ghost crayfish

I assume likewise. But if I was part of the England set up, I'd still ask!

There have been whispers about Brisbane players disobeying club rehab orders and drinking while out injured. Presumably this applies to Farnworth and word got back to Wane. A gentle little reminder about professionalism that most young players need at some point, nothing to worry about. As far as Walker goes, agree England should be doing everything to get him, but a kid who grew up in Queensland rugby league will struggle to turn down a 10 year origin career...

I think he's around 5th in terms of NRL halfbacks. Pretty good. Not a flashy superstar, but very good in defence, very good kicking game and when something opens up in front of him, a dangerous runner. If he could find a little more creativity with his ball playing, he'd be up with the top 3.

Clark is quality. He'd be great in the NRL.

You don't think that's about saying nothing that could blow up into another negative headline about his players, after 12 months of getting slammed?

I never said he should get the job. I said he does have some relevant experience.

So you can't apply for a job you've never done before? I'm not saying he'd be the best candidate, but he's got history as a commercial manager in property/construction, spent years as a director on the cowboys and now the QRL boards, has been a media manager for the qld origin team, etc. I think that's all relevant experience.

Agree with this. I think it's taken a bit of time for a lot of English players to make the adjustment - and I include Adrian Morley and Sam Burgess in this - to the consistent demands of the NRL compared to superleague. It's not that the biggest players are bigger or the best teams are much better, it's that more players are big, and more teams are good. It's just a bit more relentless. The only Englishmen who have adapted immediately have been the Canberra guys, which suggests they've been very well coached and prepared. Thompson will be fine, just like Morley was - but it's worth remembering that Morley took a while to really hit his straps.

Agree with all the praise for Tom Burgess. Souths needed him to stand up this year as their most experienced forward, and he's delivered. No doubt he's the leader of the pack there now.

Yeah he slips under the radar a bit but very rarely stuffs up, and regularly does notable 'good' things.

They're both workers who are on the smaller side for props, run straight and don't offload. But sure, no similarity at all. There must be another reason the bulldogs coach doesn't start them together...

I suspect the bulldogs will move Aden Tolman on at the end of the year, and Thompson will have a much bigger role to play next year. They're too similar to play in the front row together. Also, remember Thompson didn't play for three months, spent two weeks in quarantine, then was straight out onto the field in a higher standard competition, playing with the bottom side. Of course he's not dominating straight away (neither Morley or Burgess did either). I think he's performing solidly and holding his own, which is really all that could be asked for right now.

I think he'll shift over to the left side soon enough and hopefully outside Fifita, he'll get a few more chances to find space. He looks to me like he's a talent, but very hard to show it in this woeful Brisbane team right now.

Farnworth has only got clean ball once, in all his games, as far as I can recall. He actually skipped outside his man and almost created a try. In a badly beaten side against Newcastle I thought he matched Bradman Best.

Playing straight after two weeks in quarantine and a few months in iso back in England is a big ask. I suppose they have to do it sometime, but another week of training couldn't hurt...

Thought Hall looked very fit, and much more confident than last season. His early hit ups were very strong, and his one attacking run showed the sort of pace and power he had before his knee injuries. It's a shame he's competing with two other test wingers for a spot - I'd love to have him at the Broncos!

Totally agree. I think Farnworth should aim to cement the open right wing spot this year (he has his chance this weekend) and then he'll be in a good position to take the centre spot when Boyd decides to have mercy on all us poor suffering fans, and actually retire.

Yeah I think the young Tongan fella will be the long term fullback. Farnworth looks like a centre to me and would be a natural replacement for Boyd.

I'd agree with that assessment. Williams was outstanding, and Hodgson also very good. I still find Hodgson a little frustrating though, because while he does some great things every week, he overplays his hand too often. If there's nothing on he just needs to stay calm and provide good quick service, but too often he'll try something too flashy. Much like Robbie Farah before him, that's the difference between Hodgson and Cameron Smith.

Yeah I like the look of Herbie. Goes looking for the ball, good footwork, and very good under the high ball.

It's really unfortunate for Hall. He was a genuinely world class player who would've thrived in the NRL if he'd gone earlier. Sadly his knee hasn't allowed him to now.

It's true. They got him clean early ball out wide maybe three times, and he caused problems each time. Cartwright got in the way every other time.

Coates is a winger, and is probably ahead of him in that position. But Farnworth offers a bit more utility value, so is a better option for the bench and isn't too far away from being the starting fullback now (as well as being in the mix for centre and wing). It remains to be seen if Isaako can cement the number 1, so Farnworth has opportunities ahead. As for other Englishmen, Williams looks great for Canberra and I think Watkins is one of Gold Coast's better players (admittedly not too hard).

He did. I think he was going nicely and had probably won the spot before his injury. But the way Morris finished the year, combined with Hall hurting his knee again for GB, means he is well behind now IMO. Adding another Morris to the outside backs will put him further behind (and remember, Josh can also play wing if they ever need). I hope Hall can turn it around, but I felt like in that last GB game he played we were watching a guy very close to the end.

Maybe aggressive wasn't the right word. Perhaps 'combative' is closer to what I meant, sorry. But yes, in particular, I meant the last sentence.