DeeGan
30-09-05, 11:22 AM
Interesting read here from James Hooper who quotes our man Scott Sattler as saying "He's the best defender in the competition bar none, he just reads the play so well and shuts down whoever it is playing opposite him," in reference to Tigers centre Shane Elford.
I do agree that Elford is very good defender though I do not put him ahead of Matt Cooper or Paul Bowman defensively.
Here is the article:
Elford is a quiet achiever
By James Hooper
September 30, 2005
PENRITH grand final hero Scott Sattler has rated unsung Wests Tigers centre Shane Elford as the NRL's most lethal defender.
A right centre by trade, Elford was the man switched to contain New South Wales Origin star Mark Gasnier last weekend, handling the mammoth task with aplomb.
Former Wests Tigers teammate Sattler has classified Elford in elite company, naming the underrated centre as a major reason for Wests unprecedented premiership assault.
"He's the best defender in the competition bar none, he just reads the play so well and shuts down whoever it is playing opposite him," Sattler said.
"Shane Elford is one of the NRL's quiet achievers, he's a player who does a lot of the hard work.
"Sometimes that can go unnoticed by the majority of people but his teammates and coaches certainly appreciate his contribution."
A Penrith junior, Elford admits he failed to reach peak potential at the Panthers due to an injury-plagued three seasons before switching to the Tigers.
In a cruel twist, Elford missed the Panthers 2003 premiership triumph and instead had to endure the club's Premier League grand final defeat.
Elford will mark a fellow defensive specialist Paul Bowman when the Tigers attempt to claim the NRL title over North Queensland in the grand final on Sunday.
"I had a few defensive issues when I was coming through the grades at Penrith and Royce pulled me aside and told me I better work on a few things," Elford said.
"I pride myself on my defence. Whether you get the raps or not that doesn't bother me. I probably take more pride in stopping a try than scoring one.
"Everybody has a defensive system that they put in place and then it's just a matter of reading the play."
The Daily Telegraph
I do agree that Elford is very good defender though I do not put him ahead of Matt Cooper or Paul Bowman defensively.
Here is the article:
Elford is a quiet achiever
By James Hooper
September 30, 2005
PENRITH grand final hero Scott Sattler has rated unsung Wests Tigers centre Shane Elford as the NRL's most lethal defender.
A right centre by trade, Elford was the man switched to contain New South Wales Origin star Mark Gasnier last weekend, handling the mammoth task with aplomb.
Former Wests Tigers teammate Sattler has classified Elford in elite company, naming the underrated centre as a major reason for Wests unprecedented premiership assault.
"He's the best defender in the competition bar none, he just reads the play so well and shuts down whoever it is playing opposite him," Sattler said.
"Shane Elford is one of the NRL's quiet achievers, he's a player who does a lot of the hard work.
"Sometimes that can go unnoticed by the majority of people but his teammates and coaches certainly appreciate his contribution."
A Penrith junior, Elford admits he failed to reach peak potential at the Panthers due to an injury-plagued three seasons before switching to the Tigers.
In a cruel twist, Elford missed the Panthers 2003 premiership triumph and instead had to endure the club's Premier League grand final defeat.
Elford will mark a fellow defensive specialist Paul Bowman when the Tigers attempt to claim the NRL title over North Queensland in the grand final on Sunday.
"I had a few defensive issues when I was coming through the grades at Penrith and Royce pulled me aside and told me I better work on a few things," Elford said.
"I pride myself on my defence. Whether you get the raps or not that doesn't bother me. I probably take more pride in stopping a try than scoring one.
"Everybody has a defensive system that they put in place and then it's just a matter of reading the play."
The Daily Telegraph