That's a real shame to see IMO. There's a big enough lack of ball playing backrowers as it is. I know Paul Gallen's the current poster child for this "new breed" of 13, but I'm not a fan of it. Give me a ball playing quick footed loose forward over a battering ram any day. The games to one dimensional for some as it is.

It's not just over there though. look at Harrison at Wire & Langley at Bradford.

thats what Tommy does....leads the team roung the field, but MM brings something different, (not better....diferent).

its not like we dont have any other leaders?

too many chiefs????



as long as he gives good service to the first reciever, albeit Deacs, or Brett, we are fine.......and dont forget we have Sam popping up at dummy half when he spots something on.



anyone else notice Sam shoving 2 would be dummy halves out of the way when he ran up to take the ball and scoot over from 70 yds??



another question........"would Sam be good at switching to 9 for short spells?"

I think it's due to the game not producing the likes of Farrel, Sculthorpe and Lockers anymore. It's far more beneficial to have someone with those range of skills playing 13 than it is to have the likes of Harrison or Langley. What's puzzling is that even in Australia with their huge pool of talent, they to don't produce the quality 13's that they used to.



The days of quality players possessing the ability to switch between 6 and 13 look to be over. Even though many on here hate to see Lockers play 6, every time he has done under Madge he's been superb. It was when playing stand off in Noble's Wigan that Lockers struggled.

Why have Sam do it when Logan could?

Because Logan isnt that good. I dont think Sam should do it either, let him continue to do what he is doing, going to dummy half when he knows the defence is on the back foot and there are gaps. This is far more effective than being at dummy half for set spells.

Look at the name 'loose forward' it's not fixed into a set position it is position which is versatile to suit the needs of the team. Even the positional play of a 13 can be adapted and changed to benefit the team.



Hanley was a 'ball playing 13' excellent idea, allows the team to play with the 6 as a second receiver off the 7, with the 13 standing at the other side of the play the ball allowing split halves.



Dallas Johnson is a tackle machine 13, again excellent idea, takes a unique player who can practically do 80mins tacking everything that moves, pin-pointing where the opposition are attacking and helping out anywhere on the pitch, excellent if your team needs than extra help in defense. Again requires a smart player who can read the game defensively and fix the issue.



Paul Gallen is outstanding, like many teams Cronulla like to operate with 3 props on at one time, the strike on the other team therefore is more damaging and stronger down the centre. Gallen is that impressive he can do this for 60-80 mins, he has got hands and tackles up very well. A player with such a combo of attributes is very VERY valuable to their team.



Ideally you would like to find that player who can cover most of said areas, personally I think we have in Lockers, a player I highly rate.



Can he be a ball playing 13? Yes. Played in the halves, carried us around the park against Hudds earlier this season-was excellent.

Can he tackle like Dallas Johnson? Yes. Outstanding defensively, our teams top tackler? perhaps. And always plays big mins.

Does he take the ball in like a prop? No, HOWEVER always puts in the hard yards and takes the ball in as good as the best.



Looking at changing positions personally I think James Graham would makes an excellent 13. Good hands excellent work rate and takes the ball up time and time again, closest thing we have to Gallen, similar to how on occasion Sam Burgess has played 13 for the rabbits.



Back to McM, I believe he could be a defensive 13, good work rate and can tackle up, a hooker, he is not.

Agreed on everything until the last 5 words.

Excellent post.

What, average loose forwards?

Absolutely

the problem with the obsession with loose forwards is that most of us have been spoiled by watching Ellery and Faz grace the 13 shirt for years.



the only thing close i can think of is Scully.



Lockers isnt any of those 3, but hes a close 4th