This is something I simply CANNOT get my head round...

We sign an 80 MINUTE MAN from the NRL
A tackling machine
A grafter
A workhorse

It's clear to see to anyone with a RL brain Steve Southern is by far and away the best defensive player we have in our team. His tackling is 2nd to none.

So with the above in mind WHY forums.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?f does Agar only play him for 20 to 25 mins a game?

WHY!?!

I'm sorry I just do not get it. A total waste of an Overseas spot, waste of an interchange and shows a complete lack of knowledge and understand from the coach not to mention a lack of complete respect re the player UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING I/WE FANS ARE NOT AWARE OF...

Can anyone enlighten me...?

Yeah, he's struggling to settle and seems to be having personal issues. He's played ok last couple of games, but if his head isn't right then Agar is probably making the right choice in giving the youngsters some experience (something he was lambasted for not doing at hull I might add)

I'm starting to wonder myself if it's worth picking Southern based on the amount of time he spends on the field. Can't work out whether it's Agar's bad tactics or an issue with Southern himself. Surely Southern has a say in how long he wants to be on the field. Remember when Stuart Fielden used to get subbed off? He'd have a face on that would turn milk sour. At the moment all I see is a waste of an interchange and more importantly an overseas spot.

I'm sorry I just don't get it.

It can only be one of TWO things:

1 - Agar's management of the player

2 - The player's request to the coach

If 2 then we need to put him on the next plane and pay him off

That said - I just don't see SS as that type of player - my gut is Agar is calling this one - ALL WRONG IMHO

A complete waste all round

DEFO ONE TO ADD TO THE QUESTION LIST FOR THE NEXT AUDIENCE WITH NIGHT

TrinityIHC - Have you ever left Wakefield? Lived overseas with a young family? I have and I for one have 100% sympathy for anyone who tries to do it.

That said - If Steve S is struggling then he is a professional. He's got to put his family first. I'm sure the club would do what they could to help and compensate financially. If he's struggling then do the right thing.

That said - What Agar is doing to him and the team is not the right thing.

Something has got to give as this is ridiculous now....

Have to say we look a better team with him on the field, and he certainly looks as he could do more minutes.

Personal issues or not if he is in the team he should be playing a full part and i tend to agree with the OP, taking an overseas spot and not getting the best use of the bench is not good management.

Think he has had a hard time with his young baby but all is well . He tweeted last night ' proud to be a wildcat' a proves his commitment he also said good things happening on and off the field. Sounds like he is staying to me and great news that. His tackling is immense

Most of the time he lands on his front when taking the ball in, most of our other forwards get put on their back.

Completely agree. He looks like he could do longer and we do look far more sold with him on the park.
Personal issues or not, 20 to 25 mins a game is a bit of a waste of a sub. Those kind of minutes are normally for an impact prop which the experts on here claimed were a thing of the past with the reduction in interchanges.

I'd love to have Ali on for the full 80 but his age and injury record tells me we should be spelling him for longer. It's like the previous 2 years where Morrison couldn't be taken off. Eventually this tactic catches up with you.

Not sure if it's true, but if he is having trouble maybe he is not training as often as he should be and maybe he is lacking fitness to play 80 minutes.
If the club are looking after him during what may be a difficult time, tgey that is absolutely right and they should be applauded.
Under these circumstances I think his NRL stats are irrelevent.
Well done the club and good on ya Bluey!!
If we all stick together through difficult times we will be stronger by the end of it all.
If the fans of this club don't know that, nobody does!!!

I'm a big fan of Southern. I hope he gets the support from the club he and his family need.

Such a shame to see a good player not getting game time. A waste for all concerned.

We're a far better team with him in it and when he's on the park.

Hope this situation can be resolved for the long term benefit of the player, his family and the club.

I didnt go to the game last night but against hull last week he had a face like thunder when he was substituted. I think that steve knows that he can do longer stints and wants to be given the chance to show the fans how well he can play. If you look at his reaction the last few times when he's been subbed he looks dejected like he thinks he should still be out there.

Personally i just want to see him out on the field more as i think he is a bloody good player

Agree 100%

He doesn't strike me as a player who wants to or likes to play stints which leads me to believe I think its the way Agar is playing him.

I think he's getting a lot of unfair stick from certain groups of fans through no fault of his own IMHO....

As a senior player I'd expect him to be able to discuss the matter with the coaching staff. At the moment a couple of 15 minute stints isn't enough.