Do we need another prop for next season?
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 5:30 pm
I feel that to get through a season successfully any top team needs six experienced props (at least a full season at the top level)with another two promising youngsters to help out/gain experience when required. Last season we used Mossop, Luaki, Flower, Dudson, Crosby, Taylor as our main props. Sadly Prescott was never fit and Luaki wasn't available for much of the season which meant that Crosby had to pay far more games than he was probably expected to and he made excellent progress. Minor roles for Spencer (now at Leigh), Greenwood (promising) and Burke (talented but not a prop yet/ever)helped out when required.
This season (assuming we are losing Luaki and Powell) we have 'only' have Flower, Taylor, Dudson, Crosby and Pettybourne as experienced props. I'm sure that Greenwood has potential but we can't expect too much from him at his age and I'm not certain if Hopkins is being developed as a prop (any comments welcomed). Although I don't think that Mossop was our best prop last season he was experienced and played for large parts of a match. Does anybody feel like I do that we still need a big experienced prop who can play for more than 20 minutes per half? Once the season gets underway the chances are that two props will be injured at any time and I think that we may be caught out. If the money and space on the salary cap is available as we believe they are, why not get another good prop in asap?
This season (assuming we are losing Luaki and Powell) we have 'only' have Flower, Taylor, Dudson, Crosby and Pettybourne as experienced props. I'm sure that Greenwood has potential but we can't expect too much from him at his age and I'm not certain if Hopkins is being developed as a prop (any comments welcomed). Although I don't think that Mossop was our best prop last season he was experienced and played for large parts of a match. Does anybody feel like I do that we still need a big experienced prop who can play for more than 20 minutes per half? Once the season gets underway the chances are that two props will be injured at any time and I think that we may be caught out. If the money and space on the salary cap is available as we believe they are, why not get another good prop in asap?