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Hi. Watching the exiles games at the moment and looking at the England forwards has made me wonder what other people opinions of Eorl Crabtree are?

Lima is going and doesn't look like Fielden will play a part next season (not that he has this season). Yes he is under contract at the Giants but as we all know, a contract means chuff all. Not saying he is a possibility or the answer but I have always liked liked the bloke. He attracts players due to his size and runs hard.

What are other peoples opinions?

rumour has it hes going to saints

Not for me. A good solid player but not quite what we're after. He just never seems to quite achieve what he ought to.
That Larne Patrick character is who I'd like.

Crabtree has plenty to offer moreso as an impact forward off the bench IMO. I do wonder though if over the course of 80 minutes modern RL is better suited to the smaller, mobile, agile Jeff Lima type of prop forward and the likes of Big Earl cost more in defence than they provide in attack.

I'm with kiwi, I'd rather have Patrick if I could pick a front row from Huddersfield. But if you gave me Crabtree I'd take him. Lot of impact power and skill

cherry.pie wrote:Crabtree is very mobile for a big player and gets through a hell of a lot of work just like Jeff Lima does. The downside to Crabtree is that he has no nastiness to his game. He's difficult to put down but you wouldn't exactly fear him if you were defending against him. If he was very aggressive like Hock then he'd be one of the best props in the world.

Very much like Jeff Lima, who also has very little nastiness to his game, but he is a tough bloke prepared to put in the hard yards and make the tackle.
Eorl maybe doest put the number of carries in that Jeff does but he is no shirker.
I'd rather you tackled him than me.

I also think Crabtree could be a good asset if he came to Wigan, he's played well for Hudds this year and like to think Bitcon and SW could get some more out of the big fella. Just look what they have done with Dudson and Flowers and if you look down under they are now going towards big forwards who are mobile and I think Crabtree fits the bill, so I wouldnt say no if he was available.

It all comes down to a nature v nurture argument. for me, Crabtree being trained by Bitcon and coached by Wane could be a fantastic player, as he does have natural size and is mobile for a big lump.
Unfortunately for him, if he goes anywhere it will be to Stains.

Dont forget Big E used to play Centre