Mcilwrick is owning his spot
I can't believe how much better McIlwrick is than his reputation suggested.
He had great reputation before he got here nothing wrong being stuck behind Ennis last year or before that Jake Friend from east and before that Glen Buttriss was a good hooker as well… Matt was state cup hooker of the year last year he is a good player just had a few great players in front of him
I am aware of who he was behind at former clubs, honestly though not a great reputation. Great reputation means general footy supporters know who he is and are excited about him coming to the club. I think it's fair to say most forum readers, who are generally keen students of the game, didn't know much about MMc's game except he'd been around a while and never quite made it. And being signed as a Farah replacement, there was even more scrutiny on what type of footballer he was.
Of course not to take away, he's been behind some quality hookers as you note, but this is his 6th season since debut - he's played at least 2 FG games every year since 2012, but never more than 8 games total (i.e. if he plays 3 more matches for us this season and it's his best ever year).
He's only started 13 times of the 29 games before coming to Tigers and only scored 1 previous try.
And beyond all that, I'm not doubting he's had a good career in ISP with some first-grade time, but he looks to me to be a legitimate full-time FG player. Not just passable, not just gap-filling for Ballin like JLJ, actually the best form hooker we have at the club and for me as good so far as anything Farah's done this year or last year. Different styles of course, but I just love seeing a hooker who can deck the opposition rather than just holding onto the footy and hoping. Robbie's getting on, not quite the fleet foot, MMc has made some really judicious runs this year and doesn't waste his time constantly trying to pull ruck penalties. MMc doesn't kick but I can hardly find fault with his first 6 games for us, really way above anything I expected of him.
