Lilley rightly should get credit for his goal kicking that won the match in the same way that Sinfield did.

I totally disagree that he made a terrible read in fact he should be praised for making the right split second decision.

When he received the ball both his outside men were covered and he showed good skill to try to draw their centre by not passing early. It was never a 3 on 2 but as he made the attacking kick it became a 2 on 1 as their centre was drawn to try and stop the kick opening up the space for Keinhorst to make his run and dive. Young Lilley showed skill, flair and a Mags type ability to create a match winning score. Had he passed and not kicked both Keinhorst and Hall were covered. Yes of course Keinhorst's tenacity was needed to make the score.

The proof of the pudding is that as a result of his play we won the match. Check out the highlights on the Rhinos site and go through the sequence pausing each second.

Don't you just love being a Leeds fan!!!

Lilley has shown up well in a season where he's no doubt had more game time than expected. Last year he did well against NZ and against the Cowboys he held his own. For me that's good enough. Being 19 and controlling a Super League is harder than any of us will ever know!!

FFS!!! People have opinions but why do so many on here have to air opinions that criticise our players, especially the youngsters. We have a terrible injury list to players in key positions. The guys in the team are battling it out (except against Widnes) and in the long run we'll be better for it. The experience they're gaining now will stand them in good stead.

And I can't work out how people don't rate Mullaly after a handful of games. He's hitting the ball up hard. Yeah, he's made some mistakes but that could be a case of trying too hard.

If you can point out where I criticised Lilley - other than for that one piece of decision making, an opinion shared by his half back partner at the touchscreen after the game by the way - I'd be grateful.

Thanks.

Are you serious?

I think some people just got carried away because of double blunder vs Catalans last week. He isn't the first Leeds forward in recent times to knock on and then immediately give away a penalty in frustration.....so whilst annoying at the time it doesn't really mean anything long term in terms of whether he'll do well at Leeds.

Think it's harsh to judge any of the new guys really at this stage with the team yet to get some momentum and form going with two pivots missing in McGuire and Falloon.

Can you please confirm an age & experience limit before we can pass opinion on players? I like Lilley's hair & he does look a bit like my brother in law, but I didn't think people would be too bothered about discussing that.

All admit I was maybe a bit harsh on Mullaly after catalan, he was much improved against the giants.

In terms of Lilley and some of the flack he's had, I think the things people are pointing out is relevent, but at the same time they're the sort of mistakes and issues you expect of someone his age, with the limited first team exposure he's had, therefore it is harsh.

Very droll.

Here's a interesting exercise: compare & contrast the opinion of Luke Gale's talent & value to his (then) teams between the ages of 19 & 23, to that of his current talent & value to Castleford (&, as some would have it, England)

Mistakes aside Lilley appears to have no pace, none whatsoever and I doubt that will change even with an increase in age and experience.

That does appear to be his Achilles Heel & one that must have been clear throughout his time in the various academy sides.
The club must have a template for the attributes they require in all positions.
When players don't match up to those then they should be moved on & others brought in/recruited to replace them.
I'm not suggesting an approach akin to that used in the old eastern bloc to match youngsters to different sports but something more akin to the NFL draft process whereby athletes are assessed against standard parameters.
To help identify talent.
Or is that all too "big Brotherish" & I don't mean the crap, so called reality tv programme?

There have been and continue to be plenty of good half-backs around world rugby who are more Bernie the Bolt than Usain (kids, ask your parents).

Lack of pace in itself isn't a killer flaw in a half's game.

It's a good job Sinfield was fast otherwise he might not have made it.

Wasn't it a case anyway with McGuire that post his serious knee injury and he struggled that people said he'd been too reliant on his speed and not learnt to become a more rounded HB? He has developed this over the last couple of seasons now though.

If Lilley knows he can't rely on speed from the start then what's to stop him from working on other attributes and ending up being a more rounded and better HB because of that?

