: Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:20 pm  

He should go down as a star. His stats. back that up withy 3 GF wins (and counting), 2 WCC wins, twice in SL dream team, most tries in a SL match by a forward, most SL apps. by an overseas player for Leeds. He was instrumental in us getting to the GF in 2004 and 2007 and his try in 2007 really turned tha game. He was great for us that day. I also remember how immense he was for us against Melbourne - no offloading, just good strong running and tackling and saved a try by reading a dangerous kick through right in front of me. He should have got MOTM that day. There was the 5 tries v Wakefield in 2007 (which I didn't see) but the following week we put 70 on Wigan and he carved them up. How about his 80m try at Saints in the play offs? Obviously his skills are what he is known for but he is a better defender, better ball runner and metre-maker than he is given credit for. I agree that other teams must worry about him and he seems to be good for team spirit/morale too. I love watching him play.

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:30 pm  

He must be one of the hardest placers to defend against.When he's in top form he's a joy to watch.
Who'd have thought when he first signed for Leeds he would reach a 150 appearances
He will go down as a Leeds great.

Slightly moving off topic one of my memories of Ali was when he was playing pictionary with G1 at Barrie Macs bar sport's night

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:40 pm  

tvoc wrote:

No such team exists young man, although it'd make for a great merged franchise if it did.

It was V Wigan in the South Stand/West Stand corner (if that exists.)

I'm still looking for a video of that, if anyone could upload it to one of the well known sharing sites it would be much appreciated

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:44 pm  

Ali's debut Vs Salford (IIRC)...

Just on the pitch as a sub, holds a defender off with one hand and flicks the ball 'around the corner' of another defender to Calderwood who scores in the corner.

Awesome.

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:55 pm  

rhinoms wrote:

Very harsh imo,he lacks form at times like any other player(except peacock) but inconsistent isn't a term i'd use!

definitely not harsh & when looking @ the appearance table shows how many he's missed for someone who should be 1st name on the sheet.

he will be a legend for his skills & hitting form @ the right time the last 2 seasons (as a few others did in 2007).

Half his time he's been injured or looked like his mind's not on the job holding him back from all time great status.

Glad how well he's playing recently.

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:02 pm  

Surprised no-ones mentioned when he was firing the rest of the team up in the 2007 Grand Final at that scrum, moments later he was crashing over in the corner to score the first try of the second half

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:06 pm  

We were having this chat about two weeks ago.

In the modern game, where overseas players seem to stick around for a couple of seasons at most, he is one of the best signings ever.

We've had five good years so far, including three title wins.

I'd put a case for him being the best ever overseas player in Super-League, if you take level of skill and length of service.

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:19 pm  

doc-rhino wrote:

definitely not harsh & when looking @ the appearance table shows how many he's missed for someone who should be 1st name on the sheet.

he will be a legend for his skills & hitting form @ the right time the last 2 seasons (as a few others did in 2007).

Half his time he's been injured or looked like his mind's not on the job holding him back from all time great status.
Glad how well he's playing recently.

He's been here 5 yrs this year has 150 apps so far how does that equate to being injured half the time??????????
Also the last part of that sentence is utter tripe!!

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:45 pm  

ok since mid 2005 , injured a quarter & another quarter might as well have not been on the pitch.

thankfully fully fit & motivated @ the moment

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:56 pm  

LS16_Rhino wrote:

I once had the privilege of awarding the big guy a ‘player of the month’ award a couple of years back – one of the nicest blokes you could meet (also has the biggest hands of anyone I have ever shook hands with)

I take it you haven't shaken hands with Arthur Beetson ?