A fair bit of change, but how do we compare against the team for the Grand Final in 2013? A lot more home grown players and a younger team, but who would you pick given the choice.

2013/Predicted 2016:
Ratchford/Ratchford
Monaghan/Lineham
Bridge/Evans
Atkins/Atkins
Riley/Russell
Briers/Gidley
Myler/Patton
Wood/Sims
Higham/Clark
Hill/Hill
Westwood/Hughes
Grix/Wilde
Harrison/Westerman

Monaghan/Dwyer
Morley/Philbin
Carvell/King
Cooper/King

Ratchford (N/A)
Monaghan (2013)
Bridge (2013)
Atkins (N/A)
Russell (2016)
Briers (2013)
Patton (2016)
Sims (2016)
Clark (2016)
Hill (N/A)
Hughes (2016)
Grix (2013)
Westerman (2016)

Monaghan (2013)
Morley (2013)
Carvell (2013)
Cooper (2013)

2013: 8
2016: 6

I guess that means I think we had a stronger 17 last time. Most notably our starting pack is stronger now and our bench is (much) weaker.

Considering injuries, Currie would get in ahead of Grix, and Westwood for Cooper.

We look weaker, but other sides have dropped in quality too.

I thought Cooper was looked on as being our saviour for next year & not as a poor second to an ageing Westwood.

Interesting comparison. However, I think most telling the 2016 versions of Hill and Ratchford are well ahead of the 2013 ones.

I think we've looked very strong in the run in TBH, and Hill, Ratch, and most notably Clark have been outstanding for the past few weeks.

We're not talking about the 2016 Cooper though are we, Coops is twice the player he was back then.

Agreed, ratchford doesn't get the plaudits he deserves. Toby King has impressed me recently, he causes problems to the opposing defensive line and has some off the cuff play about him. He seems to have a lot of confidence for a player with such limited experience. I think he's a really classy player.

Of that list of past players I would have M Monaghan back right now,what a pairing him and Clark would be,teams would be terrified.

I'd still take the (vastly under-rated) 2013 Cooper over the 2016 Westwood though.

I think you have a better starting 13 squad now but obviously the bench in 2013 was a monster. For me the only players from that squad i would have in your team now are Grix and Westwood (2013 version in the second row)

I think, Briers/Gidley, Wood/Sims, Bridge/Evans are very similar and just as good as each other.


Never rated Myler and Patton is a great prospect. Clark is far more advanced than Higham was at his age and is a lot more mobile and pacy than the 2013 Higham. Westerman is a vast improvement on Harrison. J. Monaghan and Lineham are very similar, they love a battle in the air but Lineham is quicker.

Forwards on the bench are obviously miles better but M.Monaghan/Dwyer both have a vast influence when they come on. Naturally Monnas was a vastly superior player in terms of talent but Dwyer gives you a much needed energetic boost when you need it. Both have their influences on their own strengths.

AND so the psychological war fare begins with an unexpected twist...being nice!

Ha ha no it is an honest assessment. I don't play games or buy into all that Waney boll**ks. I am hoping for a great game and may the best team win. I don't look for excuses. I may complain about things afterwards but i don't get excuses in, in preparation. Just calling how i see your squad then and now. I think you have a better 13 overall but the bench is clearly stronger in 2013.

I'd agree with most of that, but 2013 bridge is much better than rhys Evans.

Cherry W.
Bridge and Evans. The only thing remotely similar is the number they wore and their luck in injuries, other than that your post is fare.

Yeah he's right, long term i can see Evans moving to stand off

Bur Bridge played when clearly injured if I remember correctly and had to go off during the match didn't he?
An injured Bridge v fully fit Evans?
So on that basis I'd have Evans.
(IIRC - Bridge was doing squat stretches either before the match or at half time