1. Ratchford
2. Ashton
3. Mata’utia
4. King
5. Charnley
6. Widdop
7. Williams
8. Cooper
9. Clark
10.Mulhern
11.Currie
12.Holmes
13.Hughes

14.Philbin
15.Bullock
16.Matty Davis
17.Walker

Just a personal note on Magoulias - i'm going to be up front and say that i've never seen him play (other than the obligatory Wire signing announcement video) and heard very little about him from his time in Aus...but does anybody else think his body type looks more a kin to being in the south stand with a two pinter rather than a professional athlete? He seems to be rather on the portly side to me, judging from photos of him that i've seen since he's arrived. He may well be one of those players that just 'carries it well'

He was roundly tipped to take the 13 shirt on long term when Paul Gallen retired, and was very well thought of as a junior. It’s fair to say his development has stunted, and that includes being at a club that have had significant changes in the pack, with Prior leaving, Fafita being in the reserves for long periods and long term injuries to Graham for example.

It could be be a master stroke to give him 12 months to showcase his talents, but it remains to be seen. Realistically, aside from the occasional chip and chase, I’m not sure anyone can point to anything that will show that he is anything more than ‘another’ small forward with potential going alongside Davis, Robson, Longstaff etc.

He doesn't look out of shape at all and has massive quads. Some people gentically carry weight regardless. If you've been on the aussie forums he's highly rated buy shark fans and opposition fans who think the Sharks are stupid to let him go. I liked what i've seen of him and think he's clearly got alot of skill and talent. Be a shame if he does missthe first 7-8 games but hopefully will see what he can do as the season progresses. Not saying he's amazing but i like the look of what i've seen and think he will do well for us
But if he doesn't work out he's only here for a year

Forgotten, would prefer him off the bench though.

I have been thinking about Currie at 13. I don’t know enough about the technicalities to have an informed opinion (but that has never stopped me) but it struck me that he should be able to play a similar role to Sculthorpe (P!). Is there any technical reason why he can’t?

I’m pretty sure he played there regularly at academy level? I think Walter Wizard would have more info about that. I think he’s a lot more creative than we’ve seen under Price. Even Sculthorpe would have looked like a simple, strong-running second row under Price.

Lock - now there's a term I've not seen for a while!

I agree that Currie at 13 could work well (although as Captain says - Im no expert on the attributes for a good 13).
I like ball playing creative 13's rather than props playing at 13.
Sculthorpe and Tewera Nikau spring to mind.
Philbin is not and will never be a 13. By contrast Ben Harrison was decent because he could play a bit rather than just 'take it up' as a prop.

So from my earlier 'I havent a clue who will be in the team' post Im now clear on 1 to 9.
2nd prop and the rest of the pack and subs are less clear.
I think Philbs will take 10 and probably Currie, Holmes and Hughes the rest of the pack.
The bench will partly depend on the opposition, but generally I expect Walker to be there with Clark, Bullock, Magoulis and Mulhern if everyone is fit. (Yes I know, 5 but I cant make my mind up).

Injuries will take their toll.
If a back is injured I can see Thewlis and Minikin being 1st port of call, with Wrench under consideration.
In the halves, then Ratch would step up, Dean in reserve.
If a forward is injured then one of the 5 above plus Davis (tough call on him missing the 17), Wrench, Lonstaff and Butler.

That covers it.

With the type of play I think Powell will promote, I hope it will mitigate our lack of depth in the prop department.

This is what I’m hoping for, too.

Of course, I’d love a Hill standard player to complement Cooper, but maybe that’s not as critical if we aren’t a Price type team.

Magoulias confirmed to miss the first 4-5 rounds so i'm expecting to see hughes at 13 from the start.

I thought that I read somewhere that Hughes was touch and go as to whether he'd make the first couple of rounds due to a hand injury / surgery?

Hi EW; it is funny you should ask this question as I was talking about BC with Rich Marshall on Wednesday and he was saying about when BC was coming through the Under 20s he played him at loose forward and stand off as he had fantastic hands and his ability meant he could cover virtually any position.

I would say that second row is his best position now though!!!

1. Ratchford
2. Ashton
3. Mata’utia
4. King
5. Charnley
6. Widdop
7. Williams
8. Cooper
9. Clark
10.bullock
11.Currie
12.Hughes
13.holmes
14.Philbin
15. Mulhern
16. Magoulis
17.Walker


Thewlis n longstaff should get ample game time and there will we will have competition for places too from others

Is Bullock injured or recovering from an op?

I see no J.Clark there, but with Magoulis out I can definately see him being in the 17.

Why Holmes at 13? I suppose if he played in his usual position it would mean a move for Currie and potentially Hughes.