I'm sorry but all this about Riley being dropped for next year to accommodate Bridge

Chris is our top try scorer, going forward he is one of the best in the league, him and hicks can finish from most areas of the pitch.

To say that he should be dropped because he gets caught out of position SOMETIMES is a joke.

He has saved some tries this year, and finished a hell of a lot.

I'm not for one moment suggesting he is as good as Offiah going forward but Offiah couldn't tackle to save his life. We need top draw specialist finishers on either side of the field and Riley is a top draw finisher.

His defence isn't the best in the league but it certainly is not the worst.

Every year he comes under the same pressure from fans, "he isn't good enough for super league" blah blah, when he has improved 100% each year and silenced doubters until when the season finishes and they all start calling him again

I'm not suggesting he is the best winger in the league (or the team that goes to hicks IMO) however he has scored the most tries in our team so cut the guy some slack. He is a young lad, like i say he improves year on year, if he continues this rate of improvement he could be the best in the world in 5-7 years.

It is a tough decision for smith next year with who to start in the backs but to drop our top try scorer would be daft IMO

For me it's nothing to do with his defence or anything, but if i had a choose of him or Bridge, there is only going to be one winner. Bridge is a must a centre his step and speed of the mark is something we have lacked, and with King being on the wing gives us a very strong backline also we can use King's aerial ability and kick for him.

Riley will get his chance and he is still only young.

TS initially stated that Hodgson wouldn't necessarily play every game so Riley might be in at fullback [which he has often been quoted as saying is his preferred position].

Why are we looking to leave out probably our speediest player who scored nearly 30 tries last season? Smith clearly rates him and I'm of the opinion that he will be first choice as a winger next year. Nice problem to have though, how do you fit everyone in?

Hello Chris

I for one agree with gazmeister.

As far as I'm concerned we have a proven try scorer in Riley and unless he has a radical dip in form, he should start every game.

IMO we should play the most effective 3/4 line throughout and Riley, on current form, is definately one of the best four we have in our squad.

Only if a positional change is warranted, or Riley dips in form or someone else justifiably warrants a starting place which knocks Riley out of the starting 17 (as with the rest of the team) then he should play every week.

We've been very lucky with injuries this year, remember. The problem we had at the back end of the season, where it was a matter of who to leave out, is unlikely to be one which affects us often, sadly.

Riley is a very decent winger. Playing at fullback he makes mathers look like Billy Slater.

Riley every day, can't think of a great deal he has done wrong.

But the main reason is that is like having two monsters of centres in King and Atkins. I really like the tackling efforts King puts in from centre which he wouldn't do so much on the wing.

The team looks a bit small with Bridge and Briers stood next to each other

Who would Riley lovers leave out to put him in the team?

For me it's got to be; Hodgson, Hicks, Bridge, Atkins, King.

Reading the Warrington Guardian today there seems to be little doubt in Tony Smith's mind that Chris Riley will get better and better over the coming years & I would expect that to mean he will play more often than not. I guess Chris Hicks' decision to postpone his retirement plans may have affected Smith's plans for Riley slightly!

Incidentally, Riley named at FB for the Garry Purdham Game - hints he could be sent to the 4 Nations as cover for Widdop?

I like Riley - he is a quality SL winger, but that is our best backline by a country mile.

Personally I think King is wasted on the wing and, particularly in defense, I like to see him in the centre. Think Bridge is superb however - what a refreshing problem to have!

Widdop has played in the centre for Melbourne this season more than he has at full back. I'd say Widdop will be included as utility cover with Tompkins as the first choice full back.