And there we go with the boring Aussie rubbish. The Aussies have managed to be quite entertaining whilst smashing GB/England with monotonous regularity over the past couple of decades. All that without a ball handler at 13.

The problem I have with a ball handler at 13 (as opposed to a forward who can offload) is that you then get three average 'ball handlers' rather than two good ones (or even one in most SL teams). England struggles to produce any halfbacks of quality, and IMO the obsession with handling forwards is part of the problem.

In any event, I hope Cameron Smith is as good as you think he is, although I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up not being a ball handler at all. It didn't stop Sam Burgess being the best forward in the world.

It's important to make the distinction between a ball handling LF, and a pivotal LF. I agree with BR that the days of ever seeing a pivot at LF in the mould of someone like Sinfield, or Fitler are gone. Defences, are a lot tighter and there's less space in the middle of the field now to be able to carry a smaller player in the middle, you need some added physicality there. However, Gotcha is correct that having as many ball players in the team is invaluable. As I said, space in the middle is usually at a premium, and teams get a lot more players into the tackle so having a player like a Ben Kennedy, Flanders, or SBW with the ability to offload and create space is essential.

It's no secret we've targetted/had offers in for Brierley & Widdop i know it's not "confirmed" but i believe those who tell me everyone else can make their own mind up.
Interestingly albeit only seen on twitter Sandow is yet to re-sign with the Eels he wouldn't be my choice but wouldn't be surprised to see us linked.
BR-Wrt Cam Smith at this moment in time he's head & shoulders above anyone we have in our Acadamy with more potential to get better and better so time will tell.
Finally i've heard stacks of very good reports from various different people re-Baldwinson so maybe only 1 gun Prop will be needed afterall.

Ah yes of course forgot those two mentioned.
I personally would like to see Brierley but might be happier to wait for Lilley to come through when McGuire calls it a day or is moved on to join up with Burrow at Cas


Heard the same about Baldwinson from a mate who is also a Fev fan.

I'd give Williams a rank of 7 and Sutcliffe the rank of 8 so far this season.

Smith reminds me of Paul Sculthorpe a big athletic forward with good hands. The test for him will come when he encounters players with his physical attributes

I think he will be a lot bigger than Sculthorpe and not quite as fast. I think he will be more of a Sam Burgess player in five years, and dare I say it with the right development probably more skilful. But then again Fitler was a big lad and he could move around.

I agree with the first part as for the second as highly as i rate him we'll have one hell of a player if he reaches those heights.
Be interesting to see how Oledski ,Whiteley and Mconnell develop that's a very good front row thus far especially Oledski & Whiteley.

Oledski looks to me like one of those kids who impresses in age group rugby because he's bigger and more athletic than those around him, rather than necessarily through any great amount of ability.

Be interesting to see him step up to Under 19s and see how he handles the transition of playing against young men rather than boys his own age.

Whiteley is another interesting case. Playing hooker in that 16s team at the minute is something of an armchair ride, plenty of nice quick rucks to get out from and use his pace and footwork after the big lads have done the damage.

I agree on Oledski, but you might be under rating Whiteley. I see him for Oulton too, and for a small lad he is a bit of a monster, and super quick. I think he is a part of the big lads doing the damage, rather than only feeding off it.

What I fear more with some of these players, is the playing in the wrong positions at the club. I noticed at the weekend that Jordan Roberts was playing prop for the 19's. This kid has been super for years, but not sure why they are putting him at prop. He is a super backrower or loose, with good skills, far better than some of the others they utilize in the 19's.

Other than Smith Whitley is the player I've been most impressed with in the juniors the last couple of years. Like Smith he looks above physically, and his style is very reminiscent of Daryl Clark, but he looks like becoming a lot more of a physical presence. I also like the look of Jack Walker, he could be the best half we've produced in a decade.

Decision making above his years. Very elusive runner and excellent reader of a game. Bit reminiscent of a young Rob Burrow.

Good call re-Walker but i think some are playing down Oledski he's destroyed much bigger forwards this year and hits/runs as hard in the last 5 minutes as he does in during the first 5.
Of course time will tell but imo he looks a very good prospect.

You never really know with props at that age. Look at Mick Learmonth, an absolute monster at 16, now he's struggling to get game time at Huddersfield.

That's what happens when you look up to and idolise Paul McShane of all players.

Idolise? Mcshane is married to his sister don't know if that equates to idolise Wire paid big money to take him so he must have had something about him.

Same.