It is to Super League's eternal shame during the past decade that a player of Sinfield's somewhat limited spectrum was able to orchestrate and extract the number of winners medals that he eventually did. Internationally, he was hopeless and a basket case.

I've always thought Gale a decent SH, but he has far exceeded even my estimation of his quality. But this is the first time he has had a settled run in a quality side. It's an obvious but fair comparison. However, unless Lilley is a bit overawed by his surroundings he has shown not an inkling of anything above the ordinary in all the games I have seen him.

Sutcliffe didn't criticise Lilley. At the touchscreen Sutty didn't come over as the sharpest tool in the box on any of his comments and when asked to talk through the build up to Lilley's good kick he said he would have passed which rather shows why we are lacking at SO.

The best 7's have always been quick though. Even the likes of Andy Gregory or Alfie Langer could shift over 10-15 metres if you took your eye off them. But depends what you are expecting. Seems some people have high expectations based on who we've had the last decade or so. Tough on a kid like Lilley. Long way to go for him yet.

Quote ="William Eve"It is to Super League's eternal shame during the past decade that a player of Sinfield's somewhat limited spectrum was able to orchestrate and extract the number of winners medals that he eventually did. Internationally, he was hopeless and a basket case.'" If only he could do what your favourite SBW did whilst playing international RL. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ok-AIOF-wiM

Quote ="William Eve"It is to Super League's eternal shame during the past decade that a player of Sinfield's somewhat limited spectrum was able to orchestrate and extract the number of winners medals that he eventually did. Internationally, he was hopeless and a basket case.'" If only he could do what your favourite SBW did whilst playing international RL. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ok-AIOF-wiM

Agree he got his nose through the line a bit, still raw but think has fair bit of potential. Making an error and then trying too hard to make up for it with a daft shoulder charge at least showed a bit of passion and desire to make amends for team. think he could be useful if brought on slowly - which if he plays of bench is guaranteed!

Aware that some posters have referred to you as Jeff and some stated you are very personable and engaging, however I am finding this hard to believe. I only know one person who constantly moans with such high quality and attention to detail, the mother-in-law, Molly is it really you? I know we have not had a conversation in the last 4 years but I did'nt want to interrupt. Really pleased you have got a new hobby, xx

He said he thought he should have put it through the hands. That isn't a criticism of Lilley, it's Sutcliffe saying he would have taken a different decision. Interesting that you've chosen to describe Sutcliffe in such derogatory terms, just to support your opinion. For "not the sharpest tool in the box" he's certainly shown plenty of game intelligence at different times in his career.

Watch it back, there's a decoy runner (Ferres?) who just impedes a sliding defender enough for Lilley to get on his outside shoulder. This attracts in the defender next to McGillvray. At that point, having engaged the defender, Lilley could have passed and given Keinhorst a 2 on 1 with Hall outside him and just McGillvray to beat.

That was the easier option and probably the percentage play, rather than the kick. In hindsight it came up for him. Doesn't mean it was the correct decision to make at the time.

The way Hall played on Friday perhaps the kick for Keinhorst was the percentage play after all.

The greatest English half-backs I've seen were Alex Murphy and Roger Millward, they were both crafty with the ball and devastating runners when a gap appeared.

To be both as a teenager is rare and perhaps asking too much but without some basic pace I think he's unlikely to survive long enough to develop the requisite skills at this level.

If you ever discover the capability for looking outside the Rhinos/SL bubble of mediocrity in your assessment of players, feel free to engage me in discussion. Moreover, if you discover any evidence of Sinfield's world class attributes and stellar international career, please do let me know.

7 grand finals, 2 CC, 3 LLS, 3 MofM awards in finals, highest ever Leeds top scorer, highest ever SL top score, highest ever England top scorer, and a golden boot... enough attributes?
No English player has had a stellar international career since like the 70s because of the dominance of Australia
His kicking, big game performance, organisation and leadership were second to none on his day
Good effort mate anyway