Quote: The pieman "now we've all had a few weeks to look at the players what is everyones view on the recruitment / replacements from our squad last year
IMO the biggest shoes to fill were those of George Carmont, and i think Thornley is doing that really well, and improving week on week, still some way to go to fill the shoes, but a very good long term replacement, and striking up a good partnership with Pat'"
Considering Hughes was (prematurely IMO) given the no 4 jersey the fact Thornley looks to have claimed it is certainly a big plus point. To "find" a real centre when we had another Joel T like compromise on the cards is great. That is no reflection on Hughes either who I think has a big future in the pack.
Quote: The pieman "Finch - Green, been pretty impressed what i've seen up to now, as didnt really have an opinion on him before this season. Runs at the line more than Finchy did, and got a decent kicking game as well
Luluai - Smith, again Matty as with Blake Green, runs at the line more than Tommy did, and his kicking game is on a different planet. Obviously TL was the best defensive half back i have ever seen, so a long way to go there'"
I think they are both doing well but are both defensively suspect especially Smith. Their kicking games are better easily and Green can do some very deft passing but if someone asked would I swap them back, then yes I would. As to Smith running at the line more then Tommy did - what planet are you on ? That was the major part of his attacking game and added to his strength its what made him the player he was for us.
Quote: The pieman "Lima - Taylor, really coming into his own in the last 2-3 weeks, makes some really good metres once he gets going, and i think as with Thornley a really good long term replacement
'"
I think all the front row forwards who have been playing in the absence of the more senior players who have left or who are injured have done themselves a lot of credit. Burke and Tuscon have also done well in the back row. However it is a long season and today against a weak Saints side with no half backs I think we saw the pressure of a big game get to a few people. Not in a major way but we kind of lost the plot at times with Smith going for glory instead of passing, Hughes dropping a sitter and generally looking a bit ragged in the 2nd half. I think a lot of that was down to lack of experience.
I think we have two cracking prospects in the pack in Crosby and Taylor but there is no substitute for experience which they are certainly getting but it will still be good to welcome back Hansen, Prescott and Mossop (who as young as he still is does represent one of our more experienced players).
Quote: The pieman "all in all, even though on paper we are weaker than last season, really happy with how the new look team is looking especially considering how many of 1st choice pack we have been missing'"
Our backs are (and have been for a few games now) at full strength. No one is missing from who we have to chose from. The pack is where the injuries are and the reserve players have certainly stepped up to the plate. To be top of the league with the disruption we have had is a great place to be. Whether we have the experience or quality to win the really big games against the likes of Leeds when it matters is yet to be seen but whatever the outcome of those kinds of games this is already proving to be a very enjoyable season and well worth the season ticket money. There was a lot of genuine delight around me today when Crosby got his try and MoM award and that kind of thing is part of why its been so enjoyable so far.
