Arguably, being the word.
I think people need to stop using the poor guy as a scapegoat for the whole teams failings.

His mistakes are directly responsible for conceeding vital tries in each of the last 2 grand finals...no "arguably" about that.

3 major mistakes in the 2008 GF.
1 major mistake in the 2009 GF.

If he stopped making glaring and crucial errors in big games, they probably would.

After his last 'performance' I don't think anyone could be criticized for getting on his back, especially considering it was the same scenario in the same game a year earlier.

I have usually defended him in the past, but if people want to criticize a player who has made consistent errors in big games, lacked effort in others and is on an international's salary ( with a spot on the overseas quota), then fair play as far as I'm concerned.

Francis Meli picked up a slight knock in training. Potter was raving about him 3 days ago. Said Meli looks in great shape.

I hope he's learnt how to put the ball dead.

Good to hear...

I personally think he pulled his finger out back end of last season and was making some super yards/breaks and was very impressed but just a shame he still suffers from brain farts...

Meli's go forward is second to none for a winger in SL and IMO without the brain farts, as Mr Messy put it, he could be an important player for us this year.

thats very true, but he does have the brain farts, so he's pap!

I would agree with that, especially since he has them in one of the most important games of the season and they are always critical.

I guess a second Grand Final crucial brainfart was too much for many of us. For me, there is no going back for Meli now. I'd be happy to see him not turn up at all this season. He undid his good work in one match last year because for the third time I went to Old Trafford only to watch him almost singlehandedly give the bloody game away for the second year running. Some things are beyond forgiveness in a well paid, experienced international player. His brainfairts in critical matches come under 'some things'.

to single handedly cost us one Grand Final could be said to be bad luck.

to cost us 2, IMO, is enough to wash my hands of him. I have been one of his biggest defenders in the past few years and I thought he was pretty good when he finally turned up last year, but he has cost us too many big games - and if he never played for Saints again I wouldnt lose any sleep.

you better watcha and learn as the resurgent fax treat you to a rugby masterclass tonight!

I seem to remember another very senior player in that team having a 'brainfart' at a very crucial point in the game leading to a try.

Funny how Meli's brainfarts stick in people's minds but other player's howlers are quietly forgotten.

People love a scapegoat.

as others have said though, to have 1 brainfart is unfortunate, to have at least 2 in each of the last 2 grand finals is more than carelessness!

they stick in people's minds because there are that many of them.

When your playing well and steam rollering teams Meli looks like a world beater mainly because most of his defensive frailties are hidden or dont matter that much .In the tight games where every point counts or we are under pressure and we have a Sam Tomkins (or any other decent halfback) putting kicks behind the line or up in the air on our own line he looks like a complete plonker and he's just not worth the risk imo.

Have you escaped your harness again? Please come back to the Halifax forum - your Ritalin dose is ready.

Is Sola Soliola going to be at centre for you this season?

No, but Sia Soliola will be.



I imagine both he and Wheeler will feature there a fair bit this year.

Thats the one.

He's 66/1 to be league top try scorer 10/1 to be Saints worth a punt E/W?

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Sia Soliola, 4. Matt Gidley, 5. Gary Wheeler; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Kyle Eastmond; 8. Nick Fozzard, 9. James Roby, 10. Jake Emmitt, 11. Tony Puletua, 12. Matty Ashurst, 13. Jon Wilkin.

Subs: 14. Maurie Fa’asavalu, 15. Scott Moore, 16. Andy Yates, 17. Shaun Magennis, 18. Chris Dean, 19. Jack Bradbury, 20. Paul Johnson, Jonny Lomax, Jamie Foster, James Graham, Andrew Dixon, Mike Bennett.

Halifax:

4. Shad Royston; 2. Lee Paterson, 3. Jon Goddard, 5. James Haley, 23. Rob Worrincy; 6. Luke Branighan, 22. Dave Wrench; 14. Mark Glesson, 10. Neil Cherryholme, 11. Dave Larder, 18. Dylan Nash, 13. Bon Beswick.

Subs: 8. Danny Flemming, 9. Danny Russell, 15. Mark Roberts, 17. Frank Watene, 20. Paul White, 21. Anthony Bowman, 24. Stephen Bannister.

Latest score is Saints 12 - 6 Halifax after half an hour.

Now Saints 22 - 6 after 37 mins

Latest score Saints 28 - 6 Halifax half time.