It may well be that someone like Atoni us taking a drive to score and if he doesn't leaves us on the line which takes another setup play to make room.
Whereas Bowden is specifically taking a drive to set up the position
But I've noticed it in a few games now so it stands out like when you get a new red car.

Bowden doesn’t take the drives before try’s on the next play. Quite the opposite in that it’s very regularly Uele and Rodwell who get to their front quick and get quick plays to set up the positions. I’m not sure Atoni and Bowden in their first stint have the same style but I also think their job is slightly different in that they’re partly there to grind down the opposition starting forwards and drain the tank ready for the quicker props in Uele and Rodwell. It works and they all play equal part as a pack.

Bowden makes hardly any errors too and plays a very tidy game.

All the pack function as a unit, it's not reasonable to single one out as 'better' or 'worse'. Atoni and Uele are massive units who wrestle the strength out of the opposition whereas Bowden and Rodwell play a quicker game... or at least that's how I see it.
Let's not forget that this pack, with Boothroyd instead of Rodwell, basically bossed the starting pack of Wigan, albeit in a friendly.

Thanks for posting this, I forgot to share the stats on this forum after Ste Mills gave us permission to share them! There are 1000000 more stats that we unfortunately aren't able to share, which also make for interesting reading but hopefully everyone is enjoying the basics of what we're able to put out



I may try and put together the minutes played too for each player, if possible - as these make an impact too.

Its important to remember that these are the stats for two games, there will be other games were a particular forward will have better looking stats than this. I don't think you can judge whether anyone is doing enough or not from such a small sample

Jamie's actually posted more stats on X, those two games are just the ones I linked to.

Thanks for the work you and your dad do, love your podcast and hope that everybody on this forum listens to it, and follows your account on X.

Every stat from every game in 2024 has been posted on our Twitter / X feed

Just keep scrolling down to find them!



Thank you for the kind feedback, we do it all for the enjoyment so it's great that others find it interesting / fun too

Well.....as I've seen him do it, I would say he does.

I like Bowden and I really like what he brings to the team but your comment, and I will quote your words again, 'easily the highest' work rate is way off the mark, in terms of stats, which you use to back your argument, he is bottom of the pile when it comes to our front rowers. I'm not the one that started comparing players, I think they have all been brilliant of I'm honest, I just think it does the rest of the pack a disservice to start putting one player 'easily' above the rest, particularly when it's not true.

I see now though that you have made something else up about Bowden been the one that creates trys from his quick ptbs the tackle before a try. You are starting to sound like Vastman, you can never be wrong.

I’ve watched every game on YouTube and live and highlights. It’s not noticeable to me but I will check through a number of highlights and post again shortly.

As I said, I was referring to the page posted, where his carries and tackles were higher.
If the overall stats that I haven't seen say otherwise then so be it.
I like him and I like the others. Can't see why you have a problem with that.

Okay then, let's all just agree Bowden is 'easily' the hardest worker in the pack because in 1 game out of 13, his stats are up there with the others.

My problem isn't that you like Bowden, it's that you've put him head and shoulders above all of the others... In no way shape or form is he easily better than the others in the team.

Bowden is having a belting season, as are most of the forwards, but we need to remember the quality of the opposition they're playing against and not forget how poor some of these players were last year against SL clubs.

Watching the last 5 games back and Bowden takes the drive before once I think, possibly twice but think that was Cozza vs Doncaster as hard to tell.

Uele and Rodwell are common pre try runners with recent games some excellent charges and quick plays.

Surprisingly Hood has featured in a few too and it’s quite random and shared across the park. Good signs I suppose.

I can’t be bothered checking earlier games. That said I am happy with Bowden and think he is a good contributor to our pack as a starting forward. I just don’t see him as the one making quick plays and putting teams on the back foot with quick plays leading to try’s. That said I don’t think it’s his job.

I see him as a player who never makes an error, is experienced and strong in defence to soak up the opposition starting forwards somewhat whilst providing solid in unspectacular carries. There is a lot of value in that and he does a professional job.


I agree with you that Bowden is playing well despite having a difference in opinion on what he offers but we don’t have to agree and ultimately we are both happy fans.

Our pack luckily don’t need to compete with each other and appear to be working together and thriving off each other and their respective styles.

You seem to be putting a lot of effort into proving something I'm not really bothered about.
I don't mind who sets them up.
I noticed him. Maybe it's changed since I noticed it.

I'm happy to accept they spread it around. It was just something I noticed.

Don’t worry I won’t hold you to ransom ha. I checked because I was half curious myself and made for a good watch.

We all see different things in players with our perspective. It’s not a competition between us fans afterall.

I’m thoroughly enjoying watching the forward pack this year. I’m as excited about where they will be in 6-12 months when we are hopefully back in SL. The standard is higher but I’ve seen enough to convince me that these forwards can mix it to possibly get us in that playoff spot next year. Good early signs but a long way to go.

Bowden was always getting the first try after this conversation, maybe Poptart is right after all.

Have the stats been posted for the Swinton game?

He should have had the second try too. Kay held on to ball instead of releasing for Bowden to have a walk in under sticks.

Stats for the Swinton game have been posted now...I'd suggest anybody who finds these interesting follow the 'X' account that goes to all the trouble of collating and publishing the data. Rodwells stats are impressive! https://x.com/WTHeritagePod/status/1792 ... uURzQ&s=19

Stats for the Swinton game have been posted now...I'd suggest anybody who finds these interesting follow the 'X' account that goes to all the trouble of collating and publishing the data. Rodwells stats are impressive! https://x.com/WTHeritagePod/status/1792 ... uURzQ&s=19

Atoni was very strong as well. The backs made some great meters, Walmsley, McGilvery, Olpherts and Pratt but Walmsley didn't make a tackle.

Bowden 27 tackles

Bowden 27 tackles in 51 minutes top effort