Re: Who is the Lockers replacement already at the club? : Sun Dec 01, 2019 10:57 am  

Grimmy wrote:

What prop have we had in the Super League era as good as Morley? Andy Farrell for 10 games in 04, Fielden for 10 games in 06. We've had no one perform as well as him in that position for even one season, never mind a full career.

I'd say Peacock was definitely Motley's equal.

Both are all time greats, but if I had to pick one then I'd probably pick JP.

Re: Who is the Lockers replacement already at the club? : Sun Dec 01, 2019 1:22 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I'd say Peacock was definitely Motley's equal.

Both are all time greats, but if I had to pick one then I'd probably pick JP.

Sorry I meant 'we' as in Wigan. Agree regarding Peacock

Re: Who is the Lockers replacement already at the club? : Sun Dec 01, 2019 1:44 pm  

Grimmy wrote:

What prop have we had in the Super League era as good as Morley? Andy Farrell for 10 games in 04, Fielden for 10 games in 06. We've had no one perform as well as him in that position for even one season, never mind a full career.

It depends on what you mean by 'as good'? If you are talking about aggression then nobody but in terms of general play then O'Connor, Cowie, Smith, Pongia just to name a few where all as good and in some cases better than Morley as all round prop forwards. Morley was just aggressive and intimidating but sometimes it worked against him. He was well known for flying out of the line looking for a big hit and completely missing the target and leaving a big gap in the defence or taking a players head off and giving away penalties or getting sent off. When players such as Tallis praise Morley they are always referring to his aggression and toughness, nobody ever praised him for being hard to stop or having a great offload etc.

As far as prop forwards go, Jamie Peacock was head and shoulders far superior. He may not of been as aggressive but his general all round play was light years ahead of Morley.

Re: Who is the Lockers replacement already at the club? : Sun Dec 01, 2019 8:01 pm  

Morley was fantastic. Defensively hard as nails who thrived in a time when players could put in a good shot. He’s hits on players could literally change a game forcing a knock on or error.
Had a genuine fear factor which forced the opposition to second guess themselves and always be aware of him; that’s an underrated presence which only few can claim.

In attack he would run through a brick wall.

I’d have loved him at Wigan. To think some don’t rate him makes me question their knowledge of a RL player.

Re: Who is the Lockers replacement already at the club? : Sun Dec 01, 2019 9:14 pm  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

Morley was fantastic. Defensively hard as nails who thrived in a time when players could put in a good shot. He’s hits on players could literally change a game forcing a knock on or error.
Had a genuine fear factor which forced the opposition to second guess themselves and always be aware of him; that’s an underrated presence which only few can claim.

In attack he would run through a brick wall.

I’d have loved him at Wigan. To think some don’t rate him makes me question their knowledge of a RL player.

Theres a big difference in not rating a player and thinking he is over-rated. He was never the holy grail of props.

Re: Who is the Lockers replacement already at the club? : Sun Dec 01, 2019 9:39 pm  

[quote="The_Enforcer"]Theres a big difference in not rating a player and thinking he is over-rated. He was never the holy grail of props

I think people rate Morley as one of the best British props over the past few decades. I think that’s fair. And not overrated. To you think differently?

Re: Who is the Lockers replacement already at the club? : Mon Dec 02, 2019 1:57 am  

[quote="Last Son of Wigan"]

Yes, i could name many who were better all rounders than him. If you wanted a big hit or to rough the opposition up then Morley could do it but his general game was a level behind that of Peacock, Fielden, Graham. San Burgess just to name 4 who played in the last 10 years. These 4 were truly world class props in their prime, a level above Morley who was a good player but not the messiah of prop forwards that people make him out to be.

Re: Who is the Lockers replacement already at the club? : Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:35 am  

[quote="The_Enforcer"]

I, and probably many others would put Morley in the same company as Graham, Fielden, Burgess and Peacock.

Just for the records;
Morley played over 200 games more than Burgess, including doubling his international appearances, but performing at the highest levels in the NRL.
Over 100 more games than Fielden
More games than Peacock (who was never tested in the NRL)
More games currently than Graham

His performances and accolades are there for all to see.

So you think Ito suggest he's in the same company as the ones you've listed makes him overrated?

Re: Who is the Lockers replacement already at the club? : Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:56 am  

Morley was a different type of forward to Peacock, Fielden or Graham. Sam Burgess was more similar but still not quite as intimidating as Morley at his peak. If you wanted a forward to churn out metre after metre for you, he probably wouldn’t be the first one you’d pick but the things he brought to a side were immeasurable. He was a throw back in a lot of ways and I loved watching him play. He terrorised teams and we’d kill for a player like that in an England shirt at present. I thought the likes of Walmsley, Thompson and Tom Burgess gave us a stark look at where we’re at currently on that recent tour.

Re: Who is the Lockers replacement already at the club? : Mon Dec 02, 2019 8:50 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

Morley was a different type of forward to Peacock, Fielden or Graham. Sam Burgess was more similar but still not quite as intimidating as Morley at his peak. If you wanted a forward to churn out metre after metre for you, he probably wouldn’t be the first one you’d pick but the things he brought to a side were immeasurable. He was a throw back in a lot of ways and I loved watching him play. He terrorised teams and we’d kill for a player like that in an England shirt at present. I thought the likes of Walmsley, Thompson and Tom Burgess gave us a stark look at where we’re at currently on that recent tour.

You make a good point. I think this current GB team would massively benefit for an 'in his prime Morley'.