Correct mate. He has the potential to be the next (or next, next) 13. I think 2020 will be a trial run for a few players to see who’s best suited. There’s a few candidates who could fulfil that role

I currently don't see him as a 13... but lets see how his game develops

Correct Nicky. You pretty much describe Adrian Morley there too. (one of the most feared forwards ever to play the game) I remember him coming through at Leeds. A lanky second rower with not much in the way of go forward but was as tough as old boots at a very young age. The rest of his game developed with experience.

Morgan Smithies is nothing like Adrian Morley or even a young AM.. Not in anyway shape or form as a RL player.

Morley was over-rated. Yeah he was tough and could hit hard but as a player he was nothing special.

Morley over rated deary me

According to the Enforcer but according to any player that is asked about him, it is a completely different story. When Gorden Tallis singles you out every time he plays against you then you must be a huge threat to the opposition.

Also i am not comparing Smithies to Morley. I was commenting on the development side of his game........ which is the case for any forward who has ever played RL. For me, Morgan Smithies improved at a rate of knots last season and can only get better. Starting 13 for me.

Ok, for all the Morley fans, show me a video of him doing something that is not just a big hit.

I stand by what i said, other than his aggression he was nothing special. He wasnt a big metre gainer, not a deadly offloader, didnt have a great forwards passing game. Without his aggression, he would of been in the Lee Mossop mould.

What prop have we had in the Super League era as good as Morley? Andy Farrell for 10 games in 04, Fielden for 10 games in 06. We've had no one perform as well as him in that position for even one season, never mind a full career.

I'd say Peacock was definitely Motley's equal.

Both are all time greats, but if I had to pick one then I'd probably pick JP.

Sorry I meant 'we' as in Wigan. Agree regarding Peacock

It depends on what you mean by 'as good'? If you are talking about aggression then nobody but in terms of general play then O'Connor, Cowie, Smith, Pongia just to name a few where all as good and in some cases better than Morley as all round prop forwards. Morley was just aggressive and intimidating but sometimes it worked against him. He was well known for flying out of the line looking for a big hit and completely missing the target and leaving a big gap in the defence or taking a players head off and giving away penalties or getting sent off. When players such as Tallis praise Morley they are always referring to his aggression and toughness, nobody ever praised him for being hard to stop or having a great offload etc.

As far as prop forwards go, Jamie Peacock was head and shoulders far superior. He may not of been as aggressive but his general all round play was light years ahead of Morley.

Morley was fantastic. Defensively hard as nails who thrived in a time when players could put in a good shot. He’s hits on players could literally change a game forcing a knock on or error.
Had a genuine fear factor which forced the opposition to second guess themselves and always be aware of him; that’s an underrated presence which only few can claim.

In attack he would run through a brick wall.

I’d have loved him at Wigan. To think some don’t rate him makes me question their knowledge of a RL player.

Theres a big difference in not rating a player and thinking he is over-rated. He was never the holy grail of props.