Quote: Last Son of Wigan "I think Morgan is game, plays with real aggression and determination in defence, and carries the ball running very direct. Which for me are the same characteristics as HH.
Harrison was never a prolific line breaker (like a Faz/Bateman) or showcased great passing and link play like Lockers, but wasn't dubbed the 'hitman' for nothing, he, like Morgan, would tackle all game long.
Another player in the same vein was Dallas Johnson, another direct running tackling machine. Another would be Ashley Harrison, for anyone who's been watching Origin over the years they'll be familiar with how good and how vital Ashley was to the all dominate QLD team, the definition of a 'unsung hero'.
I feel Morgan could be a real star long term in the game. But his attributes and skillset (so far) are not the same as the likes of Bateman, Faz or indeed Lockers, so for me, it's hard to compare.
Either which way, I'm glad he's with us. Another promising talent of ours.'"
I'd made the point before that I thought the Lockers comparison was wide of the mark and, in some ways, unfair on Smithies. He has all the tools to be a great player in his own right and I think saddling him with the expectation of being the next O'Loughlin when hls own game has few similarities could actually hinder him or, at the very least, skew fan's expectations of him. In all honesty the same thing skewed many fans expectations of Lockers early on, largely because he wasn't a 'shouter' who 'gives out b0llockings behind the posts' as Farrell had done before him. In fact, there are still (admittedly few) who have never got beyond that view.
I referenced Bateman as a closer match, mainly because of his aggression, tenacity, workrate and very obvious will to win. However, I reckon your Hanson comparison is an even better fit and, as others have said, if he can go on to emulate H or maybe even eclipse him as he has the potential to do, he won't go far wrong!
