In todays game so much is directed at stopping the offload rather than grounding the player.
I recall Anderson running at a youngster who was actually the A team hooker. He tackled Anderson's ankles and he hit the floor several times very hard, finally dropping the ball!
The tackling process needs sorting as part of the pre-season build up, but get it right and it makes the team very hard to beat. Playing Bradford you could see their heavyweights tiring as the game went on.
The change in prop skills is very true, even with uncontested scrums. Active and aggressive are the watchwords for the 'middles'.
A bit of old head experience is invaluable when you hit a problem!! Just somebody to say – ‘I’ll tell you what we’ll do!!!!’ I can still remember Vinty if the pack looked like wavering ! Two or three full bottle drives by him, or three crash tackles one after the other, had the crowd and the pack back on song! That was the sort of pack leadership that seems rare anywhere these days. Just wish we had DVD’s of it!!!
Shame that Amor chose to do another year with Saints, he would have had just the big game experience, we could do with. The fact that they offered him a deal shows how scarce reliable old heads are! Shame we couldn't persuade Clough to do another year either. Dont know if finances and or Covid rules out any second tier props from Australia or NZ, but the French comp always seemed to find a few nuggets. I accept that the lifestyle in Southern France, may be a tad more attractive than the Borough of Halton! We clearly need to spread our net as wide as possible, recognsing that it may be easier to attract an Aussie, Kiwi, or Islander than a prop from Yorkshire!
Pity that our connection with PNG seems to have petered out.
Props now play a completely different role, and I concur with previous posters saying that our prospective pack will be very mobile, running tHe bigger players off the pitch
I agree with that for home games, but will that still be the case for the tough away games on narrow pitches?
Not sure.
I agree with that for home games, but will that still be the case for the tough away games on narrow pitches? Not sure.
That is the question, looking at Fevs big forwards on the opposition line, bulk at that range needs bulk tp stop it. Interesting puzzle though!
I am hoping that the period towards the end of the season showed we have improved defensively because we conceded barge over tries regularly before that.
As an aside, we need to use Lawton more close to the opposition line.
Props now play a completely different role, and I concur with previous posters saying that our prospective pack will be very mobile, running tHe bigger players off the pitch
Never worked last year did it, if we don't sign a few more props we will get mashed as usual down the middle. If Finnegan goes with Grady and Baker as props then he needs showing the door now.
I don't care if the prop forward game has changed over the years, Grady should be nowhere near that position.Running the opposition forwards off the pitch next year ? Can't wait to see that.
I’m with you on that. He’s a good all round second rower. Baker on the other hand I think is capable of doing a good job there although I would rather we had enough props and he could be used at loose forward.
I agree Sinbad we do need another rugged prop at least and not try to manufacture 1 as it were.
but where this side of the Pennines will we find him?!
it’s a fair trek to play part time even from Hudds and Halifax
Just a shame Fui Fui isn’t 5 yrs younger!!
If Fui Fui was 5 years younger he would still be about 42.
If Grady is starting Prop, we are in trouble.
Can't really remember Bent, is he big enough to be used at Prop?
If Grady is starting Prop, we are in trouble.
This year was different, it was just a case of muddling through the season, winning enough games to stay up and getting enough bodies on the pitch to fulfil the fixture.Next year, if we are to be serious challengers, Grady shouldn't play a single minute at prop.
We have had players converted from backs to forwards in the past with some success; Willie Isa and Richard Varkulis come to mind.
But don't forget in the dim and distant Grady started life as a centre in that team with the likes of Scott Yates and Paddy Flynn, so he has already made one positional move.
Ideally we source 2 props from somewhere and it is a non-issue.
Pascal thinks it might be worth watching Toulouse v Featherstone final and see the quality of props they have in their team. We should be aiming to bring in at least 2 rugged props, and I am gutted we could not convince Clough for 1 more year. Not sure who is available, but 2 old head props who stay fit would be ideal. Got a feeling Tilleke will be added to the squad and I don't think many who are left on the list will get a new contract. We have 19 or 20 signed up, so for me 2 or 3 props and another winger and then possibly a half back. Looking at who is not re-signed I would have Tilleke and Else.