I thought that he was just a 2nd row plodder but i was impressed with his performance against Wakey and he scored a nice try showing a good turn of pace at the weekend.
Will he become a regular in the team for years to come?
I thought that he was just a 2nd row plodder but i was impressed with his performance against Wakey and he scored a nice try showing a good turn of pace at the weekend.
Will he become a regular in the team for years to come?
He looks a good prospect to me but does'nt seem to have a lot of pace off the mark at centre but it may be deceptive because of his size where the smaller lads seem to run more quickly.Won't let us down.
Learned comment from The Don
Developing nicely IMO
With Gilmour going and Flannery probably the year after, his squad place is safe, but at centre, i dont see it, wheeler must be well ahead of him and if we do get JL back then thats that!
He has a great pair of hands, will likely end up being a nifty second rower.
Coming along nicely, with an outrageous dummy this weekend.
Agreed. I would expect Dean to add a bit of size and weight in the off season and play as a backrow forward. IMO he hasnt got the footwork or ball skills that a real top class centre requires at a top four club but is a good solid club man in the same ilk as a Stankevitch or Bennett.
10/12/1989 12-12 v Dewsbury (H) Regal Trophy.
Att:5,847 (Loyal supporter ever since).
I think he's got a bit more ability than Stankevitch & Bennett. They were just pure workhorses but I think he would be more in the Gilmour role in terms of speed off the mark, mobility & excellent support play.
Think he looks composed in both attack and defence, played well if not spectacularly for the past few weeks and has taken his opportunity.
Think he would be well suited to the pack in a few years.
I think Chris Dean is a good example of how people develop at different rates. He's come into his own a bit since his return this season and it's good to see him playing well and enjoying some first grade action. I hope he continues to grow. If he does, I'm sure he will 'make it'.
This lad looks good, he scores trys thats all that matters
Way to early to say but he's played well the last couple of weeks. Still a long way to go.
Must admit I didn't see anything about him at first compared to the other youngsters. He is starting to come to a bit though in the last few weeks having got a bit of a run. In the long run he might turn out to be a Gilmour type player - a second rower with a bit of agility and pace
To some extent you have already made it if you manage to hold down a first team place.
He isnt any world beater, however he comes across as the quiet achieving type, who comes in the team, doesnt grab the headlines, but does a solid job and bags a few trys in the process.
Like others have alluded to, in build and mobility he is similar to Gilmour.
My Widnes connections rated him when on loan last season. Played mainly at centre and was much more affective than Tyrer or Smith.
From what I've seen of him, this year for us, and for Widnes last year, I've been impressed with him. We've needed a centre for a while, and he certainly has tried to lay claim to that position, and quite successful too. Wheeler might have played there a couple of times, but I don't think he's quite suited to it.
I think he's very much in the Gilmour mould. As others have said he doesn't have the pace & footwork to be a top class centre but give him a bit more time to physically mature and I reckon he will make a really good 2nd rower and be pushing for a regular starting spot at Saints.
I had my doubts about him and when he went out on loan I didn't think we would ever see him at the club again. But credit to the lad he's worked hard to improve his game and I hope it continues.