On reflection Grix is the best full back we've had at the club in god knows how long, (feel free to name a better one in the last 15 years) I think the few mistakes he's made and they are few were just massively obvious and costly (sadly)

I don't see how any one can't be happy with re signing though, minus the howlers he's class, If Jowitt is good enough and clearly he has talent he will come though when the time is right, he'll learn from Grix too, its all to the benefit of Grix, Jowitt and ultimately Wakefield

I’ve no doubt Max will learn from Scott, but these young players , in an ideal world,need to play week in week out wether it’s A team on loan, duel reg and not sat in the stands so they are at least battle hardened if called upon.

Everybody can see that except the powers that be.

For me there are three ways around it.

1. Restart the A team league making it compulsory. Expensive but the best way imho. However to keep cost down make it regional.

2. As above but on an ad hoc basis. More like friendlies with maybe a cup comp thrown in.

3. Allow up to four guest players who are over 20 but under 23 to play in the academy. Makes the u19's more realistic and because all teams are doing it there will be a competitive edge. I think there would need to be some restriction other than just being under 23. I'd say 40 games or above in the first team excludes you. Certain size restrictions though tbh that would be rare.

Number three would be ideal for the likes of Jowitt and Crowther. Still in the RWB, still at the club playing against at least some players of a similar standard. I know it's not perfect but it's workable and basically costs nothing.

Something needs to give because this idea that all players should be ready for first team by 21 is utterly ludicrous and is costing the game a lot of talent.

I think the worry for me with Max is that he seems to have stagnated over the last year. Whether that’s because he hasn’t had the game time or not I don’t know.
Grix was good for us last year, but I don’t think Chester got the rotation between him and Max right and it felt that Max was been thrown into the deep end a little. Let’s be honest going from playing at Oxford to super league is a bit of a leap by any standard.

'minus the howlers he's class'

One mistake in a season that cost us a game, what about all the stuff that won us games.

Players who don't make mistakes aren't trying.

I don't think you can rotate F/B in the way you can with the forwards tbh. It's just a fact that bar a couple of games mid season Grix form has meant he's remained first choice. Bad luck for Max and TBH I don't suppose CC ever expected it to be so cut and dried.

He's made a couple of bad mistakes but his contribution to the team is massive

So yes other than that, yes he is a class fb

I note you are quick to jump at grix there but don't take me up on picking a better full back at trin the the last 15 years

Howlers suggest more than one, other than the well documented one against Saint's how many more can you remember?

I remember Billy Slater doing a 'howler' that cost them a game against New Zeland. Was it a final?

Is he not still class?

It happens. Anyone that has watched Wakefield this year can see the value Grix brings. Some choose not to think about it because it doesn't fit their agenda......but it is still so.

Thinking about it, what I like most about Grix is that he never goes missing. We've had some class players at Wakefield that on their day are all class....but it's not always their day.
With Grix he is the personification of Wakefield Trinity. He may not be perfect all the time but he tries to be. When its working hes always the last pass and the first to celebrate. If it's not working he tries harder. And if we are getting battered he gets battered.
I'm glad he's here for the next 2 years.

Great post.

Spot on.

Agreed I think you have to be pretty hard of thinking to come up with Grix being poor, as for better fullbacks, my fave in SL would have been Colum Halpenny but he wasn't as good as Grix for me.

For his short spell ! Steve prescott

No he wasn't, not in my opinion - he was good and showed a great deal of integrity but for me he wasn't as good as Grix has been.

We've actually been blessed with a number of excellent fullbacks at this club.

In my time we've seen Spencer,Paul, Holland, Leeds, Blaymire, Halpenny and a fair few more - not a position we have struggled in.

Op Scott Grix is an excellent fullback.The experience he has gained over the years is something young Max still has to learn. It's all about reading the opposing sides moves, directing the backline defence then turning defence Into attack then linking up to take the final pass, he does this well and is an invaluable asset to any team. Now any fullback who can do all this and do it well should be excused the odd mistake.

Oddly I was chatting to my brother about Prescott yesterday
Prescott was a really good fb but that was pedigree he earned at other clubs
He was 'ok' for us

Thanks to pearmam he wasn't getting paid so it's no surprise we didn't see him at his best

Very glad this has being brought up

Our defence has being the best I can ever remember it this season

I'm sure there are many contributing factors in this turn around but Grix is without doubt one of those factors

Do not think he is a player that will make us a top 4 team do not think he would get a contact extension at any other S L club . Far to inconsistent to be picked every week

We must watch different teams I guess.

Unbelievable

His playing style would suit Castleford no end and I think at present he'd walk into their team.

About to say the same.

For me there's been a group of players that have been consistantlly good for us this year, which is why we were in it right till the end. Does that mean the players didn't make mistakes, no, because there's no such RL player that exists. I'd put Grix along with Ashurst, Arona, Wood, Fifita, Tupou, BJB & Finn all in this group (you coud probably add to this), that played to a generally high standard all year.

Prekki was a great full back but in his autobiography he doesn't do Wakey any favours as regards not getting paid because of the benidorm flats saga.
Hopefully with M C in charge those days have gone

Can't really blame him for that can you .I'm still embarrassed at what our club did to players at that time. A bad time and a stain on our great club.

What is it with Wakefield politicians and RL?

That said Pearman was still a better man than Box.