BHQ Countdown: Most Loved/Least Liked Players Reveal thread

[Culhwch]

Greg eden? I didn't vote but Harvey Howard was my favourite ever true Englishman we had. Even above herbie, probably passed more too! (Just joking, love the herbinator too)

Loved Harvey, he went very close to making my list.

 

[simplythebest]

Please for the love of god use Dark mode you animal.

That's how you know you're alive!

 

[Big Pete]

Hall i dont think was poor for the Rorters, but he just didnt seem to be able to get over the line. He was way past his best though when he came over here. I still think the issue is a lot of the back line players have is they never seem to move to settled sides, they always seem to end up at basket case clubs.

The forwards are a different story. They all seem to be pretty decent.

Not only was Hall's career on the downslope but not long after signing with the Roosters he tore his ACL and had to complete his rehab in Australia. Then after he got a few games under his belt, he went on tour with England where he dislocated his knee and had another injury plagued pre-season.

Still, to play alongside all those talented players and come up with a goose egg is telling.

I think there are a number of reasons why the English backs tend to struggle in Australia. You touched on one and the choice of club certainly plays into it. Another factor is that they rarely last a season so they never get that opportunity to sharpen their skills and pick up on the nuances that are required at NRL level. The other factor is that England are just lacking those top end James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Joseph Manu etc. freak of natures.

I'd imagine that's because anyone who is athletically gifted is steered towards Football or Rugby.

Still, as we've seen with Farnworth and Young, if these players are given time to develop they can be quality players in their own right.

 

[theshed]

Welcome back to the ZTop happy hour :P

BHQ Loved

40. Greg Eden

2015-2016
Position: Wing
Games: 7
Tries: 2
Premierships: 0
Highest Vote: 6 (ZTop)

BHQ Loathed

40. Ben Hannant

2006-2008, 2011-2014
Position: Front Row
Games: 148
Tries: 12
Premierships: 1
Highest Vote: 5 (pennywisealfie)

lol who tf remembered Eden let alone loved him?

 

[Wolfie]

Not only was Hall's career on the downslope but not long after signing with the Roosters he tore his ACL and had to complete his rehab in Australia. Then after he got a few games under his belt, he went on tour with England where he dislocated his knee and had another injury plagued pre-season.

Still, to play alongside all those talented players and come up with a goose egg is telling.

I think there are a number of reasons why the English backs tend to struggle in Australia. You touched on one and the choice of club certainly plays into it. Another factor is that they rarely last a season so they never get that opportunity to sharpen their skills and pick up on the nuances that are required at NRL level. The other factor is that England are just lacking those top end James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Joseph Manu etc. freak of natures.

I'd imagine that's because anyone who is athletically gifted is steered towards Football or Rugby.

Still, as we've seen with Farnworth and Young, if these players are given time to develop they can be quality players in their own right.

I genuinely think they have some top quality players who could match it with the best in the NRL, they just dont have enough of them in their backline. Pryce and Welsby are the standouts at the moment. If Cameron Smith never existed James Roby would more than likely be acknowledged as the best hooker in the game over the last 15 years, plus you look at forwards like Burgess, Graham and Ellis and they show they are capable of developing top level players. Its tough though for them as you say when the majority of kids in England play football. For every kid who wants to play league i reckon you would have hundreds who wouldnt even consider it because football is so dominant there.

Totally agree with you, them moving on after a year never gives them a chance to acclimatise to the NRL. Still think though their backs just dont pick the right teams more often than not. They seem to get blinded by just moving to an NRL team and they more often than not struggle because. Pryce going to Newcastle is a big risk for him with the state they are in despite his talent.

 

[Big Pete]

I genuinely think they have some top quality players who could match it with the best in the NRL, they just dont have enough of them in their backline. Pryce and Welsby are the standouts at the moment. If Cameron Smith never existed James Roby would more than likely be acknowledged as the best hooker in the game over the last 15 years, plus you look at forwards like Burgess, Graham and Ellis and they show they are capable of developing top level players. Its tough though for them as you say when the majority of kids in England play football. For every kid who wants to play league i reckon you would have hundreds who wouldnt even consider it because football is so dominant there.

