Paul Loughlin Vs Paul Newlove : Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:27 pm  

Hi folks. Following on from a thread that was started that was started on the Bulls board about Paul Newlove, it got me thinking about how good of a centre Paul Loughlin was also.

I stated than Loughlin was equally as good as Newlove when both were in their primes, unfortunatley though I never had the luxury of seeing PL numerous times per season, only the times we played each other and internationally really.

What I would like to know from you Saints fans who saw both of these men in their primes, who did you think was the better player of the two?

Thanks.

: Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:33 pm  

Loughlin was good, but Newlove was better, IMO. His purchase was one of the catalysts for saints success over the last 13 yrs or so.

: Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:36 pm  

Loughlin was a big strong centre who hit the line hard and delivered excellent service to his winger, but he was no Newlove.

Prime Newlove was the most balanced rugby league centre I've seen. I recall him playing for Fev at Old Trafford and falling for 25 YARDS to score a try.

In his early career Newlove was a more selfish player and his mind boggling try tallies reflected this. But as he got older he became more aware of his wing man and he formed an excellent partnership with Sully.

I feel a bit sorry for Loughlin because he had a terrible final season for saints in which he blew countless tries for his winger and it kind of tarred his reputation. During one game against Wigan he cost Saints at least three tries. After this debacle the fans turned against him, which was unfair because he had provided excellent service to the club prior.

: Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:39 pm  

Loughlin wasn't anywhere near Newlove class. Good player, but when Newlove could be bothered he was as good as anybody.

: Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:45 pm  

Lockers was vastly underrated by many Saints fans, yet IMO at his peak was a genuine world class centre.

He was 6ft 3 fast big and was a great wingers centre. He could also play fullback quite well and was an excellent punt kicker of a football.

He however was no Paul Newlove. who is the second best British centre i have seen. Schofield being the best.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:57 am  

only one word .......NEWLOVE

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:21 am  

newlove all day long.....

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:57 am  

Lockers lived the dream, great centre, biggest stride in RL FACT ! Qulaity player and deserved more from teh game in terms of winners medals. But even lockers would say Newy was just out of this world and one of the very best centres to grace the game of RL.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:17 am  

Mugwump wrote:

I feel a bit sorry for Loughlin because he had a terrible final season for saints in which he blew countless tries for his winger and it kind of tarred his reputation. During one game against Wigan he cost Saints at least three tries. After this debacle the fans turned against him, which was unfair because he had provided excellent service to the club prior.

It was a shame that he got that grief, but his last full season was actually something of a swan song. That horror game against Wigan where he drew the man then passed to the touch judge three times was in 93-94, and his form was dreadful all that year, whereas in 94-5 he was being talked about in some quarters (not by me) as warranting a recall to the international setup.

Good player, but not a patch on Newlove, who is still my favourite of all the outrageously good centres we've been spoiled with over the last few years.

: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:45 am  

Loughlin cost us the league in 92/93 by his incompetent goal kicking. Discuss.