So, in the SUper League Grand Final you would rather replace a centre (albeit a young one but who has done very well in recent games) with a full time winger who played a handful of games at centre for Hull KR a few years ago and recently has not even been the best winger in the club? I know which I would consider the bigger risk

Gildart has had as many good games for the first team as Charnley has in the last 2 seasons, plus Josh hasn't played centre for 5/6 years. Gelling would be the logical one to come in but tbh I think Gildart has done enough to justify his place in the 17 for Saturday.

Myself and one or two others said earlier in the season that we would go with Charnley or Burgess at centre when Gelling was out injured but it never happened. I think now to play Charnley there in a Grand Final when he hasn’t played even one game there in the past 5 seasons is far too dangerous, at least Gildart is accustomed to playing at centre, has scored four tries in seven games there and Williams and Burgess will have developed a bit of a partnership with him.

I am concerned that we are throwing an inexperienced youngster with defensive frailties into a starting spot though. Someone mentioned maybe sticking Charnley on the bench, I don’t think that’s a bad idea to be honest given that Bowen and Gildart both have the potential to come unstuck (Charnley onto the wing with Burgess to FB or Centre if that happens), plus it would allow injury cover for the rest of the backs as well as the backrow given Bateman could move to SR. Harsh on Powell but we’re better with MM for the full 80

It's a myth that our intensity drops when MMc goes off and Powell comes on. We were better when Powell came on last Thursday which was why he played long minutes. His defence is excellent (though not as hard hitting as MMc granted) and he is more creative. His kick to Manfredi for Bateman's try is something that MMc would never accomplish in a million years, for example.

It wasn't a myth earlier in the season, and there have definitely been games this season where MMc has been left on the bench too long. Powell has done well in the last couple of months though, and fully deserves his place in the 17 on Saturday. I thought the game against Hudds SW got the balance spot on with regards to spelling the 2.

Yes, I'll agree with you on that. Lets say that Powell has earned his place and that his game time earlier on in the season has paid dividend now, as an injury to MMc wouldn't be the disaster it was this time last season.

I reckon that the 2 sides will line up asRhinos

Hardaker
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
Sinfield
McGuire
Garbutt
Burrow
Leuluai
Ablett
Delaney
Cuthbertson

Keinhorst
Peacock
Singleton
Achurch

Wigan

Bowen
Manfred
Bateman
Gildart
Burgess
William
Smith
Crosby
McIlorum
Flower
Tomkins
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Powell
Clubb
Mossop
Tauta

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Put Patrick on the bench instead of either Tautai or Powell and you'll probably be right for us

I know this a controversial statement, but I would be tempted to have Gelling on the bench instead of Tautai or Patrick, he could be the x factor who could play in the pack ( he has good go forward ) and could move into the Centre if Bateman is required if Lockers is struggling.
Lockers seemed a bit off the pace last week.

Setting off now. Can't wait!