Well he did all last year.

Up front we have;
Cusack
Dowes
Radford
O'Meley
Moa

Lauaki will play 2nd row.

So how cant i count?

Needs to improve if he wants to avoid the 'average' axe next year. Cusack and even Radford can do the 'work horse' role better then him.

Would keep him with Cusack going personally.

I'm sure the rest of SL would be greatful if we offered Dowes another contract, I can only think of one or two SL teams that consider taking him off our hands.

Maybe but lets not forget....English props are bloody rare and when they come available they are snapped up....you dont see many props moving clubs do you.

Fitzgibbon plays as a 3rd prop from 13, which is what i expect us to go with.

Fitz gives more than a simple 3rd prop option though from 13 which Radders didnt do imo.

Ive said elsewhere that my starting props would be Cusack and Dowes/Radford with O'Meley and Moa off the bench. Radders is on par with Dowes for me currently although may just tip it with effort.

Would you care to elaborate Dave?

I think Radford was excellent at what he did as you know. I think he grafted for 40 mins per game and made good offoads when the gameplan allowed it as well as putting a huge amount of work in defensively.

Fitz differs because we are likely to see him play 60/70 mins plus per game, put an even higher amount of work in defensively as well as being more of a threat with ball in hand. I also think his mere presence makes him head and shoulders above most back rowers in the league due to his Leadership qualities and reputation.

I still wouldnt play Fitz at 13 fwiw, i'd play Washy there with Fitz and Manu in the 2nd row and Lauaki off the bench as our impact 2nd row. What do i know!

Rubbish. You ALWAYS knew when Radford came on. The whole pace of the game dropped.

He started every game i think didnt he last year?

Can you think of any game in the last 2 years where any player made a difference?