Seems to me that nowadays talking about full backs and defence is like talking about ball playing loose forwards and hookers winning scrums. Dealing with kicks and linking with the attack now appear the favoured FB attributes and many don't even have both of them.... at least Mathers is as good as most at the latter.

Agree with Vasty about Holland who always seemed comfortable in the role. And don't forget Geoff Wraith...Cas fans wont.

Prescott was the most complete fullback i think we have had in the SL era.

Blaymire, Holland, Field, Halpenny have all been decent but have all had flaws, mainly pace. Throw Mathers in with those 4 and i would say he would come out on top, but i suppose it depends what you are after, an attacking threat or defensively sound?

mathers does have a few shortcomings in his defense and under the high ball, but as a full back, when he does make a mistake it is magnified. if a prop misses a tackle in the middle, someone generally covers for him, but if a full back misses a tackle it usually ends up a try.

mathers does need to work on this, but there are definately worse full backs in the league.

mathers is very good at marshalling the defense, he is constantly talking to the players. he is also good at joining the line and can pass a ball, a skill that many full backs cannot do. richie often features as a stand off in our attack. we definately have a more attcking style of play under agar, and mathers fits in with this.

he is also well respected by the players and does have leadership qualities on and off the field. he has a media presence that is also good for the club.

overall he is an assett to the club.

Both.

Would you call Mathers quick?

What annoys me and a few others about Mathers is after 10 years and some great coaches he still gets some of the fundamentals of F/B play wrong. He grabs in a one on one instead of putting his body on the line and is easily beaten. He does not take the high ball in the air, he let's it bounce far too often which as far as I'm aware is schoolboy stuff.

Mark Field got crucified on here for the same and he was a 19 year old rookie and not even a F/B but a converted centre.

I know why folk like him, because he does beat the first man, backs up well and is a regular scorer. But this is SL and he is a senior player, does he really offer what's required. If he can rectify these faults then he'd be an excellent player but it's getting a bit late in the day.

What is actually the case is we have no obvious replacement. However if he has another blunderfest like he did mid season last year - people will be calling for his head again.

Hollands cover tackling was excellent with out doubt but the best defensive full back we've had in sl for me was Matt blaymire

The guy had absolute nerves of steel, I'm yet to see any one in SL clean up attacking kicks on our line better than matty, he was great under the high ball and his cover tackling exceptional

Sadly Matty like Holland lacked pace and was unable to join the attack, something that is vital in the modern game

And in Mathers we have just that

Korki's record number of threads is in serious threat of being ousted from the top spot.

Mathers is not quick though - he backs up well - it's not the same thing.

In attack he brings a lot to the team, but and it’s a big but his one on one tackling is none existent. Not watched every game we've played in the last year or so but I can not recollect a single one on one try saving tackle by Mathers. Can anybody else?

He may make more than he gives away but I’m old school the fullback should be able to tackle

Alas there are not that many fullbacks in the game that have a good attacking and defensive game.Mathers does some good things on the attack but is lacking in the defending side of the game.I ask who is out there that would serve the side better than Mathers does and we could get/afford and would want to play for us.Alas we would struggle to find one that would be a better option.

(well lets help it along then

)

I think there are quite a few fullbacks better than mathers in SL and there is possibly two better at our club.
I would suggest both Lee Smith and Paul Sykes would give us all the attacking options that Mathers provides
and as far as one on one tackling and taking high balls, I can't see them being any worse.

I do agree with vastman that he has had a number of quality coaches but still hasn't seemed to nail the basics - which is confusing more than anything.

I'm also confused why, although I don't think the guy is anything special, he was ousted by Millward when we are similar to wakefield - we have rarely (in the last 17 years) had a specialist fullback. Our last one was... probably Flowers or Bloem??? back in SL 4/5.

I think he wants to win and is a great competitor but I don't think his heart is in it - which stands out like a sore thumb in our game. He wants to win, but wouldn't sacrifice his body for it.

I don't think for a minute he is scared of getting hurt, but whatever it is, he gives the impression by his pattacake tckling that he's not keen on the physicality