Personally I am not a fan of Keating although he does have some skills in his portfolio.

I prefer a Lee Briers type player who thinks on his feet sees the situation in front of him and reacts to it. Bright, alert, energetic and constantly seeking out ways to deceive defenders.

Keating has all the footballing skills of Briers but none of the imagination, vision or energy. And whereas a Briers or a Burns will impose themselves on a game Keating waits for the game to come to him.

Fair and accurate view I would say Sir Bob, maybe it's his settling in season let's hope so, but as you say, all the skills but not the get up and go of a Burns.

For me,you and sir bob have summed it up between you,keating has all the skills required to be a top class half back,but seems content to tag along in behind travis,who for me is outstanding.When keating makes the effort to take the line on he always looks dangerous and his tackling is a huge improvement on dobbo,his kicking while not outstanding is decent,but he frustrates because he just seems content to play second string to travis and as you say if he had half the get up and go of travis,we would see a huge improvement in his play.Far from a lost cause but needs to take the line on more and show a bit more passion.

I disagree, maybe a slight improvement but he is still very vulnerable. Although that doesnt concern me really you expect a halfback to be weak defensively, anything else is a bonus. Its his attacking play thats disappointing and he needs to improve

Attributes of a good RL Scrum Half:

1) Creative Flare
2) Organisational Skills
3) Great Kicking Game
4) Ability to take on the defensive line
5) Great passing range
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25) Tackling ability

We've got no 25 sown up just got to work on the rest

Never saw him play so can't comment. We have had better 7's in our NL days than the present incumbent.

Think your a bit harsh stan,I know what your saying but I wish he showed more passion cos I do think he has the ability.What do you think friday ? M.O.M. keating.

Gordon smith had the lot and so did Paul harking I would like them both today paul was kicking 40 /20 before they were invented

smith was more of a loose forward

Never in a million years was Smith a loose forward he was a good scrum half just Harkin took his place if I remember rightly

Why not give Craig Hall a chance in the halves, he couldn't do any worse than keating and he can definitely kick, it seems he is never in one position long enough to show what he can or can't do, his defence has improved vastly compared to what it used to be like or am I wrong and should we just plod on with what we have

Did you ever actually see him play? Played plenty of times at 13 for rovers. Hard as nails and ugly as sin

Yes got my first season pass in 83 as an 11 year old I never said he didn't play there I said he was never a loose forward in a million years he came over as a scrum half played there and Harkin took over the scrum half position the following season