They say the darkest time is just before the dawn.

I have this feeling we might just, at last, have come out of the darkness and into the day.

Incidentally, need to mention I thought Kearney played pretty well too for much of tonight. Still worry a bit about his defence, but in attack he was pretty potent, and created a lot of mischief for their defence?

I think the trouble with BK is that he is overrated by some and underrated by a fair few as well. Personally I am pleased with what Kearney is offering the team so far this year.

Kearney was the turning point. He cleared up a kick through on about ten minutes that broke the back of the initial onslaught, and then did it again about ten minutes later. He's not perfect but when he throws himself at it like he did tonight he's a real asset.

Agree about Kearney. He seemed to be playing second receiver a lot tonight - with Sammut causing a lot of problems further out wide - and injecting himself more into the play.

I thought his deeper defensive work - kick returns, covering, positioning etc. - was excellent tonight.

Kearney was outstanding tonight. Fair play to the lad, I hope he can put more in like that because we need a player that can really put some pressure on the opposition.

Gotta agree with Adey's points. This team really seems to be developing a spine and some guts and playing with some confidence and belief in themselves and each other.

Agree with that.

And on the matter of playing saints next week, pub quiz time....when was the last time we played saints whilst being above them in the league? like we are tonight!!!

Bring on next week, shame we're not playing them tomorrow!

with the injury problems atm would it not be good to put pryce as a prop, big lazy unit and all he has to do it trundle the ball up field also frees up space for ainscough on the wing then, or we could get emergency loan deals for some other youngsters.

Another note what is the point with touch judges watched the game on my phone as i was at a party and i noticed when ganson asked their advise for crookes' to tries they hadnt the foggiest as he reffered it to the screen, and if the game was not on tv walkers try would have been given i think, as ganson was only unhappy that the ball may not have been grounded but the VF went back and saw jefferies move well of the mark.
That i think is the main issue with only certain games being screened and others not

The huge difference just at the mo is that the team is now on a bit of a streak of putting it all in for the full 80, instead of one day on, one day off. It's only a few games, you may say, but i say I can see doggedness, determination and team spirit visibly growing like Jack's beanstalk, and this is the difference. We haven't got the best team; half the team we do have are injured; but we at last have a TEAM, who are ready to go out and sweat blood for the cause. They may be infuriating at times with mistakes and defensive lapses (though for long spells the defence has been much improved too) but they seem to be developing a belief.

I also don't think it is a co-incidence that we won despite the early setbacks when we nevertheless stuck rigidly to Potter's game-plan. We kept at doing the tings he thinks we can do well, and more and more they are working. Maybe a growing confidence of the team in Potter knowing what he is doing, too? As for his half time talk - well, must have been something else.

Potter has come in for plenty of flak as he is ultimately responsible for how the team performs, so how much credit does he now deserve for getting a decimated, injury ravaged squad to play like that, and building the team spirit we're now showing?

I thought we had some true stars out there tonight, and especially Addy and of Course Crookes, who since getting a pep talk from Shania at sponsors night has moved from being perhaps a fringe player with people placing large question marks against him, to a genuine SL class winger, with pace, vision, confidence and strength plus above all, that elusive ability to conjure up tries and find a way to get the ball down. And WTF was that delicate kick? Henry Paul would've been proud of that! Genius! (Of course, we at RAB always knew the lad would come good). Of course when you're a winger there is nothing to touch having a big, classy centre inside you and in Lulia it looks like Potter has found a peach. I think he's improved about 50% with each passing game and looked almost imperious tonight.

Again, we did it with no leeway from the officials. I can't remember a single penalty in the first half, and of course the VR as usual finds a way. I had a thread just recently moaning vociferously at how the officials have been letting players step blatantly forward of the mark as they play the ball, interfering with first marker, which has been ignored in spades all season so far against us (about a million times v. Wire) but yet we do one, which was pretty meek in terms of any obstruction and did not affect the play, and suddenly the first penalty of the season for this offence costs us a perfectly good try. Fortunately in the end it didn't matter, and we were good enough to forget it and come again.

Really so proud to be a Bull tonight. This is why we do it.

I agree with most of the points being said, especially about Lulia. He certainly has that Shontayne Hape look (probably why MP gave him 3 and not 4) about him and those passes were amazing. Just hope he can match his performance against some other tougher opposition and we should quite easily make positions 6-8.

