A decent team chosen above,
Does this now mean that Purtell could be released at the end of the season if he isn't first choice in big games?

I would assume that either Purtell or Henry (or both) are not getting a deal for next year.

Quite apart from the surfeit of centres we need to get the quota spots down.

If Nielsen gets here in time I'd play him, if only on the bench. He needs game time asap.

Shaw
Caro
Henry
Blythe/Purtell (can't choose, both poor options imo)
Clare
Gaskell
Mullaney
Sidlow
AoB
Clough
Olbison
Ryan (get him some game time too)
Addy

Crossley
Lauaki/Fleming
Pitts/Walshaw/Ferguson (take your pick)
Nielsen

Think neilson being signed for next year means we won't be offering purtell a new deal. Henry I think we'll persevere with as he's shown he has potential and he's still relatively young, plus iirc he's got a quota exemption.

Don't actually think there's much to choose between Henry, Blythe and purtell in terms of whose first choice this yr but purtells age and quota status go against him for next yr.

I'd give Neilson the week to acclimatise.

I remember Lulia's debut when he played right after arriving....

Think Henry's 'exemption' is on the Fed trained list, but so far as I understand it he's still regarded as 'overseas', and so on quota.

Don't understand people choosing shaw over mendeika.
Shaw makes more errors in a game than he does good, and on most occasions on a last tackle, when we put in an attacking kick, where he should be the first one up there he is loitering around not doing a lot in our line. He only adds good goal kicking. Mendeika is usually the first up on a kick chase and is a much safer fb.
Mullaney at fb and siejka at 7 offers more attack across the park. And gives 3 noted goal kickers in addy, mullaney and siejka.
People who slate siejka don't watch the good he does in games, the lad can put in a solid tackle. Can't remember who it was but he put in a solid shot in the opposition prop earlier this year and sat him down. He could play back up 9 if he isn't required at 7.
As a squad player shaw is fine, should be nowhere near the starting team from now on though.

Up until the Leigh game I might have agreed with you, but he had a cracker and didn't make a single mistake. It would be harsh to drop him after that.
Mendeika is ok but lacks pace and agility imo, I would actually rather see him used in the centres instead of at fullback.

Mullaney to fb and Siejka in at 7 is always an option, and indeed we'd be using our best players in their preferred positions. Mullaney is not a halfback and it's only down to his electric pace that he's been a revelation when played there.
However playing Siejka in these important games would leave me uneasy. His performance against Featherstone at home was awful, he was hauled off by Jimmy so he obviously thought so too. Maybe he wasn't fully fit, I don't know, but he hasn't featured since and we have already been linked with a new 7 for next season so his Bulls future isn't looking too bright right now.
If he already knows he won't be here next season then that is even more reason not to risk him in these games - he won't care what happens.

Siejka might be a good defender for his position, but offers too little in attack for me. He doesn't draw defenders and often passes too early. Mullaney gives us more threat and is very quick of the mark. He also takes it to the line more often.

There seems to be a fair degree of consensus on almost all the players in a starting 17 with the major disagreements regarding Shaw, Mendieka and Siejka as the final piece of the jigsaw.
FWIW I would start Shaw at fullback but, if Blythe starts in the centres, I would have Mendieka on the bench. I also believe that Ferguson must be included on the bench along with 2 props.
This would not necessarily be the same for the Wakey game as I'm also struggling to decide on the 2 wingers and hopefully we'll have Neilson Schmeilson available.

Shaw offer a nothing's from fb. Paul wellens wasn't a huge attacking threat but popped up at the right moments and was safe as houses. Shaw is shaky in defence and his speed is on level with Karl Pryce at times. Yes you can't compare them as Wellens was a fantastic player, but he was the first "non attacking" fb that popped to mind.
Carrying an out and out back on the bench is a waste of a spot.
Someone like Blythe/walshaw who can cover 2ndrow and centre is fine.
Mendeika has been much more consistent than shaw over the season.
Also does anyone else feel crossly is not offering much ? Fleming is younger and bigger but did seem to struggle at fax, but crossly appeared to be shying away from work and letting clough do all the donkey work. On the odd occasion he does a fantastic run but his defence is soft, but I'd say that goes for the whole team.
The whispers of matt groat, I hope they are true.

Have to admit I cannot always see the worth of Mendieka. Maybe he suffers from being a bit of a utility player who gets shunted about all over the back line.