This is just for a bit of fun to see what Squad people would like to see in 2023 for us, with the players currently OOC from other teams.
Now my squad is only based on rumours, linked players and hearsay, as obviously until players are confirmed as being released by us and we confirm who we've actually signed we don't actually know.

It'll be interesting what peoples thoughts are and who they rate and don't rate and would like us to sign. But my team below is just a possible squad if the rumours etc are true.

1. Matt Dufty
2. Greg Minikin
3. Peter Mata'utia
4. Toby King
5. Matty Ashton
6. Riley Dean
7. George Williams
8. Rob Mulhern
9. Daryl Clark
10. Gil Dudson
11. Ben Currie
12. Kelepi Tanginoa
13. Oliver Holmes

14. Danny Walker
15. Joe Bullock
16. Same Kasiano
17. Joe Philbin

18. Josh Thewlis
19. Ellis Longstaff
20. Connor wrench
21. James Harrison
22. Morgan Burgess
23. Jacob Gannon
24. Tom Whitehead

I'd keep the below but i'm unsure if we will keep them?
Mike Cooper, Matt Davis + Billy Magoulias (he seems to be slowly getting better with each game so far) and Ratchford.

2 other players we are linked with are Rhys Kennedy and Paul Vaughn, but the Mole said he's heard the rumours are false so i've not counted them as he's right most of the time.

Thewlis
Minikin
King
Mautatia
Ashton
Dufty
Williams
Vaughan
Clark
Dudson
Holmes
Tanginoa
Currie
Bench: kasiano, Harrison, Walker, Longstaff?

That would be mine if we are to get all the players we are targeting…

If that actually does become our team for 2023 then we are going to be in bigger trouble than we are this season.

If we sign Dufty and drop Thewlis I’m sitting the 2023 season out. That would epitomise the reasons why Warrington’s progress has stagnated since 2013.

I’d keep Cooper, but bulk up the backup options in the forwards.

Right wing maybe is a weak area if we need to replace Charnley. It would have to be a value for money option to free some cap up for the forwards. Maybe we could go the Hull route and sign a big south sea islander?

Yeah that's why i'm surprised we are linked with him to be honest as for me Thewlis is the clear successor for the no.1 spot. Unless he can indeed play in the halves and that's what we are looking at him for, with Riley Dean as back up maybe?

If that's our collection of props going into 2023 then it's still not good enough. We need to be aiming higher than that, especially with letting Cooper go.

Who's this dufty character..is he decent

pretty sure he's the reason st george didn't re-sign widdop 3 years ago

A player that Wire definitely DON'T need

Surprised you haven't included Luke Gale ?

I think Thewlis will be a great player for years to come but we have to remember that he has only just turned 20. Unfortunately there are no players like Brett Hodgson or Coote to play in the crunch games and guide and coach the younger players through their development. Ratchford fits that role as long as he is not on the naughty list and the salary reflects the transitional / cover role but if another club is willing to give a decent 2 year contract then we might have to look at other options.
I dont think Dufty fits into that bracket
Everybody knows we need forwards but we could be light on backs and three quarters if we are not careful. Saints promoted Dodds and welsby from very capable back up players and let Coote and Fages go but when a couple of those positions are injured (Dodds, Hopoate , Grace and Lomax) then it is a problem.
Not too sure Riley Dean is quite ready just yet to be a lead halfback but again If Ratchford is willing to play the "Ritchie Myler" cover role then would be happy with that.
I think enough has been said about the forwards but I am worried about NRL imports. There looks to be 2 categories in the NRL. You have props that will play 12 years at the highest level (Morley, Webke, Civonacevia, JW Hargreaves) but there is a lot that play at the top level for 4-5 years then start to drop off. Klemmer, Woods and Napa were all regular SOO or Kangaroos for a period but start to drop down the pecking order. We have been burnt by NRL props and teams like Leeds signing what appears to be safe bets like Trent Merrin can turn out all wrong.
I am hoping that Powells record of being a good judge of character will help to solve some of the recent problems up front. Grant millington was not a household name and had only played circa 50 games in the NRL but did a decent job for Cas.

Little bit of an updated possible team for next year, this is what i'd go for.

1. Josh Thewlis
2. Connor Wrench
3. Peter Mata'utia
4. Toby King
5. Matty Ashton
6. Matt Dufty
7. George Williams
8. Rob Mulhern
9. Daryl Clark
10. Gil Dudson
11. Ben Currie
12. Kelepi Tanginoa
13. Oliver Holmes

14. Danny Walker
15. Joe Bullock
16. Sam Kasiano
17. Tom Mikaele

18. Joe Philbin
19. Matt Davis
20. Ellis Longstaff
21. James Harrison
22. Morgan Burgess
23. Jacob Gannon
24. Tom Whitehead
25. Greg Minikin?
26. Riley Dean?