Also BK has and always will be more of a attacking FB than a defending one, although his defence aint that bad. Just needs help from others around him alot more than other full backs in the league.

Lastly, Get Bateman and Crookes signed up and fast before Leeds or Wire come chasing

Most of what I was going to say has been said, as I had to shoot off to work straight from the game, but I'd just like to add:

My apology to Mr Walker & Mr Pryce. I slagged them off after the first half, but they looked more and more comfortable as the game went on and considering some of the pairings we've seen (Sykes and Sheriffe) they looked pretty promising.

The other centre/wing partnership looks to have the most potential we've seen for a long time at Odsal. Jason Crookes has worked hard to improve his game and he's getting the recognition he deserves for it. He finished his tries wonderfully, and having a centre like Keith Lulia next to him will advance his game even more. Those 2 flick passes were immense.

Our own young players look to be holding their own. Bateman and Whitehead continued to impress as they have been doing, and Addy took his chance with both hands and was one of the main reasons momentum swung in our favour. Definitely best at 13 (Potter needs to have a good think about Langleys best position, as having a creative loose made alot of difference) but if Sammut happens to get a ban then he's the next best option at 6 imo.

Diskin was excellent again. Knows how to steady the ship and we do look a better side with him on atm.


Another thing that keeps popping up in my mind though is who will we keep, Nas or Sammut. I know its very early days yet, but both look like they would come back to bite us if we let them go.

Just watched the re-run and i thought last night after Crookes' 3rd try Eddie is raving about winning the game. At that point we are 6 in front with at least 2 mins left. Sammut's goal from touchline was massive. If he misses and they get ball back nearly on our line with 2 to go and 6 behind it was far from over!! Great kick, lets hope he doesnt get a ban

If he does, is it BK, KP, DA or can we recall Briggs for next week?

If Sammut is cited I would be showing the Cockayne challenge on Whitehead versus Wakefield. He had two swinging shots at Whitehead and didn't even receive a warning! I expect that it will be penalty sufficient, it was silly play but not a lot in it.

Hats off to Mick Potter for the way he juggled his interchanges with just 2 players. He's impressed me so far this season.

Well done Mr Potter

No. It's for the season and no recall.

theres certainly more consistency in Potters selections this season compared to the start of last, and its starting to show in eg the understanding of Bateman Lulia Crookes.

Sammut for me. We're light up front but I'm more and more convinced by the Langley to prop argument. If Addy has more games like that then loose is his to lose. We have lots of people who can do hard work, and we're more likely to be able to recruit forwards than someone else with the spark of Sammut - especially if we have to meet quota requirements at the same time.

The only reason to get rid of Sammut for me is if Bridge comes very good, and even if he's the best player in the Championship this year I don't see that proving much about him. He's been that or very close to it before. Sammut is getting better with every game. I think his work rate with us is way higher than it was with the Crusaders.

Manuokafoa would have to seriously rip up some trees to make him the priority for me atm. He does look useful though.

You mean Briggs?

Doh. Yes I do.

I'd agree with that. Sammut has been defending very well for his size. Manese looks solid, though twice yesterday he looked for the offload when it really wasn't needed.

Got to agree re Sammut, he seemed to be a bit part, off the cuff player at Crusaders. But at Bradford he's seems to have got back some of his team play that got him noticed in the NRL! Reminds me a lot of Deacs in his prime, not the great kicker Deacs was, but improving, with confidence every game and seems to relish the extra responsibility, Manuokafoa as has already been said is very handy player to have around but at the moment Sammuts the man!

Like your scapegoats don't you. What did pryce do wrong? Played pretty well IMO hit the ball up well and was pretty solid. The interception which set up lulia's finish was well timed and well received.

Someone else said manuokafoa made too many mistakes too, don't recall seeing any

Very good night

Agree about Pryce, did absolutely nothing wrong last night but still came in for criticism during and after the game. Did exactly what was asked of him.

Completely agree. I thought he actually did alright. Looks like he's shed a few pounds as well.

Let's remember, it was his first game under the new regime. He can only get better!!

Pryce was fine last night.

What game were some of you guys watching?

Is it so hard to admit you might have prejudged him in RAB just a bit?

It was first game for about 6 months. The guy had no pre-season, and nothing more than a couple of brief appearances in the U20s.

I thought he did OK, and will only improve as he gets fitter and sharper