I'd like to echo all the positivity about Hayes who's performances are more than simply 'filling in and never letting us down' admittedly off a relatively short run of games.

No problem at all seeing his name on the team, takes on the line, has a bit of guile and presence about him, definitely not intimidated in defensive duties against bigger opponents and has pride in the jersey.

I just hope that I'm not over rating him due to his Andy Gregory-esque stature...

The comparison with Riley Dean is an interesting one. At this stage I would say that Hayes looks comfortable, and Riley never did. Now that may be more to do with the support he is shown but he coaching team than the previous regime did…but that is whole new can of custard.

Can you imagine Burgess openly (and unjustly) placing the blame on a defeat on Hayes?

The man-management skills of Powell and Burgess seem like night and day.

No and spot on, on the point of it being unjust, if memory serves, I think Dean played pretty well especially offensively...yes he might have made a mistake but at least he was having go.

Powell's comments were beyond poor, not even a hint of overused cliché "well it's a collective, team responsibility whether winning or losing...." he hung the lad out to dry, although I'm not sure that too many bought it.

As long as he ignores the plaudits from the likes of us, keeps his head down and works hard he's showing all the attributes of developing into a very very good player.
Difficult to compare but he looks more comfortable and shows more promise than any other home grown half at this stage of his career in the SL era (I exclude Briers here because he was already well established.

Yep. As soon as Leon Hayes got into the first team he seemed to be looking for work & getting involved. There's more to come I reckon.