carl_spackler wrote:
They don't tell the full story either, though. The thing is, if you play long minutes down the middle, you'll naturally rack up a big tackle count. That's why the top 3 tacklers are all hookers, and the rest of the top 10 is rounded out with another hooker, three 60-80 minute loose forwards, a couple of big minute 2nd rowers, and Lynch, the prop who probably plays the most minutes in SL. That doesn't mean it should be sniffed at, but nor should it be held aloft as the be all and end all.
Unlike most of the rest of the top 10, Fitzgibbon has offered us very little with the ball. If you like stats, here are a couple: 1) he averages less metres per carry than both Ewan Dowes and Lee Radford. 2) He also averages more penalties conceded per game than both (in fact he's even averaged more than Lauaki, who is apparently a penalty machine). Interestingly, both Dowes and Radford are endlessly slated on here for how little they offer, yet Fitzgibbon is lauded as if he's some sort of messiah.
people don't like facts, they prefer delusional wilderment.
Fitz was a hell of a player and had some outstanding achievements in the game, none of which came in a Hull FC shirt.