I cant see Sykes being left out.

If Sykes is left out, who will kick,or attempt to kick, goals ?

If he's in the starting lineup (which I don't think he will be) then the only position he should be playing is centre.
And I would rather see Platt and Walker as our first choices.

Orford is our first choice goal kicker, Ah Van is also a goal kicker.

Ainscough is far from nailed on as a starting winger though. I expect to start at FB or centre. If Royston starts the season at FB, then Sykes will start at centre. If Sykes starts at FB then Ah Van will more than likley start at centre.

I agree that Ainscough isn't guaranteed a start, but if it's not him then Raynor will take the wing spot. I really can't see Sykes playing FB when we have Kearney/Royston and Halley all above him in the pecking order for that position.
I'm still second guessing with regards to Royston and Ah Van's positions at this stage as I've hardly seen either of them play!

For once it's nice to be able to have so many players available to start in our back line.

I don't expect to see Orford back next year and Ah Van has only kicked 5 goals for NZ Warriors according to Wiki, do you actually know if he is any good? I hope that we recruit a halve who is an able goal kicker otherwise it is a big weakness in our squad.

Ah Van is a goal kicker

But Kearney will be playing stand off more than likley if we dont sign one. Halley is injured for months, and I'm not sure if Royston is above Sykes in the pecking order. Maybe, maybe not.

Bully B, Sykes can kick goals

good job we're trying to sign a standoff then as kearney is far more effective at FB.

I'm not disputing that.

I just think that we need more than one player who has a proven kicking record in our likely 17. Ah Van has kicked 5 goals in his pro career, if he is a good kicker then great no worries but does anyone on here actually know for sure?

Trying to sign one and signing one are not quite the same Mattchew.