I have more confidence in the 2018 side than the 2016 one. Backs and the pack improved a lot. Players in bold who in my opinion were weak links at the time, and have subsequently either quit or are now playing at a more appropriate level now.

1 Stefan Ratchford
2 Tom Lineham
3 Rhys Evans
4 Ryan Atkins
5 Matthew Russell
6 Kurt Gidley
7 Declan Patton
8 Chris Hill
9 Daryl Clark
10 Ashton Sims
11 Sam Wilde
12 Jack Hughes
13 Joe Westerman
Subs
14 Toby King
15 George King
16 Chris Sandow
17 Ryan Bailey

Would you take a 2016 Gidley over a 2018 Roberts?

That's a good question. For kicking I go with Roberts.

If you compare the 2016 team with the 2018 semi final team (which I expect to be unchanged for the final) then, of all the players who featured in both I would say that only Chris Hill is playing below his 2016 level. All the rest have either at least maintained, but mostly improved, on their 2016 form.

The new names. Charnley, Goodwin, Philbin & BMM all add something. T King is a match for 2016 Atkins, Thompson is just as good, if not better, than Wilde. Westwood replacing Westerman? Bennie won't let anybody down.

That leaves the half backs. Gidley / Sandow had been a dream partnership first part of the season but by the GF it had unravelled. I think that the Brown / Roberts pairing will be better with Patton in a supporting role.

I'd say that overall we're in better shape.

I think the 2018 side is much improved.
I remember very well Gidley's contribution to the side at the end of his career.
I'd select Roberts.
*Thompson is a class act when compared to Wilde.

Completely agree. The pack is a lot bigger and more of a handful now. Looking at our backline it cannot suprise us that we did not score more than 1 try.

Good thread.

It would be really interesting to see that 2016 Grand Final team play this one. I think you are right that the 2018 team inspires more confidence. I think there are two main differences. 1) the team in general is better organised and structured especially defensively, it feels like it has more of a robust character as well; 2) there were weak links in the 2016 team that you have flagged (harsh on Sims though who I thought was OK), and who weren't really Grand Final winning material.

Again, I don't get the highlighting of Atkins as a weak link. Until his injury a few weeks back, and King finding some form, we wouldn't be having this debate. I have ZERO problem with King, it's just I'm yet to see these amazing games he's had. Don't get me wrong, he's not let anybody down, but I'm just not seeing the [ilove in[/i for him, YET. I hope it comes through on Saturday.

The rest of it?
Well, I know it's obvious, but we have a different coach. Fresh thinking.
The 18 side is more balanced. I know I have my issues with Roberts, but he isn't BAD, just a diluted/uninterested version of what we were promised. Patton just won't get us [iover the line[/i as a side.

Brown and Gidley cancel each other out. Organisers. That's it.


Sims couldn't break a tackle if his life depended on it. Cooper can.
Again, I never got the [ilove in [/ifor Westerman
Despite brief flickers from Sandow, he was a busted flush, come October.
Wilde, let go.
G King is the dictionary definition of average, for both years
Bailey. I'll break the swear filter. I don't care how many GF rings he's got.

It's 18's side for me
Deliberately more pragmatic, but a back 3 that can win a game in a heartbeat

Did you watch him in the Million Pound game? He huffed and he puffed and was again largely ineffective, made not one dent in the London defence, and did not stand out as a SL player on the pitch. Not by a long chalk. He has found his level too.

The Westerman enigma. He has a great future behind him.

Daz Clark also having a much better season in 18 than 16.

Watching the highlights from 2016 id completely forgotten that Charnley scored the winning try

Thank god he's in P&B this time around - big game player