Got to say, i was never a big fan of westerman's when he was at hull, very much seemed like he was in his comfort zone and never stood out apart from the odd pass once or twice a season, when he signed for Warrington i was miffed that we paid big money for him but in that first season you could see the quality that he did actually possess and there was a lot of ppl who thought if he knuckled down he could be in position to take lockers international spot when he retired (whenever that is in the next 20 years) as they really are the only 2 proper loose forward types in the league now with the combination of build and passing skills.

Obviously he only last 2 season with us then we recouped our outlay with him going toronto, i'd heard that the coaching/conditioning staff really weren't bothered by him leaving as he did live up to his nick name of 'Just enough joe'.

I can well imagine that to be honest. Lots of talent and ability but without the right attitude and desire there's no real point. Not a game you can half-.

I see some good signs from Partington in regards to him having the ability to play as a loose forward. He’s as tough as they come, has a good engine, he’s aggressive, mobile and his passing game looks pretty useful. He wouldn’t be a creative loose forward like Lockers but I think he’d be well capable of really making an impact on that position.

Long term I think we’ll see Smithies in the role but it’s a big ask to do it week in week out just yet.

Where do you see Smithies playing? He has made such a good start but I do not see any other spot than 13 being up for grabs for a couple of seasons. I suppose someone will be given the task of managing expectations.
Interesting about Sutty but reports from Aus suggest he will be in demand for a while yet.

Personally I'd like to see Smithies on the bench as an interchange back rower.
A SR of Faz and Greenwood, with Lockers as our 13.
Smithies on the bench coming on for the back row. Considering his age etc I think playing out wide would be better for him than the week in week out heavy duty action in the middle.

If we're looking at using a prop at 13 we have plenty of options... even Bryne or Clark.

I'd also like Wells to push on in 2020. I want him to fight for a first team spot with the same tenacity as a Smithies, I saw potential when he played.

Yep, don't forget he was a loose forward at Crusaders too before he signed for us.

Smithies you’d think will end up at 13 in the long term but he’s a baby, so I think we’ll probably see him switch between second row, loose forward and the bench for a while yet. I’ve read a few people say to not compare Smithies to Lockers as it heaps pressure on him and he doesn’t have that ball playing ability. I fully agree with the first part but I would be loathed to write his ability to move the ball around off just yet. I very much doubt he’ll turn in to something akin to Lockers but as an 18 year old I’m sure he’s trying to keep things pretty simple and maybe as his confidence grows he’ll open up. People who’ve watched him in the u18’s could probably comment on that side of his game.

Hankinson ? Pretty big lad, good hands, solid defender from what we've seen of him, lacking that yard of pace for a centre though. Bonus points for being a very good goal kicker.

I’ve never seen Hankinson defending in the middle so wouldn’t like to speculate.

I think Sam Tomkins would make a good 13 towards the end of his career.

I think the interchange reduction ties in with the role of the loose. IMO we'll start seeing 80 min hookers and second rows becoming the standard, leaving the opportunity for the loose to come off and back on once, hence it lending itself to a third prop. I think we'll see something like

P 2 x 20 mins
H 80 mins
P 2 x 20 mins
SR 80 mins
SR 80 mins
LF 30 + 20 mins

S Prop 2 x 20 mins
S Prop 2 x 20 mins
S Loose 1 x 30 mins
S Utility back - cover for injuries or if someone is having a Coote

I think he's too small to deal the amount of defensive work and hard carries needed in a loose.
I always thought Sam's natural progression would see him as a playmaking controlling half opening up breaks for others once his speed left him.