Re: Lockers : Sun Nov 15, 2015 12:54 pm  

What this has proved is that thankfully we have got some more mileage next season from Lockers, 3 games on the spin in wet conditions and MOS , no injuries , now hopefully bit of a rest then lead us from the front next season , the cream always comes to the top, well done Lockers !

Re: Lockers : Sun Nov 15, 2015 1:47 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

People have a real hang up about playing lads out of what is deemed their position. Widdop plays stand off for St George so therefore he should only play there for England but to me he still looks like a full back playing in the halves. Add in Sam Tomkins starting to look more and more like a half playing at fullback and I'd seriously consider a swap. Widdop only moved in to the halves because he couldn't get a game in front of Slater.

Zak Hardaker has defended well but offered no sort of link or threat in attack. I'd consider going 1-Widdop, 6-Tomkins and 7-Smith for next years four nations.

I wouldn't disagree about Widdop, but is he really a better full-back than Hardaker? I'm not convinced. I might be wrong, but my recollection is that he always *was* a half, who was drafted into full-back when Billy Slater got injured. And did pretty well there. Hardaker did do a bit more to try to join in the attack yesterday, but to dismiss him after three very solid defensive displays where he hardly put a foot wrong seems very harsh. I'd be happy for ZH to stay at full-back and any two from three in the halves from Tomkins, Williams, and Smith, depending on tactics/conditions. Widdop doesn't deserve an automatic place; no-one does. Also, Gale deserves a shot too.

Also, I have another theory about the Melbourne Storm. Playing second fiddle there for too long is bad for your development as a player. Widdop had it for years, now Blake Green is in his shoes. Watch any Storm game and see how many touches Green gets compared to Cronk and Smith. Cronk hogs the ball, and Green gets limited runs, with limited options, generally down the left flank. Go back a couple of years, and it was Widdop it was happening to. Another point is, it's hard to develop a good kicking game when you're teamed up with two of the guys who are thought to be the best kickers in the business. For me, Blake Green's performances have tailed off after a bright start for the Storm, and I don't think it's hard to see why.

Re: Lockers : Sun Nov 15, 2015 5:22 pm  

moto748 wrote:

I wouldn't disagree about Widdop, but is he really a better full-back than Hardaker? I'm not convinced. I might be wrong, but my recollection is that he always *was* a half, who was drafted into full-back when Billy Slater got injured. And did pretty well there. Hardaker did do a bit more to try to join in the attack yesterday, but to dismiss him after three very solid defensive displays where he hardly put a foot wrong seems very harsh. I'd be happy for ZH to stay at full-back and any two from three in the halves from Tomkins, Williams, and Smith, depending on tactics/conditions. Widdop doesn't deserve an automatic place; no-one does. Also, Gale deserves a shot too.

Also, I have another theory about the Melbourne Storm. Playing second fiddle there for too long is bad for your development as a player. Widdop had it for years, now Blake Green is in his shoes. Watch any Storm game and see how many touches Green gets compared to Cronk and Smith. Cronk hogs the ball, and Green gets limited runs, with limited options, generally down the left flank. Go back a couple of years, and it was Widdop it was happening to. Another point is, it's hard to develop a good kicking game when you're teamed up with two of the guys who are thought to be the best kickers in the business. For me, Blake Green's performances have tailed off after a bright start for the Storm, and I don't think it's hard to see why.

Widdop played fullback at reserve grade iirc. The first time I heard of him was when he had a great year in that reserve grade and I think the storm win the grand final.

You're probably right though in that he may not be a better fullback then Hardaker. He certainly isn't defensively but I don't think the team will win things over the next two years unless Hardaker manages to find an extra gear in attack. I remember the stick Rads took playing for GB for just being a defensive fullback but Hardaker has been exactly the same in this series (but doesn't support the play as well). It doesn't feel like you can run with that sort of option at fullback in the modern game but I do think there's more to come from Hardaker.

Re: Lockers : Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:05 pm  

Some opposition fans do not rate Lockers and don't appreciate how good a player he is and what he brings to any side he plays in
Some opposition fans do not rate Sinfield and don't appreciate how good a player he is and what he brings to any side he plays in

Some fans don't like either simply because they don't play for their club side rather than judging either player with an unbiased opinion of their talents and qualities

I have always rated Lockers and just like Sinfield they are both top quality players who can control the the side, They both bring a lot of qualities to their sides that fans wont easily recognise
As both players have aged they have adapted their games accordingley to bring their talents and leadership qualities to their sides

Sadly we won't appreciate how good they both were until they are no longer playing and controlling the side
Both are top quality players that will be hard to replace

Re: Lockers : Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:36 pm  

The Biffs Back wrote:

Some opposition fans do not rate Lockers and don't appreciate how good a player he is and what he brings to any side he plays in
Some opposition fans do not rate Sinfield and don't appreciate how good a player he is and what he brings to any side he plays in

Some fans don't like either simply because they don't play for their club side rather than judging either player with an unbiased opinion of their talents and qualities

I have always rated Lockers and just like Sinfield they are both top quality players who can control the the side, They both bring a lot of qualities to their sides that fans wont easily recognise
As both players have aged they have adapted their games accordingley to bring their talents and leadership qualities to their sides

Sadly we won't appreciate how good they both were until they are no longer playing and controlling the side
Both are top quality players that will be hard to replace

So, Sinfields gone, and we win a test series........... Just playing devils advocate, because its a stupid argument...

Re: Lockers : Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:40 pm  

I had to laugh as the Teams were taking the field before the start of the game, the young girl who walked out with Lockers wasn't impressed with him,she wouldn't hold his hand,the look on his face , priceless.

Re: Lockers : Sun Nov 15, 2015 8:19 pm  

Wigan Peer wrote:

So, Sinfields gone, and we win a test series........... Just playing devils advocate, because its a stupid argument...

If you read it again you'll see that I'm actually praising Lockers
So I'm not sure what planet your on pal?

Re: Lockers : Sun Nov 15, 2015 8:40 pm  

The Biffs Back wrote:

If you read it again you'll see that I'm actually praising Lockers
So I'm not sure what planet your on pal?

As i said, i was playing devils advocate... ... Pal..

Re: Lockers : Sun Nov 15, 2015 11:34 pm  

I have a couple of friends who are "inside the Wigan system" When they tell you that the likes of Ryan Hoffman, Pat Richards and Jeff Lima say that O'Loughlin is up there with the BEST players they have EVER played with or against than you appreciate just how good he is.

Re: Lockers : Mon Nov 16, 2015 5:17 am  

What's always stood out to me about SOL is that he plays his best for England. If every other player did the same we'd be much harder to beat. Sadly too many look like startled rabbits.