Last time we were at Wembley, one of our props Steve Molloy was left out by our coach at the time (Was it Brian Johnson?). He left the club in a huff and never played for us again.

It would be great for all our squad to get a chance of playing, especially Mitchell and Clarkes face was a picture when we won the semi. But not all of them will be in the squad. Who do you think will be left out and will it affect his commitment to the Wire?

Very difficult week coming for the coach.

I was thinking about Vinnie Andersons form right after the Semi final and I had a similar thought that he was a possibility of being the 2009 version of Steve Molloy.

but I think we have too many injured players for a regular to get left out.
plus in the 1990 semi Molloy dropped a couple of balls and was replaced (Johno's trademark) by Harmon around half time and Harmon had by far the better game of the two....I suppose Johnson made his mind up then.

Tony Smith is a bit smarter than that and it would take a pretty special performance on Friday by an 'outsider' to get into the Final squad at the expense of a regular first team player.

maybe Mcarthy might get in the squad at the expense of Blythe but I dont expect either to play

As per the other thread on the Wembley 19, I think it comes down to two of Rau/Mitchell/Johnson assuming Hicks, Harrison, King are all fit. VAnderson would fit the Molloy model, but there's no way VAnderson won't play.

Good thread, was thinking the same thing myself. As an 18yr old I remember being sat right near the front fencing at Wembley in '90 and Molloy was stood slouching against it for the duration, fingers hooked through the wire holding himself up. He wasn't with the team in any way shape or form and was stood in the crowd with us speccies. He was drunk beyond belief and looked miserable/angry/distraught. Could tell there and then he'd played his last game for the club.

Witnessing that years ago has really stuck with me, and I'm sure it stuck with the player too.

Can't see any of the "elder statesmen" missing out - suspect it to be a youngster if the squad is fit.

Walking out of Wembley, I walked past him. I felt pretty miserable, but it was nothing compared to how he looked.

He was sat near my dad and me, I got a photo of me with him and Mark Roskell.

he also signed for Sheffield eagles the season they got to wembley and I think he was either cup tied, injured or again left out cant really remember which ???
I know big steve from his leeds days, was a good lad but had some bad luck. the last i heard was working as a driver for BOC gas in Oldham, after losing job as coach at Oldham

Always thought Johno's pack selection for the 90 final was wrong. Molloy should have played in the front row instead of Tony Burke imo with Billy McGinty starting in the 2nd row. Probably wouldn't have mattered as Wigan were beating everyone (except us) that season. We just didn't perform that day.

When I was at Wembley in 1990, I was sat in front of Mark Roberts. How do you think he felt when the team walked on the pitch.

Terrible shame for Robbo. Fabulous player blighted with injuries.

he was cup tied, he did the lap of honour with the Eagles and even brought the cup over to us as we were sat on Row 1 in Wire Tops.

I always thought Johnson made a mistake in signing Burke.

i believe Molloy did not play due to something "off the field" rather than form. Neil harmon was brought into the team instead

Am I right in saying that Tony Smith dropped Barrie Mac for a CC Final.
Any of the following players should feel worried
Rauhihi
Johnson
Anderson V