According to Saints he’s 180cm which is 5’10ish, just off 5’11, there have been some good international forwards who’ve played at his height.
Steve Prescott MBE (1973-2013)
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Kenny Bromwich was the first name I thought of, he’s not a particularly tall bloke in comparison to who he plays against. He’s played for NZ as well. Thaiday and Gallen are good examples given by Brook, they’re Bentley’s height if you base it on the height Saints have him at. Mark Minichello had a long career and played a lot of games as well at 5’10. Willie Manu and Wilkin at Saints both played internationally. They’re all a lot heavier though.
Bentley reminds me a little bit of Brandon Smith at Melbourne, tough, versatile and does a good job at 13 when he plays there. I think he could play 13 in that way. As Dave says, all the players mentioned were/are tough as anything, seriously skilful and were technically brilliant as well though. There’s different ways to play every position, just depends on what type of player you want.
Whether he’ll ever be good enough to start at a club like Saints, I’m not sure yet but I don’t think his height will be the main factor.
Last edited by Tez the Saint; 2nd June 2020 at 23:36.
Steve Prescott MBE (1973-2013)
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Apart from Wilkin who was really a 13 and Farrell who regularly gets comments on here about not being big enough, The others you mention and Bromwich (mentioned by Tez) are all at lest 2 inches taller and 10 kgs heavier than Bentley. I'm not having a downer on Bentley, I mentioned his size when he was compared to Lee Gilmour.
Although I have always thought him to small to be a regular starting SR. I mentioned that on here when we were signing him and haven't changed my opinion.
I think he is a very useful squad player, one that I would have in the 17 every week. However I realise that others will have differing opinions and if I am proved wrong and he goes on to be anywhere near as good as Gilmour. I will be made up.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby...mpression=true
Sounds like we've offered new deals to both Bentley and Ashworth but both are being tracked by other clubs.
Originally Posted by Despondent Dave
Bentley should always be in the 17 , good enough without a doubt, would really like Ashworth to get more involved in the game , not quite sure but how old is Ashworth now ??.
roy litherland it's happened i told you it would
Andy Platt started as a Centre.
I nearly said money but I don't know how many calories that would be.
He is very similar to Andy Platt who I seem to remember Murphy playing him at prop against Widnes one New Year`s day, he had a blinder against that mighty Kiwi pack and for me it was his coming of age. Back in those days with contested scrums it was an advantage to have a smaller prop blindside so the hooker got a better look at the feed, the recently deceased Hugh Waddell, Sorenson, Boyd, Harvey Howard and as mentioned Barrie Mac were all but 6 foot.
I think James has a big future if he keeps developing at this rate, keep him and bin Ashworth if it is a choice between them both.
A lot of improvement to come. Must keep. Too many young players not given a proper chance.
League express and total RL reporting Bentley has agreed a new deal at Saints. Both Cas and Hull KR were interested but he's decided to stay.
According to total RL, Ashworth has agreed to sign for Castleford next season.
Originally Posted by Despondent Dave
That being the case doesn’t sound like a bad outcome. Some may well be interested in Bentleys salary to decide if it’s a good deal or not but that aspect doesn’t worry me at all. There are people in place to manage the clubs cash, as a supporter I simply want the best team and I think we’ve got the best out of the two.
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I really don't see it. Bentley has done nothing for us. He works hard and tackles okay, but he's always dominated by the better sides. I'm not sure this is a good signing and I'm definitely not sure we're getting one over on Cas here either. For me Ashworth has great potential, there are plenty of late bloomers and he has everything to be a very good player. Bentley doesn't, he'll never be an international quality player.
Neither transaction is going to make or ruin us I guess, both fringe players. How we replace Thompson and what we do with the remaining out of contract players is vital.