: Wed May 20, 2009 10:21 am  

Ski wrote:

O'Loughlin and Hock are different players. I've always thought Wigan use Pubehead wrong. He is better as a solid line runner and someone to really rely on in defence. He is an awkward ball player, and Wigan would be better suited with some one with a bit more flair at 13, allowing him to roam, tackle and make yards off his running.

Hock can be a devastating player. He is a great runner, and if he can be pulled in a bit, he can learn to utilise his offloads better. Cut out the brain farts and I would have him starting for England because he would punch holes in any defence. With players like Pryce, Burrow and Roby backing up for the offload, you have a winning combination.

Agree mate that they're totally different players. I just think overall O'Loughlin brings that little bit more value to a side. It is very hard to compare though.

Anyway back on track with Clough.

: Wed May 20, 2009 10:42 am  

I would personally see Hock in there for his all round game rather than O'Loughlin.

Cloughy should be in there too, the guy has been brilliant this season.

: Wed May 20, 2009 12:51 pm  

When hock is at his best the ain't many better 2nd rows in the world but when he has a bad day the ain't many worse.

I don't think it will do clough any harm at all missing out. In fact it might make him try even harder.

If he keeps improving like he is at mo it won't be long before he's a England regular.

: Wed May 20, 2009 3:32 pm  

St pete wrote:

When hock is at his best the ain't many better 2nd rows in the world ...

When Hock's on form he's a dangerous player alright, but let's not go overboard with praise. There are plenty of NRL second row forwards who are better than Hock. Let's be honest, he's never done anything against NZ or Australia.

: Wed May 20, 2009 7:46 pm  

O'Loughlin is better than Hock. He is more consistent and has a better rugby brain than Hock. Hock can be devastating on his day, but in the really big games, he often underachieves.

: Wed May 20, 2009 7:54 pm  

Always preferred Gareth's Scandanavian cousin, Sven. He's got an edge in intelligence.

Always preferred Gareth's Scandanavian cousin, Sven. He's got an edge in intelligence.

: Wed May 20, 2009 8:08 pm  

McClennan wrote: Always preferred Gareth's Scandanavian cousin, Sven. He's got an edge in intelligence.

McClennan wrote: Always preferred Gareth's Scandanavian cousin, Sven. He's got an edge in intelligence.

: Thu May 21, 2009 11:27 am  

Eurob0y wrote:

Problem is, I think both Hock and O Loughlin are ahead of him at the moment for England places but in time, he will be twice the player O Loughlin is and on a par with Hock

You do O'Loughlin a disservice there. He's been very impressive for me whenever I've seen Wigan this season (in a non-spectacular way) and we know he's a player who can transfer his game to the international level.

I'd expect Clough's game to transfer in a similar manner, especially if he had another year under his belt.

Hock is a bit of an enigma, but I do believe he has the ability to trouble even the Aussies (if he's having a good day).

Westwood, I like, he always seems to make strong yards and a lot of tackles, but he does seem to give away a few too many penalties. I like aggressive forwards, but I'd have to see him play more often whether he's going towards being a liability.

From early articles, I assume that Ellis is still going well down under, and would be a automatic choice come th'end of the season.

I would want four (3 start 1 bench) out of those five to be picked if we were playing the Aussies next week.
I'd be open to any other suggestions, though, as I don't get to see every game in the league.

: Thu May 21, 2009 1:06 pm  

I think Clough is already a better player than all of them.

Stats someone????

For me he is the most consistent performer in the Saints Squad this year.

The future is bright.

NickyKiss wrote:

O'Loughlins a better player then Hock.

Besides the both of them though(Hock didn't make the squad either by the way) i'd have had Clough in ahead of Westwood.

Westwoods a decent superleague player but international class long term? I wouldn't think so.

Clough on the other hand will get better and better and is ahead of Westowod even now in talent terms.

: Thu May 21, 2009 1:20 pm  

smileysaint wrote: I think Clough is already a better player than all of them. Stats someone???? For me he is the most consistent performer in the Saints Squad this year. The future is bright. as requested cloughy v hock (i thought hock would be better) http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 Cloughy v O'lock http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 Hock v O'lock http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 O'lock has played 1 more game than the other two If we were playing the ozzies, i'd pick O'lock for his tackling first then cloughy, then hock, based on just stats

smileysaint wrote: I think Clough is already a better player than all of them. Stats someone???? For me he is the most consistent performer in the Saints Squad this year. The future is bright. as requested cloughy v hock (i thought hock would be better) http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 Cloughy v O'lock http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 Hock v O'lock http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 O'lock has played 1 more game than the other two If we were playing the ozzies, i'd pick O'lock for his tackling first then cloughy, then hock, based on just stats