Going by anything that Gentle has said, I would think the same.

Thats mine too

Will be interesting to see how Gentle views Whiting and what his definitive position will be. One of our stand out players last season but hard to see where he will fit in at the moment except as a versatile bench player.

Even then i think he'll be behind Turner and Aspinwall for a bench spot.

1. McKinnon
2. Sharp?
3. Whiting
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe
6. Horne
7. Seymour
8. O'Meley
9. Heremaia
10. Lynch
11. Manu
12. Tickle
13. Westerman

14. O'Carroll
15. Houghton/Ellis/Nicklas
16. Moa
17. Aspinwall/Pearce/Turner


Not 100% happy with Sharp starting, but willing to give him another chance this season.
Whiting has been one of the most consistent players for the club over the last few years and really strengthens that wing. Don't see how some people can leave him out of the squad?!
I aren't a fan of Martin or Aspinwall but obviously I needed to include a second rower on the bench for rotation with Manu/Tickle.

I'm probably gonna get troll'd for this selection haha

seems crazy to see everyone dropping one of our best and most consistent players from the starting line up Danny Houghton

I would go with Ellis/Seymour in the half backs put Horne on the bench
If we are making a fresh start those two should lead the team around the park
that makes 3 good kicking players on the pitch at the same time the other being the hooker

Seymours our 7, there's no way he'll be moved to accomadate Ellis, and Hornes our 6 Gentle won't be trying to make him into utility cover.

It's good to have options at 6 and 7 and hopefully Nicklas and Ellis can give a good account of themselves when called upon.

Remember when Manu was an impact player? I like the idea of a solid , in your face , nasty starting line up with the ability to use an explosive bench at the right time and when there's a bit more space. A backrow of Tickle and Westerman plus an enforcer to start with and Manu to come on would be interesting. Aspinwall is meant to be that player. Whether he is I'm not so sure but Aspinwall on the bench? He's not going to come on and be a game changer is he? A bench of Manu , Moa & Houghton plus O'Carrol if he's the forward in form would certainly give the opposition something to think about and counter used properly. Whatever happens hopefully gentle won't just run players into the ground and only take them off just[i after[/i they've missed a tackle or dropped a ball through fatigue.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Yeaman & Briscoe 'partnership' broken up, neither is uniquely integral to the others game tbh. Briscoe would score tries no matter who he had inside him (in fact would score many more if he had a skillful centre) and Yeaman would do 'his thing' wherever he played. Iif Martin does get the nod ahead of Turner I certainly want to see Sharp getting some decent service as I reckon he could have a very good impact this season under some 'proper' coaching.
I don't see Houghton being on the bench as a demotion, it is afterall a team game, if that means we play better with him coming on for 20 minute stints rather than him being flogged for 80 that has to be a good thing right?

That would be mine to. Think Houghton/Heremaia and Manu/Aspinwall could be either way round.

Lyne says in HDM today he's switching to fullback.

Was playing there for the 20's last year. Looked good, but it's been discussed before that he's at a crossroad of being too good for 20's, but not good enough for SL.
Where does this leave Jack Briscoe? 3rd choice winger?

pack looks very strong!

interesting to see how Aaron gets on this year. Fax 'reject'

1. McKinnon
2. Sharp
3. Martin
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe
6. Horne
7. Seymour
8. O'Meley
9. Heremaia
10. Lynch
11. Manu
12. Tickle
13. Westerman

14. O'Carroll
15. Houghton
16 Moa
17. Pearce