I agree Nantwich the kid has it all but in that backline its quality across the board and in Watkins I think we could have a Centre to surpass the likes of Senior and Godden.
For me I'd even accept losing 2 maybe 3 first team regulars to give Zak and Kallum top dollar to sign long term ala Hall Moon and Briscoe.

For me its our whole back line its the best I have seen since the late sixties and the their age is a huge factor.

One consideration for me is did we see a better collective performance from them because Burrow wasnt playing.

Dont get me wrong I am a huge Beep Beep fan but does his style of play conflict with the development of our young back line ????

Zak's gonna be superb for us in the next few years. All he needs to do is improve on his passing, Watkins needs to aswell. I fondly remember Phil Ford's brief spell at Full-Back, he had moments of magic in that position at times.

Zak is developing into a great player and is in superb form. Better than ET? Not yet, no.

It was exciting watching ET but I wonder if we view him through rose-tinted spectacles since generally our overall team performances at that time were not always the best so he stood out more.
Plus defences were not as good generally as they are now.
I will, however, remember forever ET's arcing runs in attack and out of defence.
Zak's effort on Friday was so reminiscent.

There are definite elements of Ettingshausen in the balance and ability to change direction without losing speed we've seen this season. The try, where he went from Sarginson's inside shoulder to outside before the defender even had chance to adjust his feet is a perfect example.

He's probably - IMO - got more upper body strength than ET had too, and arguably a better defensive technique close to the line.

Gary Spencer was deceptive. He was slower than he looked!

ET would have been the Best fullback the game as ever seen if he played his entire career there. As fine a centre he was in Aus, and a fine career he had, (understating) he was never the absolute best as a centre.
Same for joe Lydon always looked way better than Hampson or anyone else when he played fullback.

Zak is really playing at the top of his game at the moment and the scary thing is that he also has so much more improvement left in his game to come, Zak can become whatever he wants in this game without a doubt

All of the worlds best Full Backs have one thing in common that makes them stand out from the rest and that is that they possess a great positioning sense in both attack and defense, Zak certainly passes that test with flying colours

I believe that due to our back line being so confident in Zak's ability to mop up kicks and make vital tackle reads close to our line that they can hold their defensive positions without being indecisive

Lets hope that we get him tied down to a lengthy contract very shortly

ET did play fullback a bit in Aus - and for Australia (notably stopping Martin Offiah on the charge IIRC).

Lydon was weird. He had the raw materials to be easily the best GB fullback of his generation, but maybe suffered from being played where he best fit for his club. Apart from one marvellous try, I wouldn't say he was a roaring success for GB under Bamford.

The game's changed a lot - fullback is a more important attacking position than it was, especially in England. Australia has produced glorious attacking fullbacks over the years, whilst GB had to suffer the likes of Wellens and Radlinski as the "best" - neither of whom at their peak would have been in the top half of Australian fullbacks at any time. I've never understood the fascination with "great" defensive fullbacks - anybody who plays there should be able to deal with kicks, read plays and make tackles.

Tomkins has been a great influence on SL, as he showed that far from just being a solid defender, fullbacks should be as important to the attack as your halfbacks. Hardaker is a completely different style of player but is looking good ATM.

I'm getting on a bit but I am struggling to think of any great defensive fullbacks.The only one that currently springs to mind is Keith Mumby but I don't know if I would class him as great.

Short Memory Syndrome in play here...it seems that there is a degree of amnesia around just how good Brent Webb was when at his best for Leeds.

Hardaker is certainly a fine full back and if he continues to develop could easily end up as one of our best ever...still a way to go yet.

Anyone remember Holmes at full back? or Harris or Bev Risman?I do and Hardaker isn't in their league...yet

Hardaker is not even the best full back in superleague?

Of course he is. It's not even close, is miles and miles ahead of anyone else in that position in Super League.

I'll raise you Jonny Lomax & Escare

=#8000BFYou may have a point although tbf I've yet to see Zak play as poorly as Webb once his decline set in.



=#800080Can't comment on Risman as I never saw him play. I wouldn't and couldn't compare him to Holmes who, in my book, was a) peerless as a Leeds player; and b) had a career of such longevity that I couldn't begin to make a comparison between him and a player who has only played here for about 3 seasons. Too early also for me to reach a verdict wrt comparing ZH with Harris but my guess is that, assuming he stays, he will be remembered as the better player.

You can raise who you want. Neither are anywhere close as a fullback to him.

Harris was a stand-off, wherever he started matches. I doubt anyone can remember how good he was as a "defensive" fullback because he barely played there, and all his attacking skill and impact came as a half.

Just a matter of time before Hardaker is referred to as the WBF and take his place among the rest of the illustrious like WBW, WBC, WBP, WHEFAM, TMFMIC1, etc.

Lomax good attacking player not much else.
Escare great player in the making. Hardaker better than both.

I'll have whatever you're smoking

Most of the good stuff I've seen Lomax do this season has been playing, in effect, as a stand off in attack. He's a great player, but defensively I don't think he's got the hang of full back yet. Still looks a lot like a half back to me.