What a class act he was today, made one mistake all game, what a performance. This guy is the person we should build our team around for the future. Fantastic to watch, few players get me on the edge of my seat when watching a game but he does it.

Great game from him, he should surely get most games now with Smith injured, lets hope he can get even better.

Bit strong to suggest building a team around but do admit he has got real raw talent. Just don't sell him

Why not build a team around him? Give him a half back who will compliment his skills and a pack for him to get loads of space to run in to.

Give him another season before blowing something like a five year plan on a may of been. Not saying the plan is fruitless just saying next season other teams will have time to study and look for loopholes in his game-play.

I must be honest I thought tomkins was being over hyped but Il be honest and say he looked pure class today.

Not seen much of him but if that's anything to go by he looks top class.

Also gave good interview after the game on sky.

Thats the good thing, there is unlikely to be any, he is hardly a one trick pony. He can kick, pass, run, he has pace, he can read a game. I was not one bigging him up too much early in the season but he was brilliant today IMO and has proved he is good enough, but as you say time will still tell he is not the finished article yet, but I think it is only fair to praise him for his excelent game today.

Two things;

-Firstly he saved a certain try with an excellent tackle on Fox and kicked on from there by taking the game by the scruff of the neck when it was in the balance which is something we’ve been looking for our HB to do all season. His first break for the Carmont try was top notch reading of the game, the 40/20 couldn’t have been timed better for us and his try was again never giving up and supporting the man which is what all top HB do.

-Secondly how many times do our kids have to stand up and show the way? When players like Fielden or Riddell should be sparking us to life when we are down it’s again left to players like Phelps to come up with a moment of magic or for Mcilorum to inject some urgency into the game.

Imagine what our youngsters could do for us if they played with players of the calibre of Peacock, Cunningham, Pryce or Gidley?

I agree with you he had a great game today and to settle so quickly coming on five mins into the game in effect turned around your overall attitude and performance and has to be said won you the game.

I still think it would be mid way through next season before the club would make such a bold financial decision though.

From a saints fan he is a joy to watch and proof you can make the cap work lol. That might get a few replies

Mclorum had another good game.

We are so much better with him on the field.

Another academy player out-shining the cap busters?

See in four years time at this rate your side will be in favour of "THE CAP"

He played well but his distribution needs working on seriously.

Pure class this kid.

You can make the cap work to have a more balenced team but you go and watch games pre super league and tell me the standard is better now than it was then.

You just couldn't resist could you

Dog.........Bone..........Cat..........mouse.

Fish in a barrel





Leave that one alone Stevo

Him and MM completely changed the game when they came on and that takes something special.

On the other hand i thought Joel was very disappointing. If an Auzzie had played like he did today everyone would be on their back. I'd play Flanagan/Farrell/Mossop over him after that performance.

I said that on another thread the other day, Joel is still playing because of his reputation from last season IMO. He needs someone like Barrett to put him through the gaps. Mossop should be ahead of him when he returns IMO.

I agree with what you said about Sam and MM and also I think Joel was a bit off form tonight.

I thought Paul Prescott had a good game, he did a lot of unsung work tonight that benefitted the team.

Fielden and Riddell where utterly poor today.

The youngsters did lead the way which was no bad thing.

Hansen was much improved.

I would be quite happy to see the back of both Riddell and Fielden tbh.

I have and it is. Referring to The Chair Makers comments in previous posts in relation to defensive attitude and game style it is a far more fluid game these days. Defense is far tougher, more balanced, agile and harder working. Far more thought goes into closing down agile attack and quick incisive play. No more five yard lines as well as fitter more drilled players closes down spats of thoughtful half back play. With the more drilled and agile defensive lines it takes more than something special from in play ball to break and this consequently has called for sharper skills in attack.

I think in this country compared to the N.R.L the only way we lag is in our production of half backs (maybe ) Some may say that has always been the case but with modern day tight defensive strategy I think this is something our youth system should be working on.

Did I ramble then? Forgive me, I don't sleep in this weather, atrophie and was an eskimo in a past life

I am not one to argue, that is your opinion, just do not cross with BK on this issue.

I know of BK and would rather cross a Rottwieler

Sam Tomkins controlled the match tonight.

Well done Sam!

Did you see the workload he was putting in on tackles? Ive never seen anything like it! In the second half he was in for every 2-3 tackles....Wouldnt like to know what his workload was but if that was disapointing ill have another 5 in the pack as dissapointing as him.

The disapointing players in the pack are players like fielden and fatty arbuckle Riddell (did you see how unfit that guy was tonight!?!) only came on in two spells and the second time he just walked around doing nothing as he was that knackered!!!

I just keep praying that fat lump of 5hyte is homesick and packs his bags ASAP....he looks even fatter after his little mid season holiday...where ive no doubt hes put away 100 pints!!