Where's O'Brien in your team?

Dual-reg with Swinton. Benji Marshall will need resting occasionally what with being 32 years old.

But seriously with only two new signings then somebody such as O'Brien could be struggling for a spot. Goes to show despite what people like to say perhaps we're not so badly off going forward.

You can't just assume we will buy Benji Marshall and then say 'it just goes to show were not badly off' And Laithwaite is BR not a prop. You would need Benion or perhaps Morrison if we stay in house. Where is my current favourite James Saltonstall ?

Where have I said Laithwaite is a prop? Cooper and Evans inter-change props.

When we do sign Benji Marshall just remember where you heard it first.

With all this talk of replacing like for like, or preferably better, don't forget all SL teams are in the same boat. A lack of quality Aussies will mean teams will rely more and more on bringing youngsters through their ranks, which I actually think we are now pretty good at. This may need to supplemented with picking up the odd player from lower divisions (e.g. Hill).
Overall standards may fall but does it matter?
I personally get enjoyment from a close exciting game, and the odd player error can in many cases enhance this.

As good as Marshall may be id rather see 0'Brien come through he for me is lee,s natural succesor,as ive said in an earlier post we often big up our youngters what is the point if we dont play them??????.before anyone beats me down on this i dont mean feed them in like we did against salford and london either.

He means the young Castleford hooker. I have a feeling he may be Leeds bound, he is a good player, although he can be "a little difficult"

Deary me....apart from not giving TANCW the benefit, you ruined my post about never going back

We have enough people 'serving apprenticeships' to keep going as we are. Williams, O'Brien and Evans (when fit) are out playing in the top level.

Dwyer and Currie have had game time, and probably will again throughout this season in sections. Laithwaite has 4/5 games in SL with HKR.

Blythe could (should we require him) come back, and for his age has a lot of experience. McCarthy and Cooper have played in the top level for a number of years and tasted the big game atmosphere.

1. Ratchford
2. Riley
3. Evans
4. Atkins
5. Williams/Saltonstall/Ormsby
6. Myler
7. O'Brien
8. Hill
9. Dwyer
10. Cooper
11. Grix
12. Currie
13. Laithwaite

14. Mendika (sp.)
15. McCarthy
16. Evans
17. Harrison

Not a bad team, considering it will be drip fed as we lose the old guard one by one. No doubt there will be more names that are emerging to, to be the 'next Currie' but my knowledge of the under 19's is limited. But Bennion and Morrison seem to be moving forward, and Danny Bridge seemed to have a big future.

No, I really thought he expected Jon Clarke to be back. Honest. Daryl Clark wouldn't be a bad choice.

I think, when you look at this 'ageing team' thing a bit closer.... The problem only seems to be with fans from other clubs.

Its no coincidence that the clubs supported by said fans are having a real problem holding onto their players....

It goes something like this.

Warrington Scenario (club A)

* Player A signs on 3 year contract aged 27 at top of game.
* Player A plays for 3 years and excels at club.
* Player A signs extension at Warrington.
* Player A goes onto more success and proves to still be a top player.
* Player A leaves club when the time is right for all concerned
* Warrington either replace from within or bring in top player B from outside the club

Club B scenario

* Player A signs 3 year contract
* Player A plays well at club for duration of contract (sometimes... sometimes just one year)
* Player A then leaves club and moves onto another club.. possibly the one thats bottom of the league.
* Club cannot find adequate replacement for player A so they either recruit sub standard foreign player or play a player from youth team a year or 2 ahead of schedule, reducing team quality.
* Everyone at club B agree the departing player was rubbish and too old anyway.
* Fans of club B all roundly condem warringtons ageing squad.
* Fans of club B state that due to the financial climate and NRL salaries, there will be no more decent players coming over from the NRL.

* Warrington sign decent NRL player still at/near top of game
[size* WARRINGTON ARE CHEATS... SALARY CAP, SALARY CAP...AAGGGHHHHH... ITS NOT FAIR[/size

talking about our aging team, this one'll mess with your head a bit, chris riley is eligible for a testimonial in two years time if he's still here.

Thats a bit mad that.


iirc, i think he made his debut away at huddersfield july/august time just after the joey deal had been announced and we went on our wobble before he arrived.

Indeed, especially as I can still remember watching him play for Woolston as a 15yr old and thinking then I was sure he'd make it to SL level. Makes me feel old! Also mad is the thought that Lee Briers is 4 years off a 2nd testimonial! Is that completely unrealistic? After all, Menzies is still going at 40 and he plays in the forwards.

Lee is still light years ahead of everyone else in the competition so no, I wouldn't think a second testimonial is too unbelievable. Can't believe it's coming up to Riley's testimonial already!