i didn't 'get' him this time last year, he looked like someone who had a lot of responsibility and expectation dropped on him with the forward losses we had from'13. We didn't use him very well and he dropped a lot of ball early season.

It's like looking at a different player, he's a tackling machine, a painfull tackling machine at that.

Just spinning off on a tangent, i made the point last year that what youth development we have that's progressing into the first team, it seemed to take a few players up until the age of 22/23 to bed in and look the part, using tyke as an example, but he never managed to hold a first team place down, now whether that was due to the talent we had already in the squad at the time i dont know, but you'd have to look at laithwaite and say, he's in a better position in the team, at an earlier point in his career.

Likewise you can spin off on the currie thread, personally, i dont' think he's ready to be a starting second row, but i think the other issue which is touched at in that thread, i dont think we've worked out how to utilize him properly in the team yet.

Fmc Tyke might not be an ideal example of your point. I think Tyke was the only kid part time, he had to balance out less training for a uni degree. Would you not think that may of hampered an early breakthrough.
That doesn't excuse how in TS eyes he hadn't kicked on from his CC debut period.

Agree about Currie - needs time but will develop into a very very good player. Not ready to be a starting 2nd row.

Laithwaite - need to keep an eye on him as not really noticed what he's done, but will bow to others on this.

At Currie and Laithwaites ages, Sam Burgess, Peacock and Fielden were noticeable by their presence. Unfortunately, our guys aren't

True. ... but also at the same age I would imagine Chris Hill was just making his debut for Leigh in the Championship?? #bestpropintheworld.



and worth noting age 25 Burgess no longer plays the sport and aged 26 after being flattened by Willie Mason, Fielden was a shadow of his earlier self.

Peacock wasn't, he was a real late bloomer.

I did think that....I'm trying to remember an old televised wire Bradford game and Fielden mcdermot and Peacock were all playing but Peacock definitely wasn't "a big name" at the time ...he would have been a sub and was in his twenties..

Proof the old mind plays tricks and you never want to remember that a young Stuart Fielden was actually very good and probably a couple of levels above a young jamie Peacock

Peacock was notable by his absence as a youngster, not the other way around. You have probably picked the worst possible example in the whole of SL. He signed for Bradford but Matt Elliot the coach at the time had him sent out to a junior club in Oz because he was not up to the grade. I think he missed out on Bradfords 1999 glory and it was really only when Leeds signed him that his career took off. Since then he has been getting better each year.

I think the one lesson we all need to learn is that players develop at different rates, look at Penny - he is virtually an old man (lol). I personally despaired of GOB ever making a go in the first team, but he seems to be getting there. Ability on the pitch seems to be a complex mix of genetics, practice, confidence and determination.

you'll probably be disappointed to know I think that is a good post.

Got to agree with this Chaz and also with the Flying Biscuit.

Curry and Laithwaite are doing fine as far as I can see, Laithwaite especially so, despite his ginger hair. Although a couple of dodgy performances will see him shipped out to Wakefield after some barracking from our knowledgeable species no doubt.

Laithwaite is currently our top tackler, 2nd Currie, 3rd Westwood

You'd expect 2nd rowers to be leading the tackle count, simply because they play more minutes per game than props.

4th is Richie Myler

excellent post young man

Getting back to the original topic.

Has he signed for Leigh or not?

Hope Tony is making a last ditch attempt at getting him in the P&B.

He'll be a Leigh player soon enough i reckon.

I heard it was SJM not TS who was one time keen on Hock.

Currie is only 20 laithwaite 23 there both doing well tony smith must agree that's why there both starting at catalan

Hi pal, where did you get that team listing from?

Hock a done deal at Leigh.

My guess is Hock won't last a season at Leigh.!!

Maybe even a game.....

Chris Hill made his debut aged 17 in SL for Leigh in 2005.

Gareth Hock has signed for 2 years with a 3rd year option at Leigh

Noted that Koukash opened his gob again well before the fact, hence why Leigh had to rush a press conference to annouce Hock since good old Marwan blabbed several hours beforehand.

Hock as a RL player is good to watch. I only hope that the management team at Leigh can help him turn his life around and get him to use his rugby skills. If they can control his temperament on and off the pitch, he will prove a very good buy. Otherwise it will be the other type of goodbye.