Other than Aiton were they missing anyone else? If not they must be fairly concerned. Although Taylor is a nightmare near the line, he looked like he could be exposed in defence carrying that about of timber.

But Watkins has great feet and at his best with ball in hand in space. He breaks plenty of tackles too, not bad defense and passes better than ZH. ie; great CV for a FB. Oppositions seem to have worked out that Hardaker rarely passes so now close him down much better.

Fullbacks this week- (that ive seen enough of)
Runners- Dugan, Ferguson, Hopoate, Gordan, Tedesco
Passers: Darius Boyd, Coote
No defence- Barba

All Rounders- GI, RTS, Slater, Stewart (so only 2 who arnt over 30)

Hardakers equivalent would be more like Dugan the current NSW fullback, the difference is that they play to his strengths and work a load of inside passes and stuff that exploits his pace and power, thing we dont do enough

I've often thought Hardakers game was similar to Dugan. Similar skills and body types, and both have put off field issues behind them.

Dugan can be very creative. Tedesco is a very good passer of the ball, he's a key player in the Tigers plays. Barba's not a first choice full back. Neither you or I have seen enough of Ferguson or Hopate at fullback to make any sort of call on them.

I'll say again, every regular starting full back in the NRL who lasts for more than a season can pass the ball better than Hardaker. If they don't they get put on the wing (or possibly their better side in the centres).

Dugan and Tedesco operate mainly in the middle, only linking in the way a loose forward would and working a lot of inside ball runs, whilst Hardaker seems to be being pushed to an edge (he certainly was for England) therefore we're not playing to his stregnths
Hopoate played fullback for most of a year and played a similar role to Dugan
Barba is a first choice fullback isnt he? who was missing for the sharks this week?
You failed query Coote, Gordan and Boyd who all have limited games

Hardaker may not be one of the best attacking fullbacks if he played down under but hed easily be top 10