FrodoTBaggin
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 3, 2023
- Messages
- 410
I'd say the majority of the smaller locks in todays game have a fair bit of mongrel though. I agree, you probably don't need mongrel if you have the size of a Yeo, but the smaller Murrays, Radleys and Mcinnes' of the game all make up for it elsewhere.It was an assessment relating to concerns about his size. That is to say, despite being physically more akin to a small forward or a larger half, he is a brave defender, as in, puts his body on the line and hits quite well. The 'relatively' qualifier was due to the fact that, in the middle, he would often be tackling players 10/15kg heavier than him.
It is extremely rare to have a physical lock who also possesses a strong running and passing threat. Generally, team must choose the archetype they want to go with. Skilful and deceptive or a big, strong presence in the middle.
Very, very few have it all.
I don't think mongrel is a necessary skillset in a successful modern-day lock, but, you're right, it wouldn't hurt.
In regards to one of our own, Latu to me shapes an an ideal small-forward lock. But many, myself included, have reservations about workload simply due to his age. If he was 23 or 24, he's a great fit. But at the moment, he remains a versatile and promising half/utility option.
But even he, due to his size, is somebody who I would describe as 'relatively brave' in the middle. I would say the same for the likes of Api.
So the description I used may not be as irrelevant as it may seem at first glance.
Anyway, I'm not married to the idea in the slightest, just an idea worth pondering in my opinion.