Is this guy possibly our new long-term #13? How good can he be?

Super League top tackler last year, joint young player of the year with KPP at the club awards. Great handling skills and looks to have a real mind for the game. Had a hand in all four of the first half tries before he came off (scoring one himself). Maybe could do with a bit more size but he's looking very promising atm. For some reason I don't tend to think of him as an automatic starter when thinking about our best line up but maybe he should be? I'm not sure starting Partington, Smithies or Isa ahead of him is justifiable if he's not only displaying much more of an attacking threat but racking up higher tackle counts as well.

He’s certainly the most skilful of the young lads who have spent time at loose forward. Hopefully the beauty of having Ellis and Mago taking first 17 spots is that the best of Smithies, Shorrocks and Partington get a spot and not all 3. You have to have guys of that age fighting tooth and nail for a first 17 spot but last season Lam made it clear they’d play and some more experienced guys would not and whilst a guy like Shorrocks (rightfully) walks away from the season saying ‘I’m chuffed I’ve played 25+ games (a comment he did make in an interview the other day), it probably isn’t the right thing for his development at this stage.

It’ll be good watching that battle for spots in the early weeks between that group of young forwards. A couple of spots between 5 or 6 lads is ideal and whilst the odd one might get miffed with time out of the side, it will help all of them far more than having a guaranteed spot just because the coach refuses to pick a couple of older players.

He’s probably the one young forward we have that maybe has not had the hype others have, but other than Harvard in my opinion looks most promising.

My only reservation of him is his pace, he has an awkward running style which makes him look a bit ungainly so maybe he is faster than he looks.

For me he has a look of the Joel Tomkins about him. A settled run of games could see him make the 13 shirt his.

Personally I’m not a fan of a back 3 of Faz, Isa, Bateman.

They are all great players but all a bit too similar. In stature and how they play the game. Players like Shorrocks and KPP add something a bit different in how they play which tests opposition defences in different ways so I’m hopeful by the end of the season both those lads will have cemented themselves in the 17.

From what I saw of the Academy last year I think Nicholson could challenge him.

thought he'd gone to Newcastle

I am assuming they mean longer term.

oh

I totally agree re Faz, Isa and Bateman.
Individually all great clubmen, top class work rate and great experience.
Collectively as you say too similar and for me too lightweight.

Bateman could find himself under pressure unless he steps up his game.
Not a bad place to be at the start of the season.

Longer term a backrow of Nicholson, KPP and Shorrocks if they all continue to develop could be pretty decent.

I think you can name any player who can improve on their performances this past two years.
The players themselves know it more than the rest of us.
Because of this I'm more optimistic than most as I expect us to win a trophy.
We have a good squad and this season will be far better than recent years, I'm convinced of that!

I would definitely like to see Shorrocks get the loose forward job as his ball handling skills are quite good and he can learn from the best in Lockers

I am yet to be convinced, obviously he has an amazing work rate and great defence, but he lacks size and pace. He seems to have reasonable ball skills, nothing exceptional.

He needs to find a position quickly and develop, which is the coaching teams job to sort out.

It all depends whether the coaching team want a third prop at loose or a ball player.

Not done anything to Impress me in games I’ve seen vs Leeds.
Not a shadow of Lockers. We were relieved when His body packed in, though sorry for the lad as terrific talisman…..

Bit harsh comparing him with Lockers after one season, mind you that in itself must be a compliment