if you watch that wigan win back from a couple of weeks ago.... there is a massive hit from grix on hoffman in the first half... finch put hoffman onto a short ball and BAM... Nailed.... you know grix had been watching that short ball on video all week.

he's always had the potential...he just needed some luck with his fitness....a quality player with and without the ball.

been great this season, anyone else think crabtree was gash from the moment monas took him out?

Agreed, he's been with us for a number of years, but had an absolutely awful run of injuries, all I can say is full marks to the club for standing by him instead of offloading him.

And it's fantastic that he only turns 26 later this month so many more promising years from him.

A player who won't be on big money but who has really improved over the last 2 years.

I've said this on threads before, but every time Grix has had a long run in the Warrington team he has improved, week-on-week, and become a crucial performer. He is currently in the best ever form of his career and has found his definitive position, which is important.

In the past, when he has got injured, people have been tempted into calling him 'average' or a 'squad player' - I think his reputation has finally been cemented with this current run. However, Mr Smith has a big (but nice) headache in two weeks if all of last night's team remain fit and Woody/Benny become available for selection.

Agreed, entirely.

Nice compliment to pay him is that we haven't missed Westwood one jott in what looked like a very tricky run of fixtures.

Looking at next year, with Waterhouse, Westwood & Grix in the backrow, options of Bridge, Coops & Harrison in there too, it looks pretty rosy going forward.

The clubs support of Grix & Bridge through difficult periods after identifying their talent very early on in the careers has provided rich reward.

I think that in hindsight those injuries could have actually helped Grix as he' 'young' in terms of actual games played and is getting better all the ime.

Wonder if he and Scott shared a car home last night!

From what I understand it would seem that both Westwood and Wood will be available for the next game. So basically we go into the play-off semi with a fully fit squad (apart from Evans and O'Brien but that's what happens with young players their bodies just don't hold-up; thank God we've got a squad of over 30s).

Its going to be tough on somebody - for me Westwood and Wood have to come back in. So which two miss out from last night?

Can Monas do the full 80 after a week-off? Could he do it two weeks running if needs be?

Can Riley be left out? Does Coops deserve to miss-out? Do we need the Solomona x-factor? Is Ben Harrison slightly off-form?

Very difficult calls to make. For me Clarke and Riley to make way if Westwood and Wood are fit to play.

Could have bench full of monsters for the semi.

im not so sure about Clarke.... it would appear he has nailed down the 2nd hooker spot at present... But when wood and westood are back I would imagine grix goes to 13, with bridge moving back into the centres.

It's harsh on Riley, especially after he has been playing so well... No room for sentiment though.

Hodgson
King
Atkins
Bridge
Monaghan
Briers
Myler
Morley
Monaghan
Carvell
Anderson
Westwood
Grix

presuming no backs on the bench then its probably a case of picking 4 from these

Solomona
Wood
Cooper
Harrison
Clarke
Higham

Nice problems to have

Wouldn't bring Westwood back unless he's 100%

Some absolute tool in the South Stand tonight down near the West stand "Simon Grix, i can't stand him, he's fuc***g sh*t" I had to move away. Obviously not got a clue about rugby and calls himself a Wire. This is the longest we have had Grix in the team and he's been fantastic. If he could kick the ball we would have a world beater on our hands.

Very Very early days injury wise but I think Brett picked up an ankle injury, don't know how bad but should we give him an extra week and keep him for the final??

Riley
King
Atkins
Bridge
Monaghan
Briers
Myler
Morley
Monaghan
Carvell
Anderson
Westwood
Grix

Solomona
Wood
Harrison
Clarke

Really hurt leaving Coops out of the 17, but we need a rotation for Monas M.

Agree with those saying Grix is quality, I thought we'd really miss a hard tackling, dynamic 2nd row with Benny out but as it is Grix has really stepped up to the mark.

As for next week it'd be madness to not have a replacement hooker on the bench, so Clarke will be there. It'd be tough on Riely to leave him out, I like that he brings so much more pace into our back line and him and Ryan are a fantastic partnership that really causes trouble. Still, in TS we trust.