Outstanding tonight. A great game in attack and defence and well worth a place in the final. Well done Mike.

Your Mike Coopers Nan an I claim my free Grand Final ticket.
Only joking g he played well just like many others to be fair.

He's been outstanding for the most part if the season. Smith obviously really appreciates what he offers us these days, and that's decent yards and a very quick play the ball, you'll see few players fight to get to his feet quicker than Cooper does. His defence has improved massively, which needed to. He's a solid player who doesn't let us down, I hope he can develop his game to the next level in Australia, it remains to be seen if he'll get much first grade opportunities but I hope he does.

Good luck Mike.

He's alright when he doesn't f*ck it up. Think it's going a bit far saying he's been outstanding for most of the season.

He may well miss out next week. If Trent's back, who do you drop? Hill, Higham, Trent and Westwood are shoe ins to start. I think Grix has early his spot to start too; can't see past Wood for our other starting prop, so Harrison to miss out. Morley and Monas had to be on the bench, so two subs from Harrison, Cooper and Carvell.

I'd like to see Hodgson in the final somehow, but can't work out how to get him in without a major re-shuffle. Riley is our weak link, but that would mean Ratch to centre (and he's miles better at FB), and Bridge or Atkins to wing (when both are much better centres).

Tough choices ahead for Mr Smith.

Grix would be one of my first names on the team sheet.

Mick Monaghan is bang in form as well.

Sorry but for the final, for me. Waterhouse back in...Harrison bench and Cooper out of the squad.

Agreed.

But then there's the Hodgeson / Ratch issue.....
Ratch is on fire at the moment but how can you miss out Hodgeson unless he's not fit.....
Riley made a couple of errors tonight - one cost a try. I like him but I could see Ratch going to the centres if Hodge comes in and Atkins going on the wing (or possibly Bridge - but Bridge and Joel have a great partnership and Bridge played the best I've seen him play for a long time).

I think Harrison might have put himself in the question mark bracket for next week with that stupid offload near the end.


just a footnote, I said earlier this season, I ing love Simon grix

Drop Bridge he's a liability in defence and defence will win the grand final got to be honest Riley was a disgrace in defence as well

Cooper was one of our best last night, look to play the ball with real urgency which really speeded the game up in the first half, ran fr good meters and hit hard. Should stay in the 17 for me.

He has been stunning in both play off games so far.

I think Harrison, maybe, and Riley, surely, must be concerned about their places. Harrison due to form of Cooper and Riley due to poor defensive decision making (all season) and daft mistakes.

We lost momentum this season when Higham has gone off and Monaghan has come on.....in the last two games this has reversed.

What an intelligent player he is, defences just stand off him.

Copper was excellent last night.. But to say he has been exceptional this season is a bit wide of the mark... He has been steady to be fair.

Waterhouse will obviously come back into the team for the final... However as last night proved, he isnt a key figure and he is easily replaced.

Grix had a better game in his shirt last night that Waterhouse has had in it all season.

Grix to play 13 in the final... Harrison to lose out of the 17.

Morley
Monaghan
Carvell
Cooper

has to be nailed on for the bench.

Waterhouse won't be back for the final!

You can't be making too many changes for a major final. I would expect Waterhouse to come back in but don't expect anything else to change.

Riley won't be dropped. Putting Ratchford in Bridge's place and bringing Hodgson in won't happen either. There is a reason why Ratchford is keeping Hodgy out, which is that he is playing superb in that position. I think Brett has played his last game for us.

I would be looking at minimal changes.

Same team as last night for me. As Md mention we didn't miss Waterhouse last night, and am a big fan of his.

Ratchford still needs to read the game a bit better and Riely needs to stay on his wing more. Stop coming inside.

Ratch to centre in place of bridge, Brett back in.

Bridge blew hot and cold last night...brilliant one minute (pass to Joel) ...and a liability the next with penalties and dropped balls (leading to the first Hudds try)

Waterhouse, Myler and Brett should only play if 100% fit...anything less and they shouldn't play.

Same team as last night surely?

I had a nark on with bridge over that dropped call that led to the try, I watched the first half this morning, Westwood got in the way at the very last second, so I can't be too critical of him. but something to look at it in training this week.


cooper has been mixed this year for me mainly ok occasionally pretty good, last night very good, and we all know he's got last night's performance in him, it doesn't come out as much.

good luck to him in Australia

The issue with bringing House back for the final is that it probably means Grix to 13 and Harrison to bench. I think we lose too much doing that as the extra prop we have at 13 really helps us dominate in that opening 20 mins. Even if we keep Harrison at 13 and move Grix to the bench, it means we can't rotate Harrison with a like for like replacement in Cooper.

Such a difficult decision to make but I'd keep House in the stands, and I say that as a fan of his. I don't believe Grix's performances this year warrant him being dropped from the 13 - although when fit Smith has always played House. Either way, it will be a very strong pack that takes the field on Saturday.

If Evans is fit drop Riley, if you can play yourself into a final team selection you can equally play yourself out of one, sorry Chris but the last few games you've been a little short on being switched on. Plus Evans is a good defender.

Ratch at No.1, for those not sure either way and those saying Brett last night proved TS right in selection.

Leave House out and stick with the same pack and lastly I'm with the Cat Grix man crush brigade.

Agreed 100%. Riley for me has been weak defensively all season and regularly costs us. I'd have Evans everyday of the week, and if Trent is fit I'd pick him over Harrison. I couldn't believe Harrison trying to off-load last night in the last couple of minutes!!

These are the only 2 changes I'd make from last night.

I also agree with the Evans for Riley swap.. he is a much more reliable defender. I would also move Harrison out of the 17 if Waterhouse is fit.