Re: RD1 | Warrington Wolves : Wed Feb 10, 2016 10:47 am  

I agree with AG and RL88. Of course he is a great prospect and stood in for Briscoe very well on the whole last season. But he is some way from the finished product and I still have doubts as to his handling and defence. Apart from the dropped balls he also blew a couple of crucial tries for us last year with an inability to pass and being a big lad he often goes in too high in the tackle and a bit half hearted. He has the chance to develop further this year as time is on his side but I would rate him some way behind Golding and Lilley in class at this stage.

Re: RD1 | Warrington Wolves : Wed Feb 10, 2016 11:03 am  

Andy Gilder wrote:

Going to have to take you up on that one.

There were a number of times he looked out of his depth last season - Cas at home when his backside fell out taking a straightforward high kick, Magic Weekend when he was like a rabbit in headlights and couldn't hold the ball in contact both stand out.

He did some good things, but let's not pretend there weren't times he looked to be in over his head as well.

Ah yes forgot about those....but that's indicative. The lasting memories of him have been mostly good (in direct contrast to Vickery, eg). He is at least good enough to be enticed to stay if possible; as we all agree you can't expect to have superstars/world beaters in every position across the park.

Re: RD1 | Warrington Wolves : Wed Feb 10, 2016 11:10 am  

He seemed to get his confidence back pretty quickly after the aforementioned howlers. A very good attribute in a young player; some would've shown the scars from that drop against cas for a long while. And let's face it, we don't have to delve too far into the back catalogue to find examples of equally poor play by Hall and Briscoe. I think he's a great prospect.

Re: RD1 | Warrington Wolves : Wed Feb 10, 2016 11:28 am  

The Cas game was a couple of days after one of his best mates from his Academy days had died and he had to get through a minutes silence on the field before kickoff......I think in the circumstances I wouldn't hold too much (if any in fact) on his performance that night in the slightest.

Re: RD1 | Warrington Wolves : Wed Feb 10, 2016 12:42 pm  

I wouldn't hold it against any player never mind a young one. It happens, even to experienced players. As long as it doesn't happen regularly it's not an issue.

Re: RD1 | Warrington Wolves : Wed Feb 10, 2016 8:09 pm  

Biff Tannen wrote:

I really think you are being very harsh to be honest mate. Handley is way ahead of where anybody could have expected him to be right now.He has all the core skills needed imo, and the fact he played almost half a season at 18 scoring plenty of tries (13 in 21 games for Leeds 2015) and generally holding his own and not looking out of place against seasoned pro's bodes really well for the future. By comparison Ryan Hall was 19 almost 20 when he was just breaking into the Leeds side sporadically and was not the monster winger he is these days. Handley at 1 inch taller has the frame to also fill out and become an excellent three quarter in the next few years.If he keeps getting the game time at Fev and the odd game for us he is on the right track. Same goes for Golding and even Lilley ( who is getting his chance now but is no way fully developed) these lads need patience if we are to see them hit their full potential but that is a few years away.

Agree with you that there is much more development for all 3 which is likely to take a few years. Appreciate different for props but think how long Leeds have been bringing on singleton before he hit his straps last season. Let's not be in too much of a rush to see the back of MCGuire and Burrow. No pair of halves have got anywhere near their success for Leeds. 14 championships between them.

Re: RD1 | Warrington Wolves : Wed Feb 10, 2016 11:42 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

Going to have to take you up on that one.

There were a number of times he looked out of his depth last season - Cas at home when his backside fell out taking a straightforward high kick,

Cas away by contrast he was absolutely superb in awful conditions where he was bombed constantly with Carney in his face.

He's a great prospect. Rough edges though.

Re: RD1 | Warrington Wolves : Thu Feb 11, 2016 11:40 am  

True enough though even if he never improves on last year's standards he's playing at a level not far off some regular starters in SL. BJB, say.

Re: RD1 | Warrington Wolves : Thu Feb 11, 2016 5:06 pm  

Handley is very much SL ready imo yea there were errors but he was much more good than bad.