While not disagreeing with the general gist of what you're saying its also worth noting that Cummins had Craig Innes as his centre from his debut in 1993 and in 1994, 1995 and the first few games of 1996; he also had Brad Godden in 1998 and 1999, immediately prior to Senior's arrival.

Who from the NRL and why?

If he somehow manages to win the GF this year why would you want to lose a coach with 3 championships from 3 years service?

2 out of 3 could hardly be described as shabby either.

(McGuire has won sweet FA at the moment - so let's not have him as a blueprint for a new coach. Also, is it just me, but does he look like an obnoxious pr**k you want to slap?)

Which year was it he started at stand-off, got shifted around to full back and ended up back on the wing? Was that 1997?

This is true and I think I was hasty in my opinion on McClennan's future. I trust Hetherington will make the right decision as his recent record in that respect is pretty damn good.

McClennan has an excellent record at getting teams up for the most important games of the season. When iut's been do or die for the title, we haven't stuttered. Wether he can work his magic again from a lower position in the playoffs we'll have to see.

Thanks for posting it saved me typing the same opinion, it is a bit sad you have to get this far down a thread for someone to have some faith

1996 IIRC.

On the question of new contracts, this is how I see it:

Definitely retain: Diskin, Bailey, Lauitiiti, Ambler

Retain if affordable or fit under quota: Donald, Buderus (I always expected both to move on after this season anyway)

Let go: Senior, Worrall

Don't know: Manning (haven't seen enough of him)

On the question of McClennan, I think he should be offered a new deal for another year or two. Change for change's sake might not be a good thing, especially if a new coach wants to bring in his own players that could sow discord in what appears to be a happy and settled squad. It's not like McClennan hasn't been successful - the last thing we would want is for him to go to another SL club (Bradford for example).

Agree with the point but not necessarily with your example. Both are fairly atypical in the way they perform their roles and I can foresee difficulties for whoever comes in and is expected to play alongside either of them. As a pair they tend to function well (in general). Split them up and one or both might well struggle.

Yep, definitely 1996.

He had squad number 1 (IIRC or was that 1997 when Damian Gibson was 5?) and I think the intention was to play him as full back but '96 being '96 that never came to pass. I actually thought it would have proved his best position at least in terms of attacking play.

I think he may have been injured a fair bit that year too.

He was also number 1 in 2002 and maybe 2003 I think

If Senior gets a new contract it will show a total lack of long term strategy.

If Senior gets a new contract it will be because the coaching staff deem him worthy of an extension. So by default they recognise what he brings to the party. They will also take into account the flip side of this and assess his weaknesses (being past his prime etc).

Alot will hang on his replacement. Is Watkins, the natural replacement, ready? Or what could be sourced elsewhere?

It wouldn't surprise me if Senior is wearing a Carnegie shirt next year didn't he start out playing 'kick n'clap'!

Without Godden!!!

On Senior he has been one of 3/4 stand out players of the SL era - Cunningham, Sculthorpe and Lowes being the others. A brilliant player and superb athlete - but the game gets faster every year and even a well oiled machine like Keith can only get slower - I would have him in the squad for support but I would be disappointed if he was starting every game next season.

Last year he was superb - his form this year hasn't been as good, although it still has time to reach the aforemention exhaulted levels.