How times have changed. Not many on here will remember ex Fev and Trinity prop, Les Tonks. I swear I once saw him break into a walk. They were there for their "beef" and one of their main functions was to literally support the hooker in the scrum. Totally different game now.

Yeah Les Tonks was one of the last just scrummaging props. Remember David Jeanes late 60s , early seventies (Trinity/Leeds/GB) was more of a rip roaring running prop , but still had to prop properly.

No place for big Les in todays game but David Jeanes would have been tremendous I feel. The bloke would run through a brick wall. Hated it when Leeds nicked him as per...

We are both hugely lucky and unlucky at the moment. We have on our books for the first time since the 1960s probably 3 players who are arguably the best player in there respective positions in SL. That’s Fifita, Tupou and Johnstone.

We are hugely unlucky to have two of them out for long periods. That said due to great team building we can just about cover them. Thankfully we have a host of nearly as good players such as Ashurst, Brough and Wood but to be fair it’s all of them. We simply don’t seem to have any passengers, quality may vary slightly but the commitment appears absolute.

It’s an honour to watch Trinity these days regardless of whether we are actually good enough to win something.

On that Vasty I wholeheartedly agree.

Fifta has been awesome this year there is no doubt about it

his brother was on TV here over the weekend and he said "my brother went to England and is the best front rower in super league"

I don't think he is wrong

Without doubt one of the best imports we've ever had; his larger than life personality and desire to win lifts the whole crowd, and he has that magic ability to convince you that so long as he's on the pitch, something might happen.

I felt a bit for the Shudds lads who ended up 1 on 1 with him - that massive hand off and the big, insane grin on his face when he's running into heavy traffic must be bloody terrifying - and even when he does go down, he's up so quick that he draws lots of penalties.

A *genuinely* top quality player - and I'd also be happy to chip in to help persuade him to stay!

I’ll send Wakey a tenner as well, he’s that good, he raises the spirit of the community, and it’s good to see. Nice to have the NRL - super League drain reversed.

What I cannot get my head around is how the NRL clubs missed his clear talent whereas his brother Andrew has gone on to rack up almost 200 NRL games with numerous rep call ups?

Because he's not as talented as his brother, no wrong he is probably as talented but lacks the drive. SL is far less streesed than the NRL and I don't think David was suited to it, his brother struggles. However in the more relaxed SL at a small club where he is the biggest fish by some way it does suit him.

I don't think we should get carried away, Dave just fits at Trinity in a way he probably wouldn't eleswhere, especially the NRL.

I don't follow NRL so I had never heard of him or his brother. I remember one poster saying he was gash and not even reserve grade, well he hasn't turned out that bad at all.

I also remember his first year and although a good player he had a lot of daft things in his game. Remember away at warrington when he made a ash of playing the ball with seconds to go and it costing us the game. I think the guy has really settled in and now this seems to be his best season ever. I do think he has huge natural talent but I am also in that school which believe the club and its environment is also greatly responsible the 'The Big Bopper' to blossom into a terrific prop.

They didn't miss him.
He was at Cronulla and looking good but he and his brother lacked focus when they were together. Andrew is quite outspoken.
They decided he wasn't worth the trouble as they had other options.

Seperating has done them both good.
I'm sure he could get a gig in NRL but he'd have to train harder and fit a more rigid game plan.
We suit his style better and hopefully he sees that too.

I think that he's still prone to the occasional error and has been pinged for issues around the ptb.
However, what we have seen since the Warrington game that you mention is the destructive go forward and some try's and his infectious grin, which makes the bloke an absolute joy to watch.
I'm happy to forgive a few errors and penalties conceded as the "plus" column is massive and who knew about the audacious side step in his locker, brilliant

I know it's tongue in cheek but the eats pies score tries mantra probably wouldn't be quite as well accepted in the NRL. He clearly is enjoying himself, and there is a lot to be said about that. He has the talent to be in the NRL, but perhaps he would be miserable in a robotic structure and wouldn't quite be as effective.

I remember an interview a few seasons back where one of them was talking about a mental issue he had, I cannot remember if it was Andrew or David, but it was very emotional even to the point where one of the twins was too upset and walked out of the room, like I’ve said very emotional interview.