There is zero importance on finishing first, literally none. It's no good worrying about who we may or may not meet on route in the play offs because they're all good teams (in the top 4). We won't get an easy ride to the final in that competition (lets face it weve had thay in the cup but we were die some luck)so we'll need to be fresh, fit and at the top of our form to win the GF.

Our whole season should be about building for the cup final and then building again for week 2 of the play offs (week 1 is meaningless as well).

To be fair we won't have to play week 2 if we win week 1

tomkins
charnley
goulding
thornley
richards
green
smith
flower
micky mac
mossop
hansen
farrell
o'loughlin
subs:
taylor
tuson
l.tomkins
dudson

Most of the first-choice 17 is pretty nailed on barring injury or bad form in the next few games. The only real battle for places is:

Between Gelling and Thornley for left centre
2 of Dudson, Crosby, Taylor or Lauaki for bench prop spots
Between L Tomkins and S Powell for bench hooker/half
Possibly between Tuson and Hughes for bench 2nd row

The only variation on this I can see is if SW decides to use McIlorum for 80 mins and go with an extra forward on the bench.

I don't want Jack Hughes anywhere near the final.

He needs a season loan. Massively disappointed in him ths season. Similar to when Joel Tomkins went on loan
to Widnes. He came back twice the player.

I also can't bear the thought of Gelling walking out at Wembley. He's got balls up written all over his mush

Yes. This I agree with.

That is not to say I don't rate Hughes and Gelling, I do. They just need more time.

Agree with is. Problem is, I feel the exact same about Thornley

Only fair that barring injury or suspension, the team for the Final should be the same as the one in the Semi Final.

I feel for Hughes, him shifting between centre and second row isn't doing him any favours IMO. If you look at the first few games when Hansen and Tuson were injured, Hughes was playing 80 minutes as an out and out backrower and he started the season like a house on fire. Those other lads came back, he went back to be a utility and his form dipped to probably its lowest ebb in the Wigan first team. I wouldn't have him in the team if everyone was fit for any if the remaining big matches but long term he'll still be a terrific player for us.

As for Gelling I agree there's always that worry. There's also a feeling that he could have a stormer and score a couple of try's and be a general nuisance for Hull but the risk is too great IMO. I really rate Thornley, he doesn't have the handling errors in him that Gelling does but I worry when he comes up against a quick footed centre. If Ben Crooks pulls through for then that could be a big worry come final day.

Gelling all the way for me at this stage, Thornley's too much of a target in defence and he's not exactly a world beater in attack either. Having said that I'd give them both a run v Catalans with Goulding taking a rest and see who sticks his hand up for selection.

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