Theres a 17 min video of Priors 2016 season on YTUBE, gives a bit of insight of the type of player he is when near his best. His defence looked outstanding, especially his line speed, good offload and very athletic. Reading Cronullas fans page, they say his defence is still very good but his work with the ball has dropped off.
Like Fallon says, his age is the big worry, on the plus side, he was well ahead of Ava in Cronullas prop rotation last season, if he's as good as Ava here, we'd all take that id assume.
32 really, that it not old at all for a modern day RL player, 35 is the new 30. players regularly play at the highest level 35-37 years old. i would say at 32 yes its the back end of prime years but still 3-4 years of prime years left in a forward. i'd wager the average retirement age at the top level is 34-38 bracket as apposed to say 30 years ago 30-33 bracket.
Gareth Ellis will turn 39 this year and is still going. Peacock was our best prop at 36. James Graham is England’s captain at 34. Signing a 32 year old prop is not an issue.
Gareth Ellis will turn 39 this year and is still going. Peacock was our best prop at 36. James Graham is England’s captain at 34. Signing a 32 year old prop is not an issue.
32 really, that it not old at all for a modern day RL player, 35 is the new 30. players regularly play at the highest level 35-37 years old. i would say at 32 yes its the back end of prime years but still 3-4 years of prime years left in a forward. i'd wager the average retirement age at the top level is 34-38 bracket as apposed to say 30 years ago 30-33 bracket.
So many numbers. 32 is still a risk imo, especially with the ammount of games he's played, for the handful of names being mentioned who were going strong well into there 30's, theres plenty more who decline rapidly. Im not saying Prior will, but its a risk we'r taking. But as i mentioned on the post you quoted, there looks to be plenty to like about his game so id be pretty happy with the signing, worth the risk.
Over 250 Nrl games, made his debut as a teenager thats around 20 games a year injury free durable, good athletic defender, exactly the type of player we should be looking at. In fact I would be disappointed if we don’t sign him now. massive upgrade on Peteru, singleton, mullally, Ferres, Garbutt etc.
Titans open to paying part of Shannon Boyd's salary i think Boyd would be a better prop for us over Prior as he's more of a metre maker and can put a dent in opposition defenses, if Prior is our only option i wouldn't be upset as long as he doesn't turn out to be another Ben Cross or mitch achurch
Titans open to paying part of Shannon Boyd's salary i think Boyd would be a better prop for us over Prior as he's more of a metre maker and can put a dent in opposition defenses, if Prior is our only option i wouldn't be upset as long as he doesn't turn out to be another Ben Cross or mitch achurch