: Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:09 pm  

AdmiralHanson wrote:

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

That sounds more like a euphamism than it really should.

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:38 pm  

AdmiralHanson wrote:

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

Can't say I have mate.

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:40 pm  

Sorry - but in my opinion was his first season with us, first away game at Odsel.

I seem to recollect the "peanut" in his hand being planted in the soil so deep that they had to dig it out.

( Back in the day when Bradford was the local Derby - not Leeds v Cas )

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:58 pm  

remember when he fended gidley off like a rag doll in the 2007 grand final?

Or what about in 2005 when wellens made him look like a 100m olympic sprinter, as the 200LB+ kiwi sped further and further into the distance from the laboured saints fullback?

Or what about last night when he patted vella on the shoulder after he gave away a penalty?

all great memories.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:04 am  

He compliments the Rhinos well and brings qualities to the team few can. The unsgung heroes get through the less glamorous slog in defence and go forward leaving him fresher to produce his own brand of magic. It's probably where the "lazy" tag came from at the warriors. NZW's loss our gain.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:39 am  

He's worth the admission money alone and truly scares the brown stuff out of the competition, especially Saints who seem to reach high levels of paranoia everytime Ali walks out against them.

IMO possibly in the top 5 Rhinos players of all time for pure ability.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:51 am  

YoungRhinoStato123 wrote:

His try versus Wigan/St Helens i think when he kept in touch from the corner flag, held the ball with one hand and touched it down

That try against Wigan has to be one of the greatest displays of individual skill I’ve ever seen in a Leeds shirt.

One of, if not the best overseas signing Leeds have made.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:57 am  

LS16_Rhino wrote:

That try against Wigan has to be one of the greatest displays of individual skill I’ve ever seen in a Leeds shirt.

One of, if not the best overseas signing Leeds have made.

Up there with Brett Mullins who for at least two games was the best FB I have ever seen.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:32 am  

Ali has been a superb addition to not only leeds, but superleague. would have been interesting to see these boards in 2004 as i recall people saying "why do we want to sign someone who has lost interest in the game?"

Ali transformed the way leeds play, especially down the left hand side and his enthusiasm and determination alone helped turn the 2007 grand final.

The one thing Ali does not get credit for is his defence, which is superb, he very rarely misses tackles and always dominates his opponents!

Unfortunately for him though, he will never overtake the greatest overseas player leeds has ever had, in Matt Adamson.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:49 am  

Ali made me laugh on Friday night, when the Hull KR fans were giving him grief, calling him a fat B££££££££.
What did he do? Smiled at them and started doing exercises in front of them!!!