Nothing's changed. He always needed to bulk up. This season he's been targeted in defence which has further highlighted it. Not having Lineham outside covering for his lapses hasn't helped either.

Lineham has been caught out plenty of times this season so I'm not sure where this idea that he was making Crooks look far in better in defence than he was has come from?

Personally I think it's a real shame the club collectively couldn't find a way to get the best out of Crooks as he undoubtedly has talent.

agree 100%

he'll do well in Aus, I am sure, and we'll regret letting him go.

I think wether or not Crooks come back to Hull depends a lot on how he goes in Australia. Similar to Tom Burgess he will spend next year in the reserves and will get he chance year after next. If he gets bored or sees he chances limited he will be back next year, to Hull. If he sticks it, gets his chance in 2016 and rips it up he will not be back in England for some time and will probably come back in 10 years and sign for a bigger club.

I'm disappointed as I do think he has the potential to be a very good centre, emphasis on potential.

But, who is to blame?

Is it Ben's fault that he's not willing to put the work in, or is the coaching staff for not helping him enough?

Purely playing Devil's advocate here . . .

I did tell you all months ago

Should have learnt to grab the attacker with both hands, then he wouldn't be jetting off to play for the magpies A team.

What if he does a "Harris" and signs for another super League club

You could say that about anyone who has played right centre for us - our right side has been an issue regardless, maybe its a team structure issue and not one player. Ben Crooks has just been the scapegoat but if rumours are to be believed his poor attitude hasnt done him any favours.

if he'd had a decent coach, maybe he'd have progressed from his first season, but the ears have it, eh?

He's not been in the team for months so his replacement is already at the club.

Sad to see him go, had hoped to see him and Lineham as a partnership at Hull for many years to come.

I've no inside info on his attitude or what has been said behind closed doors so it's hard to knock either the club or the player. We move on.

Surely if its the full Harris thats a win for Hull, they get bags of compo, the team that signs him gets an expensive, washed up, overweight liability.


On a more serious note I'm sad that it hasn't worked out this season with Crooks. Australia will be a real test of character and will make or break him - he definitely has the natural rugby smarts to succeed but can he get his defence sorted?

apologies, this was a total miss read of COYH's post

I think you need to read his post again, he said he had no "inside info".

Back to Crooks, first of all I really wish him the best of luck and really hope he does well in the NRL, he clearly has something him about him and doesn't become a bad player in one season.

I wouldn't rule out Crooks playing for Hull again, as the person who doesn't want him, might not be here in a year or two if things don't improve on the field this season.

Without knowing what has gone on behind the scenes I think this is a big mistake by Hull.

Ben Crooks will not play for Hull Fc again if Radford is still in charge.
He cant be that bad can he if Parramatta are prepared to give him a 2 year contract.
Retaining his registration gives Hull Fc absolutely nothing.
I think Adam Pearson gave the impression that Crooks was going for 1 year and coming back to the club.Ben has a long term future at the club is what was said.
Not anymore.

To my mind this is awful for the club and will more than likely come back to bite us on the arris.

Sends out the wrong message to the youngsters.

You can work your way through the ranks all the way to being rated the best youngster in the competition... and then because the coach can't develop you... you are out the door.

Radford's record at bringing youngsters into the first team is decent. But how many is he developing into better players once in the team?

I doubt Crooks will come back to England, let alone Hull FC.

In your haste to shoot someone down you've spectacularly added to your reputation.

Yeah, and it's Tony Smith's fault Kevin Penny isn't the leading winger in the competition after his dream team inclusion of 2007.

It's small minded and plain stupid to blame every single thing you don't like at Hull FC on the coach, just because you have an agenda against him. If Crooks becomes a regular at Parra, you can give it the old "I told you so", but if he stagnates in the reserves, I hope you hold your hand up and tell us all how wrong you was....again! Like I hope Sheldon is going to do any day regarding his condemnation of the Talanoa signing!

Good luck to him, enjoy the whole experience and come back to Hull a better player.

apologies to COYH, I miss-read the post completely (thank you for Dave K for pointing out my error)

I don't have an agenda for or against Lee, I have an agenda that I want to see FC winning.

Accepted with good grace. Perhaps check before posting in future to avoid more apologies.

You were right SIr Lancelot.


Got told a couple of months ago he was likely off to the Eels courtesy of a current first-teamer.
Gentle was a big fan of Ben but things change.
Horses for courses.