doesn't work for hull fc players

Not slagging off as i am not Bluey and im sure he has his reasons but what does Bailey give us?

That isnt what this thread is about

I would have happily let JJB go around 2002/03. Since then I've tried not to be too harsh on young players. Sadly I'm more often wrong the other way round - being disappointed by how players turn out (starting for me with Mark Conway circa 1982, so my list is sadly quite long).

Although I don't remember writing him off publically, I was never convinced that Ablett would make it

Ablett hasn't made it yet. Still too many penalties and needs to break the line more.Last night was down to crap defence.

IIRC he was the first left footed goalkicker I remember seeing.

Oh and slagging players off is overrated, you wouldn't catch me doing it....

I would say that 2 GF medals, and a consistent place in the first 17 for a top 2 team is making it.

He does have faults in his game though.

Like Mr Brisbane, I was very critical of JJB in the early days. Having been made to look more than slightly foolish for that, I try, when I am thinking properly, to avoid making the same mistakes again.

He has a thing about Ablett, ignore him.

That said, despite the points you made, and I rate him highly, I also would not say he has made it yet, despite the medals. Same goes for Kirke and Burgess also.

Was does a player have to do to qualify as "made it"?

Completely open to opinion I would guess.

But my own opinion would be standing out in a team in their own right, rather than the players around them. If you can do that from time to time, then you must have something.

But like they say, opinions are like botty holes.

Yes Yes Damo you are right!!

I slagged off Buderus and it bit me on the ass big time

and numerous times i have called for seniors head and its now coming back to haunt me. But i think i am having a positive effect on the team as when i slag off a player they seem to become world beaters again. so here goes

Webb. Overated not very steady under the ball

Hall Too young no experience

smith needs to go to union

Donald had his good season. Spent force

Burrow super league defenses can read him like a book

Mcguire belongs in a celtic/salford squad at best

Peacock lacks ambition

Diskin Had his day!

Kylie No power

JJB runs sideways

Kirke Makes up the numbers

Sinfield poor mans sean o loughlin

But to stand out in a double championship winning team you would need to be truley world class, in the age of the cap every team needs a good second teir of squad players and I dont think there are any better than Ablett & Kirke in SL IMO.

Think you misunderstood my post. I wasn't critsizing them in anyway. I just said he was probably right to say "not made it" yet.

I don't dissagree with what you are saying.

Although, that said, I doubt Kirke would have been playing first 17 at other top clubs. We have persevered a lot to get him where he is.

Ablett would be most effective if used as a wide running 2nd rower, he's not a loose forward IMO.

I'm was saying that given there respective skill levels I think they have both very much "made it"

You do know why he played loose last night don't you?

Yes, loose forward is his prefered position aswell.

Loose forward is probably one of the less well defined roles in RL. Some use it as an extra halfback, some use it as an extra 2nd row. Depends on the coach and style of play. I would have Ablett as the 2nd row type, like Langley or O'Loughlin, wheras Sinfield is more like a bigger halfback, like Sculthorpe or Wilkin

Expect poor games from Ablett, Bailey and Burgess then.

not interested in the reserve grade

Well done Tony for admitting your mistakes, it takes a big man to do such a thing (yes, G1 has made and admitted ALOT of mistakes, and he loves all you can eat buffets)

You will still be considered a t, but slightly less of one now!

None that I can think of yet. Like Brisbane said above I also have a habit of over-rating rather than under-rating Leeds players.

Over to Ashley Gibson, the balls in your court.

Don't thionk I've ever 'slagged off' someone who gives 100%, so JJB wouldn't fall into that category, however I have been proven mightily wrong about hime over the years, and am delighted to say it. I still don't think he's quite International Quality, but he's an excellent SL second rower.