The lock forward has earned a place in the spine

The modern day rugby league lock forward has grown in value and results indicate they should be a member of the all-important spine positions – fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker.

Ratings of every player (out of 10) in every position of a club’s starting 17 revealed that the players with number 13 are all very good, and in most cases top class.

The average rating of the lock forward was the highest of any position, and in a shock, halfback, the position that most people likely would have selected on top, actually came in 15-16.

No doubt we have some outstanding halfbacks with Johnathan Thurston leading the way with a 9.5, but the average suffers with four clubs having a halfback rating six or under.

Of the 16 lock forwards, an amazing five rated 8/10 and another nine rated an impressive 7.5/10. Only the Warriors’ promising Seb Ikahihifo and Wests Tigers’ veteran Dene Halatau rate under 7.5.

Have a look at this list and you can see why each club needs a quality lock forward: Corey Parker (Broncos), Greg Eastwood (Bulldogs), Shaun Fensom (Raiders), Paul Gallen (Sharks), Paul Carter (Titans), James Buhrer (Manly), Dale Finucane (Storm), Ikahihifo (Warriors), Jeremy Smith (Knights), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Anthony Watmough (Eels), Elijah Taylor (Panthers), Trent Merrin (Dragons), Glenn Stewart (Souths) and Dene Halatau (Wests Tigers).

Many coaches prefer to use their lock as another prop forward just hitting the ball up the middle and playing big minutes, while others are very much there to hold up the middle and prevent anyone getting past. They are tireless workers and brilliant defenders like the Panthers’ Elijah Taylor and the Raiders’ Shaun Fensom.

Probably the most complete lock is the Broncos’ Corey Parker who records big numbers in all aspects of the game including hit ups, tackles and off loads, he is a coach’s dream.

Champion coach Craig Bellamy has won premierships with lightweight locks Dallas Johnson (93 kg) and Ryan Hinchcliffe (89 kg), and in a sign of the times, his gun recruitment manager Paul Bunn has just signed the Bulldog’s 188-centimetre Dale Finucane at 106 kilograms. Although he is regarded as a big man, he will be packing down behind two props and two back rowers significantly larger than him.

The NRL has just lost their two best locks in Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess, but as you can see there is no shortage of talent.

The Bulldogs were able to say goodbye to Finucane because there is no dearth of top class forwards who all can play lock including Greg Eastwood, Josh Jackson, Tony Williams, Frank Pritchard and even the multi-talented James Graham.

The Raiders are blessed to have such a great worker like Shaun Fensom, who would not be out of place in a NSW Blues shirt, but they also have the highly promising Luke Bateman who has a big future with the Maroons, and new recruit Frank-Paul Nuuausala is also a middle man.

While I prefer Paul Gallen playing a middle role as prop, he will carry the 13 shirt for the Sharks on the left edge. Like the Bulldogs, they also have multiple locks including Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Chris Heighington and Tinirau Arona.

The Titans have sacked their starting lock Paul Carter which may force Nat Myles to drop back or Greg Bird to move from left back row to lock. Ryan James can start up front for Myles and Matt Robinson could easily replace Bird.

James Buhrer was great for Manly this year and he really solved a problem for them when Watmough went down, and the Storm will be hoping that Finucane can do the same for them with the reliable Hinchcliffe likely shifting to the bench, although I expect him to share the hooking role with Slade Griffin until Cam Smith’s ankle is heeled.

I would start Ben Matulino as my lock at the Warriors, but Ikahihifo is likely to get the nod.

Knights coach Rick Stone has a decision to make where to play his big recruit Tariq Sims, but it is doubtful if he will be preferred over Jeremy Smith, who ticks off every box required for the modern-day lock.

Jason Taumalolo is perhaps the most talented of all the locks with ball in hand at the Cowboys but he is still learning how to play big minutes and improve his defence.

Big off-season Parramatta recruit Anthony Watmough joins an already very talented forward pack but he is set to play lock for 80 minutes every week.

The Panthers have a problem what to do with the talented Adam Docker as he is a lock but has no chance of ousting Taylor.

The Dragons have the amazing Trent Merrin who is clearly their best forward and gives them an edge as one of the game’s best number 13s. They have problems if he goes to the Broncos in 2016.

How do you replace the great Sam Burgess? The answer is you don’t, but Glenn Stewart, if he can find his best form again, is world class and will be valuable for Souths as he is one of the game’s best thinkers. I hope they don’t play John Sutton in the middle as he is more effective on the left edge.

The Roosters’ Trent Robinson will likely decide who plays at lock based on the off-season training and he has many options but I expect either Aidan Guerra or Isaac Liu to take control of the middle.

With so many young forwards at Wests Tigers the calm head of Dene Halatau will be important to them, although Jason Taylor will surely have a long-term lock in mind, maybe it will be the impressive Andy Fiagatusa who joins the top squad this season after a year with the NSW Cup side in 2014.