People go on about how there are no hard men in rugby anymore, then disapprove when a young prop throws his weight around a bit. I'm sure Fielden, Morley, McDermott etc all did far worse coming through the ranks. Cas fans crying about a 21 year old ruffling up their player's hair are priceless, god knows what they said in the 80s when it seemed to be like the wild west at times from what I can gather. Putting a target on your back can be a good distraction for the opposition as well. Back when Bailey was good, he used to do that. I remember our lads totally losing their heads in a play off game because of him, think it was 04.

I disagree, he’s a limited player when it comes to running a ball but he’s brilliant in defence and he’s found a role in the side by setting a tempo and ruffling feathers. He’s a young kid and will chill out over time but we can’t curb that side if him or else he won’t be half the player. He’s like Micky Mac was at 20/21 and it’s helping him forge a career. If he’s happy to carry a target on his back then great. Him getting people to target him won’t do anybody else any harm.

I think you are spot on there Nicky. Take the niggle out of his game and he wouldn't be as effective. I don't remember him giving away many penalties either.

Shithouserry?
Whens this because I've missed it?
That describes to me someone who's eye gouged, punched someone on the floor, from behind, dropped knees, hed butted, forearmed or bitten someone.
Not a 20/21 year old lad who's done no more than run as hard as he can, hits as hard as he can and tried to show some of the older heads in SL that hes prepared to go Toe to Toe with them and not take a backward step.
His actual ability isnt all that currently, so fair play to him for "Having a go" and him and Smithies are doing nothing more than having a good crack.

PS
Watch how he puts smithies in for the last try. Just as the precious tackle is being completed hes already telling Byrne to run and where Smithies needs to be (he says something to him that I cant quite make out).

PPS

Previous poster says went missing etc.
Not sure how taking the next hit up, makes numerous tackles and then a few minutes later is setting up the final try.
Coward, yeah alright!

He’s certainly no coward. A kid who’d just been hammered by three Cas defenders with a 4th trying to knee drop him had no problem taking the next carry in after the penalty.

He’s a joy to watch for me and takes me back to some of my favourite players like Micky Mac and Terry Newton.

Spot on Jukes.
No foul play just playing it hard.
I love it. The 3 youngsters are great to watch even though they are far from the finished article. Their desire and work rate is fantastic to witness and has made my visits to the jjb enjoyable again.

It’s that aggression that really brings a smile to your face as a fan. We’ve produced some talented forwards over the years, such as Mossop, Prescott and even Sutton (to a lesser extent) but I’ve always felt we were experts at producing forwards who seem like thoroughly decent human beings but there’s nothing like natural aggression on the field, especially when you’re playing in the middle.

Got sick and tired of listening on sky and the 40twenty podcasts moaning about him winding people up..bloody hell boo hoo jake Connor does it all the time but he described as a genius by those muppets in the media,yes someone will take exception to it but the lads seems to be hewn from teak and will give back as good as he gets.

I was just thinking, when's the last time we produced a prop who opposition fans just plain disliked?

Hard men? Throws his weight around? Ruffling hair after knock ons isn’t throwing your weight around.

I suppose Jake Conor is a hard man too.

Let’s be honest, it’s just a little bit pathetic. There seem to be sections of fans who applaud players for cheating (holding arms in tackles etc), faking head tests and acting with a childish lack of respect. Fair enough, doesn’t do it for me though.

agree. true hard men are players like andy faz and tommy l (you dont have to be big to be tough).
they dont need to be dirty. they dont give away silly pens.

remember how much a better player Neil Cowie was when he stopped punching at will? he was still a tough hombre but his respect improved greatly once he added that level of control

So apart from ruffling someone's hair what other cheap, niggly, pathetic things has he done.

Dont introduce stuff like faking head tests, holding arms in tackles etc when talking about ollie partington when he hasn't done thise things.

Hes ruffled someone's hair, once, as far as I know.
Hes stood tot toe with some of the best props SL has to offer over the past 4 months
Good on him

I remember the uproar when Westwood, Gale, Thompson, Walmsley and every bloody else rubbed someone’s head after a knock on/penalty.

Oh wait....

A lot of players do the head rub, I personally cringe when I see it but if that’s part of Partingtons game and gets him fired up then I’m happy for him to carry on.
Somebody has already mentioned it on here but Ryan Bailey early doors (was a GB international) earnt Leeds so many penalty’s from being a cocky young in your face player, hopefully Oli can be similar and rather than Bailey getting found out he can actually kick on.

Good on him..... Wind em up, love it.......... If he comes a cropper, sobeit, we'll see if he can back it up.... Till then, wind em up...

Winding opposition players up has been part of the game as long as there has been a game.

For me, in the modern game it has gone too far, I don’t like the rubbing of opposition players heads after an error. A bit of sledging I’m fine with but no physical contact. Let’s not pretend this is limited to one player.

Keeping your composure and channeling any frustration into legal aggression is a big part of the game, those who can generally go on to become top players and win trophies, those who can’t give away penalties and loose games which is what Cas did on Thursday.

The Wakey lad, Cook I think? was a prime example last night. Got frustrated and got penalised for dissent. Then came back with a cracking legal hit a play or two later. JSL got frustrated and attacked a prone players head with his knees, deserved red card.

I think the difference is that a while ago you would get sorted out for behaving like that. Now you are basically protected and allowed to go around rubbing hair and shouting in faces knowing nothing will happen.

I just think it cheapens a tough and honest game and people who encourage it will be the first to be upset when the sport turns into soccer and respect is a distant memory.

Totally concur with both paragraphs, with the first one being my thoughts too.

Lack off biff has allowed all sorts of negative traits into our sport. Annoying

Totally concur with both paragraphs, with the first one being my thoughts too.

Lack off biff has allowed all sorts of negative traits into our sport. Annoying

The RFL and Super League can change it if they wish. Award a penalty for ungentlemanly conduct.

LMS has been acting the tit for years. It’s hardly a new thing players rubbing heads and howling at mistakes/big tackles.

Unlike LMS though at least Partington has shown the stones to back up his antics and take the next carry.

There’s plenty ways to ‘sort them out’ legally.

+1

Partington ruffled McShane’s hair... after McShane had been penalised for sticking the head on him whilst he was on the floor, which kicked off the aggression. Doubt Powell and the Cas moaners will comment on that though.

You must have missed OP swatting off Liam Watts like he was nothing prior to the knee incident.