: Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:08 pm  

Saint Rabban wrote:

This season Wilkin is averaging just shy of 41 tackles per game, which in anyones book is outstanding.
In 2006 he averaged 22.8 tackles per game, in 2007 27.8 per game and in 2008 26.5 per game. These are very respectable figures for a second row forward.
I just hope all this extra defensive effort does not detract from his key role in the team which is producing the 'fancy Dan' stuff.

Watched him for this, was second top tackler at Wakey.

Top tackler was none other than Matt Gidley!! 27 tackles!

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:18 pm  

Could the increase in tackles be indicative of the amount of ball we are giving away compared to 2006, 2007 as much as anything?

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:35 pm  

St Ty wrote:

Could the increase in tackles be indicative of the amount of ball we are giving away compared to 2006, 2007 as much as anything?

Possibly or should I say more than likely. If you've got the ball you won't be making tackles and vice -versa.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:48 pm  

St Ty wrote:

Could the increase in tackles be indicative of the amount of ball we are giving away compared to 2006, 2007 as much as anything?

Perhaps an increase in time he's spending on the pitch? Its very rare for him to be spelled these days, but it did used to happen.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:18 pm  

Saint Rabban wrote:

This season Wilkin is averaging just shy of 41 tackles per game, which in anyones book is outstanding.
In 2006 he averaged 22.8 tackles per game, in 2007 27.8 per game and in 2008 26.5 per game. These are very respectable figures for a second row forward.
I just hope all this extra defensive effort does not detract from his key role in the team which is producing the 'fancy Dan' stuff.

I think its making him a much better player. He's been doing quite a lot of kicking and still doing the fancy stuff, but now hes also working much harder. Those figures, just prove my point above. This season he is working much harder and is doing his fair share of graft as well as the fancy stuff.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:28 pm  

I Like Jon Wilkin And Won't Mind Having Him In The Leeds Rhinos 17 But I Fear He Is A Kevin Sinfield Type Player Who No Matter How Good They Are In Super League Will Never Set The World On Fire Internationally...

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:01 pm  

i'd have to agree, he is a great utility player, but in an international setup, his lack of a speciality place makes him hard to pick. Not a 6 or 7 but possibly too small for an international forward either?

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:04 pm  

Agreed. Whilst a superior club/league player, he seems to get outshone at international level by more workman-like players such as o'loughlin and westwood.

Perhaps as he gets toward 30, he'll get thatlittle bit of extra bulk to help him step up better?

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:24 pm  

For selfish reasons, i hope he doesnt play for england is more refreshed for saints!

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:04 pm  

The Joker® wrote:

I Like Jon Wilkin And Won't Mind Having Him In The Leeds Rhinos 17 But I Fear He Is A Kevin Sinfield Type Player Who No Matter How Good They Are In Super League Will Never Set The World On Fire Internationally...

I think that's an uncharacteristically fair comment.