Gelling tweeted the other day that we'll be back like herpes next year so it doesn't sound like he's got plans to move on.

We need him imo although we could do with another centre/utility player to add some pressure for his place.

That would be just the huge forward stride we've all been calling for.

Not.

He's a bigger threat than anyone else in the squad?!

Pretty happy with the Gelling and Gildart in the centres. Gellings carries coming out of our own end are priceless.

Agreed we could do with a Sargison type signing (not him not but some like him in 2014). Just for a bit of depth.

It seems to me that all talk of replacing our underperforming right centre is a distraction from reality.

I'd love to replace Gelling with someone better, but as he's under contract (and is sometimes capable of putting on a good show), I don't consider a new no. 3 a burning priority.

With a stronger and more aggressive front row, and a more skilled halfback pairing, the three-quarters might actually show what they're capable of.

I'd add that with different tactics - i.e. less use of our centres and wingers as battering rams while our slow, lazy props have yet another rest - we might also see some spark from the backs, but it's starting to feel as if a change of coaching staff is not really on the cards. At least, not yet.

Agreed Cruncher looks like we will be going into 2018 with Wane in charge and I agree with your assessment in relation to the squad.

I'm genuinely not too concerned about personelle our youngsters have another year under their belts to mature along with a full offseason to develop further strength gains.

Key for me is a Deaconesq half signing and the change in tactics we all crave as fans.

Those 2 factors I feel will see the team improve significantly.

No one on the field knows what Gelling will do at any time, and I include Gelling in that.

Spot on.

In order of priority we need-

1-A half back who can organise and kick us around the field

2-A big, tough metre making prop who runs a ball like he actually wants to be on the field

3-A second prop who does the same as the above

4-A centre/utility player to add some pressure to the current outside back options

5-A hooker capable of offering a threat via a running game

We can get by without the last 3 on the list but the first 2 are absolutely crucial for 2018.

I disagree Nicky, I think that a top team needs a top quality hooker first and foremost. It is no coincidence that the four semi-finalists all have better hookers than we do, it is also notable that in the last two NRL Grand Finals both winning hookers were outstanding.

But those hookers (Houghton, Hinchcliffe, Roby, Parcell, Ayton, Clarke) are all more effective when their scrum half leads the team around the pitch and kick opposition teams onto the back foot. We don't have that key ingredient at the moment and it's holding Williams and the rest of our speedy players back. I agree with NK, a 7 with a real kicking game is priority.

Tommy named in Kiwi squad, anyone want to bet against him playing at hooker for NZ ?

He definitely will. They’ve dropped Luke after his poor season and only have Levi who’s a rookie.

I genuinely think our best bet is Tommy to 9 with McIlorum and as harsh as it may be, bring in a 7 and let Powell move on. He really did a great job covering for MM when he was injured but he's not done enough to make it his position.

Tommy at 9, Ganson back up and say thanks but goodbye to McIlorum and Powell.

6, 7, 9 next year will be GW, TL and MM...no doubt in my mind!!! I say this because the Ben Reynolds contact was put to bed by the player himself almost instantly as he wasn't guaranteed game time.

And we won last years Grand Final and this years WCC with Sam Powell at hooker. He should be given the 9 shirt imo and Micky Mac asked to provide cover at both hooker and loose forward in a role similar to Milner at Cas. I think our game plan shackles our hookers a little rather then them lacking the skills to play what's in front of them more often.

I don't disagree that we'll need to look at it at some point (unless Ganson takes any need away) but for me it's well down the list of priorities at present.

If so then I for one won't be watching them because that is the root cause of a lot of the issues. A replacement at 7 is , for me the absolute priority alongside a decent prop.

The hooking role needs looking at as well as there is a total lack of anything creative from there.

Sadly I have a nagging feeling that next season will be same old....

Agree entirely. It won't happen though because of cap restrictions, and the big tough metre making prop would likely to be told to limit himself to tackling, with a handful of surrender tackles thrown in - 'The Wigan Way'

Gelling is currently back in NZ at the moment, expect an announcement sooner than later

‘Gelling visits family’

Big news that.

Phil Wilkinson said there's been no contact about Gelling but he felt if the NZ Warriors did enquire then Gelling may be open to it.

It's all about cost for me. Could we replace him with as good or better for similar money? I can't see him being on a fortune so I doubt it.

You will literally swallow any rumour and post it as fact though to be fair. Let's have a look at a team of your 'inside scoops' under your various guises as Whiffy Kipper/Mustard Tiger/Baked Bean Boogie on this thread:

Attacking Coach - Willie Peters

1. S.Ratchford
2. C.Blair
3. K.Eastmond
4. K.Hurrell
5. J.Carney
6. T.Roberts
7. C.Cronk
8. J.Graham
9. N.Friend
10. S.Thaiday
11. S.Tagataese
12. S.Manu
13. LMS

14. B.Hannant
15. J.Green
16. G.Buttriss
17. D.Taylor

Reserves: J.Roqica, C.Sandow, K.Locke, P.Vaivai, M.Taupau, B.Champion, S.Lunt, T.Campese

Out: Manfredi (Retiring), Gelling (Sacked), Gelling (Paramatta), Gelling (NZ), O'Loughlin (retiring mid-2017), Nu'uausala (Aus), Radlinski (Union - Coaching), Bateman (NRL)

Other: McNamara to Saints, Sarginson to Bath, Hampshire to Warrington, Hampshire to Saints, Battye and Mvududu to Leeds

To be fair young Grimmy, it is a rumours thread, before slating me there are others on here over the years that have posted even worse rumours than me , oh and by the way, that team above would pee all over any in the Super Duper League