Re: Saints sign Luke Walsh : Wed May 29, 2013 2:37 pm
I really think this taking on the line thing is a huge red herring. Like I've said elsewhere there are very few halves in the whole of SL who have been the complete package. You just don't get a halfback, who can take on the line, organise, have good footwork, have a long and short kicking game, an ability to put people through gaps, have pace to burn and tackle like a prop.Long was the closest to this that we have seen, but for years he was not the best long kicker in the world. He added to his game as the years and the coaches passed through.
If you look at Leeds, Maguire a fantastic support player. Burrows can take on the line, but neither could really kick for toffee. Sinfield took on all the kicking roles, with some help from fullback.
The 7 does not have to do everything, he just needs to take on the roles that we are sorely missing. That is kicking and organising. Lomax can take on the line all day long, Wheeler too brings other weapons to the party, but lacks durability.
Expecting a 7 to be all things to all men, just does not exist. Briers does not do it all, neither does dobson or Dureau. They all have their foils that can take on the additional tasks, just as long had Martyn and Sculthorpe.
One man does not make a team, but one halfback makes a hell of an improvement on zero.