I can see where you are coming from, but a couple of points. If I was to have a half back on the bench it would be Ratchford over Smith, as he offers pace threatens more with the ball in hand. Then there is the second row, farrell has done enough to keep his place, but Westerman isn't effective in the second row and Whitehead has some serious question marks over his defence. That said I don't if Whitehead has improved over last season, so I'm willing to accept the opinions of those who have seen him play more regularly. Anyone accept the new Barry Mackenzie that is!

He is as someone said in the match coverage, the best ball playing forward in the world. If he played for any other team, people would rate him like Ryan Hoffman does. I'll take the opinion of someone who's done what he has in his career over yours.

JP said on today's highlight show that he thought O'Loughlin and Graham were not only the best ball playing forwards in the world right now but the best in the last 20 years. Again, I'd tend to give more credence to Jamie Peacock's opinion than some no mark on an internet forum.

You must be excluding hookers from the category of "ball playing forwards."

I was quoting Jamie Peacock but, at the risk of speaking for him, I would say that is a given as hookers are less forward and more half in the modern game.

I think Ben Kennedy is (was) the best LF in the last 20 yeara. Flanders is excellent but he's no Scully P.