as people have already said

Hansen
Locky
Tomkins

hock as sub for his impact. either that or bulk him up and stick him in the front row (which is where i think he will end up anyway) and bring mossop in

In all friendlies and the first two games of this season, O'Loughlin has been playing as a typical 13.

Agreed - whilst there is an argument for him being more effective at second row, saying he is 'never a 13' is a bizarre comment. His whole game is based around it.

Especially now that Barrett has left.

I think we'll see a huge improvement from O'Loughlin in '09 now that he has more freedom to link up with the halfbacks opposed to letting everthing revolve around Barrett and that's why many were calling for him to switch to second row last year. Regardless of what people think, truth is Sean O'Loughlin is a good ball handler and is very good at attacking out wide.

It made me smile.

id prefer hock at loose with hansen and lockers 2nd row

I don't think Hock has stamina, generally a LF is on the pitch 80mins. When Bailey goes, Lockers and Hock in the Back Row with J Tomkins at LF.

Whatever the order of the main 5 backrowers we have one needs to be dropped from the 17 on a regular basis imo because if we don't the balance of the side is all wrong.

On the opening day we were a halfback/Hooker short and for the Hull game we were a prop short all because Noble won't drop one of his 5 backrowers.

FWIW my pick to leave out would be Bailey but i don't see it happening. I can actually see a move back to centre for Bailey happening first before he'd get dropped.

tomkins@13
bailey and lockers second row
hock and hansen at this moment in time bench players.

Well I have only the Wakey game to go off this season and that wasn't what I would call a typical 13 playing. As to the friendlies you can't judge off those given the opposition in two of them. In any case he hasn't been a typical 13 for the last two seasons not just a few games this season.

When Tomkins was playing last season there were numerous posts on here calling for Lockers to be moved to the second row . Good call IMO. His game is far more suited to that position than it is a 13.

Dave

Against Wakefield, Sean O'Loughlin couldn't have played anymore like a Loose Forward and his ability to play freely and skillfully in the backrow is the reason why he was asked to switch to Stand Off. Whilst at 13 he occaisonally played as a play maker role, kicked out of hand and ran off the half backs (which lead to Tomkins try).

The way he and the team are currently playing, he is better suited to 13 and his recent performances have shown this. Like I say, the presence of Barrett last year prevented O'Loughlin from becoming involved in a more versatile role. Luckily he has been able to become more involved in the creative side of things.