I think so, with the addition of Drinkwater, Brown, Burns etc.. we might give people a run for their money. I think the best team going into the 8's is this:

1. McNally
2. Brown
3. Smith
4. Worthington
5. Dawson
6. Ridyard
7. Drinkwater
8. Moi Moi
9. Higham
10. Weston
11. Hock
12. Patterson
13. Hansen

14. Burns
15. Tickle
16. Acton
17. Dixon

Reserve squad:

Pownall
Higson
Tonga
Armstrong
Kay
Foster
Reynolds
Spencer
Hood
Hopkins
Maitua
Harper
Whiting

Good players, but team cohesion and organisation in such a short time will be the tricky against established SL teams.

True, but where it matters most is in the halves, and Drinkwater and Ridyard seem to play well together.

Sticking a few wingers on the flanks isn't going to hurt the team organisation.

I believe team spirit will take us through, the lads knew who the stools were and they are gone, what's left want the big prize and have the CV not to look like rabbits in headlights when it matters
Pack and halves are very strong and we have a back line more than capable of finishing it off. Higson will be in any 17 we go with

Looks a good team on paper and seems fully capable off matching it with the top SL teams in the 8s. Ours will most likely be

O'Brien
Carney
Say
Griffin
Caton Brown
Lui
Dobson
Kopzcak
Tomkins
Griffin
Murdoch Masila
Jones
Flanagan

Kenny
Burgess
Mateo
Huaraki

Got a sneaky feeling our game will be first and on Sky.

Decent post that Mo.

Your bench isn't imposing enough, would you really play Dixon and Tickle before Reni Maitua ?

Hopkins would be in too for his size!
If Willie Tonga can show us tomorrow the skill and ability that made him a Kangeroo, then he would be in the centre before Greg Worthington which is unfortunate, as he has been playing really well!
The wingers I dont know too much about ? ive seen Brown on youtube in the NRL and he looks really good, Dawson has been playing for Saints although they have not had their best season,yet! Higson had a shocker at Bradford and probably did more to allow them back in the game however, since then he has redeemed himself and gone from strength to strength ! it would be a an injustice if he was dropped now without having the chance to shine, for his hometown club!

I find it sad that moving into the 8s, fans will be asking who is that in the 99 shirt. This is not a criticism of Leigh but of the system, the transfer deadline should have been much earlier.

Hard on the players who have to lose their places too!

It should reffy but, looking back at wakey last season, if you can't beat them - join them!

Personally i dont care what number is on their back, its the team on the field that matters


The very fact there is a deadline at all will ensure there is a rush to buy no matter, what stage of the season it is!

We have taken the opportunity to sign these players for the 8's and next season because we have a lot of players out of contract at the end of the season. Last year we went with the team we had because most had contracts for this year. Several of those players have shown little or no loyalty. i will cheer for whoever wears the shirt and hope we can get promoted.

Hardly!

We were scratching around for bargain basement players all season, some paid off some didnt.

We have a lot of experience in our ranks.I don't see a reason why this squad can't maintain the intensity required.To be in this position now compared to the beginning of the season and most of the season really just goes beyond words.

I do think the experience on the park can outplay both mentally and physically any of the opposition this time round.Game management will be clearer to see,something we lacked last season.I believe we have a totally fit squad going into the 8's and some depth in structure.

Strange season, a little like tuning a piano,but I think its ready to be played.

Don't get me wrong I feel for some of the lads who will miss out but we need to have a good go this year and that is why DB has put all he has in we are never going to compete with sl clubs with good championship players so if that means replacing them at the bisness end of the season then wheeled that axe..

Maitua, higson and spencer would be in for me. Since bradford higson has been our best threequarter. I would not play burns unless we get injuries. Are we good enough, i think we can do it, but its going to be seriously tough, but we are in a far stronger position to last year.

I agree with almost all of that, although I suspect there are currently more players above Tom in the prop pecking order. (MoiMoi, Weston, Tickle, Acton, Hopkins, or even the likes of Hock or Hansen)

That would have been a very good SL pack 2 or 3 years ago.

Yeah right, all we need is a couple of World Class forwards from our Championship competitors



.

Hi Charlie, you dont think that would have been a very good SL pack 2 or 3 years ago?

Too inexperienced then - just coming into their prime now!

First 17 from the first page, apart from Dixon or Acton out, maitua in. Bags some vital tries, gives us much more strike on the edges than either of the other two.

I think Tonga did well today and wonder if he was fit & ready earlier but saved for the next "Stanza" lol (can't believe i saod Stanza)

Big Willie was fit four weeks ago, the physios and coaches have been getting his game fitness up and working on preventing the injuries recurring with special sessions for him. Great "new" signing for the 8's!

Jukes has a hell of hard job in 2 weeks time. So many options to juggle all of a sudden. AJ has looked great lately but can he hold on to a spot with the talent we have just signed and the players who have just come back from injury. Travis Burns will struggle to get a start probably, as will several other quality players.