Lockers was attacked as a player and captain on this board. I remember people agreeing with Saints and Wire fans who said he wasn't international class (just before he played very well indeed against NZ) and some who said he wasn't even SL standard, which was laughable. You know who you are (BK this is not aimed at you, though I disagreed with you then and still do, mind you it did confuse the Wigan-hating idiots who thought that we were the same person because we held the same views on the SC!).



Then when his status as a top player was unarguable people clung on to arguing that he was a rubbish captain. Mainly because he didn't shout at people the way Faz did. And there's the problem, Faz was an amazing player and held together a crumbling side through his strength of will and his physical presence and skills in a way that no other British player I've seen could have done. When Lockers took over as captain there were few leaders in the team and to expect a young captain to dominate the field in the way that Faz did was ridiculous and totally unfair to Lockers. That he took the job on and stuck at it is a testament to the guy. He was our best option then and he has matured into an outstanding player and captain, with a different style of leadership from Faz, but one which is still very effective. He will never be his brother in law. He will, though, be a Wigan legend.

Mcllorum is only behind O'Loughlin and Sam in terms of importance to our team IMO, although in recent weeks it could be argued Smith is now up there.

If he can improve his distribution he would be pushing to be the best 9 in SL..cut out the forward passes from the ruck..

I can't remember any of that, apart from the bit about he played very well against NZ. It was at the DW and he put in a great performance.



What was unfair was giving him the job so young. It's a testament to him it didn't actually ruin his career.



I don't think he was the best option simply because of his age and I think at the time it was a bit of PR exercise giving it to such a young player. Wasn't it Millward who gave him the job? I felt it affected him as a layer to a degree though never enough for anyone to say he was a poor player and that performance v NZ and also when he wasn't captain under the leadership team idea seemed to free up his game IMO.

I always felt the introduction of the leadership team under Madge where we had in effect five on-field captains (not all at once!) and Lockers as club captain was a diplomatic way to get to a better captaincy situation but now Lockers is a senior player with years of experience it's probably not required in the same way. He's matured as player and captain. Not surprising really that as one of our most experienced players he can be captain and be a top player at the same time. Just like his brother in law in fact.

Lockers is one of select band of players who when they play internationals they look even better than for their club. If you want an example of player who looks great in SL and poor in Internationals, Sinfield is your man. Hock is another who looks better and I reckon MM, who this thread is supposed to be about, would hack it against the Aussies equally well.

In the late 80s early 90s when we got very close to the Aussies the GB team contained players like Daryl Powell, Carl Gibson, Roy Powell and Hugh Waddell who were not stars in the club game but were team players who would sweat blood at the higher level. There is more to picking an international team than playing fantasy football and selecting the star names, something Mal Reilly knew.

I dont think other fans on the whole think he's over rated, I think he's tinged by the disciplinary issues that he's had. I think he's a great player, however I just cant stand some of the niggly stuff. I appreciate it isn't tiddlywinks, but leading with the elbow against a player who's long released the ball is bad form. Having said that, i'll be hoping those elbows are all over the place against the aussies. Suppose it's one of those where if you take away some of the mongrel, you take away a lot of the player.

He was colossal on Thursday, especially defensively. I knew Micky Mac was going to be a cracking player after the Grand Final. Was superb from start to finish in that.

He's only slightly less important than Lockers and Sam are to us. He should be rotating with Roby for the World Cup, his aggression is just what England need.

He came if age in the 2010 Grand Final and hasn't looked back since.

Don't want to derail the thread, so I'll just say I disagree, except with the last para.

He's an average player with a Bailey like streak in him. Always niggling away, throwing punches. The only difference is he doesn't back down from a fight like Bailey does. He's an overly aggressive twonk imo.

The Wolfs clearly fear MM.

I was banned from stains board for calling someone a twonk.... just saying..