1 Hardaker
2 McGillivary
3 Watkins
4 Percival
5 Burgess
6 McGuire
7 Kelly
8 Watts
9 Roby
10 Walmsley
11 Minichiello
12 Tai'a
13 Cuthbertson

Hardaker
Burgess
Watkins
Percival
McGillvray
Williams
McGuire
Walmsley
Roby
Hill
Taia
Minichiello
Cuthbertson

Full Back is a no brainer - Hardaker

Wingers. For me it's McGillivary and Burgess. Makinson and Briscoe would have run them close if it weren't for injury.

Centres. Watkins and Shenton. Moon has to be very close, I thought Gelling was very good until his injury and Percival has done well.

Halves. A few contenders have been ruled out due to injury. Campese was looking good, Carney is class but not played enough. I can understand the shouts for Williams, he's done well in his first season but not quite there yet. I've gone for Maguire and Brown.

Props. A lot of contenders, Millington, Watts, Peacock's been his usual formidable self. I've also been impressed with Green and Tilse at KR. I've gone for Hill, who has carried the Warrington pack (not very far admittedly) and Walmsley.

Hooker. Although Aiton has been very good for Leeds and McClorrum (sp?) for Wigan Roby is a class apart.

Second Row. Possibly the hardest choice. Ward, Greenwood, Currie and Bateman will be contenders for years to come. Farrell and Ellis come close but for me it's Taia and Miniccello.

Loose. Cuthbertson.

Wilkin deserves a mention as I think he's been immense for St Helens. The difference when he's not playing is noticeable however I'm not sure where to fit him in.

Hardaker
McGillvary
Watkins
Shenton
Burgess
Williams
Kelly
Hill
Roby
Cuthbertson
Taia
Bateman
Minichiello

Todd Carney?

Catalans have often been brilliant at home because of the five players whom I selected. Unfortunately their performances at home and away have been hampered by:

(1) the absence through injury for a majority of matches of Todd Carney;

(2) the presence in the team of the dud Australian imports Benjamin Pomeroy, Villiani Sione Tonga, and Jeffrey Lima.

Hardaker
McGillvary
Watkins
Percival
Burgess
McGuire
Gale
Hill
Aiton
Walmsley
Taia
Bateman
Cuthbertson


To qualify a few decisions-

McGuire- Noticed a lot of people including Williams but McGuires consistency gets it for me. Williams has been great for us in many games but he has had quiet spells also. His dream team time will come though! To play as well as he has on the back of our props is testament to his talent.

Aiton- Roby is probably a victim of his own class here. I see a guy in Roby now who's not quite as effective as once was in terms of being a one man menace. He doesn't make as much ground anymore, as many breaks or score as many try's but he's still a fine player. Again I think Aitons consistency over the full course of the season (until his injury) pips him.

Interesting that so few Wigan players are mentioned... Is this purely down to bias, or does it show that we have a rather good coach who can build a team greater tha the sum of it's parts... Wigan were 2nd in the table last time i looked.... Just Saying

Hardaker

McGillvary
Percival
Watkins
Burgess

McGuire
Kelly

Peacock
Aiton
Hill
Farrell
Wilkin
Cuthbertson

A comment that doesn't really deserve a sensible answer but I will anyway:

Neither IMO. Many Wigan players were close but others pipped them in their respective positions. As you're second maybe the players are all second best too?

as i said, from the games i've seen, carney has been better than burgess, i know burgess is the new darling etc but carney has impressed me more when i've seen him.

probably same as us in that we are where we are due to a team effort, rather than outstanding individuals, when i watch Wigan, they always have 2/3 players that play well consistently, again, a bit like us.

must be me?but i don't get the fuss over williams, he's done ok in the games i've seen but nothing more than many half backs, sure he's a talented player, but i just haven't seen him have many very good games where he has impressed me.

Ye we're second because we've had several players who have been good but not outstanding, whereas other clubs lower down perhaps have 1 or 2 stand out performers but not much quality around them. Even Leeds have only got 2 or 3 players in most people's teams here and they've been the best team by quite a distance this season.

I'd go

1. Hardaker
2. McGilvary
3. Watkins
4. Percival
5. Burgess
6. Williams
7. Maguire
8. Walmsley
9. Roby
10. Hill
11. Whitehead
12. Farrell
13. Cuthbertson

Or paranoia?

Most people seem to have picked Bateman and Burgess, many have picked Williams and a few have mentioned Micky Mac (albeit as missing out to Roby but having been good). That would seem to be about right for a team in 2nd (and out of the cup early on)

Ye it's hard to like a player when you don't like the club he plays for..

McGuire must have had a good season, I think you're the second Wigan fan to pick him

Scraping the barrel for scrum halves to be honest, he's just been the least sh*t.

I hate these threads as it's hard to be objective. Only natural when you see your team play every other week and other teams twice.

I can only put two names in from Saints: James Roby and Alex Walmsley.

Roby is in a different class and is one of the few genuine world class players in this competition. You only have to see his contribution every week to see how vital he is to the team. Those that think he's just a scooting hooker or someone who can only play off quick play the balls are not watching him close enough. His all round game is fantastic.

Walmsley has carried the saints pack this year and has been unbelievable. Made the most meters this season and he still can only get better. Should be on the bench for England this autumn.

Hardaker
Burgess
Watkins
Shenton
McGillvray
Brough
Kelly
Peacock
Aiton
Millington
Whitehead
Minichiello
Cuthbertson

To avoid the inevitable (unintentional) bias and as I can't think of any standout players that haven't already been mentioned, I'll only comment on leeds players...

Dead certs: Hardaker, Watkins, Cuthbo (at 13?)

Arguable: McGuire, Ward, JP, Moon

Honourable mentions: Aiton (Roby probably edged it even before aitons injury), Briscoe (has been outstanding but missed too large a chunk of the season), Hall (his consistency makes him easy to overlook, also its hard to overstate how important the early tacklecount work of the Leeds back 3 is in how they play).

I would also say Ward should be in the mix for young player of the year. He's only 21 but having been in and around the first team for several years (hampered by injuries) is easy to overlook and is playing like a senior pro this season.

Hardaker
McGilivary
Watkins
Moon
Burgess
Williams
McGuire
Hill
Roby
Watts
Taia
Minichiello
Cuthbertson

where have i said i don't like him or indeed his club? get over yourself

Anyone suggesting Tom Lineham clearly hasn't seen him play this year. He's had a couple of good games at best. Been lazy in defence and took time to get some consistency in attack.

Only Hull player worth a mention in Minichiello. I'd say Ellis, but he's spent a lot of time on the sidelines this year.

He has had more than one good game.