Loose Forward Role : Tue Jan 22, 2013 8:13 pm  

Just wanted to know your thought and opinions on the loose forward role.

The role of a 13 has changed over the years, and divides opinion through out super league, with many coaches choosing to play a 3rd prop there rather than a ball player,

My question is, what exactly do you want to see from a 13 in the modern game?

Re: Loose Forward Role : Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:42 pm  

Matt The Saint wrote:

Just wanted to know your thought and opinions on the loose forward role.

The role of a 13 has changed over the years, and divides opinion through out super league, with many coaches choosing to play a 3rd prop there rather than a ball player,

My question is, what exactly do you want to see from a 13 in the modern game?

I think the loose forward role should be a mix of a stand off and second row. I'd like him to be able to ball handle and also be able to run at the line.

One word > Scully

Re: Loose Forward Role : Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:20 am  

In the two friendlies Manu has been named as our LF, but Wilkin seems to be playing that role?

It'll be interesting to see how Brown will be using the role.

Re: Loose Forward Role : Wed Jan 23, 2013 7:57 pm  

St pete wrote:

One word > Scully

a proper LF

Re: Loose Forward Role : Wed Jan 23, 2013 9:48 pm  

When Scully was injured Wilkin seemed to play 13 when I saw you lot play.
Why didn't Wilkin get the 13 full time when Scully retired?
TP often gets the job now on the team sheet but doesn't seem to doing a LF's stint.

Re: Loose Forward Role : Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:21 pm  

I agree that Scully was the ideal loose. Power, leadership, a tackling machine and a decent kicking game is what's needed and he had it all.

Re: Loose Forward Role : Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:41 am  

If all depends on the balance of the side, and how you use your 1,6,7 and 9. If you have enough creativity in other positions, you can use your 13 as a work horse, but if your halves lack that creativity, then a more ball playing 13 would be highly beinficial.

For me, an ideal 13 is one who can run, make the hard yards, has decent hands and can defend. We were lucky enough to have one of the best in Scully, and Wigan had one in Farrell. Wilkin will be our 13 this year, as he was last year, and although he is not anywhere near Scully's level, he is the best we have. I wouldn't object to Gaskell playing there, but I am not 100% sure he would be capable of making the hard yards, and he is a bit suspect defensively.

Re: Loose Forward Role : Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:01 am  

Tez the Saint wrote:

If all depends on the balance of the side, and how you use your 1,6,7 and 9. If you have enough creativity in other positions, you can use your 13 as a work horse, but if your halves lack that creativity, then a more ball playing 13 would be highly beinficial.

For me, an ideal 13 is one who can run, make the hard yards, has decent hands and can defend. We were lucky enough to have one of the best in Scully, and Wigan had one in Farrell. Wilkin will be our 13 this year, as he was last year, and although he is not anywhere near Scully's level, he is the best we have. I wouldn't object to Gaskell playing there, but I am not 100% sure he would be capable of making the hard yards, and he is a bit suspect defensively.

Aye, I don't understand the Gaskell at loose forward idea. He's far too light and no way near aggressive enough.

Re: Loose Forward Role : Thu Jan 24, 2013 3:53 pm  

Dux wrote:

Aye, I don't understand the Gaskell at loose forward idea. He's far too light and no way near aggressive enough.

If he put on a stone or two he could play there, but his defence would be an issue. I also think that with a combination of Manu and Sia in the back row, it would be wise to have more of a grafter in their at 13. In the past I would have definitely wanted a more creative 13, but looking at the mix of players, I think Wilkin works best.

Re: Loose Forward Role : Thu Jan 24, 2013 4:06 pm  

Scully is something of a Legend and any comparison to him at LF is going to end unfavourably.

He had to finish way before his time. He will only be 36 this year, which maybe too old to play, but considering when he finished.

Even if we could only have pushed him out for a few games a year, having Scully in a side could have turned some of those final losses against Leeds into Wins.

Even when he was not 100% he came on in the WCC and absolutley raised the team to another level.