I agree with you there. I just can't see a suitable replacement for Lockers unless we go for 3 props.

You do makes some good points here mate. I guess time will tell. And I do like Smithies, I like his aggressive attitude, his will to win and his amazing work ethic; all traits I want to see in a player. He's a young player who gets it. He's been given an opportunity and isn't going to waste it-that to be speaks volumes.

Maybe this season will provide more information on if he's really cut out to be a 13 or not.

Smithies is very solid in every aspect apart from his attack, I don’t like.to be to critical considering he’s only 18 but ultimately 5.76m per carry isn’t good enough for a forward and especially considering his passing game is very limited form what I’ve seen so far? 7m per carry is a minimum for a forward imo, Lockers go forward isn’t much better but his link play and vision more than makes up for it. Smithies needs to increase his leg drive and probably add more muscle mass upstairs, very much the same with Partington as well.

Incredibly tough to judge just what Smithies can and can’t do just yet in a first team jersey. The lad was an 18 year old kid when he was asked to train with the first team. He hadn’t had a pre season with the first team and he was thrown in the deep end playing in the middle of the field against men. I thought he was pretty incredible in both attack and defence in all honesty. I’m sure as he develops he’ll show more facets to his game and open up with the ball a little more. He’ll never be an O’Loughlin style ball player but O’Loughlin at 18 wouldn’t have been the O’Loughlin that was one of the world best players a few seasons back.

I wouldn’t worry about his average metres per carry either. That will improve as he develops anyway but he’s got an attitude and an engine money can’t buy. One of superleagues best ever players in Jamie Peacock had that attitude and engine and his metres per carry was pretty low also. His strength was that he was available for tough carries in both the first minute and the last. This kid isn’t a prop but he has that sort of attitude about him. I’d personally protect him and play him wider to start this season but long term the kid will make a fine loose forward IMO.

This. I'm involved at amateur level and see loads of different teams at all the age groups. The loose forwards now are bigger than they were 10-15 years ago and don't tend to be ball players. I very rarely see lads who play Halfback/Loose Forward, which was common when I first got involved in the mid 00s. Now they are far more commonly lads whose secondary position would be prop or second row.

Correct mate. He has the potential to be the next (or next, next) 13. I think 2020 will be a trial run for a few players to see who’s best suited. There’s a few candidates who could fulfil that role

I currently don't see him as a 13... but lets see how his game develops

Correct Nicky. You pretty much describe Adrian Morley there too. (one of the most feared forwards ever to play the game) I remember him coming through at Leeds. A lanky second rower with not much in the way of go forward but was as tough as old boots at a very young age. The rest of his game developed with experience.

Morgan Smithies is nothing like Adrian Morley or even a young AM.. Not in anyway shape or form as a RL player.

Morley was over-rated. Yeah he was tough and could hit hard but as a player he was nothing special.

Morley over rated deary me

According to the Enforcer but according to any player that is asked about him, it is a completely different story. When Gorden Tallis singles you out every time he plays against you then you must be a huge threat to the opposition.

Also i am not comparing Smithies to Morley. I was commenting on the development side of his game........ which is the case for any forward who has ever played RL. For me, Morgan Smithies improved at a rate of knots last season and can only get better. Starting 13 for me.

Ok, for all the Morley fans, show me a video of him doing something that is not just a big hit.

I stand by what i said, other than his aggression he was nothing special. He wasnt a big metre gainer, not a deadly offloader, didnt have a great forwards passing game. Without his aggression, he would of been in the Lee Mossop mould.

What prop have we had in the Super League era as good as Morley? Andy Farrell for 10 games in 04, Fielden for 10 games in 06. We've had no one perform as well as him in that position for even one season, never mind a full career.

I'd say Peacock was definitely Motley's equal.

Both are all time greats, but if I had to pick one then I'd probably pick JP.

Sorry I meant 'we' as in Wigan. Agree regarding Peacock

It depends on what you mean by 'as good'? If you are talking about aggression then nobody but in terms of general play then O'Connor, Cowie, Smith, Pongia just to name a few where all as good and in some cases better than Morley as all round prop forwards. Morley was just aggressive and intimidating but sometimes it worked against him. He was well known for flying out of the line looking for a big hit and completely missing the target and leaving a big gap in the defence or taking a players head off and giving away penalties or getting sent off. When players such as Tallis praise Morley they are always referring to his aggression and toughness, nobody ever praised him for being hard to stop or having a great offload etc.

As far as prop forwards go, Jamie Peacock was head and shoulders far superior. He may not of been as aggressive but his general all round play was light years ahead of Morley.

Morley was fantastic. Defensively hard as nails who thrived in a time when players could put in a good shot. He’s hits on players could literally change a game forcing a knock on or error.
Had a genuine fear factor which forced the opposition to second guess themselves and always be aware of him; that’s an underrated presence which only few can claim.

In attack he would run through a brick wall.

I’d have loved him at Wigan. To think some don’t rate him makes me question their knowledge of a RL player.

Theres a big difference in not rating a player and thinking he is over-rated. He was never the holy grail of props.

Morley was a different type of forward to Peacock, Fielden or Graham. Sam Burgess was more similar but still not quite as intimidating as Morley at his peak. If you wanted a forward to churn out metre after metre for you, he probably wouldn’t be the first one you’d pick but the things he brought to a side were immeasurable. He was a throw back in a lot of ways and I loved watching him play. He terrorised teams and we’d kill for a player like that in an England shirt at present. I thought the likes of Walmsley, Thompson and Tom Burgess gave us a stark look at where we’re at currently on that recent tour.

You make a good point. I think this current GB team would massively benefit for an 'in his prime Morley'.