That is one thing that really boils my pee about him - about 5 years ago his kick returns were pretty great and certainly fully commited - he got up full speed and just went staight into the line... not sure he ever broke through but you can't have everything - nowadays its exactly as you described and completely cringeworthy!

He does have to ability to rush in when in an overlap situation and tackle the centre before he can pass the ball - so far I think he is good there...

It might have been over the top praise but we won the 2007 WCC through an amazing Gardner leap, catch and score which led Daniel Anderson to suggest he was the best in the comp but his career progression has been in reverse of late, not just this one game Saints to a man (except about 3) played poorly on Saturday but when was the last time in SL that Gardner

a: broke/bust a tackle on a kick return
b: actually "won the collison" taking the ball in
c: made a clean break
d: rounded a man with just his speed

To me I can't remember any of the above for a long time, they were never regular events but he was able to do them once - I've no idea why but his confidence appears to have completely drained away - and he looks nervous and hesitant which is making a decent player look appalling.

Because he's not very good and Gidley struggling for fitness, together with us not being as dominant as we were, has emphasised his glaring limitations.

If you watch the fool before the game, he doesn't go thru the same warm up.
All the squad, run lines, tackle, etc

Ade stands on his own & they kick to him for 20 mins
watch him on Fri night & see!

2011 = new number 2 please

When Ade is on form he can be very good. His defending is usually superb and the number of tries he saves by timing a run out of the line to perfection should not be underestimated. He can also be a very good finisher and holds his wing well, working well with Gidley when the old man still had the motivation to actually do something.

But his defensive jitters are bizarre at times and when he's bad, he's really bad.

Took his tries well today. Very well.

Jeez, what happened this week in training?

He probably decided to ignore Potter and the coaching staff and do what he wanted tonight.

Played very well in attack, finishing off his chances well. And was reliable in defence, even putting in an impressive big hit on a KR player (who's identity i can't remember) in the second half.

Very much improved on last week.

Forget very much improved, he was nigh on perfect. He didn't make any errors, his defense was watertight, saving two tries with perfectly judged and timed shots out of the line to wrap up the ball carrier.

His finishing tonight was superb, those tries were difficult chances, the likes of Lomax, Foster and co would have been bundled into touch each time.

At least he's proved this sort of opinion wrong. Ade's never been the fastest and his ability to field kicks comes and goes, but if you need some one to squeeze over in the corner under heavy traffic, he's your man.

he had a very good game, but i still dont think he'd have scored the one in the corner Roby got

I think he would, yesterday. He had clearly reacted to his shambolic performance last week. I don't think anyone was going to stop him yesterday. He was a joy to watch, a performance made all the better by his good looks and rather splendid physique.

I think he looks very splendid indeed just now. But it isn't just his face, you understand ...