49er wrote:

Anyone know what has happened to Tom Whitehead ? He was named in the first team squad for this season but not seen him mentioned in the Reserves. He might be too old for the Academy.

he's been out injured mate, hopefully back in the next few weeks

Mata'utia in the halves i wouldn't mind seeing again, he had by far the best game for us in that position

Glad I'm not the only one who picked up on Mata'utia being a decent looking halfback. Tried to stay quiet on that for the purpose of not looking insane.

Now to go against that... does anyone else think Williams would be a decent looking hooker? I feel like it would suit the way he likes to play. I'd still take Clark ahead of him there. And I'd prefer Walker to get the chance ahead of him as well but honestly I'd like to see it sometime. It's in my head now and I'm really intrigued by this idea. I just feel like it would work for him.

I don't think Ratchford is up to it anymore in the halves, and neither is Widdop. I'd go straight in with Thewlis at fullback and Dean at stand off and Mata'utia at halfback. The way Dean and Thewlis linked up in that first home game vs Wakefield was exciting. King will come good eventually, but he has still opened up defences, as well as opened ours too. I was optimistic about the Minikin signing and I still am. I think he'll be very effective. And for me, Wrench has secured that right wing spot.

Throw in a brand new forward pack that might see Currie and Holmes getting some competition and we're cooking. And if it goes wrong, we just pipe up and complain again

I still haven’t warmed to “Peanut” and given how well Powell know’s him it speaks volumes that he only put him there as a last resort. He also made it clear that while he always intended to play Riley Dean in the halves for that match Mata’utia was a last minute enforced change.

Captain Hook wrote:

I still haven’t warmed to “Peanut” and given how well Powell know’s him it speaks volumes that he only put him there as a last resort. He also made it clear that while he always intended to play Riley Dean in the halves for that match Mata’utia was a last minute enforced change.

I know that it is very low bar, but for me Matautia has been of of our best players.

We definitely missed him in the recent loss at Wakefield.

Boss Hog wrote:

I know that it is very low bar, but for me Matautia has been of of our best players.

We definitely missed him in the recent loss at Wakefield.

Yep I think he's a good 'un. Tough, strong lad with good hands. What's not to like?

Got to say I'm really excited about next year with the incoming players. I know we've experienced many a false dawn, but on paper, if the players play to form, they're going to take some stopping down the middle.

4 massive units in Mikaele, Kasiano, Vaughan and Dudson. I wonder if anyone knows of a heavier set of 4 props that's ever played in SL in the same side?

I really don't see how anyone could have a problem with Mata'utias performances this season. I'd put him alongside wrench and Ashton as our 3 best players so far this season. Admittedly, there's not much competition!!

This year...

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