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.
Pity that our connection with PNG seems to have petered out.
It never really started!
Pity that our connection with PNG seems to have petered out.
It never really started!
Did either of the Albert brothers really offer anything better than we have?
It is good to see that MG has managed to call for the sacking of Finnegan for a decision he has not yet made and before the season has started. At least he is consistent.
We have Farnworth, Nzoungou and Dupree signed up and possibly Tilleke. As others have said, we probably need another two experienced props if there are any around and available to play part-time. Featherstone have Luke Cooper and Frankie Halton, Jimmy Becket and Junior Moors. I would guess that the first three are no bigger than our props. Junior Moors is shown as 6'3" and 18st 6lbs.
One of the most aggressive players in SL in recent years is John Bateman and he is around 15 st. Just shows that you don't have to be a man-mountain to be aggressive, but you would not play him at prop as he is world class as a back-rower. Grady is 6'4" and 16 st, has experience in the game and has an aggressive running style. Out of interest can someone explain why it is impossible for Grady to play at prop, if only as cover?
It is good to see the imbalance in the squad between backs and forwards is being addressed, with the signing of Nzoungoum Dupree, Wilde, Bent and Fozard and re-signing Farnworth, Baker, Grady, Smith, Lawton and awaiting announcements on the future of Tomkins, Tilleke, Else and Hulme.
Many have mentioned Gavin Bennion who has been around a bit and has the size and still only 28. I would have thought that we should be able to compete with Rochdale for his signature if we wanted him, although he is on a two year contract at Rochdale. Other teams seem to be able to pick up decent Australians from their country clubs. Maybe that's a market we can look at.
Looking at the confirmed retentions we have 3 props, 1 scrum half and 1 stand off.
I understand that players can change positions at the drop of a hat these days but I prefer us to go into next season with a couple of more than capable specialists in key positions. I’m not a big fan of the ‘Jack of all trades’ approach.
I think we need a scrum half as Matty Smith is our sole listed specialist in the position and, these days, I think he has more value as a utility player, perhaps coming of the bench than being a starter in the position week in, week out.
I think we need a stand off. Obviously Craven is the starter but if he gets a knock (which hopefully he, or any of the other players won’t) our stocks in the position look pretty bare.
As has been said, we also need two more props - with ‘presence’. One to rotate with the other in 2 x 20 minute spells in each match to make the ‘hard yards’ and for the rest of the team to rally round.
On a separate, though related, note the club also need to decide about Tomkins and, if he has a chronic injury that prevents him from playing, take him off the books and free up the spot. He is becoming a bit of an ‘elephant in the room’ not being mentioned in the release or retain information from the club. I know he has another year on his contract so the assumption is he will be here (and if able to play that would be a great bonus). I also understand that the club doesn’t need or want to talk about everything in an open forum but I do think an update on the fitness of one or our biggest ‘names ‘ on the playing squad is a reasonable request.
I think we need a scrum half as Matty Smith is our sole listed specialist in the position and, these days, I think he has more value as a utility player, perhaps coming of the bench than being a starter in the position week in, week out. I think we need a stand off. Obviously Craven is the starter but if he gets a knock (which hopefully he, or any of the other players won’t) our stocks in the position look pretty bare.
Lyons has also been retained but not updated by James yet. He can cover both half back positions & full back.
I think we need a scrum half as Matty Smith is our sole listed specialist in the position and, these days, I think he has more value as a utility player, perhaps coming of the bench than being a starter in the position week in, week out. I think we need a stand off. Obviously Craven is the starter but if he gets a knock (which hopefully he, or any of the other players won’t) our stocks in the position look pretty bare.
Lyons has also been retained but not updated by James yet. He can cover both half back positions & full back.
That’s what I’m on about though Geoff, we need someone who is a specialist in a key position. Not having a go at Lyons but he is basically a squad player at the moment who can fill a gap for a couple of games. We need a 7 who can control games regularly at this level and can get the best out of the players around him. Smith could do that but his best days doing it are behind him and as the squad stands, if he gets an injury then we are at a severe disadvantage.
Doing some tidying up and found an old programme from the Widnes v Hull KR final. Looking at player sizes and Frank Collier was listed at 16 stone! Vinty 14 stone!
As he pointed out in his 'archive' interview, a fit 15 stone man is hard to handle, and better than a pumped up 'big guy'. An old work colleague, who was a body builder, reckoned that he could go up a stone in six weeks with the right weight training etc.
Iirc Isa upped his weight by 5 kg to play second row.
Attitude and aggression can't be learned, they are in the man!
Isa is as much a second rower than Grady is a prop.Never did get all the fuss about him, neither here or at Wigan.
On a philosophical point, sadly there seems to be plenty of aggression among today's youth, but only with a knife in their hands. The reduction in real manual labour like mining etc has seen a marked reduction in hard men!
There may be better prop options among the second string Aussie clubs but they would need a reasonable contract and a job.
To be fair though, the downside of the mines was a lot of men dying the their early middle age with chronic lung disease. just saying.
I'm not suggesting re-opening the mines, just saying that there aren't as many used to real physical labour these days!
Isa is as much a second rower than Grady is a prop.Never did get all the fuss about him, neither here or at Wigan.
I can recollect an interview with Wane, when he said that he asked his players who was the hardest player they had played against and they all agreed it was Willie Isa. Wigan subsequently signed him and he has been a regular in the Wigan squad for the past 5 years. Not bad for a converted centre.
He's done well, Frank.No argument.Just my own view.
One of the more notable body transformations from our past is Harvey Howard, from a solid winger to a solid and quick prop, between seasons. I was never sure whether this was all done within the "rules", but a transformation it certainly was!