Re: The Loose Forward : Wed Aug 28, 2019 5:03 pm  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

That's a good shout actually. He's more mobile and has more minutes in him than the likes of Flower or Clubb. Saying that I think he's done enough to impress for another contract in Canberra. From what I can recall I think he only signed a 1 year deal.

Yep, don't forget he was a loose forward at Crusaders too before he signed for us.

Re: The Loose Forward : Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:26 pm  

Levrier wrote:

Where do you see Smithies playing? He has made such a good start but I do not see any other spot than 13 being up for grabs for a couple of seasons. I suppose someone will be given the task of managing expectations.
Interesting about Sutty but reports from Aus suggest he will be in demand for a while yet.

Smithies you’d think will end up at 13 in the long term but he’s a baby, so I think we’ll probably see him switch between second row, loose forward and the bench for a while yet. I’ve read a few people say to not compare Smithies to Lockers as it heaps pressure on him and he doesn’t have that ball playing ability. I fully agree with the first part but I would be loathed to write his ability to move the ball around off just yet. I very much doubt he’ll turn in to something akin to Lockers but as an 18 year old I’m sure he’s trying to keep things pretty simple and maybe as his confidence grows he’ll open up. People who’ve watched him in the u18’s could probably comment on that side of his game.

Re: The Loose Forward : Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:53 pm  

Hankinson ? Pretty big lad, good hands, solid defender from what we've seen of him, lacking that yard of pace for a centre though. Bonus points for being a very good goal kicker.

Re: The Loose Forward : Thu Aug 29, 2019 4:24 am  

I’ve never seen Hankinson defending in the middle so wouldn’t like to speculate.

Re: The Loose Forward : Thu Aug 29, 2019 8:56 am  

I think Sam Tomkins would make a good 13 towards the end of his career.

Re: The Loose Forward : Thu Aug 29, 2019 8:57 am  

I think the interchange reduction ties in with the role of the loose. IMO we'll start seeing 80 min hookers and second rows becoming the standard, leaving the opportunity for the loose to come off and back on once, hence it lending itself to a third prop. I think we'll see something like

P 2 x 20 mins
H 80 mins
P 2 x 20 mins
SR 80 mins
SR 80 mins
LF 30 + 20 mins

S Prop 2 x 20 mins
S Prop 2 x 20 mins
S Loose 1 x 30 mins
S Utility back - cover for injuries or if someone is having a Coote

Re: The Loose Forward : Thu Aug 29, 2019 9:18 am  

FIOS wrote:

I think Sam Tomkins would make a good 13 towards the end of his career.

I think he's too small to deal the amount of defensive work and hard carries needed in a loose.
I always thought Sam's natural progression would see him as a playmaking controlling half opening up breaks for others once his speed left him.

Re: The Loose Forward : Thu Aug 29, 2019 9:33 am  

Manfredi