When Mal Reilly brought out his book (in 2000) he expressed concern about the way the game was going and the fact that the young upcoming props Stuart Fielden and Martin Lang were being used as battering rams and taking so much punishment early in their careers. With hindsight that concern was bang on because by their mid 20s Lang was forced to retire and Fielden though he continued playing, was never the player he was in his early days.

With that in mind, Morley has been a model of durability. I know he started off as a 2nd rower rather than a prop, but in his fiery Leeds days he was hardly avoiding going into contact, he was the hardest battering ram of any of them, he spent his early years smashing everybody (legally and illegally!) in SL, then went to the NRL and became known as the hardest hitter in the league, and for a while the NRL's best forward, then at 29 he signed for us, eyebrows were raised at the length of his 4 year contract and people said he wouldn't last that because wear and tear would catch up with him, but for the last 3 years of that contract he was in the running for Man of Steel....

IMO Morley is unique as the great survivor at the top of the game out of the game's great forwards. Look at the other guys who were in Morley's calibre over the past 10-15 years: Scully, Farrell and Peacock. By their late 20s/early 30s, Scully and Farrell were ravaged by injury, look at the last 3 years of Scully's career, or Farrell after he went to rugby union. Those guys went the way of Fielden/Lang but survived till their late 20s rather than mid 20s. Peacock doesn't seem to be the player he was a couple of years ago, he's declining more than Morley is.

Factor in as well the fact that Morley has had to come back from a couple of serious injuries during his career, and spent 6 years on hard ground in the toughest league in the world (which Scully, Farrell and Peacock didn't) and it makes Morley's achievement to maintain his form for this long even more incredible.

Jesus Christ; I never thought I live to see the day where Warrington had progressed to the point that all we find to moan about is the performance of Adrian Morley - hallelujah praise the Tony. Just for a bit of context here's Morley's stats this year against the un-stoppable Wigan props: Prescott: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Lima: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Mossopp: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Fielden: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 There's life in the old dog yet - loved how all the Saints players stopped running in after Morley gave the come-on then after he got done for the high-shot. Still the most respected and feared player in Super League amongst his fellow pros.

Jesus Christ; I never thought I live to see the day where Warrington had progressed to the point that all we find to moan about is the performance of Adrian Morley - hallelujah praise the Tony. Just for a bit of context here's Morley's stats this year against the un-stoppable Wigan props: Prescott: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Lima: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Mossopp: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Fielden: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 There's life in the old dog yet - loved how all the Saints players stopped running in after Morley gave the come-on then after he got done for the high-shot. Still the most respected and feared player in Super League amongst his fellow pros.

More like we didn't want a penalty! Or a ban.

Quote ="Paul Youane"Jesus Christ; I never thought I live to see the day where Warrington had progressed to the point that all we find to moan about is the performance of Adrian Morley - hallelujah praise the Tony. Just for a bit of context here's Morley's stats this year against the un-stoppable Wigan props: Prescott: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Lima: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Mossopp: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Fielden: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 There's life in the old dog yet - loved how all the Saints players stopped running in after Morley gave the come-on then after he got done for the high-shot. Still the most respected and feared player in Super League amongst his fellow pros.'" Graham's ar'se went, went in the tackle first and realised who it was then walked back about five yards and mouthed "what's that for".

Quote ="Paul Youane"Jesus Christ; I never thought I live to see the day where Warrington had progressed to the point that all we find to moan about is the performance of Adrian Morley - hallelujah praise the Tony. Just for a bit of context here's Morley's stats this year against the un-stoppable Wigan props: Prescott: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Lima: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Mossopp: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 Fielden: www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 There's life in the old dog yet - loved how all the Saints players stopped running in after Morley gave the come-on then after he got done for the high-shot. Still the most respected and feared player in Super League amongst his fellow pros.'" Graham's ar'se went, went in the tackle first and realised who it was then walked back about five yards and mouthed "what's that for".

To those who have seen Morley close up in the flesh.

Would you mess with that guy even if you didn't know him? His bicep/tricep combo is about the same as my thigh.

Morley has been nothing short of outstanding for us on and off the field.

Unlucky with injury in his first year but as a previous poster has said every year since he has been a man of steel contender.

He was the absolute perfect signing for us. A respected leader on and off the field. I'm sure stats prove that other props play longer, make more yards or do more tackles but nobody else could have brought the maturity and respect to the dressing room that he does.

Quite possibly my favourite wire player of all time.

That is accurate, his arrival has seen us have an upturn in fortunes and for most, including me, he will be in all-time Wire team. Even last night he tried to lift th team in a difficult spell by admittedly putting in a high shot (personally not that fussed as it was first tackle) but then made five out of the next six tackles. Leading from the front.

However, I do stand by the fact that he is a player who is slowing down and having less impact on a game. Unsurprising, he has played a lot of rugby over a very long time with nothing less than 100% effort.

Yeah i agree with that but even though he's not been getting injured all the time you can see the knock on effect it's took on his body i dont care who you are after 20 years of getting smashed your body is not going to be like it was

Prop is the hardest position to play in our game cause like you said they are battering rams they take hit after hit for the team

I've nhever sat down and thought about but that could be true for me too.

I have in the past 2 years just seen him as 'Wire'. Never saw a great deal of him at Leeds and never followed the NRL. HE has always been the face I have associated with the new Wire ethic and I think it is true he has been the turning point. HE has been the solemn and mature statue as tribute to our rising power.

