I conclude that the set of forwards which at the beginning of the season everyone was lauding as the best in the competition but they have been patchy to say the least. Granted when O'meley, Fitz and Manu have played theyve been on the whole good but the rest have been very indifferent and as a whole have been a long way short of being the best in the comp.

So you are saying that Tickle and Houghton have been very indifferent this season.

Yes they have. Houghton has been outstanding at times, quiet on others and Tickle has been average but his goal kicking superb.

INS
sharp
fielden
louie mccarthy scarsbrook
a new young halfback

NEW CONTRACTS
calderwood ( 1 year deal gives us depth and options also for me still is 1 of the best english wingers and allows briscoe to centre)
kent( very good youngster should be given 2 year deal still very young)

LET GO
dowes - been a good servant maybe between him and radders a 1 year deal for 1 of them but not sure. but i would be looking at bringing in a couple of props to replace them.
radders - above
burnett - again with him been youngish maybe worth another year but isnt progressing and is a penalty machine, and with the young backrowers coming through the likes of cunno,crooks,green,kent id maybe let him go.
tuffour - hasnt been given an oppitunity and looks certain to go
cusack - overseas and brings nothing to the team, very average just an worse version of dowes and will be on a bit aswell.
hall - been told hes going anyway
from this we should still have quite abit of money left aswell

2 players who the England selectors have commented about



But apart from those Fitz, Orgre,Manu we have been owned...Then there's Moa

Assuming Fielden signs and Sharp but no one else then I would go with:-

Tansey
Briscoe
Yeaman
Whiting
Sharp
Horne
Long
Hame
Berrigan
Fielden
Tickle
Fitz
Washbrook

Moa
Ogre
Houghton
Manu

I think this side would give great balance in the forwards, lots of impact from the bench especially, POSSIBLY THE BEST BENCH IN SL. Plus it gives us the extra pivot at 13 in Washy. It means we would have to change our style a little and have less emphasis on playing around the ruck. We would lose some forward power playing a ball playing 13 but I think the benefits would be worth it. If Calderwood stays the I would be tempted to try Briscoe in the centres too. Whiting would be the one to make way as he is less of an attacking threat but Yeaman needs to raise the bar or he could be the one dropped.

thanks paul.. someone at last read the thread opening note

Strange then that Houghton's stats are better than those of Riddell, Buderus and Cunningham, and that he is the comp's 6th top tackler. If that's the definition of indifference then I'll take it, particularly when he's a homegrown 21 year old.

anyone know the situation with berro wether he counts on the non fed next year or not, i dint think he should as he was contracted before feb 08 but heard that he still might count so wondering wether anyone knows. if he dont then woudnt mind meli maybe to replace calderwood if not then i would keep calders for another year.

1. Tansey
2. Sharp
3. Whiting
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe
6. Horne
7. Long
8. New signing
9. Houghton
10. O'Meley
11. Tickle
12. Manu
13. Fitzgibbon

14. New signing
15. Moa
16. Lauaki
17. Berrigan

Briscoe Jack
Lyne
Turner
Nicklas
New signing
Burnett
Green
Cunningham
Crookes
Washbrook
New signing

Thanks sheldon