He also used to run as an extra halfback at times and would do run arounds with Edwards and Gregory. What a fantastic player he was. Why do we never seem to produce these kinds of players anymore? They all seem so robotic these days and players that can do the basics really well are classed as great players. Why cant we look back at some early 90's videos and bring some of those set plays into the modern game? We used to have dummy runners and so many players working off the ball and moving the defence around. These days its just swinging the ball from side to side in the hope of finding an overlap or defensive misread.

I actually think a structured approach is better when you don't have a team or a number of 'footballers' in the team. Then the players are 'interchangeable cogs' which means the team doesn't suffer too much if one or two players are injured.

Back then we had the likes of Edwards, Greg etc, with back ups like Sean Long, Bobbie Goulding, Gus O'Donnell (remember him) who could really play, great rugby brains who could play what's in front of them.
I don't know if that off the cuff creativity is coached out of players or we're not finding the same calibre of players but the game has evolved into something different.

I do miss the 'golden era of wigan' but the game has moved on. If I was in-charge of Wigan I'd operate a team which suits the skillset of the players available, I really don't think Lam found how to get the most out of his players this season.

How to use Williams, and more importantly; how to use Zak.

I think that’s who I judge all hookers passing on to be honest, I don’t see why professional hookers have to stand up or take a step or shuffle to pass it, it just slows the attacking play down.

It’s used predominantly to stand up the first and second marker, taking them out of the defensive line. But it’s never really effectively used, a good ball straight from the floor to the player can take out 3/4 players which is where Dermott was so good.

Hooker is something I’ve never really thought of too much and I’ve never really compared any of our hookers to the late great Terry Newton because the game has so called moved on since then. I do agree however that we’ve not had as good as a hooker as Terry Newton since he left. If we get our hooker right that one player alone can change the whole complexion of the side

We could learn a lot from the way a RU scrum half passes the ball from base of scrum or the ruck. They have a lot less room but deliver the ball from the floor. Pains me to say it though.

Regardless of the inability to get up for the big games, people also seem to be forgetting that we finished 16 points from both top AND bottom of the league, so unfortunately on this occasion, finishing second is nothing to get excited about for me when you take a look at the total collapse of the ready of the league.

Surely you don't mean that diving caper ?

Attitude wise, and work rate, I cant fault the lad, I think a lot of senior pro's have been shown up by him in that regard. However, my point stands, it doesn't matter how old he is, he's not going to grow anymore than he already is at 21 Years Old, and in my opinion he's just not physically big enough to be a top class prop forward. Looking at the modern game now, even more so in the NRL, most of the best prop forwards are at least 6ft 2, and a lot heavier than Partrington, the only exception to the rule really is Thompson at Saints, who is 6ft, but makes up for it with how athletic he is and how much pace he has for a number 10. You can have all the heart in the world, but its about how much go forward he's going to give us and if he's going to punch holes in other teams middles, the answer unfortunately is that he isn't.

Nope, just the pass off the floor, without taking a step or two, there's no disguise in which direction it's going to go though. This sort of thing. I've noticed many of our passes lack accuracy and mean the receiver is having to readjust their line, we used to have the reciever with hands up ready to catch, this seems less common this season.

[urlhttp://www.prorugbycoach.com/tutorial/scrum-half-pass-technique/[/url

Partington could grow into a Paul Gallen type of player if you look at Gallen when he first broke into first grade. He does need to find some yardage but hes young. Your right about size and pace but hes a decent ball player with loads of aggression to balance that up. Couple of pre seasons should see him build up quite a bit. I'm still not sure how he will go but you never are with young props. I do know if all the pack showed the same heart we would not be able to moan about lack of effort.

Gallen came through as an aggressive running SR forward before becoming one of the best 13s oner the past 20 years. Partington doesn't play like him in the slightest, and to be 'blunt' I'd be surprised if Partington is anything like close to the player Gallen was.

People can compare any young player with any other legendary player, doesn’t mean they’ll be anything like.

I’m not convinced by Partington, either makes no yards or falls over before the defensive line. I’d love us to put the feelers out with Ryan Sutton, he’s improved massively and he’s just what we need.

I just find it ridiculous. Honestly. So often I see a young player compared to one of the all time greats. Even when Gallen was coming through he was considerably better and a completely different player.

Anyway; Harry Smith, who’s he most like? Cronk, Thurston or perhaps Joey Johns?
To me he’s more of a young Wally Lewis.

What always amazes me is the time that it takes to play the ball. I assume that the defensive line can advance once the ball is placed on the ground because half the time the defenders are meeting the ball carrier at the advantage line. Surely the PTB and pass to the runner could be tightened up.

="Last Son of Wigan"Gallen came through as an i running SR forward before becoming one of the best 13s oner the past 20 years. Partington doesn't play like him in the slightest, and to be 'blunt' I'd be surprised if Partington is anything like close to the player Gallen was.'"

I'm sorry could/should have chosen my words more carefully. When I said grow into that type
I was literally meaning grow develop physically. Gallen waa a modern player of similar size when he started out and he bulked strengthened over time.

Paul Gallen always was a loose forward apart from when he was asked to play prop which he did for Australia NSW and Cronulla on the odd occasion

Sutton has signed a new contract at Canberra he has said that he wants to stay out there

You’re quite right there IA.

The role of a #13 as the HB link is obsolete, the role of a 13 now is becoming more and more like a 3rd prop, SOL has been in that role for us this season. Props these days are being that link themselves, effectively putting HB’s+1 off the marker which is what the 13 used to do with props not passing and just taking a hit up. You could argue 13’s are more athletic which I would tend to agree with but you’ve only got to look at Luke Thompson who is as athletic as they come for a prop forward to see where it’s going.

Therefore the mooted Partington to 13 wouldn’t make any difference whatsoever. IMO you could put most young modern props at 13 and it wouldn’t change the complexion or attack of a team.

That’s a completely different point.
I was discussing Partington and Gallen.

His first few games at the Sharks were actually as a SR. Then he quickly moved to play 13.

I actually feel a little bad now. Sorry mate!

Quote ="Last Son of Wigan"His first few games at the Sharks were actually as a SR. Then he quickly moved to play 13.'" https://youtu.be/6AdjzK7vTqc Have a little look...

Quote ="Last Son of Wigan"His first few games at the Sharks were actually as a SR. Then he quickly moved to play 13.'" https://youtu.be/6AdjzK7vTqc Have a little look...

We should have given Kibula a chance at 13, he has the natural size and ball handling skills to play that position very well, he really started to progress at Swinton towards the last 5/6 games and we should have given him another year imo

No problem when I re read what I had wrote I could see where you was coming from.