Can we compare? : Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:21 pm  

It's always hard to draw comparisons between past and present players but one during Super League era we can possibly consider is between Oli Pratt and Gareth Ellis.
Having watched both players in the fledgling part of their career, I would suggest that, at this stage, Oli Pratt is a better player that Gareth Ellis and it's hardly surprising that we are all so excited about his potential. Of course, Gareth kicked on to have a stellar career and we can only hope that Oli gets good fortune to emulate that, but just looking at the first year of two outstanding talents I reckon that Oli is the more complete player. Now it's up to him and his coaches to build a great player.

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Re: Can we compare? : Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:37 pm  

I agree, but I don't think Ellis would have progressed to the level he did if he'd remained a centre.
It definitely suited him to move to backrow

Whereas Pratt is a dead set centre or winger.
I think he'll be great but I can't imagine he'll be dominating the NRL. But who knows.

Re: Can we compare? : Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:20 pm  

Agree Ellis dominated over here and in Ozz Think he is in the all time greats

Re: Can we compare? : Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:36 pm  

One thing that Gareth had was a determination to succeed and he put the work in for his achievements.

Re: Can we compare? : Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:59 pm  

phe13 wrote:

One thing that Gareth had was a determination to succeed and he put the work in for his achievements.

Something Pratt appears to have in abundance also.

I agree with a lot of posts on here that Pratt is playing better than Ellis did in his breakthrough centre years. It’s exciting to have a centre with potential like Pratt. If he continues to work hard he will no doubt be one of the top centres in SL in a couple of short years.

Said it before but he’s got the legs and agility of a young lad but the head of an experienced centre the way he plays. Hes a powerful lad too.

Clearly working hard and long may that continue.

Another thing I noticed, even against seasoned players is he’s not afraid to give them some backchat. He’s tough as nails is Pratt.

Can’t see him not being first choice as it stands.


I don’t know why but he reminds me a little of Karl Pratt who played at bulls/Leeds and for Great Britain. Tough as nails.

Re: Can we compare? : Tue Feb 04, 2025 6:50 pm  

phe13 wrote:

One thing that Gareth had was a determination to succeed and he put the work in for his achievements.

That will always outweigh talent, I could write a book an inch thick of players that could have made it but determination and attitude, which go together, they sadly didn’t have

Re: Can we compare? : Tue Feb 04, 2025 8:29 pm  

Oli looks to me like a modern Paul Newlove. So many similarities. But Gareth in 03 was unstoppable in the centres. In a really bad side. It's a close call. I'm looking forward to seeing Oli in Super League.