Totally agree with you, them moving on after a year never gives them a chance to acclimatise to the NRL. Still think though their backs just dont pick the right teams more often than not. They seem to get blinded by just moving to an NRL team and they more often than not struggle because. Pryce going to Newcastle is a big risk for him with the state they are in despite his talent.

It's not like the players who have been signed by Newcastle and the Gold Coast are being pursued by every NRL club. Typically they're only pursued because clubs are desperate and they can't attract local talent.

You're probably right about Pryce and Welsby being the stand-outs and that's the problem. As it currently stands, neither of them are in that class of player I mentioned and while they have potential it could easily go the other way. Especially in the case of Pryce who is making questionable career choices.

Also there's never been any doubts over the quality of their forwards. That's why it's so strange they struggle so much with the outside backs.

Roby would have to have played NRL to be considered the best regardless. That's why most NRL fans would consider Hodgson the superior dummy half. While we're speculating if Smith didn't make it in the NRL I think there would have been a split with Buderus, Farah, Luke, Ennis, N. Friend, J. Friend, Fien all being thereabouts.

If Roby would have to win a Tri-Series/Four Nations/World Cup he would be far more respected in the NRL.

 

[Mustafur]

Young went to Knights and made a name for himself, granted he isn't a spine player which is a very hard position to do much with if the team is garbage.

I think Welsby will be proper good in the NRL though regardless of what team because he can play 1 to 6 at a good level so he could easily be a centre if need be.

 

[Big Pete]

Young went to Knights and made a name for himself, granted he isn't a spine player which is a very hard position to do much with if the team is garbage.

I think Welsby will be proper good in the NRL though regardless of what team because he can play 1 to 6 at a good level so he could easily be a centre if need be.

Like I said both he and Farnworth are outliers. They were willing to develop their games here before they made a name for themselves in the ESL. The only difference between the pair is that Young came over when he was 19 going on 20.

 

[Mustafur]

Like I said both he and Farnworth are outliers. They were willing to develop their games here before they made a name for themselves in the ESL. The only difference between the pair is that Young came over when he was 19 going on 20.

Young was more established in the SL system compared to Herbie, who signed a deal with us well before he was near playing first grade over there from memory.

These two are quite young though, alot of English players tend to come when they are in their mid 20s so I don't think it's that far off of a comparison other then the fact they probably have that fall back option that can linger in their minds if it doesn't go smoothly.

 

[Big Pete]

Young was more established in the SL system compared to Herbie, who signed a deal with us well before he was near playing first grade over there from memory.

These two are quite young though, alot of English players tend to come when they are in their mid 20s so I don't think it's that far off of a comparison other then the fact they probably have that fall back option that can linger in their minds if it doesn't go smoothly.

As I said, Young was still at a developmental age and established himself in the NRL before he did in the ESL. He'd only played twice in the ESL across two seasons and it wasn't like he was this rookie sensation in either game.

The key difference is that players like Young and Farnworth sign knowing they'll bide some time in the lower grades before they get their opportunity. Whereas a Gildart is expected to be a key part of the NRL team. A Young and a Farnworth didn't spend time picking up bad habits in the ESL and having to go through the process of unlearning them.

 

[ningnangnong]

Eagerly awaiting the next reveal @pennywisealfie.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Sorry mate, just waiting to see if either Mitch wanted to take over or if everyone wants me just to write out a list up to number 20 or so.

 

[Culhwch]

Keep going as is! Doing a great job so far!

 

[ningnangnong]

Sorry mate, just waiting to see if either Mitch wanted to take over or if everyone wants me just to write out a list up to number 20 or so.

Keep going as is, I reckon. Way better having some time to discuss each individual player.

 

[BroncsFan]

Keep going as is! Doing a great job so far!

I think penny is suggesting that it takes too long for him to gather up all the info the way he's doing it now (games, try's, prems, etc.).

If that's the case I reckon a block of names without the stats works as well

 

[Xzei]

didnt greg edens father get done with child porn or something?

 

[ZTop]

didnt greg edens father get done with child porn or something?

Google confirms this

 

[Xzei]

Google confirms this

remember at the time there was something about him not being able to play in england without coping shit on the field