Hock + another forward, a half with a top draw kicking game and we wont be far short.

With the way Maguire sets up, Pryce/Goulding are all we need on the wing as the skill inside is doing all the work.

Correct. Melbourne's wingers have never really been World beaters but Smith, Cronk, Slater, Inglis, Folau etc etc have been.

Spot on.

It's exacty what we need and if we manage to get those in we'll have a superb side. The 2 things that I felt held us back in our biggest game of the season at Leeds was a half with a top draw kicking game and a class prop to come on and give Fielden and Coley a rest on the bench.

Add a returning Hock into that mix and 2011 could go even better then this season has upto date.

Some bad news on the other forum. Rumour is Lockers is out for three weeks.

If you put Brett Finch into the team against Wakefield we would have run up 70+ in my opinion.

No disrespect to Sam or Tommy, but every now and again they pick the wrong option of runner when another option is free. It will come with experience but having watched Finch play, he more often than not does hit the right option, this added to his kicking game should make him a key signing for 2011, if he is confirmed.

On that note I also wonder if there could be any chance of him coming early to the UK. Melbourne are looking to shed players have nothing to play for, could potentially we be waiting till later in the year to bring him over and fit him under our cap. Total speculation on my part by the way, but it does not seem totally beyond the realms of possibility.

Would we have the room to fit someone of that calibre in, or would we have to let someone go in order to accomodate him, like we did with Moran/Dobson?

It'd be a fantastic addition to the squad if we can get him.

I'm basing my judgement largely on the fact that we're a lot better off for second rowers than we are for props.

Agreed, it makes very little sense for Hock to come back as a secondrow long term. We have bags of talent in that area. Given his natural game is very suited to Prop, ie strong drive and offload, and the fact he will have had what amounts to a 2 year off season to physically prepare, I would be very surprised not to see him return as a frontrow forward.

People forget that Hock is effective with his power and offloads DOWN THE SIDES of the pitch. I'm not sure moving him upto prop would be a good decision. He was more effective running at SR/CE players out wide that the big guys in the middle.

Fair enough. Although I don't see Lee Mossop playing in the second row for that much longer. Once he is up to grips with regular Super League rugby every week I think he'll make the step up.

I'd like to see Finch at Wigan to partner Sam, but my only reservation is where Leuluai would play. I assume he'd play off the bench to replace Piggy at hooker. My only problem with that is I'm not the biggest fan of Tommy at 9, he doesn't in my opinion ever seem that effective there. Plus it would more than likely force McIlorum out of the club leaving us with three overseas players in what are key positions.

What about Tommy at #1?

Matty Bowen mark 2?

Before anyone says anything i've wrote this as a joke about the Tomkins to #1 talk

He was only effective in that role because he used to hang out there and wait for the ball to come to him, bringing him infield for me means he will be involved more and it utilises his best quality.

For me the best form he ever showed was when he moved to 13 when Locky was injured and he had to get involved more in the middle of the field, he was outstanding.

We have some hoping we sign Adam Blair for next year, I feel in Hock we have a British Adam Blair already, big aggressive good offload and able to play in every position of the pack. A very useful player to have in the squad indeed.

Sam is an ideal fullback.
Noble wanted to try him there, Madge has tried him there and Pat Richards has recommended him for that position.
It may not happen yet, as we are will covered with Pat or Amos there or Phelps at a push, but he will be gone next season.

It will all depend on what positions we fill in this close season (and next) and also what comes through the academy.

I think Stef Marsh could do a very good job at fullback, but think he is being groomed as Gleesons replacement in a couple of years, but don't rule out Sam from the fullback position as he develops.

That's been mentioned on here a couple of days ago. Apparently it's come from Mick Foreshaw in Swinley Labour Club.