Incoming stats nerd here... And a massive TED Talk on the way. But I hope you enjoy!

First of all, don't read if you're about to go for a drive and you get bored/tired by reading. But maybe some of you will find this interesting. So here goes.

Current Pack = Philbin, Cooper, Bullock and Mulhern
New Pack = Amor, Mikaele and Harrison
Future Pack = Dudson and Kasiano
*I think people will understand why I have put Harrison under new, since he hasn't played yet*

The New Pack brings the age down by 1.4 years on average, adds 1.25 inches to the height on average, but lowers the weight by 1.25kg on average for the entire pack this season. This weight decrease is mostly down to Amor and Harrison being 104 and 105kg. But Mikaele is 109kg which would put him as the 2nd heaviest for this season behind Bullock.

I put all of the players into a table and ranked them by Height and Weight. I then took their average rank in each area to see how they would all rank overall. So for example, if Philbin was Rank 1 for Height and Rank 2 for Weight, his average would be 1.5. This is done for all players to see who has the best height-weight comparison, so the better the overall average rank, the more 'effective' the prop I suppose. Call that word whatever you want.

Rank:
1. Sam Kasiano
2. Joe Bullock
3. Gil Dudson
4. Thomas Mikaele
5. James Harrison
6. Robbie Mulhurn
7. Mike Cooper
8. Joe Philbin
9. Kyle Amor

I did one with age added as well but the Top 5 remains the same in a slightly different order and Amor stays 9th.

This ranking is really encouraging to me honestly. It shows we brought in bigger players than what we already had like Bullock and Harrison. One of which we are still waiting to see and the other is inconsistent but can be effective. And Mikaele becomes a Top 5 prop instantly which is hugely encouraging, considering he could be ready to go right now.

Seeing Kasiano and Dudson at 1st and 3rd gives me a lot of confidence for next season. I guess most of us are assuming Cooper is on his way out, and possibly even Philbin. And given Amor won't be here next season anyway, I feel this table is also encouraging for the "let's get the dead wood out" conversation. So seeing the 3 smallest and lightest props gone, with Cooper probably taking up a huge salary cap is good news. With Mulhern, I just don't know where I stand, probably like a lot of you. I certainly don't think he's ineffective, but is he worth having a Wire jersey, I'm not too sure.

For the rest of the squad, I'd be more than happy to see Thewlis as the starting Fullback but Dufty could be a menace there. I'd 100% give Wrench the #2 jersey next season with absolutely zero hesitation. Mata'utia seems like a bit of a waste to me in all honesty, but I was more excited about Minikin anyway who may still have something to offer this season if he gets back. However, with big names clearing out, we could look to spend big at centre next season, but I think Powell likes Mata'utia too much. I will admit though, he has looked better these last couple of weeks, especially when he's had Wrench to his right.

I'd personally move Currie into Loose Forward. Still a big player with decent speed, and he could be quite the ball-playing Lock, and skilful down the middle when everyone else on the opposition could be knackered after dealing with BIG SAM KASIANO for an hour. I think this opens the door for either King to move to Second Row, as I've seen some people mention, which then might leave room for Minikin and honestly I'd be okay with that but King is just too effective at Centre when he's in form. I've seen people mention Kelepi Tanginoa a couple of times, and he seems like he's got a bit of pace and is annoying to tackle. And that's all I want from a Second Rower.

As for the number 6 jersey, there have been discussions about Dufty playing there (if we get him), given fullbacks and stand offs seem to switch positions easily in the NRL, I'd have no problem with that. Riley Dean may need another year or two but maybe a loan move could be good until Dufty makes the inevitable move back to Australia and Thewlis gets to start at Fullback. However, the feeling for me around Dean is similar to Dec Patton. Young lad, world class talent around him, steady development, with clear signs of quality but can he be effective enough, can he control a game, can he make things happen and then do it on a regular basis. I have faith that he can with more experience.

Last point. I think Danny Walker is a top player. In about 2 years time, if he keeps improving at the yearly rate that he has been since we got him, I'd be more than happy to give him the #9 jersey, if Clark had to leave of course. Size aside, he reminds me of Mickey Higham a little bit. Seems like a quick thinker, intelligent player (Higham and Walker both underrated in that regard). Quick from dummy half, and has a 'head down and go' style when it's needed.

My Team for 2023:
1. Dufty
2. Wrench
3. Minikin
4. King
5. Ashton
6. Dean
7. Williams
8. Kasiano
9. Clark
10. Bullock
11. Tanginoa
12. Holmes
13. Currie

Subs:
Dudson
Mikaele
Harrison
Walker

The alternative is Dufty at 6 and Thewlis at 1. I'd be happy with either version.

It's our year for sure!

ten years of him being clearly an edge player, and people keep saying put currie at loose forward, madness.