Loose Forward

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orrsome
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Loose Forward

Post by orrsome » 19 Jun 2020, 13:38

Having watched some NRL recently it seems that the role of loose forward has gone away from being an extra prop, to once again being a ball player. Maybe because the game has got quicker?
Several times the Aussie commentators said that this was a welcome return and mentioned English style ball playing LFs such as Paul Sculthorpe and Andy Farrell.
I personally hope that SL follows in this trend but who would be the ball playing LF for Cas?
The best one we ever had for me was Nikau, but nowadays we play Adam Milner or Nathan Massey at LF, neither of which could really be described as a ball player.
Millington is the nearest but maybe a bit too slow these days?

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by Lofthouse Tiger » 19 Jun 2020, 14:14

Malcolm Reilly for mine was and is by far the best ball playing forward we ever produced followed by Steve Norton. Massey and Milner added together would not be anywhere near these 2.

In the current squad I think Milner is a better option than Massey and has proved many times he can be a top player, then on other occasions he tends to be a penalty machine. He can be brilliant one minute then a nightmare the next as I am sure we have all seen. A prime example being in the Saints semi final where he made an outstanding try saving tackle then popped up at the other end and scored a vital try. On that kind of form you would always pick him above Massey.

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by Fumper27 » 19 Jun 2020, 14:25

Joe Westerman wasn't too bad

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by Piquad1 » 19 Jun 2020, 15:19

I'll go wi Knocker. Decent player in his time.

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by 43s flyer » 19 Jun 2020, 15:27

Piquad1 wrote: 19 Jun 2020, 15:19 I'll go wi Knocker. Decent player in his time.
Pity steve's career was mostly at Hull, great player fantastic guy.

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by North Leeds Tiger » 19 Jun 2020, 15:27

I think both Daniel Smith or George Griffin could play the 13 ball handling role.

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by tigerfeat » 19 Jun 2020, 16:32

Mal Reilly was one of best ball handling loose forwards I've seen

Cam Smith at Leeds is one of the best young prospects around I've seen in this country to play that role in the next few years
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Re: Loose Forward

Post by orrsome » 19 Jun 2020, 16:32

Adrian Vowles was also something special but we dont currently have a ball playing LF any where near the same class as any of those from previous eras.
IMO It's the main weakness in our current squad, unless of course DP can work his magic and convert someone like Blair into a LF?

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by Flat Capper » 19 Jun 2020, 16:34

Nikau wasn't bad either at slipping out a sneaky ball.
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Re: Loose Forward

Post by nottinghamtiger » 19 Jun 2020, 16:47

I wonder whether the change in the LF role is actually something different, and that is all the forwards are ball-handlers. Previously, forwards who could actually pass were few and far between, so they got a reputation as a ‘ball handler’.
Nowadays, you have to have an element of ball-handling to play at the top level. It’s no good just being a big bloke who can run hard.
The likes of Liam Watts, Dan Smith and Grant Millington all have the skills. It’s not just a loose-forward’s job to pass the ball anymore.

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by Ladytiger » 19 Jun 2020, 19:47

It’s a long shot but when he played I always thought foster would make a fantastic loose forward one for the future he’s big and strong got the speed .. hopefully when he returns he can stay injury free

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by tigerfeat » 19 Jun 2020, 20:03

I give Oneill a chance of being our 13 in time if he makes the progress I hope he will
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Re: Loose Forward

Post by Tamworth Tiger » 19 Jun 2020, 21:16

It would be great to see those skills come back into the game.
Who would have thought that Malcolm’s return would ultimately lead to Knocker being forced out to Hull. Two of the best loose forwards I have ever seen at the same time at the same club. Another Hardisty Millward scenario a few years on.

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by jackknife » 19 Jun 2020, 21:17

Ladytiger wrote: 19 Jun 2020, 19:47 It’s a long shot but when he played I always thought foster would make a fantastic loose forward one for the future he’s big and strong got the speed .. hopefully when he returns he can stay injury free
He doesn't pass though similar to Holmes, i think Dan Smith or Millington (to late now) our best option at a ball handling loose if thats what Powell wants instead of the usually Massey or Milner type loose.
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Re: Loose Forward

Post by Andrew6666 » 23 Jun 2020, 21:50

DP seems to change the LF role dependent on opposition, extra big man (Massey) or ball player (Milner) dependent on what we need. I don't see it as a specialist position anymore.

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by jackknife » 24 Jun 2020, 07:29

I dont think Milner does much ball handling him and massey look like they are told to just find the floor and get a quick play the ball.
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Re: Loose Forward

Post by orrsome » 24 Jun 2020, 09:35

Andrew6666 wrote: 23 Jun 2020, 21:50 DP seems to change the LF role dependent on opposition, extra big man (Massey) or ball player (Milner) dependent on what we need. I don't see it as a specialist position anymore.
I agree that its not a specialist position any more, which I see as a pity.
The NRL seems to see going back to ball playing LFs as a big positive, where it was them that introduced the extra prop LF in the first place and SL just followed.
Just imagine the attacking potential that a player such as Vowles, Nickau, Reilly, or others mentioned by posters would give us.
I'm surprised that DP doesnt seem to use a ball playing LF. Maybe he can't find a suitable recruit or just doesn't see it as a priority.

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by Scoopage » 24 Jun 2020, 10:37

Mcmeeken always struck me as someone who could play the ball handling loose forward but obviously it looks like he’s off to France

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by methleytiger » 25 Jun 2020, 08:44

John juicy joiner great player and a gent :clap:

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Re: Loose Forward

Post by Lofthouse Tiger » 26 Jun 2020, 16:11

JJ was a quality player wherever he played and is a real Cas legend in my eyes. Had the pleasure of meeting and speaking to him at Wembley in 2014. He still looked as fit then as he did when he played.

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