Holy Moly! Crooks is a THIRD grade centre, and wouldn't make the first team at Hull next season. If he did, that would show a genuine lack of ambition from the club! You really think Yeaman, Sa or Naughton wouldn't at least manage 2nd grade in the NRL? Even Tansey and Thorman played first grade! Radford, the fans, nor the 3 Aussie coaches Crooks has worked under this season have failed him. He's failed himself, and was the epitome of a one season wonder. The ridiculous knee-jerkery on this issue is amazing!

If we'd signed a 22 year old third grade centre, you'd be going absolutely mental!!!!

top post mate

It doesn't get any more bang on than that.

While it's disappointing to lose a young player who showed a great deal of potential early on I think some of the reactions on here have been way OTT. Ben did have opportunities to prove himself before he left the club and failed to take them. He also hasn't been tearing up any trees in Australia - in fact his career there appears to have been even more disappointing than at Hull. Lineham is the bigger loss by some considerable distance.

Let's wait and see how he gets on at Cas before bemoaning the loss of a giant talent, eh?

A good player, that thought he was an outstanding player. Went to Oz and failed.

Think he'll be a good SL player, but never top class.

Fair assessment (although, I think he has potential to be top class), he certainly isn't 3rd rate like a previous poster claimed.

I think the point is, that I think he is a better player (Or at least has more potential) than any of our current centres at the club.

Hopefully if we recruit right and Jack Logan continues to develop it won't matter about Crooks.

I am disappointed and feel the club is at least partly responsible for this, but some of the posts on here a way over the top.

Out of interest, is Ben playing 3rd grade in the NRL, who are the Eels 2nd grade?

In a nutshell.

difrence from my club to your club we have got coaches who can coach and will get the best out of him he is a Cas lad and it will bring the best out him playing for is home town .

Not sure what him being a Cas lad has to do with it and I don't think my just playing for his hometown it will improve his defence and bring the best out of him.

Powell has a tough job, but he does have a good track record of improving players ability to get the best for the team, but lets kid ourself he hasn't done it for either player you have signed, Tansey for one.

Guess we will see if we have made a mistake with Crooks.

I didn't see anyone call him third rate.

I'm not sure there's any evidence to justify a claim of his superiority to [iany[/i of the centres at our cub. In fact I'm pretty sure there's none whatsoever. Even if you stretch that to [ipotential[/i the evidence is hardy compelling. He had one terrific season and has done nothing since at two different clubs on two continents.

Wentworthville Magpies are Eels second grade, but they have two teams Dave. I didn't say he was third rate - I said third grade - which is a term about him I lifted directly from the Eels forum.

Pretty much the point I was trying to convey.

Lineham made him look good. As soon as Tom was injured, Crooks was found out.

We have far better coming through.

Don't agree with that Crooks scored some great trys and made a lot for other players.

Not sure we have better players coming through either, Logan-not convinced he will make it?

Talanoa is a better IMO and hopefully we will sign another centre who is better than Crooks and it won't matter

Fair enough, but he certainly isn't a 3rd grade over here.