There is no question that the role of full back has changed, as have lots of elements evolved in the game. However, I don’t particularly remember many moments where MJ pulled off a brilliant tackle that saved the game ( or the alleged God Rocky). We had some players in the past who lacked pace and other skills but their “last line of defence” was memorable and snuffed out line breaks as a result. Gaskell is 100% not that man.

Agreed

Martin Holland was the last FB we had whose tackling was outstanding and whose attacking game was reasonable.

Since then most of our FB's have been attacking based and their defence has been moderate to poor IMHO.

You can see WP's logic in using a creative player in the FB role. Sadly I don't think he is proving any more creative than Jowitt and defensively is not just worse but far worse. If it was an experiment then fine but it didn't work and needs to stop if Poching wants to keep the fans onside. There is a time to stick to your guns as a coach but this imo isn't one.

Agree about Holland but I reckon you have to go back to Geoff Wraith for a master of both attack and defence.

Spencer was excellent but just a bit lacking in pace.

Regarding George Fairburn: Brian Juliff steamrollered him three times scoring a hat-trick at Wigan back in the day.

It just goes to show how spoilt we've become in recent years.

When I first started watching in 1988 we were so lacking in attacking flair that by the time Holland came along we were celebrating players who stopped tries being scored against us more than those who scored them. I remember many a game where the highlight was one of Hollands try saving and match winning tackles.

Rare anyone celebrates that these days.

Holland like Spencer were good in defence but both lacked pace.

Holland was actually pretty quick with a good try scoring record until he did his knee in. However I suppose you have to accept that the bulk of his career was outside SL.

Chris Perry was great to watch and good in both attack and defence, brilliant under the high ball and fielding grubber kicks. I always think that we should look far more at Rugby Union players as their skill set is far higher than their Rugby League counterparts a fact that is well proven when you look at past coverts from Union to League. The player depth in Union is huge compared to League so obviously they are going to have better Rugby players. It would be unusual now for a top RU player to come to league as we cannot compete on the wage front with Premiership RU clubs, but certainly the talent pool in the lower RU leagues is far greater than SL. If you watch Academy level RU the ability of players on the Premiership club books is staggering , those lads who do not make the grade would be excellent options.

Your memory must be going, I/we celebrated a tackle, try saving/match winning one, against Warrington, at home recently.
But I know what you mean.

I thought that Milky had a good stab at fullback a few seasons ago; he gets stuck in tackling and does good cover tackles and could come into the line with attacking play. Not saying that he is the answer, but probably a better option than the present incumbent.

The tackle you refer to phe13 was an extraordinary effort.Stuff of Legend.
I used to like Les Sheard at FB,could do it all.

Agree about Holland, I always thought he was excellent for us, but I also recall Halpenny being very underrated, he gave great service.

Col was never under-rated by me, good player, good bloke.