Pretty hard to say whether he would have stayed even without the injury, I guess. No-one really knows if he was unhappy [ibefore[/i the injury of if he was just tapped up when he returned to Australia. If he had stayed and played a full part, for my money we would have kicked on, let's not forget we were in the top four when he was injured in Edinburgh, and a fit and committed Orford could have made all the difference, not just for that year but the following two for which he'd signed. As it was we pretty much shafted by the whole episode, which with Orford and Mimmis playing silly beggars and telling lies (if we are to believe Peter Hood) about him coming back we couldn't even recruit for the following year.

Deacon - no need to explain why

Orford - I wanted to pick Robbie but unfortunately I don't see him as a 7. I picked Orford because his passing game was great, pulled the strings and took a crap team (us) to 4th in the league until he was injured. We beat Wigan in a great comeback simply down to him and also he was furious when we drew at Leeds because he wanted to beat them and we should have had the ball gone to him on the last tackle.

Orford--I recall all the team had a nightmare in the first half against Wigan-- including Orford. In he second half we saw a total transformation. I think that that was the only 40 minutes when we saw him at his best and the only time where he approached the form he showed against Leeds in the WCC. I remember saying to my mate at Elland Road I wished we could persuade him to come to Odsal. When he signed I thought he would be real class in the SL-- how wrong I was.
Robbie--Assuming we have one "back" substitute after the first 13 are chosen, I'd be amazed if we didn't choose Robbie as an impact sub. None of the other runners up so far would be versatile enough to cover full back, centre,and the 2 halves.

I'm sure we'll discuss at the time, but it depends whether we have a hooker on the bench.

If the 'back' is covering that, then it's Robbie. If there is a hooker, then I'd rather Leon covers the backs.

Orford...

Decs and Robbie hands down

All even between Robbie and Deacs at the moment....

any last minute voters???

Looks like they play half a game each then!!

Didn't get chance to vote, due to a broken computer.
Paul Deacon is one of the odsal greats.

Are we supposed to vote again now?

FWIW Robbie was unbelievable as scrum half in Super League 1 1996 with Bradley at stand off. Deacon was more of a manufactured scrum half, Robbie had far more flair and was a matchwinner. Robbie was really unlucky with injuries but at his best, Deacon couldn't get near him.

FWIW If someone can "manufacture" a Paul Deacon Mark II , please send him to Odsal as cover for our depleted half back department.

I can't kick, but I can still put out a good pass, wave my arms around a lot & shout. I'm half way there.

Where's George Harrison (that was the name of your nemesis, wasn't it?) when you feel like a bit of fun is coming on??

I thought Poll closed on November 26th--- any result or is it still a tie??

Going to have to do a re-run on this one as we can't have a tie.