Quote ="carl_spackler"But that's what I find curious, how is Tony better in attack than Blaymire? A quicker PTB, yes, but similar yardage, clean breaks, tries, tackle busts, and even assists this year. Now I'm not saying stats are cast iron, but they do seem to support the opinion I've formed from watching both players, they are of a similar standard. Nor would I say Blaymire was of the solid and safe bunch, he actually was a few errors in his game.
The only real difference to it IMO, is that Blaymire plays in a team where everyone does their job, including forwards making yards and multiple players working in attack, hence he doesn't stand out as one of the few doing it. '"
Firstly, the quicker PTB is massive. Something that shouldn't be played down as a minor advantage. Secondly, handling. Tony is a long, long way ahead in this aspect and it's a huge part of being a fullback.
Quote ="carl_spackler"Well that's clearer, and you have a point. But the last sentence brings it back to my point that it comes back to the rest of the team not making enough yards. As I've said, it is the wrong solution. What we should be doing is concentrating on getting everyone else pulling their weight and addressing our lack of impact. '"
We should but, regardless, it's still good play from Tony, worthy of praise and something that elevates him above most in this league. Webb and Greenshields both do the same job. Are you saying that their respective teams don't make enough yards? Because they do (Leeds do, anyway), but tacking on extra doesn't hurt. It's just that they're currently yards that are more important to us due to the failings of others. That doesn't mean they wouldn't be of use in a better team or that he wouldn't have to do that job in a better team.
Quote ="carl_spackler"There aren't too many in SL I'd want, I agree. The difference is that I include Tony amongst that. This is why I've been saying for months that I'd prioritise fullback for our overseas recruitment. '"
Not really much to say to that apart from I disagree. Apart from the very top fullbacks (Hunt, Slater, etc.) there aren't many who would improve the team that much. There are a fair number of top fullbacks in the NRL, but getting them to come over would not be easy.
Quote ="carl_spackler"Or you could treat other people's opinions as precisely that, differing opinions, instead of viewing at as other people having a problem because they don't happen to agree with you. There's no definitive right or wrong on either side of the debate. '"
I disagree. And something else that seems to be propagated on here is that all opinions are of equal value. Again, this is not true, and I'm not sure why I should pander to opinions that I don't feel carry any weight.
Quote ="carl_spackler"It comes back to my opening post: too few are willing to mention both his strengths and weaknesses. On the one side you have people saying everything he does is poor (which is just not the case), then those defending him bang on about how amazing his kick returns and PTB are without acknowledging his weaknesses.'"
I have mentioned his failings on a number of occasions. He does get caught out of position and sometimes lacks confidence to go for a ball that he isn't certain he'll catch. And he does often wait too long for kicks on the ground to stop bouncing. They aren't massive problems, only in evidence infrequently, and he usually makes up for them with the quality of his work once he does have the ball, but they are problems and ones that stop him from being a world class fullback.
Quote ="carl_spackler"As for him not getting into an NRL side (or likely a top 4 SL side), that's the entire problem as far as I'm concerned. If we want to be a top 4 side again, we need players at 1, 6, 7, 9, and 13 who would push to get into most top sides in club rugby, supported by a further smattering of quality across the team. Having decent players in those roles who shine amongst dross performances is a sure way of maintaining our also-ran status. '"
Only Leeds (and Huddersfield, actually, now they've gone above Quins) of the top four have a fullback who would be an NRL regular. Apart from those in the NRL, there aren't many about who would get a regular starting spot there. We have to prioritise our recruitment and fullback is an area that we're not struggling with whilst Tony's fit. Having said that, he is clearly not 100% and is struggling with his agility. Turning quickly is something he doesn't look comfortable doing, although he's improving. Before giving him a new contract, his knee needs to be assessed thoroughly and given the all-clear.
Quote ="carl_spackler"I don't think it's a negative, I'm simply ambivalent about it. It's nice that he can offer it, but it shouldn't be what we base his requirement to the team on. It's certainly reasonable to give him praise for it, but I think the extent to which it is done goes over the top. Contrastingly, therefore, I don't see it as his efforts should be played down, more that they should be put into context instead of going overboard.'"
I agree in general, although from what I've seen, it isn't OTT praise. Most is fairly constructive and reasoned which often can't be said for the criticism on the other side of the divide.
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