Hey all, with the play-offs fast approaching Tony Smith will be having to decide on his first choice 17 pretty soon. Just wondering what yours would be if you had the choice, if everyone was fit.

I think right now I would go with:

1. Hodgson
2. J. Monaghan
3. Bridge
4. Ratchford
5. Riley
6. Briers
7. Myler
8. Hill
9. Higham
10. Wood
11. Westwood
12. Waterhouse
13 Grix.

14 M. Monaghan
15 Morley
16 Carvell
17. Currie


Atkins could force his way back into my thinking if he played a few games before the end of the season and played well, but so far this year I just don't think he has been quite good enough to justify a place. I think Grix has been outstanding this year, not sure if 13 is his best position, but had to get him in the starting line up, would give Waterhouse plenty of rest time with Currie on at loose forward and Grix moving to second row.
Will be interesting as always to see how many different opinions there will be!

Yeah I'd agree with that, but if Atkins is fit I'd definitely replace Bridge with him. I'm not a Bridge basher but the CC SF performance shook my confidence in him, and although Atkins was hardly setting the world on fire he wasn't coming up with the kind of shockers Bridgey did.

Cooper in instead of Morley for me! He can't be left out after this years form!

Not a chance Morley's presence lifts the team , he may be in the twilight of his career but he is still a leader

Think I'd go with...

1. Hodgson
2. J. Monaghan
3. Ratchford
4. Atkins
5. Riley
6. Briers
7. Myler
8. Hill
9. Higham
10. Wood
11. Westwood
12. Waterhouse
13 Grix.

14 M. Monaghan
15 Morley
16 Carvell
17. Currie

Not much of a change from yours Spirit with Atkins for Bridge, but still not sure if Coops deserves a place, only left Currie in so there was at least someone to fill backs position or at least to slot in for Grix to move, few others that sitting close to the 17...

Dwyer,
Harrison, Tyke (Both big game experience)

Let's just hope TS has a headache with the selection come Sept!!

Stef
Joel
Grix
Atkins
Riley
Briers
Myler
Hill
Higham
Woody
Trent
Benny
Currie

Micky Monas
Moz
Carvell
Harrison/Tyke/Coops

That's 19.

Ratchford
Riley
Atkins
Grix
Monas
Briers
Myler
Hill
Higham
Wood
Westwood
Waterhouse
Cooper

Monas
Morley
Carvell
Currie

Hodgson

Monaghan J
Ratchford
Atkins
Riley

Briers
Myler

Hill
Higham
Wood
Waterhouse
Westwood
Grix

Monaghan M
Morley
Carvell
Bridge

IF we are saying everyone is fit - we need Brett for his goal kicking as no doubt it will be critical come the playoffs - as it proved at the CC semi final!! Currie's time will come but we will need experience at that stage of the competition too.

ISWT

Assuming Atkins is recovered and match fit then...

1. Hodgson
2. J. Monaghan
3. Ratchford
4. Atkins (or Grix)
5. Riley
6. Briers
7. Myler
8. Hill
9. Higham
10. Wood
11. Westwood
12. Waterhouse
13. Grix (or Currie)

14 M. Monaghan
15 Morley
16 Carvell
17. Currie (or Harrison)

Think we'll line up something like this

1. W.Slater
2. R.Evans
3. G.Inglis
4. S.Ratchford
5. J.Monaghan
6. L.Briers
7. R.Myler
8. G.Burgess
9. C.Smith
10. J.Graham
11. S.Burgess
12. B.Westwood
13. Paul Gallen

14. C.Hill
15. B.Currie
16. D.Clarke
17. S.Grix

no Thurston?

Quota rules mate

1) Ratchford
2) Joel Monnas
3) Grix
4)Atkins
5)Riley
6)Myler
7)Briers


Hill
9)Higham
10)Wood
11)Westwood
12)Waterhouse
13)Currie

14)Carvell
15)Morley
16)Cooper
17)Dwyer (would have been Monnas but he is crocked imo )

anyone who thinks hodgy shouldnt be in the team wants there head testing and the 1 who wants cooper ahead of mozza should go to the same clinic...daftness for all too see

I was thinking the same thing. Shocked at anyone who would question the inclusion of Hodgson.

I'm shocked at people who would question the inclusion of Ben Currie

He's a talent, no question and set to have a massive future in the game. But, I prefer the extra prop in the loose position, so would start Harrison at 13 (assuming he can regain the form he had previously). And with House and Westwood a shoe in for second row I have to find a spot for Grix. He would take my final bench spot behind Carvs, Moz and Monas.

My biggest 'problem' is where to fit in Ratch. Hodgson is a better full back. Atkins & Bridge in my opinion are better centres when fit and firing. Briers and Myler are better halfs. I wouldn't have a back on the bench, so that leaves me contemplating him not playing. Which seems absurd.

It's not absurd a such, but, possibly a product of picking players on past reputation? I like Atkins and Bridge in the Centre, but, don't think either have perfomed at their best this year. Their form of two years ago, no contest at Centre, but, this season Ratchford has to be in the starting line up for me and with the Halves and FB pretty much sewn up on form and rep, Atkins wouldn't at present get in my 17 and Bridge would probably shade the other Centre spot.

Similarly Harrison, again a player I like, but, there are assumptions that once he gets his fitness back he will regain his form. I hope so, but, for me right now it would be Grix at loose with Currie on the bench.

All good fun though

Ratchford is good at running into the line,and his ball in hand skills are very good,at full back. But his positional play in defence is poor. A try Cas scored from a grubber under the stick, any decent full back would have read that,and dived on the ball. He just watched it go by and the Cas player scored.

M.Monas has had his day now,young Brad is the bench young hooker for me.