Think Haggertys probably got a shorter fuse. Clark's certainly being getting stuck in and added some much needed aggression. Certainly going to be tasty! I don't mind Walker, although anyone is an improvement on our dross bench last year. Think he's behind Sidlow Clough Clark Kavanagh and Lovegrove, although I would have him ahead of Crossley and Lauaki.

Can't argue with that 17, but I am a little disappointed to see Oscar Thomas dropped. I though he did well, and I'm a little concerned that Leigh could take full advantage if Mathers tires towards the end of the game like we saw him do against Fev. That being said, I suppose he could always have blown away the cobwebs by now.

Seems like Leigh are still missing a few, Ridyard and Beswick are still not ready (unless it's mind games and they get drafted in at the last minute).

Leigh squad:

Higson, Worthington, Spencer, Brierley, Moimoi, Weston, Hansen, Hock, Paterson, Higham, Pownall, Maitua, Acton, Foster, Hopkins, Chase, Smith, Whiting, Emmitt

No Ridyard is a big blow for them. They've a huge pack so ours really has to stand up. Think we're better in the backs but not really any good if we can't get out of our own half.
Markers Need to be switched on with Higham running from dummy half as he slaughtered us last time we played them at home.

Game on!

No mind games, and although it is an important game I don't think we have the same "must win every game" mentalility.
Should have enough skill in the squad to make the top 2 (worst case scenario top 4), hopefully lessons have been learned from last season and peaking for the 8s is paramount.

I'd go with the following...

Mathers
Caro
Welham
Purtell
Clare
Gaskell
Addy
Sidlow
AoB
Walker
Olbison
Pitts
Haggarty

Lovegrove
Clark
Crossley
Ferguson

Blythe and Mellor to miss out for me. Think Crossley is a risk given he's not played at all but think we need a big bench to cope with the Leigh pack. Blythe just doesn't offer enough for me. Clark and Fergie off teh bench should hopefully do some damage.

However, I've just got a horrid feeling that Lowes will end up dropping Clark for some reason. Think it would be a mistake but I just don't think he will play the team we all think he will.

Think I'd go

Mathers
Caro
Welham
Purtell
Clare
Gaskell
Addy
Sidlow
AoB
Clark
Olbison
Pitts
Haggarty

Lovegrove
Walker/Crossley
Blythe
Ferguson

Think we need Blythe on bench so we at least have an option to reshuffle if one of backs gets injured. Unsure who to pick out of Crossley or Walker. Crossleys just back from injury so not 100% yet but Walkers short fuse could be an issue, and leigh would surely know that and wind him up.
Mellors done nothing wrong just think others are ahead of him at moment.

I would leave out Crossley ( no pre season and didn't impress last year) and Walker ( we need aggression but he strikes me as at best too prone to concede penalties and at worst a red card waiting to happen).
Surprised that so many would choose to omit Mellor- I think he's improving from match to match.




Think I'd go

Mathers
Caro
Welham
Purtell
Clare
Gaskell
Addy
Sidlow
AoB
Lovegrove
Olbison
Pitts
Mellor

Clark
Haggerty
Blythe
Ferguson



I think that starting pack contains some good defensive players and I expect that will be needed in the first 20 minutes. Three of the interchanges should provide impact from the bench and Blythe's there to cover any injury in the backs .

Also missing Tonga, Armstrong, Kay, and McNally of course, in the backs - and Dixon in the forwards.

Still, that's what we've got a squad for, so it provides others with opportunities.

Would be utter madness if he dropped Clark. Been very impressed with Clark. Added some much needed aggression. Runs hard, does big minutes and he fights hard on the floor. He wouldn't drop Clark for Crossley. Surely. Would he...

Think Jimmy may go with 3 proper props and play Haggerty or Olbison as the fourth prop which would be a mistake as that Leigh pack is massive.

But TBF Jimmys use of the squad and selections have been pretty good so far. Doesn't seem to be flogging certain players and is dropping some of the dead wood who were he played regardless last year (Lauaki)

I now await the news of Clark being dropped and Crossley replacing him!!

As Crossley is just coming back off an injury, I'd be surprised to see him thrown straight in against Leigh, especially as the pack, in the majority, have been going well this year. But the picking of Crossley in the 19 ahead of Laukai just further cements the idea that the guy has played his last game for Bradford unless there's a major injury crisis.

I feel that we're in better shape that Leigh for this one. Our back line picks itself and the pack won't deviate too much I wouldn't have thought. What a fence sitting contribution this was.

Should be a great spectacle!

Looking a good day for it

That was both terrifying and hilarious

wow .. woke the missus up lol