so far shaping up to be

1. Zak Hardaker
2. Tom Briscoe
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Joel Moon
5. Ryan Hall
6. Kevin Sinfield
7. Danny McGuire
8. Brad Singleton
9. Paul McShane
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Brett Delaney
12. Carl Ablett
13. Stevie Ward

14. Rob Burrow
15. Kylie Leuluai
16. Ryan Bailey
17. Jamie Jones-Buchanan

which leaves us with Ben Jones-Bishop, Ian Kirke, Chris Clarkson, Mitch Achurch, Richard Moore, Jimmy Keinhorst, Andy Yates, Liam Sutcliffe, Thomas Minns, James Duckworth, Alex Foster & Elliot Minichella, plus any new signings, as cover.

Hardaker
Hall
Watkins
Moon
Briscoe
Sutcliffe
McGuire
Bailey
Sinfield
Peacock
Delaney
Ablett
Ward

Leuluai
Singleton
JJB
Burrow

I also believe that sometime in the next 18 months, Delaney will start his transition into the front row to replace one of the "old guys".

Edit: also Achurch will have a good strong year for us next year. I feel JJBs days of week in/week out first grade action are numbered now.

Sinfield at Hooker

I'm still going to doubt Delaney getting much further than 18 months, never mind moving into an even riskier role.

I'd go with...
Hardaker
Briscoe
Moon
Watkins
Hall
Sutcliffe
Burrow
JP
Sinfield
Singleton
Ablett
Delaney
Ward

Kylie/Bailey
Achurch/Foster
Mcguire
Jjb

Then the back up comes from Duckworth ,Minns ,Clarkson ,Yates ,R.Ward ,Minchella or whoever drops out of the 17 for a new arrival.
For me id let Kirke and Moore go & dont think Mcshane will stay either.

I'm sorry, but Kev just isn't a hooker. He can't scoot, his distribution out of DH isn't that great, and for saying we're trying to reduce his workload it's a poor place to put him.

I'd still really like to see GH pull all the stops out to bring Lunt back, with McShane and lots of cash going the other way.

Lunt will not be coming back anytime soon.He only came last year because he was out of favour with Brown.This year he has been in superb form as first choice hooker in a side that finished top of the pile.I would suggest he is quite happy for the time being at the Giants.

I agree with your thoughts on Sinfield.

So far agreed, think we may see a move for a 9, if not McShane to stay there. Sutcliffe and BJB are big names for me not to feature, but we appear to have some good depth.

For me the younger extra cover, Sutcliffe, Achurch, Keinhorst, and Foster could play SL on a regular basis and would not be surprised if we see a couple of those in the 25 but not 17 looking at loan options to get game time.

Sinfield at 9 will not work without an organiser in the halves capable of taking the team around the park and with a good kicking game. That isn't Burrow or McGuire IMO, and it's too early to throw Sutcliffe into that role.

1. Hardaker
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. Moon
5. Hall
6. McGuire
7. Burrow
8. Singleton
9. Sinfield
10. Peacock
11. Delaney
12. Ablett
13. Ward

14. Sutcliffe
15. Leuluai
16. Achurch
17. Jones-Buchanan

1. Jones Bishop
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. Moon
5. Hall
6. Sutcliffe
7. Hardaker
8. Singleton
9. Burrow
10. Peacock
11. Delaney
12. Ablett
13. Sinfield

14. Ward
15. Leuluai
16. Bailey
17. Jones-Buchanan

Thanks for the memories Danny but its time for the WTW retirement home.

Realistically we slid end up as

Hardaker
Hall
Watkins
Moon
Briscoe
Sinfield
Sutclifffe
Singleton
Burrow
Peacock
JJB
Ablett
Ward

Delaney
Bailey
Leuluai
Mcguire

Burrow is not a hooker neither is sinfield but that's he will decide to play next season,Neither one works for me if mcshane is not fancied we need to get rid and get a 9 who is

For me next season should be about building for the future....so starting positions for Ward (LF), Sutcliffe (SO) and Singleton (Prop).
I perceive that Leeds (again) will not be looking to strengthen from outside with the undoubted priority of a decent hooker, so based on my opening statement I would feel Leeds will need to start Sinfield as starting hooker with Burrow/McGuire at SH/on bench.

1/ Hardaker PLEASE DO NOT LET HIM GO. He is the best FB in SL
2/ Hall BEST PARTNERED WITH Watkins; his 'partnersip' with Moon never worked.
3/ Watkins FOR GAWD'S SAKE GIVE HIM THE BALL...early !!
4/ Moon
5/ Briscoe
6/ Sutcliffe GIVE HIM THE RESPONSIBILITY for last tackle plays
7/ McGuire/Burrow NEITHER IS IDEAL. but Leeds will DEF not be signing a [igood[/i SH
8/ Delaney NOW HIS NATURAL POSITION, IF McDermott hasn't flogged his body to the knacker's yard
9/ Sinfield Get him defending in t'middle where he [iis[/i effective.Certainly more so than Burrow
10/ Singleton
11/ Achurch PROMISING BALL OFF LOADING SKILLS. Just needs to know not to be so risky in his own half
12/Ablett
13/Ward

14/Burrow/McGuire
15/Peacock USE THE OLD WAR HORSES SPARINGLY
16/JJB
17Lleulai