Didn't you watch Hull's wins in the semi and final last year then? Certainly rose for them games.

Of course it does Frostie, Wakefield at home to Salford would have been the bestest draw

Cas have been in three grinds this year so far, and lost all three albeit those games were away from home. But none of the finals will be held at Wheldon Road neither will the CC semi should they get there. I agree with Sal that Cas at their best right now are head and shoulders above the rest but you seldom come up against shoddy defences in the big games or get the chance to play champagne rugby (particularly on a damp cold manchester night in October)

Lets also not forget Wigan have a lot of big guns to return and If/when they do i still see them as THE team to beat if you are serios about winning silverware this year. As for our own chances, the cup draw has helped plenty and we are handily placed in the leage. The club knows what it takes to get the job done in the big games and we still have players, although past their best, still good enough in one off games to produce the goods. All in all, i like our chances much more than i did a couple of months ago and am happy to see us as outsiders sneaking up on the rails for once.

4 grinds mate. Huddersfield away most recently. And don't disrespect them too much as they pumped you lot the week previous.

True, but then again we went away to Hull and put 52 points past them and then a few weeks later Cas' all conquering unstoppable attack with a man advantage for 60 mins away to Hull only managed 24 points. Funny how it works out some times

True but we were playing without a scrum half, made a good fit of recovering from 18 0 but hull were defensively superb that day and we were exceptionally disjointed without gale

Better hope he doesn't get injured then, sounds like a one man team

He makes us tick as all good 7's do. Big lad McShane pretty integral to us too. Far from a 1 man team though.

These ex Leeds cast offs adding Zak to the list certainly showing us how it should be done

No, we have internet now.

Ive kept my powder dry on this but you are fu*king deluded if you think you are chance of A trophy without Gale.

likewise us with sinfield

Then or now? Cas are so unproven. Which unproven time in the past went on to trophies without doing the hard yards first! Just for the record making a CCF 3 years ago is hardly doing the hard yards.

I'm still to see Cas get battered and win.

back then. sinfield was that vital, as Gale is for cas now. lose him and they struggle big time.
be interesting to see how they cope with big games and relentless super 8's.
something they couldn't manage last year.
no doubt they are the team to beat now but prizes aren't handed out in may

Disagree. We win 5/7 last year in the super 8s. Losing 1 of the games in the last minute. I honestly believe Powell started the momentum for this season last year.

Fwiw I don't rate out chances in a final without Gale, but he's far from our only asset. Take Sneyd away from Hull, Williams from Wigan, Dobson / Lui from Salford , same applies. Not so sure who Leeds' mvp is, parcell maybe ?

possibly yes. however burrow can do a good job there. everything goes through gale.

Yep agree with all of that.

Only Aston available for Featherstone next week in the cup quarter final. Expecting Leeds to go same as Wakefield but wouldn't be surprised for Baldwinson & Ormondroyd to get a game. Wouldn't risk Burrow with his shoulder.

Golding
Briscoe Watkins Sutcliffe Hall
McGuire Moon
Garbutt Parcell Cuthbertson
Ablett Ward
JJB

Ferres Mullally Garbutt Galloway Ormondroyd Baldwinson

Any of the bottom six on the bench.

Golding still didn't look fit, so I'd give Walker a game. I'd also consider resting Cuthbertson.

Would like to see a 3/4 key men rested after the recent run of games.

Probably will be Watkins anyway, with him having another child.

Saw Galloway today and he was limping quite badly if you can limp badly. But you know what I mean!
Might be wise to rest him, Parcell and Cuthbertson and give Golding another week to recover..
Bring in Baldwinson, Ormandroyd, Burrow and Walker. Sorted.

I'd be happy with

Walker
Briscoe Watkins Sutcliffe Hall
McGuire Moon
Garbutt Parcell Singleton
Ablett Ward
JJB

Ferres Ormondroyd Baldwinson Mullally

Watkins will get the night off surely.

Put Burrow in for Parcell and that would be my 17 Frostie.