Cusack absolutely and Moa occasionally mainly due to their size. Tickle i agree but only once per game when he runs the right line to not have 3 defenders on him. Cant honestly think of anyone else, maybe Raynor due to his footwork. Motu used to every ptb.

TBF all you have to tell props is, run hard, run straight, get to your knees quick - when you start complicatiing the role is when you lose your way

Mind you, saying that, I like it when we use Kingy as a ball handler

Really???

If it was that easy everyone would want to do it

There is a reason why certain players get picked as props and taking in instructions is not the strongest faculty for this type of person

Possible selective reading of these boards. There are plenty on here (myself included) who have criticised all 3, and would probably have at least 2 of them sent packing at the end of this season if they could.

Radford gets stick for a variety of reasons, as do several players. My theory on why he gets more than some is because he turned his back on the club for the peak years of his career, is now probably one of our bigger earners and arguably not worthy of such a position, and in many people's eyes does not justify his selection (possibly being kept in by virtue of being captain, despite not being seen to be overly effective at this either). The validity of all of these reasons is subjective.

Personally, I think he does have things to offer to the team, I'm just not convinced he has enough for where we want to be. For us to be a sufficiently better team next year, it's therefore questionable whether he should be in the team (and if he is it should be at prop, he is not suited to the back row any more).

good post

A good prop wouldn't run at Jamie Peacock

Fair enough

My opinion is that radford wouldn't get into the first 17 of any club with serious top 6 aspirations, let alone be their captain

But, haven't you seen him 'running great lines' or 'punching holes'? Perhaps you have missed him 'ghosting through gaps'?

I do. It looks like you're the one who can't handle someone having a differing opinion.



He doesn't do those things and that is the problem.

He gets involved in plenty of tackles but his work is sloppy. He falls off, gets caught on the wrong side, and doesn't get properly set at marker. One of the oft quoted 'statistics' wheeled out to prove how hard-working Radford is is marker tackles. Ever wondered why he makes so many? Try watching what happens after a large proportion of the tackles he gets involved with. More often than not (an exaggeration possibly, but not massively so) a scoot or a ruck play follows. This isn't luck or coincidence, it's coaching. Engage Radford in the tackle, find a quick play and go from dummy half. A simple tactic, but an effective one. He gets involved in the next tackle, either through being run at or through him joining in as he's on his way back to join the rest of his team-mates in the line. If he stays at marker, watch for a similar play coming next time. If he gets back, look for the ball to be spread to whichever side of the ruck he's gone to.

I think that debunks the 'tight around the ruck' fallacy as well.

As for making hard yards, he does make plenty of carries. But, again, the quality of the work is usually poor. As mentioned by many others, he turns his back, wastes time fighting for an extra inch or two and is invariably in a poor position on the ground. An eternity unfolds and he then gets to his feet and plays the ball. We then have no option but to shift if, with the defence seeing Radford involved in the play and knowing that, in American Football parlance, a blitz is on if the play stays tight around the ruck.

This is made even more annoying by him having the ability to bust tackles, find the ground and get a quick play. He does it occasionally when he runs with purpose and it's as effective as anyone in the game. Unfortunately, this is a rare occurrence.



I'm not negative at all. I'm realistic and call it as I see it. I have no issue with Radford (check my posts about him from 2006 if you can be bothered; he was great that year and got the praise his performances deserved, and not just from me either), or any of the players, beyond wanting what's best for the club. For the past 2 and a half years, what's best for the club has been Radford not in the team.