That's exactly it with Ferres. It's a value for money arguement. We signed an international player, and have not once in 4(?) seasons seen one single performance from him that looks anything close to international class.

Yes, the squad to me looks very week in the pack. Players like Singelton for me are no where near good enough, but Ferres probably earns double what most of the average players earn, so he gets twice the stick.

With Ferres I don't think it is niggle. There is a selfishness & arrogance that he just cannot keep in check. Not only does that manifest itself in penalties (& in his private life) but during his Cas career a number of tries if he had given out the simple ball rather than go for the glory.

Can everyone be wrong? Ferres gives stupid penalties away that are invariably costly, he's not worth the salary cap he takes up (not on his own there Crosby and Abblett and Tui) Let's just get rid!

Can everyone be wrong? Ferres gives stupid penalties away that are invariably costly, he's not worth the salary cap he takes up (not on his own there Crosby and Abblett and Tui) Let's just get rid!

With the squad we have available I’d go with:

Walker
Briscoe
Watkins
Newman
Handley
Sutcliffe
Myler
Cuthbertson
Dwyer
Singleton
Trout
Smith
Merrin

Oledzki
JJB
Parcell
Donaldson

McLelland and Lolohea to miss out

From the 19 I think Mclelland will miss out and I think Smith will as well as I don't think he is near enough 100% fit and I think it would be stupid to risk him and make his injury worse when we already have some many bodies missing in the pack so I think it'll be

Walker
Briscoe
Watkins
Newman
Handley
Lolohea
Myler
Oldezki
Dwyer
Cuthbertson
Trout
Sutcliffe
Merrin

Subs

Parcell
Singleton
JJB
Donaldson

That`s probably not a bad call JR.
Why oh why does JJB get a slot?

This or Sutty 6 with Tui on bench with Sutty going second row later.

The problem with the likes of JJB in the squad is that Furner - like most coaches to be fair - will almost always opt for experience. Its the coach's safety blanket. Just like with a toddler the only thing to do to stop them using it is take it away.

The hardest part for players, as the autumn of their careers approach, is knowing when it’s time to stop, with JJB and Ablett they have been part of the fabric of a great trophy laden side, rightly or wrongly, it seems these trojans decide themselves when the boots must hang. It’s not football, players like these have earned this right, as fans we watch the fading embers disappear, and deep down we crave new blood, new talent, but the process takes time in rugby league.

It's a bit of a dilemma: fans don't want to see the mid-career journeymen dropped into the roles either. They'd much prefer the youngest talent dropped straight in. Not a recipe for short term success though and fans soon lose patience, usually with the coach.

I agree with this in general and think that JJB has been a bit self indulgent wanting to achieve 20 years but if the club were daft enough to go along with it then in some ways you can't blame him. I recall in an interview he referred to Steve Menzies' 20 year career and I think that is his motivation (to match it or even beat it).
In Ablett's case I am hopeful that he can still make a meaningful contribution and think that some of his jaded performances last year were down to being flogged and often playing busted. I know players regularly play with knocks but in his case I think an accumulation of injuries meant that he was nowhere near his best. If he can get back fit then he could still be an asset if used carefully.

Cameron Smith has confirmed on his Instagram he returns tomorrow.

Relegation rival Wigan have won tonight, this puts even more pressure on both teams to get a win tomorrow.