2018 - First Choice 17's : Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:23 am  

The world cup is over. Pre season is in full swing at most clubs. There are still a few signings to come I'm sure, but most of the recruitment is finished now.

Injuries permitting, who will line up for your club in round 1, and what do you think of your teams prospects?

1. Jamie Shaul
2. Bureta Faraimo
3. Jake Connor
4. Carlos Tuimavave
5. Fetuli Talanoa
6. Albert Kelly
7. Marc Sneyd
8. Scott Taylor
9. Danny Houghton
10. Liam Watts
11. Dean Hadley
12. Mark Minichiello
13. Sika Manu

14. Josh Bowden
15. Mickey Paea
16. Chris Green
17. Danny Washbrook

We might have a better idea after some pre season games, but that is my guess for now. There will be some debate over the LF position, and I think when the weather starts to improve we might see Abdul come into the side at 13 as an extra pivot. But early doors I think it will be all out grunt. Also that last bench spot is really up for grabs. But I know Radford likes Washbrooks versatility.

I would be very disappointed if we arent in the top 4 and competing for all trophies again.

Re: 2018 - First Choice 17's : Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:32 am  

Impressive line up that, certain top 4 if for once you can avoid an horrendous injury list.

Re: 2018 - First Choice 17's : Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:44 am  

There's some talk around whether S.Tomkins will go to 7, but I think that's too innovative for Wane:

1. S.Tomkins
2. Davies (Manfredi to return around Easter after a 1.5 year lay off and maybe take one of the wing spots)
3. Gelling
4. Gildart
5. Burgess
6. Williams
7 .Leuluai
8. Nu'uasala (I'd drop him for Sutton, but don't think Wane will)
9. McIlorum
10. Flower
11. Bateman
12. Farrell
13. O'Loughlin

14. Escare (on for McIlorum, playing in the halves with Leuluai moving to hooker)
15. Clubb
16. Tautai
17. J.Tomkins (I'd have Isa instead, but don't think Wane will)

Re: 2018 - First Choice 17's : Fri Dec 08, 2017 12:03 pm  

At Leeds think it's just a question of who goes at LF.

Walker
Briscoe
Watkins
Sutcliffe
Hall
Moon
Myler
Singleton
Parcell
Cuthbertson
Ward
Ablett
JJB

Dwyer
Garbutt
Mullally/Peteru
Delaney (Ferres expected to miss the first few weeks)

He could start Garbutt and move one of the starting props to loose and either JJB or Ablett drop to the bench.

Re: 2018 - First Choice 17's : Fri Dec 08, 2017 12:04 pm  

Grimmy wrote:

There's some talk around whether S.Tomkins will go to 7, but I think that's too innovative for Wane:

1. S.Tomkins
2. Davies (Manfredi to return around Easter after a 1.5 year lay off and maybe take one of the wing spots)
3. Gelling
4. Gildart
5. Burgess
6. Williams
7 .Leuluai
8. Nu'uasala (I'd drop him for Sutton, but don't think Wane will)
9. McIlorum
10. Flower
11. Bateman
12. Farrell
13. O'Loughlin

14. Escare (on for McIlorum, playing in the halves with Leuluai moving to hooker)
15. Clubb
16. Tautai
17. J.Tomkins (I'd have Isa instead, but don't think Wane will)

Not sure Willams and Tomkins combination would work. It would be exciting at times, but neither really know how to control a game. I guess you have Lockers too, but lets face it, he will miss almost as many as he plays.

Re: 2018 - First Choice 17's : Fri Dec 08, 2017 12:06 pm  

As it stands, how I would have it

We're still struggling in attack without Brown which says it all

Hanbury
Ah Van
Runciman
Inu
Ottio
Craven
Mellor
Dudson
Walker/White
Gerrard
Whitley
Houston
Cahill

Walker/White
Dean
Chapelhow
Wilde

Still weak but look stronger in attack with Inu and Ottio. We've offloaded 3 props and brought in 0. More signings to be made before the end of pre season with a quota place or 2 still left. 8 players have left the club, 3/4 high earners so plenty of space still under the cap

2 props needed and in desperate search for a stand off. Slightly better than last year but not by much.

Re: 2018 - First Choice 17's : Fri Dec 08, 2017 1:00 pm  

FWIW

1. Jowitt
2. Johnstone
3. Arudel
4. Topou
5. Jones Bishop
6. Miller
7. Finn
8. Fifita
9. Randall
10. England
11. Ashurst
12. Horo
13. Arona

14. Pauli Pauli
15. Huby/Hirst
16. Batchelor/Kirmond
17. Wood

Re: 2018 - First Choice 17's : Fri Dec 08, 2017 1:08 pm  

Probably

Ratchford
Russell
Goodwin
Atkins
Mitch Brown/Lineham
Brown
Roberts
Hill
Clark
Cooper
Currie
Hughes
BMM

Crosby
Sitealki
Westwood
Livett

Some debate on whether BMM will play right second row or loose as Hughes was disappointing last season to say the least. The wings aren't particularly strong and Lineham / Russell / Brown will probably rotate through the season as form dictates.

I still think we have business to do as we lack depth, (12 players out and only 5 in so far tells a story). Possibly holding some cap space for a mid season signing? Need a second hooker and another backrower as a minimum.

New regime so will be interesting to see how we start, back challenging for the four I hope.

Re: 2018 - First Choice 17's : Fri Dec 08, 2017 1:15 pm  

Hull and Warrington look really strong this year

Regards

King james

Re: 2018 - First Choice 17's : Fri Dec 08, 2017 1:18 pm  

At this moment with the squad as it is. I think Sheens will go.

Adam Quinlin/Kieran Moss.
Justin Carney.
Thomas Minns.
Andrew Heffernan.
Ryan Shaw.

Chris Atkin.
Danny McGuire.

Nick Scruton.
Shaun Lunt.
Lee Jewitt.

Maurice Blair.
James Greenwood.
Danny Addy.

Tommy Lee, Jordan Walne, Mason Masoe, George Lawler.

But he does like to change it for most games. Personally would like to see Moss at FB, and hope he does gives Atkin a chance.