I consider the following to be our best/strongest team;

1/McNally

2/Brown
3/Smith
4/Tonga
5Dawson

6/Ridyard
7/Drinkwater

8/Moi Moi
9/Higham
10/Weston
11/Hansen
12/Hock
13/Patterson

14/Reynolds
15/Maitua
16/Acton
17/Hopkins

The threequarters may be a gamble,
2/ Brown new to our game/team but has a lot of experience in competitive NRL and here for two years plus!
3/Smith is class and experienced at centre on the highest stage!
4/Tonga has the best Pedigree of anyone in our team and looked formidable against Dewsbury, could be a gamble but, we have to take it!
5/Dawson is a big lad with a turn of pace and used to playing in Super league and with us for two years plus!

Its not easy leaving Higson and Worthington out, Adam has performed well overall however, he does struggle at times with kicks to the corner and could very well be costly!
Gregg Worthington has been superb recently but outside of Leigh more people would pick Tonga and Smith at centre! also, talk of joining Mounties too?
Without doubt we are a much stronger squad this year and the like,s of Burns,Tickle,Fash,Armstrong,Worthington,Higson et al ... will provide good support!
Bring it on

Apparently Richard Whiting has taken the Canadian Dollar and has signed for the Wolf pack.

I thought he was signed up at Leigh for next season

I'd agree with that team apart from Worthington in for Tonga and Tickle in for Acton.

There is an article in today's League Weekly that reports Richard has signed for the Wolfpack, though it is by the reporter Nosy Parker.

McNally
higson
Worthington
Tonga
Dawson
Ridyard
Drinkwater
Moi moi
Higham
Weston
Hansen
Hock
Patterson
subs
Reynolds
Acton
Maitua
Brown

A big gamble with only 2 forward subs I know ,but Higson could play there.was trying to get our quickest team on the field

So what!!!

I thought that too. Hopefully a big transfer fee coming our way - unless he's going via Australia, Swinton and all other exotic destinations, en route to Toronto.

As I stated the other week the contract was never signed. So unfortunately we will recieve nothing

I think thats a great shout Prop, we will need the fastest team out on the firld to deal with the Super League sides, I would play Smith in front of McNally. Lot more experience and twice the defender Gregg is. Suppose its just personal preferences

Cheers.

Well, if they don't want to play for us, there's no point in trying to hang on to them.

Don't say you want the fastest team out and then put smith before McNally

Neither are fast. Probably slowest full backs in the middle 8's got to play McNally at the back! He's deadly hitting lines and has a tremendous pair of hands

Much of what you say makes sense - and this is no time for sentiment.

That said, Tonga has the pedigree but has not done enough IMO to oust Worthington who has done consistently well in all aspects of his game.

I was at the Dewsbury game and have watched again on LCTV and saw nothing to change my mind - he cannot be played on reputation alone.

Jukesy has shown he is prepared to play what he believes his best 17 players - it will be very interesting.

Who'd be a Coach


Whoever Jukesy selects will inevitably be a Gamble and only winning can justify his choice!
Some people want to see our fastest players in the Team, even at the expense of bigger more powerful players! we had fast players last season and got over powered in the eights! can't see anyone overpowering us this time! Jamie Acton is a much a better option off the Bench than Tickle, he is more powerful and I'm sure he won't let the club down again with indiscipline!
Has Mitch Brown done enough to convince you? as I said, its difficult to leave anyone out!

A great problem to have!!

Mitch Brown has not played much rugby at all in recent months = so no he hasn't. He is a big unit and as you have said - power above speed may be the key to success. Jukesy will have to decide from seeing him train etc - he will not be an option to have on the bench.

I agree entirely with Acton over Tickle - Acton perhaps the most improved player in the club this season.

It is easy to be the most improved player when you have a low starting point, Tickle has been very good throughout his career.

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

14. Hopkins
15. Tickle
16. Burns
17. Smith

I think this is the team to get the job done. Plenty cover for almost any position coming off the bench. Kicking game boxed off and goal kicking cover in reserve. Its pretty balanced on reflection. No Acton, this is the business end. One silly moment of petulance would cost us dearly

For this season?
Ask Lee Radford, no longer our problem.

Only having two forwards going into any game in the 8's is big risk. Especially with forwards who aren't famed for playing big minutes. Remove Burns for Acton for mine.

I reckon Maitua has to be in there somewhere.

1. McNally
2. Higson
3. Brown
4. Tonga
5. Dawson
6. Ridyard
7. Drinkwater
8. Moi Moi
9. Higham
10. Weston
11. Maitua
12. Paterson
13. Hock

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

Unsure as to Reynolds Burns or Hood for the bench spot, same with Smith or McNally at FB

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

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

Has to be Burns for me.

He could cover both HB roles and hooker quite easily.

Smith/McNally is an interesting one, could do with an American football scenario where we could interchange when defending or attacking.
OTEOTD I would go for McNally as he could be a game breaker, but smith has been extremely solid this season