I think your view is clouded by lacking the full facts? Chester gave an interview a few years ago in which he said Wakefield had showed interest in him and he in them. However the negotiations were undermined by Chester's agent falsely claiming that Chester had an injury. As I understand it the agent was drawn by the bright lights of ££££ signs of another offer and wanted to put Wakefield off.

I can't recall where I saw/heard the interview but I definitely learnt about it a few years ago. (Maybe our friend the internet will turn it up.)

I remember him showing an interest. When he was well past his best, probably just before he called it a day and took up coaching.

I doubt we would have been able to affoad Chester in those days

When watching the game on Friday night I watched Jordan with a keen eye, I have not had chance to see much of him so only gone of what people have said.

His first stint, I thought he was great in defense, he took everything they threw at him and was not dominated once in the collision from memory, on the other hand his first stint left me thinking he just did not have much to offer going forward.

His second stint showed he has an offload in his locker, can link up in the line no problem and has the ability to shrug of a tackle or two. He does seem very light weight, I wonder if he has been advised to put some weight on?

He is similar in size to Ashurst, Farrell, Minicello, Ablett, Wilkin all can / could play a bit in the back row. not every back rower needs to be massive

I get what he's saying but agree with you, he doesn't need to be like Pauli to make meters. I think as he matures and gets more confidence in his game as far as taking the ball up, it will come up to the standard of his defense, which is excellent. Not that his attacking game is that far off atm anyway. I just think he does look to pass sometimes when the drive or run to the line is on.

Invested his own money last pre season in a personal trainer to get himself in good shape and seems to have been reaping the forwards fitness wise.

John Bateman doesn't look particularly big at the first glance but not many from super league who can match him.

Not just his money

The joys of parenthood

bet them moths got an awakening

Part of the parents charter, to keep emptying your pockets and it never ends

It’s the grandkids as well now, Snowie

wash your mouth out

I really don't get the issue with Crowther or why he's worth a thread of his own.

For me he was always going to make it eventually so whats the hurry. Also he isn't small despite what some say, he's bang average for a second row. He does the basics well and he has ticker.

No special attributes as such but that said he's the kind of player all teams need.

He could with application possibly become a top player - just look at Anthony Topou who was with us, all be it at fag end of his career. He looked nothing much but he played SOO so although size and speed help they are not the be all and end all.

FWIW if I were to advise Crowther I'd suggest the part of his body he concentrates on developing is his brain, in this world of robotic monsters that's where the future lays for the Crowther's of this world, it's simple just develop a Rugby brain - Watch - Listen and Learn.

I agree with this . I hope he develops into a good old fashioned ball handling forward - there's not one I can think of in RL at the moment but I suppose the modern game doesn't call for such skills from a forward.

Well, whatever anyone's opinions are, he's got 2 excellent backrowers at the Club to watch, talk to and learn from in Ashurst and Arona. Which tbf the lad probably has been doing since they arrived. Obviously, the Coach was quite handy there himself as well, so he's in good hands.

I'm afraid you are miles away there FMC, a footballing brain is definately one thing he has got , but like you say, opinions.

I think you've totally misunderstood me. It's clear that he has got a rugby brain, that's why I suggested he keeps developing it!

I know you're a proud dad (aren't we all) but clearly at 22? he's not yet the finished article in that respect. However he's definitely got it from what I have seen, smarter than you're average forward for sure. I feel the same about Batchelor so the option of having two ball playing support orientated S/Rs to pick from looks a huge bonus to me.

Hope that's cleared that up

i'm sure its worth it BLM when you're sat there watching him do it for the Trinity

Yes I must have misunderstood you

Batch is not a middle for me but a great explosive 2nd rower, left or right, oh Jordans 21

to have had both in the line on Friday was a joy to watch.

Batch is completely different for me, he has all the attributes to go to the very top purely based on how he runs with the ball and defends. He reminds me of a young Gaz Ellis.

Hard to put it into words to see him in the red white and blue

And this is in no way trying to show disrespect to Jordan, I just think we have something very special with Batch. Wish we could have signed his brother as well who is very similar to James.

Perhaps. Very valid point as regards Ellis. Not sure Batch is quite that good but they have many things in common.

Most notably where as we have seen TJ, Jowitt and now Crowther take time to grow into men from boys both physically and mentally whilst Batch like Ellis just seemed to become men overnight, not transition just bang and they were there. Not such an issue in the backs but in the pack it puts players like Crowther at a disadvantage as they take time to mature and I wouldn't even say Crowther is a late developer, he's the normal one not Batch and Ellis

Compared to you an I an if you read my post I said a star of tge future so if ure gonna quote me quote me correctly.

The running to the line will come in time with experiance an confidence I had a bet on this lad that he would of played for England before he was 21 money lost but still I think he will play his part in Wakefields resurgence.