Pat Richards is the Rugby League Writers' Association player of the year.

Clear indication which way the press will vote in the MOS. Will the players think differently when they vote?

I think he'd be a worthy winner, despite playing for Wigan.

Yup, I'd say Richards is a shoe in.

Spot on imo and a definate for M.O.S.

Only a few seasons back when Wigan were trying to ship Richards out during the winter, and I had a text saying Leeds were interested and holding talks!!

He'd already have a GF winning ring or 2 had he moved, but credit to him. He's developed into a top quality player, vital to Wigan's form this year.

I still think Westwood and then Graham are a more fitting Man of Steel. I have no problem with Richards getting player of year, and you can't fault his points total. But not every player gets the opportunity to score points, a goal kicker is handed it on a plate, and a winger is the best chance for try's.

Forwards for me, or a creative half back, are more fitting for the MOS title, and just IMO Westwood and Graham would be perfect examples of that title.

You have a point re-forwards no doubts at all but that isn't the criteria anymore is it?
Afterall Roby got his for scoring the 1st try at new wembley and despite at least 2 of his own team-mates having better seasons.
Then we have the farce fo Brett hodgson getting it!

Ok, discount his points, discount him being the leading try scorer.

But what about him doing more try assists than Westwood?
What about him making nearly double the mtres of Westwood?
What about him making well over 100 more carries than Westwood?
What about him making more attacking kicks than Westwood?
What about him making thirty times more runs from dummy half than Westwood?
What about him making more than 30 more tackle busts than Westwood?
What about him making nearly ten times as many clean breaks as Westwood?
What about him missing far fewer tackles than Westwood?
What about him conceding far fewer penalties than Westwood?

I could do the same analysis with Graham if you like but the point is Richards has done far more than simply score tries and kick goals, even though he's done both of those things more times than any other player in the comp. He's been much more than that.

I still think they should wait until after the GF to hand out these things. No way Hodgeson should have walked of with it after his playoff no-show.

No way should he have walked off with it regardless. A decent game in te CC semi was about all he did all year. He was awful against us both games.

I can't understand Smith's judgment in replacing Mathers with him.

Simples

I think he might be wondering that himself now, with Westwood actually turning into a decent goalkicker and Mathers getting his confidence back.

I think RhinoNeil has answered Gareths post pretty spot on.

I can't believe you posted that Gareth. What happend to Stats mean nothing? Not only that but you actually compared the stats of a forward moving between backrow and prop, to that of a winger moving between fullback.

I know which players I would prefer in my team, and Westwood and Graham would be well ahead of Richards on that score. And that is no put down to Richards, who as I said above probably should get player of year for his achievements above anything else.

Quick question, why Graham?

Because IMO he has carried that Saints team all season, and that's no disrespect to his team mates. The guy is a machine. Not only a machine but I would go as far to say that he is rapidly becoming, again IMO, the best all round prop forward I have ever seen in the game. And I have been watching 32 years now. His passing game is as good as half backs, he is just as fast as centres, and his power in the collission is up there with any other forward.

As a rugby league fan, but somebody who does not like Saints at all, he is still a joy to watch for me.