Some of the comments about H over the last few years have been laughable. Three different coaches have picked him in the starting 13 week in week out, that should tell you something.
He's not a flash player at all, but he, like McIlorum are big hitters in defence and get through so much work to allow some of our players to play.

While I'm on about players, a big pat on the back for Darrell Goulding. I've had plenty to say regarding his decision making over the past three years but thus far this season he has been excellent. His winger is top try scorer and I can't remember the pair of them conceding tries in any of the opening four games.

Back to Hansen, he's probably one of the most underrated players in Rugby League.

Always rated Hansen since he first appeared in the Wigan team as a kid, excellent player. I've always been astonished at some Wigan fans perception of him to be honest, he seems to have had his fair share of stick. I'd have him at Saints in a flash if it was up to me.

He looks massive this season, I didn't realise who he was at first during the Leeds game!

Sport?

He is just as valuable to us as hock is IMO. Absolute machine who will tackle anything that moves. There was one tackle close to the try line yesterday and it was one of the best I have ever seen. Was a try for all money before HH came along.

Are you trying to say its not real?

can't believe Hock has been brought into things, we seemed to survive without him for 2 year so he can't be that important where as H is the backbone of our defence imo (along with lockers)

To me, Hock is the exact opposite of Hansen

In defence, fair enough, Hock is a big unit and can put in some punishing hits but Hansens defence is second to none.

On the flip side, Hansen isnt all that good in attack imo and thats where Hock's real gift lies

Hansen for me (along with Mossop) has been the most improved since Maguire took over the helm. He always was a hard working solid player but under Maguire he's become one of the best players at the club. He's now playing consistent top class rugby for us under Wane and with Hock and O'Loughlin I think we have the best back row in Super League.

and all came through the academy....

Surely not??!?

Are you positive they're not expensive, over the hill Australian imports that are robbing the youth of today of a place in Super League?

The majority of our forwards have come through academy which is pleasing

If you look back at my posts whenever there was a debate about HH I have always said how good a player he is and I am not one to think anyone who gets a chance to put the cherry n' white on must automatically be a good player.

I never really understood why anyone could think otherwise about HH because there are some players who it is just obvious that they know what they are about on the pitch and are just quality and from a young age. Another player who was like that is sadly no longer at the club - Joel Tomkins. As a 2nd row (not a centre) he was another who oozed quality in that position but again early in his career was not a fan favourite. They are from the same era and display many of the same qualities and I am just glad we still have HH on the books.

As to Goulding does the fact that three different coaches have NOT picked him in the starting 13 week in week out also tell you something? Were Noble and Madge just wrong or has Goulding got a new lease of life and is a different player under Wane? Whatever, it would be great for him to finally make it as a centre both for him personally (I felt Noble treated him particularly badly) and for the club as this position has been a problem for a while now.

There's always one To say Hansen "isnt all that good in attack" is more than a bit of a myth IMO. Watch the lines he runs and the tries he scores.

I agree with Dave O. Doc where's the Valium?

I've always rated Hansen, but had my doubts about Goulding. I would loved to be proved wrong about Darren but this season he is doing his job well.