have you ever played the game seriously????

I know I won't Dave...we've had this discussion many times before! Haha. However I would say that leading by example anything less than 100% of the time is not good captaincy either and on that score Lockers is definitely second to none. He's certainly not the 'shouting' type of captain but I think that's overrated anyway and something that [usome[/u fans rather than players want to see. It's also true that many great captains weren't/aren't shouters either. In terms of respect, influence on and off the field, professionalism, temperament, loyalty and the ubiquitous 'leading by example' Lockers is outstanding by anyone's standards!

Agreed. Thankfully the underrated part of that is quite righly starting to disappear. I think most people who were once critics have now seen the value that Lockers brings to the club and team. Even many opposition fans are now giving him the praise and respect he's due. It similarly took Ben Westwood quite a long time to get the respect he now universally gets. For some reason this seems to happen with certain players. In O'Loughlin's case I think it was the fact that he was Andy Farrells brother in law that was the root cause, something I always found a little bizarre if I'm being honest. Andy Farrell was a one off. Lockers is a different type of player and charactor but no less effective for it!

Absolute quality player for Wigan & on the international scene when he's been fit.

That being said I don't think he's head and shoulders above Sinfield like some people make out. Both are top quality players and it's a little sad that Wigan fans bang on about Lockers being underrated but slate Sinfield with their next breath.

I don't think Sinfield could put the defensive shift in that Lockers does but also at the same time i don't think Lockers could control a game like Sinfield did against us in the playoffs. His rugby brain & experience killed us that night and it was a master-class in playoff rugby. Find a weakness, exploit it and then convert every chance into some type of points.

Not sure where Sinfield comes into this tbh as I stated the most complete [uforward[/u in Superleague. Having said that I don't disagree with anything you've said about Sinfield. Danny Brough Killed Leeds (including Sinfield) yesterday apparently but again he has no relevance to the point being made...

Sinfield I think has earned the right now to be considered an out and out 6 and he's a very good one. As a loose forward his game doesn't stack up against Lockers but the same can be said whenever Lockers moves in to 6.

As for Lockers form at the minute it's fantastic and he's without doubt the most complete forward in superleague. I think he's seen the experienced lads leave and has taken it on his shoulders to offset that loss.

A brilliant player and by all accounts a brilliant person.

The player that encapsulated both aspects is of course Andy Farrell. A no nonsense 100 % "do what I do" yet vocal captain. The perfect captain IMO.

Andy Farrell could dish out and take the biff and no mistake !

So yes, a passionate ex Wigan player, who only spoiled his copy book by going for the money from the dark side.

If not for that, he would have gained legendary/great status for mine.

Lockers is an everpresent and that is his bonus. Never in this world a great player. But a Mr Consistent, which all teams need.

Would never have got into our side in the 1990's though I am afraid.

RL's standards are dropping here in Superleague.

I agree to an extent. Lockers is certainly not a better player than Hanley or Faz, and his closest equivalent would be Phil Clarke (who IMHO I consider him to be a very fair imitation of).
The one thing that has struck me so far this season, is the dearth of genuinely creative players on show in SL. Cas were very good, by utilising a big bruising centre/wing combo, and Giants have a very good midfield general.
Im not sure whether its the weather, pitches or teams 'pacing themselves' this season, but this year has been poor in creativity, with forwards and defences to the fore.

Anyway - Lockers has certainly blossomed in the last few seasons. He's a decent leader (not great), a great defensive player now that he his learnt to stop taking peoples heads off, and has a good offload. He is the most consistent player on the field, and you know that he will run his blood to water for you.

Club great - yes. SL great - yes. Legend - no.

I can't believe that anyone would say that Andy Farrell was anything but a Wigan Legend or one of our greatest ever players/.

A 13 year career with most of it being the clubs captain and best player.

However he decided to end his career it was a decision he'd earned the right to make.