Quote: Barbed Wire "I understand this notion of Ratchford as a loose forward, but it would sanitise an already unconvincing pack in order to make space for a fast player and expect him to create out of nowhere.
Ratchford is the best fullback in the squad, Inglis aside as we are yet to see what he can deliver. Organisationally he out ranks Ashton, he is VASTLY more creative in the third pivot role and has enough of a running threat to create and exploit gaps himself.
Ashton, at this stage, is raw speed. And that is good. But raw speed running at a flat, unbroken defensive line gets tackled pretty easily. We can’t squeeze out a pack member for another pivot and expect to make ground, break tackles and win quick play the balls. Cooper and Hill are under enough pressure for that as it is.
If Ashton is a fullback, and only a fullback, he better wait in line. But he is at best second choice. If I was him, I’d be banging on the coaches door forcing his hand to pick me on that wing and getting the chance to prove what I can do for 80 minutes.'"
It all comes down to what you think the job of a fullback is? Is it to be strong defensively? Be good positionally? Good under the high ball?
Or is to become a third halfback? To arrive in the line at pace at that precise moment in time to play that final killer pass that players such as James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell are maestros at. It’s such an advantage in the modern game having this weapon.
I think you’re slightly overrating Ratchford especially as the third pivot. He’s decent in that department but he’s certainly no Brett Hodgson.
I think in Ashton, whilst yes he is nowhere near the finished article and will make mistakes defensively, I think his potential and his ability as an attacking weapon is tremendous. His try last year against Castleford where Currie set him up was superb. His ability to return the ball at pace and break the line outweighs Ratchford as does his ability to support players when we make a break ala Ryan Papenhuyzen at Storm. I rate Ratchford but I think Ashton gives us so much more in an attacking sense.