Very true. Well said

One of the declining elements of RL has been the overall pace of back lines. Ours is adequate in that regard.

You forgot Regan Grace, who is pretty quick. And Naiqama seems more dynamic than Hurrell. Percival is no slouch either. That's a much faster backline than ours. They've moved on from the days of statue Wellens at FB.

My beef with the lack of pace in the team is that in many games last season we were conceded a long-range try and none of the team were in sight to stop the break. Likewise on attack, it is easier for teams to telegraph deep passing moves when we only have one fast player who has the capability to go the length.

Remember when we had a backline of Hardaker, Watkins, Hall, Briscoe/BJB and Moon? Not to mention Burrow, who had explosive pace over short range. The current squad has nothing like the running strike of those days, although I don't want to be too negative - we seem to be going in the right direction with recruitment (slowly!).

He literally mentioned him in the first line?

I mentioned Grace in the first line, the point was if you took him out that was what was left.

Maybe hurrell isn’t as quick as naiqama but Newman is maybe quicker than Percival, Walker maybe quicker than coote. The issue is the second winger and some pace in the halves. Eastmond could fix one of those issues but longer term you trade up briscoe for a winger with more pace.

Pace is great, but the game had changed. Raw paced players tend to be more slender, and wingers are expected to be strong as an ox now ( we can probably thank our own Ryan Hall for that).
Players like Kevin Penny tend to be forced out of the game. Which imho is a great shame....

Given the choice I’d take a player who can break the line like Newman

We definitely lack outright strike in the backs especially when Walker not playing. Not saying Walker is electric with pace but he adds a bit of x factor imo and is quick enough. When we were at our best with Mags, Burrow and Hall in their pomp we could score from anywhere, we can’t do that now.

If Eastmond has his pace still that could change but I doubt he’s as quick as he was. Something I’m sure we’ll address over the next season or so

Defences have changed since the days of Offiah or Fordy, they wouldn’t get the space today. Flying pace is now a nice to have rather than an absolute must, as long as you have a number of players who are pretty quick and you promote the ball and back up.

Yeah agree. Also raw pace + the skills and strength to play the modern game is pretty rare. People seem to think you can just go and buy players like this. Reality bit diferent....

Defence and systems have changed in the past 15 years no doubt about that as has the role of wingers however pace will always be a vital part of Rugby League and if you have none you have no chance.

Weve enough in the team to get by, last year showed that.

Be interesting to see how Newman comes back after that injury. Handley is quick enough, weve too mobile 2nd rowers and both hookers are mobile in the middle of the park.

A classy pacy half would really help this team but those boys are expensive.

The game may have changed but in the same way that in the centre of the field there is no substitute for genuine size combined with power out wide raw pace will always make the difference when all else is equal.
Nowadays it usually comes with power as well but in NRL Melbourne have been one of the dominant teams for the last 10 years built around good props Cam Smith and Cooper Cross and probably as a unit the fastest back 3 in the competition. Slater Addo Carr and Vunivalu could destroy you from anywhere on the pitch.

We do have players who can break the line. If we can learn to play better as a team we should be a) creating space and b) supporting the ball carrier. I’d rather see us use skill to score rather than “give it to the fast kid”...

Agree with other posters though, some pace at half would help. East mind will be slower than he was without a doubt - but he is very skilful and supports well.

Tindall I believe is the fastest player at the club, and he’s a chance of replacing Briscoe over the next year or two. Handley and Tindall would be a decent wing pair IMO.

If Walker can’t get and stay fit we will need another FB. One or two in the academy or possibly Broadbent goes there.

Usually players with pace are lightweight, look great going forward but can be a liability in D.

I believe Matty Ashton is out of contract at the end of the year, now he has genuine pace.

Pacey players are all well and good but in the main injuries take their toll pretty quickly. If we're signing wingers on long deals I'd like to see a few more strings than mere speed.