I'm amazed Leeds have signed Briscoe. Their back line is brilliant. I suppose BJB must be leaving.

Riley won't get any better, maybe it's time to move him on and bring in some fresh blood. Font think bjb is the answer. Rather Atkins on the wing and quality strike bought in.

People are extremely fickle with Riley. Everyone goes quiet when he's doing well but if he buggers up people are on here jumping on him as soon as they can. He is a weakness in defense yes, but I think it's to do with him not trusting Atkins to cover for him on that side, so he panics and flies in often leaving a gap on the wing, having said that though, Atkins left Riles in a 2 on 1 situation in defense multiple times in the Grand Final, and he still managed to shut them down on each occasion, but of course, that was duly ignored by people on here.



He is not the strongest winger in the world but he's solid enough in my opinion. He rarely gets any ball these days because Atkins either comes back inside or Briers is too busy kicking to Joel to score. We got to the GF with him in the side this year so his defensive frailties aren't that bad, surely.

I think it's ironic that people are pinging riley for his positioning, but it's exactly the same conversation we had earlier this year and back in 08 about the left hand side defence of the team.

I don't think we've ever been able to fill that last line of defence mathers offered us.

Going off what you've highlighted FMC, it seems defending wasn't an issue for a few years.



Ratchford needs to look at his techniques, position himself to hold a player up like mathers could.



Mathers was key in holding that centre left line.

I think people are now talking about the season as a whole, and let's be honest, he and Atkins were embarrassing in defence at times. You don't even need a gap to get over the line with those two, you just take them over the line with you whilst they try and grab your sleeves.



Atkins isn't innocent, he too has had a dodgy year, particularly in attack. I don't think Riley should leave, but we definitely have to explore options, both for competition and for improving the team. Last time he had a kick up the a*se he came back and nailed down his place.

Let's get Richie Mathers back. We'll definitely win the Grand Final then.

Having said all that, you still need to have a look at their try scoring. Both are better than average, plus Atkins missed two months of the season through injury.

hey, in not saying that's the answer.

I'm only giving suggestion to were FMC pointed at our failings in defence.

it so happens that it wasn't so big of an issue when mathers was here.



There are two points, go with more expansion offered in attack and loose attributes for a stronger defensive back or visa versa.



Smith decision is for attack over defensive. I'll go with him on it but that leftside of riley atkins ratchford sounds paper thin. Westwood is the sliding defensive guy to beef it up. Still not currently strong enough as a unit for me.

I think if Chris Riley had been dropped when he wasn't performing as required and replaced with Evans, it might have been more palatable to fans. I think TS needs to give this consideration. He is too apt to keep players in when not performing. No wonder younger players leave. Even if they play well (Rhys Evans at season start) they are replaced when the first choice player is fit again

IMO Atkins is the main problem with that side, not Riley. Too often Riley is left wondering who to tackle because his centre has gone missing!!



Ok, so I'm not saying Riley is squeaky clean, far from it, but I think Atkins is the worse defender of the two and the biggest cause of tries down that wing.

I've got to ask..... are you being serious in this post (genuine question) ?