I beleive that Lockers was the best centre in GB at one point, but I started watching around '93 when his form had become sketchy to say the least. He had a bit of a revival before he left, but nothing to ever rival what newlove had.

From what I remember, we got Newlove, Bradford got Loughlin, Nickle and Dwyer plus £250k. And we got the best end of the deal, which just about sums up the difference between Newlove and Loughlin.

I would never bag Lockers as he was one of our best players in a barren time and a great centre, but Newlove was a different class.

I was not trying to bag Lockers. Just trying to explain to Saints fan that to get top quality sometimes you have to lets very good local talent go. I know Lockers for Newlove is not the same as dixon going for Manu, but it was the best example I could think of at the time.

It was a bit of an insult to Lockers, I used to think he was great, I started watching I think as he was off with that arm injury. But an inspiration for lots of us local lads from that area, from the St' Tersea's school of Rugby with no field. Same school as Wellens I think???

You've said it yourself, it's not a fair comparison.



I don't think there's any need for that kind of patronising sexism bro.

I'm not entirely sure what you think was sexist about it bar the use of the words "she" and "her"... And as you well know I am simply incapable of patronising anyone...

Bradford got an ageing Loughlin, an ageing dwyer and Sonny nickel who didn't want to go but knew he was coming back in 2 years. Newlove was entering his prime.

It's like comparing Wellens today to Tomkins and ignoring the player Wellens has been.

Loughlin in his prime was as good a 'CENTRE' as Newlove in his prime. Lockers kicked goals and Newy had a devastating sidestep and awareness.

They both played in the same position but offered different things to the team. Ask Ledger and Quirk how good a centre Loughlin was.

Hang on a second here, Loughlin may have been a good wingers centre but I'm pretty sure that Newlove sent Sullivan in for many a try whilst here. The difference between him and Loughlin (besides goal kicking) was that often Newlove was good enough to score tries on his own. This is no slight on Loughlin (who did more in a GB shirt that Newlove did really) but Newlove helped us to win the league in 1996 with his try return. The only time I've seen Loughlin play as well as Newlove was during that purple patch he had from the JPS Final v Leeds through to that '88 tour and into the early year's of McClennan's reign, however even then he wasn't as consistently good as Newlove was e.g. Newlove wasted less ball that Loughlin.

Was it 4 for Sullivan on Newy's debut against Workington?
What a day. I remember Joynty with his arm round Newy, presenting him to the popular side as Sully was racing away for one of them.

Newlove was a brilliant player. He pretty much won that league for us in 96. I don't think Sullivan saw as much of the ball as some might think though as Newlove was good enough to go all the way himself and often opted to do so.

Loughlin was excellent too, however ball in hand he was not in the same league as Newlove IMO. Loughlin was an excellent kicker though so they both contributed greatly in their time.

Gleeson was pretty good too, however none of these players were as good as Lyon. What an incredible player.

Anyway, Meninga's coming back soon, just you watch!

Maybe I'm just an old fogey wearing rose tinted specs when looking at the past then.

Well I did not mean to derail this thread so I'm moving it.

I used to try and be lockers when I was kid.

I bet every winger in the game would love to play outside him.

Loughlin was pure class,in a time when the game was part time as well.In his prime he was as good as Newlove,not as fast i will grant you,but was an exellent wingers centre more in the Gidley mold then the Newlove one.

Newlove offered more of a running threat,he could get outside his man and the had pace to get clear.

I think what makes Newlove look superior is the team he came into and the full time enviroment,thats not to say he wasnt world class,just he had more of an advantage over Lockers.