That sounds very much like he’ll have a disrupted pre-season with us. Not ideal.

We do have plenty of cover.

So when covid and injuries and suspensions hit next season we be in the same situation as this season.Gannon Martin and Bentley are the only quality backrowers we have.The rest are just average.

Mellor is alright - he was playing well this season I thought. Not spectacular but solid enough. Walters could be anything but he's very young yet, and he needs to get his head and body right for top flight RL.

Gannon is rightly hyped up, but at the same time his body isn't up to regular full games at SL level. When he strengthens up he's going to be a thing (and probably of interest to NRL, I hate to say it but it's true).

I hope Bentley can get fit for us, this is a real shame - we've seen how many issues Trueman has had at Cas with his back. Doesn't sound a great injury this.

Mellor is hardly average Walters has bags of potential and should improve with more game time if we are running a reserve team next season.

Mellor wouldn't get in any other top six side.Granted Walters has bags of potential but it's still to be seen whether that translates into a top backrower the jury's still out on that one and you didn't even try to defend Donaldson.So we seem to be scratching around for quality in the second row.

Mellor isnt guaranteed to be in our team if all are fit but take a second row out of any of the top six teams then Mellor would probably make their 17.If all fit i expect Donaldson to play less games next season.

Glad you cleared up that Mellor wouldn't get into the starting lineups of any the top six unless there were injuries.

Yes, that's it goes for most second choice players unless you have a salary sombrero.

That dosnt mean he's average he but if that's your opinion but I don't think many on here will agree with you. He isn't top draw but he's better than average. In a salary cap sport I'm happy with our second rower options. I'm more concerned with the lack of props we are at least one short for next season.

Spot on. He's still developing and I think he's going in the right direction. None of our second row options have been running on to quality ball (with our decimated half back options) this year. With any luck at all in 2022 that is going to change in a pretty radical way. Pack, with the addition of a top line prop, will be close to the best in the league next year.

Yep very much agree - surely we can’t ever have had a season with such disruption in our halves before.

I’ve actually grown to quite like Lui since he signed for us but he is shot to pieces.

Sezer, Austin and Gale next year plus Sinfield coming up through the reserves is a far different thing. I think we will be a very different proposition next year, and Long will have more to work with.

As for Mellor I think he’s a good player but he hasn’t kicked on like Leeming has. He’s in his final year in 2022 so another one with stiff competition for a shirt who will want to have a good year. As you say if Mellor can’t keep his shirt next year with the improved service he can’t have any complaints. Similarly, Walters and Gannon will see an opportunity in the left second row spot.

Bar any injury worries Gannon will be first choice SR in 23 with a squad number of 11 or 12 IMO.

Watching the highlights from Saturday and it’s only a small thing but highlights how good he is for his age was the line and how he ran as the dummy runner for Broadbents try, it would have been very easy to have been pinged for obstruction if he hadn’t got that spot on, and I think that just shows how much of a natural player he is

Absolutely mate he is quality already - as others have mentioned he also has composure, he’s made a couple of breaks and been prepared to take a tackle rather than get excited and try to throw the miracle ball.

You would think by the time he’s 18-19 he might be first choice yes. One of those Morley/Burgess type lads who just has it already at a young age.

I’ve never seen a junior run as hard or hit as hard as Morley did, but Gannon is a better footballer than he was.

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A cursory look at that "imaginery" starting pack would tell you that five of the seven were not playing. Please go back to counting your Grand Final wins.