I was actually going to add that the fact we have a big pack sharing the workload helps as the other team are more tired. Have to agree about Manu and Tickle as well. Tickles front on defence is just brutal.

Tickle has always been a big lad but last night his frame just looked huge! Must of been seriously hitting the weights this season.
Will be a big loss if he leaves, back to his 2007 best IMO.

immense.not bad for an oldie

eh?? didnt realise that it had p*ssed it down the last 2 seasons!

the fact dowes is being spelled more helps him.

go more with that, than "firmer ground"!!! what we watching dowes or shergar???

It hasn't but your being selective in your recollection of his performances in that time. If you dont think firmer grounds benefit a prop that relies on late footwork before the collision your not paying enough attention in games.

ok son, you have your opinion, i have mine, and im at an age where my attention doesnt lapse, and if you think Dowes has been anything other than average these last couple of seasons, even taking into account "firmer ground" than it seems its you who hasnt been paying attention!

all our forwards are being spelled better,and are reaping the benefits at the moment.big sam would struggle to do 60/70 mins,but he looks fantastic due to him doing short spells,and dowes is now reaping his rewards,for shorter spells.

Did you really just call me "son"?

So you think he has performed better over the last 4-6 weeks because he is being spelled better? Despite the fact he isn't really doing less gametime now than he was at the start of the season?

I've been saying for the last 2 seasons that he hasn't been average. He struggles on the heavy ground because he doesn't have the size to go toe to toe with most props. Instead he relies on late footwork to unbalance the tackler so he can win the collision, the firmer grounds allow him to do that.

Since were being patronizing perhaps I could suggest that the game has moved on a bit and you've been left behind grandad?

I disagree. I think Dowes is pretty much doing the same amount of minutes now that he was doing at the start of the season. The fact the whole pack is firing is helping and the fact we now have 2 genuine impact props playing is also helping.

did i say this season???? NO, i said the last 2 seasons (previous to the current 1), this season hes been ok, a C+ as opposed to the D- he has been, i suggest you have selective memory, but i aint getting into this with you, as iv stated previously i think hes a plodder who has upped the ante (ala King when a new contract was beckoning) but if he carrys on with this attitude, then he'll have no complaints from me, and for your information, i wasnt meant to be patronizing, thats just how you interpereted it, and yes grandchildren are a blessing, and an honour, so if the grandad bit was your attempt at being patronizing, it didnt work, like i said before, its all about opinions, we all see the game differently, thats the beauty of being a fan of sport!!

Calling someone son isn't patronizing?

Like I said he hasn't been crap for the last 2 seasons. He has had poor spells like plenty of the players in the last 2 years but he has also played well in that time, most notably when the conditions suit his style of play.

as i said in the previous post, it wasnt meant to be patronizing, where as you tried to be insulting, or did i get that wrong as well?

Nope I was definately insulting your lack of attention in relation to Dowes performances over the last 2 seasons.

anyways.........Fitzy, some player eh??

hahahaha your not wrong, he just never stops, awesome, wasnt jumping for joy when his signing was announced (due to his age, have watched him in the Nrl, and hes always been a special player, but thought he was coming for a last big pay cheque) but has this guy proved me wrong, hes brought it all with him, hes not here for easy pay, this guy is surely a MOS contender?

So Dowes has been average for 18 months because the ground has been too soft? Ive heard it all now.

fitz,o'meley and manu have a good chance of the dream team,maybe even briscoe??

Dowes hasn't been average for 18 months. HTH.

too many negatives on this board.

And you've just worked that out

Which player has not been average for 18 months



Dowes is hitting his straps as is Radders imo, I think the firm grounds definitely contribute to this as do how they are used and they are starting to be used correctly...plus let us not forget the positive impact Fitz & O'Meley will be having on all the forwards