I'd say EVERYONE has to be a great defender otherwise there will be gaps that the other team will exploit. I got shot down for saying this previously but Mathers was really poor at times last season when trying to tackle and he cost us many points. It was his attempted shoulder tackles that really let him down. I agree when attacking he's a good addition but he needs to work on his defense.

Agree, the role of F/B has changed but the need to be able to defend at this level has not.

There will always be times when a breakaway play happens that leaves the fb in no-mans land; he's the last line of defence and if he doesn't pull off the tackle, he can't always be held solely responsible.

I think Mathers did make a few howlers in defence last season, as did most fb's in SL; some were his responsibility and some weren't but as I said at the time, he's far from the worst and is significantly better than some. He also adds a lot in attack, which can't be discounted.

Overall, I'm happy with him at Wakey.

At no time last season did I want shot of mathers, so sorry fella you are not speaking on behalf of the whole forum, and IMHO Mathers offers us a great deal more in attacking options than a lot of other FB in SL and only looks vunerable only when exposed when the line in front have let him down

Even when he did make a few mistakes last year and people got on his back, I certainly don't remember the whole forum wanting shut of him, I didn't anyway.

I agree with vastman peope on here WERE giving mathers stick early in the season, then came that exiting finish and suddenly hes a hero when the same schoolboy errors were in his game.A fullback cant be blamed for every tackle he misses thats for sure, but its the attempt that hes judged on and although im a non drinker and never leave my vantage point during a game with all due respect shifty i cant remember him making a key tackle. I think ive given my opinion on mr mathers and am prepared to wait and see , when ill be back on this subject with either ahumble apology or an i told you so.

[iSome[/i people - a few, but by no means a majority.

This.

Having watched him there for Leeds on a few occasions, im not convinced Smith is any better defensively than Mathers and certainly not as good under the high ball.

Other than a 3 or 4 game slump in mid season, i think Mathers was one of our more consistent players. Yes, he is no Slater or Barba but he is certainly good enough for where we are at at the moment and imo is the best fullback at the club both last year and this although it is a shame we wont get the chance to see how young Grayston would have done.

There has been a good few times that Sam Tomkins has looked scared to death under a high ball and bottled taking the catch. Billy Slater is also well known to have the odd brain fart, in fact he probably cost Australia a world cup because of one. Would you not want either of them in the team as well then?

i think ive made my point of what my opinion of richard mathers is but when tomkins and billy slaters names are brought in has comparisons i think id better retire from the argument im beat. Answer to last question YES suprisingly i would prefer both to mathers.

This is getting silly now, how's he been made into a hero, or been called anything close to that.

People acknowledge his faults but also can see the the good attributes he has.

I remember a similar thing going on with Blaymire, where he'd become the focus of a few people's wrath during the season, just like this case unfairly.

Another here who never wanted rid of or over crticised Mathers.
Funny how some players become scapegoats when things are not going well.
He is one of the best full backs we have had for quite a while.