Joel Thompson???

[Saint92]

I posted here last season when it was announced that st helens had signed him for 2021. He came over with a HUGE rep and going of what the fans posted on here you was all sad to see him go and saying he was one of your better player.

To be polite he has had a very very poor season so far in super league. Many fans calling to drop him from the line up. Defence he is sounds but in attack he may as well not be here, just catches and runs straight, cost us many many tries so far by simply not passing the ball.

Was his game play at manly the same? Just run straight and not into the gaps and just keep hold of the ball or was he an attacking threat? Sione matautia already seems to be better second rower out of the 2 this season for us. If joel doesnt improve can see him eithef being released or moved to off the bench prop forward which seems to suit him better

 

[40 years an eagle]

I'm sure he was signed to be an experienced head and to bring culture to your team and do a job on the field, at training and in the sheds. If not, they signed the wrong guy.

 

[Saint92]

So i take it hos game play was always just catch and run straight without an offload or side step

 

[40 years an eagle]

So i take it hos game play was always just catch and run straight without an offload or side step

I guess your recruitment department knew that and wanted him more for all the other great things he brings to a TEAM...just like all of us here did. If your R&R department wanted a 500k British Pound beast that can offload in tight quarters they would not have been looking to sign Thommo. and neither should you supporters. He is what he is mate and your R&R department knew what he is. In saying that, the guy is a gem.

 

[Marto1970]

Scored many times hitting holes close to the line wouldn't call him a ball playing forward but was a solid hole runner and defender , workhorse same game every week. maybe it is the players inside him

 

[Cioran]

So i take it hos game play was always just catch and run straight without an offload or side step

We loved Thomo for his effort and his leadership. He was never the most skilful player but he could be counted on when there was hard work to be done. He was very active in good causes in the community and set an example for the young blokes in the team on and off the field.

If you want skill you should look at Corey Norman from the Dragons. He should be coming on the market shortly. All the integrity of a gutter rat but, by God, he can run, step, kick and pass.

 

[Mac Man]

He is no ball playing forward but with a good pack and some good halves he can hit holes and score tries. Sounds like St Helens needs more than a Thommo.

 

[maxta]

Maybe Thompson has lost a bit of pace and power over time, but have no doubt he would add a fair bit of stability to his younger team mates on and off the field....the stuff fans don't get to see.
Never been a Fifita, Taumololo type, more Mr reliable who is kind of No Frills, but safe....haven't seen his games this year but likely coming to the twilight of his career by the sounds of it

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Very few players go on to do much after leaving Manly, they've mostly left everything out there for us!

 

[Woodsie]

On the other hand ... our centres and wingers are now on a try scoring feast ...

 

[manly al]

Thommo took a while to find his best form at Manly but when he did , of course was a real asset then . Direct hard runs , aggressive and reliable defence at Manly but maybe not suited to the more open type of play that often typifies the E S L . Would think that he should still have something to offer but haven 't seen him in action there . Maybe his intensity is just starting to wane a little bit which is understandable .

 

[globaleagle]

No refunds, no returns!

 

[swoop]

He ran decent lines and hole runner but needed one of the halves to feed him a short ball, so it may not be Thompson. Having said that I haven't seen a game and I don't know what the halves are like.

 

[nightster]

We loved Thomo for his effort and his leadership. He was never the most skilful player but he could be counted on when there was hard work to be done. He was very active in good causes in the community and set an example for the young blokes in the team on and off the field.

If you want skill you should look at Corey Norman from the Dragons. He should be coming on the market shortly. All the integrity of a gutter rat but, by God, he can run, step, kick and pass.

that must be a different Corey Norman

 

[Ryan]

I posted here last season when it was announced that st helens had signed him for 2021. He came over with a HUGE rep and going of what the fans posted on here you was all sad to see him go and saying he was one of your better player.

To be polite he has had a very very poor season so far in super league. Many fans calling to drop him from the line up. Defence he is sounds but in attack he may as well not be here, just catches and runs straight, cost us many many tries so far by simply not passing the ball.

Was his game play at manly the same? Just run straight and not into the gaps and just keep hold of the ball or was he an attacking threat? Sione matautia already seems to be better second rower out of the 2 this season for us. If joel doesnt improve can see him eithef being released or moved to off the bench prop forward which seems to suit him better

Give you a tip. When I saw this thread, I hoped it was about him being home sick, and coming back to us.

That should give an idea about his quality.

You have to take a lot into consideration. What is his coach telling him to do? What system is he playing in? Is his 5/8 and half distributing the ball to him well? How many minutes is he playing ? Etc etc.

He did a lot for us. Scored tries. Was upbeat, played hard.

Why he's regressed for you guys is beyond me.

 

[Spartan Eagle]

Looks like we let him go at the right time. There is no way he would make our top 17, barring catastrophic injuries. I still would have liked him around the club in some capacity. Genuine and positive role model on and off the field.

 

[Saint92]

At st helens we have the best stand off in the country in jonny lomax who is top of the charts for assists. With zeb taia as his left second row they had an unbelievable partnership. Our left hand side for the last few years has bes been impossible to defend against but thompson has put a stop to that with his basic just run it in style play.

Next season looks like we will be recruiting another 2nd rower and using thompson as an of the bench prop unless he wants to head back to nrl. Many saints fans have classed him as the new luke douglas .... which is not a good thing in super league

 

[eaglebuzz]

I thought he was pretty ineffective in his last half season for us, I was glad to see him moving on. Great guy and good leader / good influence on the younger players. But on the field he doesn't really have that much impact.

 

[Cioran]

that must be a different Corey Norman

Its the old Corey from Parramatta not the new one from Wollongong. If its a choice between rediscovering his form or getting an honest job I reckon the old Corey might make a reappearance. His defensive shortcomings would be less of an issue in England.

 

[lsz]

Mole reporting he is going to retire at the end of the year as his body is failing him - makes sense considering the above