The Chief wrote:
Sorry guys, but Shenton is no replacement for Gidley.
Granted, he is quick, but is nowhere near the class we should be looking at to replace someone who is arguably one of the most respected and skillful centres in the game.
Centre has (and probably always will be) a marquee position for Saints - do you really think Shenton is in that bracket? He was made to look average at best against Oz and NZ.
Shenton is okay by me. He's young. He's quick. He weighs in with the odd try and he can defend. What's not to like?
The centre position was doubtlessly a "marquee position" ten years ago. But is it today? I don't think so.
I mean, there's nothing bad about having a marquee NAME at centre. We profited immensely out of Lyon. But I think the slot itself lost its glamour when the salary cap was introduced. Look, if it's a choice between buying a top prop or buying a top centre I'll take the former every time. Not least because without your props that marquee name (costing an arm and a leg) is going to find it very difficult to operate effectively. But even a modestly gifted grafter can look good playing behind a dominant pack (Scott Naylor is an excellent example).
If I were offered the opportunity to run an emerging SL franchise I'd be spending the money in the following order (most to least) - prop, playmaking SO or SH, back row, full back, hooker, loose forward, centre, wing.
Barring bad luck with injuries a dominant pack will ALWAYS keep you in contention. There are no guarantees with silverware, but you won't fail to be in the hunt. On the flipside, a team that invests most of its money in the backs whilst maintaining an average or below average front six will find it very difficult to be successful.
