Round 19 Head to Head: Locke v Hoffman

A pair of Test fullbacks will face off on Friday night when Kevin Locke’s Vodaone Warriors visit Josh Hoffman’s Brisbane Broncos in Round 19 action.

Check out the Vodafone Warriors v Brisbane Broncos Game Preview here

Kiwi Connection

Kevin Locke - Scouting Report

Helped propel the Vodafone Warriors to the Grand Final in 2011 and represented the Kiwis four times during that year - making last season his best in the NRL since debuting in 2009.

Electric player who has fought his way through many challengers for the fullback job to emerge as the clear cut choice at the Vodafone Warriors.

Locke has fantastic footwork at the line and explosive pace to take advantage of a bad read by a defender - Watch Locke isolate Mark Minichiello and blow right by him to score.

Alternatively he can turn provider in the second five-eighth role that a fullback can play - Watch Locke catch and pass to give Konrad Hurrell an open run to the line.

He is also a superb support player and given the ability of Feleti Mateo and co. to offload up the middle - Locke is a genuine threat from almost anywhere on the field.

Dream Team Scoop:
Has been a DT disappointment - averaging just 27.2 DT ppg and only cracking 40 points on two occasions this season. While his price is low ($153,500) for a player who can break open a game - you just can’t afford to trade him into your team at this stage and hope he scores 40+ every week.

Josh Hoffman - Scouting Report

Has been outstanding at the back for the Broncos as their first choice fullback since Round 6 in 2010. He actually began that season behind Corey Norman on the depth chart at fullback but has made the position his own.

He is never afraid to run the ball back on kick-returns at 100% and his body cops a beating but he earns valuable metres for his team.

Hoffman won’t shy away from running into a small hole and it often pays dividends - Watch Hoffman run up the guts to score against the disorganised Knights and again backing up on the inside mid-field - Watch Hoffman cut the Knights up again.

That support play is driven by a desire to never give up on the play as evidenced against the Titans - Watch Hoffman score because he kept pushing up in support.

Defensively he’s a fine defender in the fullback role and it’s little wonder he represented New Zealand in the ANZAC Test earlier this season.

Dream Team Scoop:
Like most fullbacks lives off his run metres, tackle breaks and tries. But given Hoffman has scored just 3 tries in 16 games - he hasn’t been a DT must at the back. Is worth $164,300 but averages just 30.7 DT ppg and his break-even for Round 19 is 62 and he should only be considered as a very late season injury replacement.

Who will make the bigger contribution on Friday night? Let us know what you think of Locke v Hoffman in the comments below.