I think people are getting too fixated on 1-17 being Potters first choice line up

If you read the T&A report, its the reporting saying that 'it would appear' that these are the first choice 17, there's nothing specific from Mick Potter at all.

Obviously, Tom Burgess is going to on the bench as the fourth prop over Sibbit. So that shoots down the idea that these are the first picks.

I'm not worried. I expect Sammut or Briggs to force Jeffries out of the 6 position, assuming they play well. Perhaps giving them other squad numbers was a kick up the pants for them? Who knows. And, BTW, wasn't Briggs something like No 32 last season, so at least he's got a lower number this time

Squad numbers are that just a number Fielden had number 29 for years and was best prop in super league. Potter will pick the team on form not numbers.

In fairness, Fielden's was through his own choice.

And the T&A guys new isn't he, I've yet to see anything to give me the same confidence in what he says that I had with Connor.

I think we're probably reading a bit too much into some of these numbers.

Sibbitt can play as hell of a lot longer than burgess can. 10 mins and Tom looks like he is trying to blow a bonfire out! Sibbitt cut out the penalties and was an asset to the side, burgess needs to learn how to keep a hold of the ball before he gets a bench spot before Sibbitt. Sibbit is solid, reliable and came on great last year. We were stronger when he was on the pitch

Agree completely. I don't care which number a player has on his back as long as they deliver a decent performance on the pitch, that's all that matters.

I would have gone for that exact starting 13 but have Sammut in over Jefferies

Surely they're indicative of something and not just random. The reason I'm making point of it is that we've spent how long looking to sign a stand off (Pryce, Seymour) then we sign Sammut who is going to give us the X factor alongside the more organising Gale and yet when squad numbers are announced we get the decidedly downbeat message that the 6 shirt is given to BJ. It's not the end of the world by any means but it's odd neverthless.

I thought Sammut was our starting prop wearing the number 8 jersey?

Briggs number reflects his ability.

Jeffries at 6 is less of a worry than Chev at 4 imo. My heart sank a little when I saw who he'd given the 1-5 shirts to.
Not only is Chev nowhere near good enough to be a starting centre, but if he does play 4 then Kear will also suffer just by playing outside the guy. The only ball he will ever get will be from coming inside to help out at the ptb.

I guess the pre season games will give us some kind of idea, but I would much prefer a back line of BK, Kear, Lulia, Purtell and Ainscough. I'd even take Platt at centre before Walker.

I'm sure I recall Potter saying he thinks shirt numbers mean something. I think they do reflect the coach's thoughts, but they reflect the coach's thoughts just after the end of the previous season. They won't mean much come the start of the next season and they certainly won't mean a right lot a few weeks in.

To be fair to Briggs he has strong parts of his game that would have helped last year (such as a good kicking game) but unfortunately for him they are the same as Gales with Gale being the better overall player. I don't see any benefit in playing them both at the same time and between the two its Gale every time for me.