exponentially. Certainly you've no chance whatsoever of recovering/stealing the match.

So, no.

Wilkin's problem has always been his consistency. He has the odd game where he teases us into thinking he's going to break through to another level. I don't know why this is. When he's been given more responsibility he can do well but I've also seen him be non-existent and exposed in that role as well. What he has improved upon in the past twelve months is his defence.

His kicking game can be great but it can also suck as well which again is consistency. If he can get the consistency he could be excellent but he is still trying to find it. The one thing that is good is he's cut down on the showboating which has made him a better player. I do like his attitude and with better concentration he can stop somebody else getting that loose foward spot.

As for Flannery? Well he's an unsung hero for us.

Yes that is my opinion. That's why I wrote it!

You can count on 1 hand the games wilkin has played very well.

He's never rubbish but never great.

I only mention it because, in every other point you made there you ensured that everyone was aware that they were "IMO".

I just thought i'd clear up for anyone not paying attention that, "His form over last 2-3 year has not been very good at all", was indeed not fact.

His form ain't been good over last 2-3 years. Fact

You're right, just as Hansen and Bailey are for Wigan. However some of your fans, just like some of ours only see the runners and not the workers, it does my bloody head in.

At Wigan these fans are usually found in the South Stand (I'll say no more)

If a player doesn't run 50 metres every time they get the ball, then they are cr@p.

I agree with you rogues( for 1st time

) but sometimes you can have to many of these type of players.