I expect you'll know my feelings on the statistics provided. Suffice to say, they don't mean anything regarding Blaymire's ability compared to Tony's. I don't think Blaymire's a bad player, but he's another of the British crop of solid, safe, but ultimately lacking in attack, fullbacks.



It's responsible for a huge amount (not every yard, as, obviously, we do make yards when he hasn't returned it; when I said 'purely' I meant that we wouldn't have made 60+m on the set without that first play rather than saying that play was worth 60+m). It's responsible for yards that we wouldn't otherwise gain. Yards that are important in a team not making masses of ground.

And it is important, but I haven't seen anyone claim it's unique. Webb and Greenshields both provided the same in SL and there are a huge number of fullbacks in the NRL who do as well.

And on the last sentence, Webb and Greenshields aside, there aren't any fullbacks over here I'd take ahead of him for the same role. Duggan maybe, but he's lacking in size. Hodgson's good, but plays a very different role, and the rest are either solid and safe or . I don't want either of those types.



There's not a lot I can do about that really. I'll post what I feel is the right thing to say. If it sounds arrogant, so be it.



I agree. He does far too much work and, frankly, I'm surprised his body can take it every week. Unfortunately, though, it is often necessary due to the failings of others, and that's what frequently makes him stand-out as our best player.

One thing I'd say to clear up what I think you might be implying (both in this post and previously) is that I don't think Tony's a top class fullback. I don't think he's world class (as I've posted on here before: I remember saying last season that Berrigan, Carvell and Raynor were our only world class players). He probably wouldn't get a starting spot at fullback in the NRL now. He's very good, but there are problems in his game, things I've been through before and things that were evident tonight. For some reason though, any praise seems to result in the praiser almost being accused of putting him on a pedestal above all others when I don't think that's ever been the case.



I agree to an extent. Holding him aloft as a shining light is a little strong, but I don't see why pointing out what he does, why it's important to the team and why it frequently makes him our best player should be seen as a negative. Yes, a lot of his work is done because of the failings of others, but does that mean he should go without praise for doing that work? It's not his fault that others are so limited and surely commendation for putting in everything every week to attempt to drag others through would be more appropriate? I agree with your basic point, but I disagree with it being seen as a reason to play down his efforts.

Was awful at fullback again tonight. He's a great utility player but his moronic supporters justifying his position at fullback are hurting our club!

why??? do the moronic fans tell agar to play him @ fb every week???

For the good of the team Agar has to do something to address this situation. There's never any doubt over Motu's mettle and enthusiasm but to play him at full back effectively means Agar is giving the opposing side a minimum 4 point start each week. With the way we have trouble scoring, we simply cannot afford to do that. Play him from the bench as back line cover by all means but not starting.

a bit of a long shot but didnt thorman have a stint at the fb position @ hudds...could be worth ago.......but then again.....i`d go with hall when he`s back from widnes.

They are both terrible fullbacks.

go with hall when he`s back from widnes

are you sure? the reason craig hall's confidence was shot was being put in the position of playing at full back.he isn't a fb and i would never play him there again.i can understand your thinking,but we need to bring him back at centre

I would rather have a safe pair of hands and great tackler at FB as my first two preferences over go forward from fullback. I think it that personalities and injury had more influence over Tony keeping Briscoe out than actually skill or form. We looked a better team when you expect your first choice FB to catch a high ball rather than holiding your breath waiting for the bounce or knock on !

carl_spackler wrote: An interesting point: Blaymire was touted on here the other day and deemed not good enough by quite a few. Check his stats and he makes damn similar yardage and clean breaks. But he's also non-overseas, less injury-prone over the last few years, and I strongly suspect a fair amount cheaper.


i'd have blaymire.i thought he was a decent prospect when he was at york a few seasons back,and from the pieces i have seen of him this season,he has a safe pair of hands,and is prepared to run himself into the ground to help his team mates.

Thorman at FB makes wellens look like usain bolt

if horne went to fb who would cover his position??

Berrigan or Whiting.

He needs to be taken out of the F/B posistion end of.....where has his "fabled" runs out of defence gone,his postisional play is shocking and he is now too slow.

For the opposition by letting the bloody thing bounce.

Guess you all missed his slow return that got him caught in goal

Probably, be we somebody who can catch at the moment. In fact, we need a full back.

Motu is a fantasic go forward player. Don't think anybody could argue with that, nor can you question his commitment to the side, but he just don't have the confidence in the full back position.

Thorman isn't it, though. He was gash there for Huddersfield - far worse than Tony is on a bad day.

Horne Fullback. Whiting to 6 - always was the natural Cooke replacement. Fook it, put tony at 7 for a while!

Any thoughts about loaning a full back from the Co-Op Championship?

might be worth taking a chance for a month,to see how they go? are there any decent young prospects out there?saying that,we would probably waste them!!!

Not sure about young lads but there are a few very solid full backs kicking around in that league.

Its funny too isnt it that the 2 bombs this season he is blamed for missing superman probably wouldnt have got near. IMO the bomb last night was more the wingers but was an excellently placed kick and the one the other week was miles away from anyone with a lucky bounce. Still, the Motu knockers will always exist and look for things to blame him for.

any names/clubs??

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 can't wait until the Quad Nations so people can see that, in the grand scheme of things, Briscoe is b0110cks. Who cares if he can catch a high ball, he isn't close to Tony in any other aspect of the game.