I think he (along with Lee Briers) have now provided a very different view of Warrington Wolves and their maturity and clicking into a team may be the greatest thing that has happened to Wire in a very long time.

I don't think many could argue of the credentials of those two players. Moz best prop in the league and Briers has to be seen with a great deal of respect as a half.

I've looked at the props who feature in the top 25 metre makers, as well as a select few, including Wood and carvell for comparison, and here are their metre's per carry stats:

1: Puletua - 7.9m
2: Carvell - 7.64m
3: LMS - 7.54
4: Crabtree - 7.49
5: Wood - 7.22
6: Morley - 7.2
7: Emmitt - 7.16
8: Graham - 6.93
9: Cashmere - 6.83
10: Coley - 6.8
11: Lynch - 6.71
12: O'Hara - 6.65
13: O'Meley - 6.48

Morley still holds up very well compared to most players in this area.

To compare Morley to last year:

Tackles per game are down from 28 to 24
Metres per carry are down from 8.02 to 7.2
Metres per game are down from 125 to 106

What this appears to show is that he is slowing down somewhat and is having less involvement in the games. I don't see this as an issue as we have the likes of Carvell, Wood and Cooper stepping up and becoming even better players, and I see the leadership of Moz as an important factor in this.

Putting all stats aside though, one thing these don't show is tha actual quality of the work. The speed of his PTB's, the fact that he is most;y dominant when making his 24 tackles, the big hits that set the tone for a game, and also the calming influence he has on the team when he is on the pitch.

I already think that Morley has had to reinvent himself a couple of times in his career, and if this is him and Smith controlling him so that he can play another year or two, then that will do for me.

I am immensely impressed with Carvell at the minute.

carvells metres made after contact is very very impressive. when we're struggling in games, he's the one i want most putting his hand up, his head down and just trundling it up, as opposed to solo, where my heart skips a beat every time.

Moz was immense for me last night even with the odd high tackle , he was demonstrating that we needed too get in saints' faces and he was playing with passion leading from the front and putting his body on the line a lot more than ive seen him do this season.

Morley always impresses me, he doesnt take a backward step and if his game was off tonight (which i'm not too sure it was) I think We can forgive him as he has been so immense for us since he landed back in blighty and has been the stand out performer week in week out for me. MORE MOZ PLEASE!!

What Irks me about Puletua is It always appears his yards are made attacking the line ....like his 2nd try yesterday....the glory yards if you like......

just before that when we were completely on top Saints were struggling for field position Puletua never took a single drive in a set of 6 out of his own half, yet when he's got a sniff at running at Richie Myler he's got his hand up and wants it then.......

I may have mentioned it before ............I'm not a fan of stats because 76.5% of the time they are ....

Can't disagree with any of that.

On your last point, I also agree, they are only useful with context around them. As I mentioned in my post, I feel that the quality of Morley's carries (speed of making the yards, getting down on his elbows and then playing the ball) are far better than Wood's and Carvell's even though their metres per carry stats are better.

Same in defence, Morley's numbers may not be the best in the league, but the quality of some of the hits can actually change momentum of games and have real impacts on overall outcomes of games. He will also step up and make the crucial tackles where needed as has already been pointed out.

Harsh to say Morley is on the decline. Players like Carvell and Woody are just becoming bigger cogs in the side now. This isn't exactly a bad thing as there is less pressure on Morley if the other props are going great, therefore when Moz does eventually retire it will be easier for a replacement to fit in. At the end of the day Moz will know himself when he isn't playing to the high standards he sets himself week in week out. And when that time comes it will be time for to move on to a different chapter in his career, but for now he is still an inspirational leader we need on field as he leads from the front and never takes a backward step.The shot he puts on Graham when Saints where on our line and on the brink of scoring just before half-time, proves there is life in the old dog yet. Even though some may suggest this season his form has been up and down due to injuries and what not, he is the type of player we need on the field for big games still essential to our success. I don't think we will ever see a better prop grace the primrose and blue like him.

How was TP's skipping when he had to drive it off his own try line,

Only the daisies aren't so soft and fluffy there.

Morley has now Bullied the "Best British prop forward in the game" on the last two occasions and has made him look quite juvenile and also lets be honest a bit of a fairy.
To be fair to After Morley had smashed Lms and Perry when driving off the saints line Graham was still a willing runner for those hard yards unlike TP who was busy with his daisies.

In context stats are useful but in this case, they are useless. Adrian carries the ball exactly the same wether were on the back foot or not, and in a prop, thats all I would ask of him. Make 10 meters, hit the deck and play it. I've never watched a more 'honest' player pull on a PnB jumper, always puts his paw up ready for work.

Fantastic athlete (still!) and a true gentleman of RL

The usual case of we won so must have smashed every one of their players. Morley didn't bully anyone on Friday. He was poor and had no impact on the game at all. Graham is comfortably the better player at this stage of Morley's career, no matter what you say.

What you mean is stats are fantastic but only when they support the opinion you have.

What he means is stats don't always tell the complete story.

Morley brings much more to our team than Graham could. When we signed him we needed is maturity an work ethic, and it's definately rubbed off on the team.

He's undoubtedly a 'great' and has been a fantastic signing for you. I think next year may be his last however. When is his contract up?

You will have to clear space on your salary cap first.

Looking at how our squad resembles a Under 21's team, I'd be amazed if we're anywhere near the cap.