I just wonder how you can teach the smarts or heart to cover in the middle.
In stating that I'm glad he is gone.
I missed this post and you make an interesting point Tiger.
When a big fella goes thru pathways the emphasis is on using your size when hitting the ball up and tackling. It used to be a very one dimensional learning process. That's why they used to say a prop doesn’t get the smarts until he's in his late 30's.
I'm seeing a change now because props are playing NRL when they have not long left high school.
The reason is...the game has got quicker, demanding longer playing minutes and the emphasis is all about speed and sustained pressure. Players with size are snapped up early and are signed on potential.
So to your point, "how do you teach the smarts to play middle." I left out heart because you've either got it or you haven't.
I'm convinced Bellyache can get Stef running with better body height, better in the wrestle and offloads.
Stef has had several coaches since he left the Eels and none of them could teach him how to run. Madge should've fixed this as he's been around the best, none better than Sam Burgess. I'm not saying he taught Sam, I'm saying Madge should have known what makes a middle a good middle.
Time will tell if one of the best coaches of all time can get Stef playing at SOO level. I doubt Benji could have.