We certainly need to improve our tactics. We drastically lacked pace Fev, and tried playing through the middle, yet had no push with the ball carrier. We have to address Fev killing us in the ruck with their wrestling, isolating defenders would do that.

It's a tricky one

Its a tough one, i just dont see us running through Fev, it didnt work last week and they caught us out too much, i think a more mobile side may be the only way, this may lead MC to consider finding space for Branighan and Holroyd, Branighan could potentially play a few positions and if Bobs is fit that helps, Bob really punches above his weight as a 13, even though we need his control at dummy half, i think it all depends on the pack he chooses. White Stays in for me, Pato stays at centre and Bannister plays second row, the tricky ones for me are Ostick and Cherryholme, Neil had his best game for us on Thursday and ive been a huge critic of him. The more mobile forwards that can stay on for more than 15 mins the more options we have for 6 & 7.

difficult one this.Up to thursday i would say Brannigan must play but with Beswick back in the fold I just dont know now for a number of reasons.
1. Balance of the team.White played very well on the wing and with Patterson playing at centre , the backs certainly looked more fluid and composed compared to the Fev game when we had Bannister and Nash in the centres. Bannister was annoymous against Fev , against Sheffield he was much more involved , made a try , good yards and plenty of tackles. By having a second rower on the bench , MC , rotated Bannister with Wrenchy and kept players fresh.
2.Can we afford to have another playmaker on the field against a team as strong as Fev.Dont forget with Holly, Black, Penky and Beswick that's 4 skillful players that we've got.
3.Holly and Luke are both left footed , tactical , players - is there too much similarality between the two. I dont know .
It is a difficult decision for the coaching team too make. There are others as well. Does Said come back in ? or Ostick.
I just hope that MC goes down , injuries permitting , a bench that includes 2 props , a hooker and a loose forward.

Its certainly a tough call for Matt but at least we have options

Branno had a virus, throwing up. Hopefully he will be good for the final

defence have been at 6's and 7's numerous times this year. hopefully can get it together for big finale

said thursday he would be ok for the final.

I would court controversy here and play Branighan at 7 and Holroyd at 6.

Branighan has been the best player this season bar none.
Holroyd showed what he can do on Thursday by running the game and constantly turning Sheffield round with his superb kicking.

Featherstone have proven they have a great defence and we will need guile to unlock it. those 2 give us the best chance of doing that..

V.harsh on Black, but I have seen him go missing too many times in the biggest games and he has quite a few errors in him.

Tamghart and Watene wouldn't make the cut either. We need a 100% error free, no penalties approach to have a chance. They have both been prone to these.

Interesting
i kind of know where your coming from, both are good at hit ups in defence and attack, Frank flaps in defence when tired and Said gives away silly penalties, i do prefer the more mobile front rowers now like maloney and Ostick, and think Azuie has a career to salvage and a point to prove, added that Barlow could move up to prop also leaving Beswick to revert to 13 and play the dummy half role. Rotation hmmm not sure how all that fits in, Wrench, Bannister, Larder, leaves a spot for Holroyd or Luke on the bench that way... Interesting selection on the way.

Its a nice position to be in.

Just can't understand why on earth you'd serperate Black and Holroyd. I'm starting to feel bringing Branighan in would be a good idea, but i'd play him at 13. Not to break up Black and Holroyd.

My Team for Sunday

Royston
White
Patterson
Nash
Worrincy
Black
Holroyd
Maloney
Beswick
Wrench
Larder
Bannister
Barlow

Subs
Penkywicz
Branighan
Watene
Azuie

I'd go with that, plenty of size and power on bench with a game changer as well with Branighan if Holroyd and Black dont deliver... YES that's the team for me.

Sorry Ostick!

branighan has been our outstanding player all year,he has to play.

I wouldn't expect to see Holly and Black starting at 6 and 7 - Fev are a different prospect to Sheffield and will run hard at what they believe will be the Halifax playmakers to tire them out early - I would expect to see Black on the bench to bring on when things have slowed down a bit.

Holly and black stand on the wings in defence anyway, making it hard to target them in attack.