I Hate to be 'that guy' but Gale obviously wouldn't get a Holden cup squad place given the fact he is way over the age limit, the Holden cup being the 20's comp and all.

Gale is a very good player, certainly a better half than some players who have played quite regularly in the NRL this year (I'm thinking Josh McCrone, Matt Frawley, Trent Hodkinson, Jaelen Feeney) and better than guys who have come over here with a lot of NRL appearances at their back.

To say he wouldn't make it is silly, we won't know unless he ever tries, and imo we don't have a yardstick as no half as done it recently. (I'd argue say Long and McGuire off the top of my head could have made it over there). Same can be said of young Williams. The player you named Flanagan, is a good prospect, but if he was that good he'd have played at some point, like Cleary or Ash Taylor.

Anyway. Gale to win, Kelly second, he's been the perfect foil and the reason Sneyd has played so well imo. Hardaker not got a chance of winning. A good player yes, but multiple man of steel awards put him alongside Farrell, Hanley and Sculthorpe, that doesn't add up at this point.

Really you don't think SL is a higher standard than the NRL under 20 comp? I know SL gets some stick but come on.

Ftr the levels below the NRL are the QL Cup and NSW Intrust Super Premiership.


Anyway, it's got to be Gale. After the season Cas have had and the huge hand Gale's played in that success, I can't see past him. Kelly second and tbh although we all knew he's talented, I've been really impressed how he's performed this year for Hull. Especially after everything that happened last year and then to make the move across the City.

Seven Castleford players present at the photo shoot for the Dream Team.

McShane over Parcell is class.

Gale,
Zak,


Kelly.

The thing that has pleased me most about Kelly is what a fierce competitor he's been. We all knew what he could do with the ball in his hands, but he has defended like a back rower and run through walls for the team at times this year, often whilst carrying an injury.

For me Hardaker should win it. Gale is very good, but imo he is made to look that little bit better than he actually is due to the system he plays in and the fantastic job Powell does in making sure everyone can perform their roles perfectly. Drop him in another side and he wouldn't be nearly as effective. Hardaker on the other hand is an outstanding rugby league player.

World Cup year. They will pick as many English players as possible.

I think that's a very good point - and I broadly agree - but on the evidence of what has been achieved this season, system or not, Gale is a dead cert.

In my completely non-biased opinion, I'd have gone Roby over both.

As Kelly is in the running for MOS, surely they can't leave him out.

Based on the last 2 or 3 years Todd Carney wouldn't get a spot in an NRL club but I bet he waltzes into one and looks good. Put Gale in a good NRL side and he'd do very well. Not sure he'd do well in a lower performing team but those type of players and very rare indeed.

On no level do the statistics (nor common sense or the use of eyes) support the idea that McShane is in the same class as Parcell.


1. 512 Paul McShane
Rank Player T TA TK MT MI TB AT C M AG CB DR DG E FT G MG OF P RC YC

Tigers: Hooker3 19 898 165 52 41 20 151 1001 6.63 6 115 0 18 1 17 5 13 28 0 0



1. 5187 Matt Parcell
Rank Player T TA TK MT MI TB AT C M AG CB DR DG E FT G MG OF P RC YC

Rhinos: Hooker17 16 1018 170 42 59 7 253 1778 7.03 12 190 0 18 0 0 0 28 20 0 0

On the main topic Gale and Hardaker have both had quite brilliant seasons and either would be very deserving.

*I can't get the images to post which is why this is so messy