Just thinking outloud. IMO we need just three more signings to complete the squad for next season. A top centre now needs to be the priority, as well as a player to cover in the backs and a backup halfback. This is how I think our first 17 will line up:

1. Tansey
2. Calderwood
3.
4. Yeaman
5. Raynor
6. R. Horne
7. Long
8. Dowes
9. Berrigan
10. O'Meley
11. Fitzgibbon
12. Tickle
13. Washbrook

14. Houghton
15. Manu
16. Cusack
17. Lauaki

Forwards: I think we'll keep Kingy and Radford (also cover for 2nd row) and one of Moa/Maloney/Cordoba as prop cover. 2nd row is covered by Burnett. Loose cover Whiting, keep Lee as cover for all the above.

Backs: Briscoe and Hall are the only cover for our back positions signed for next year (Whiting also capable of doing a job). As I said, a player to cover 1-5 and a player to cover 6&7 needed.

Atkins, Rooney, Turner or equivalent players and i think we're sorted.

Tony, Thorman, G. Horne, Thacks, Hodgson, Moa/Maloney/Cordoba to leave.

That would give us a squad of 27 (we went into this season with 26), with perhaps a couple of academy players brought in.

Doubt Atkins will come tbh, Turner and Rooney seem to be very strongly linked though. Maybe there is only those two left to come plus retentions for some.

I used those three just as examples of the kind of player I think we need. Turner and Rooney like you say are strongly linked. If we didn't sign a top centre, I would be quite happy for that position to be handed to Briscoe to make his own.

Berrigan is the top class centre we need!

Thought about that too, but would it be a waste having him there?

One more player for me. I would work with a 25 man squad, plus any players promoted from the Reserves.

Tansey
Calderwood - Broughton
Horne - Hall
Yeaman - Briscoe
Raynor
New Stand Off
Long

Dowes - O'Meley - King
Berrigan - Houghton
Cusack - Lauaki - Maloney or Moa
Tickle - Manu - Radford
Fitzgibbon - Burnett
Washbrook - Whiting

He's being wasted at hooker IMO, Houghton has had more of an impact than Berrigan in that position

Can anyone really see Radford been dropped from the starting 13? Therefore if he starts in the backrow or at 13. hat means either Tickle,Manu,Washy,Fitz or Burnett. won't be starting any may be dropped to the bench when someone else could be on the bench ie Houghton, Whiting. The sooner Radders goes the better for the team imo

I can see Radford starting in the second row next year, with Fitzgibbon at loose forward. If Washbrook isn't in the starting 13, then I can't see him playing at all. Hopefully Agar will do what most FC fans want and drop Radford from the 17. At the moment I see radford as 5th choice second row and 6th choice prop next season.

The only thing I have Briscoe at centre, is he capable of putting his winger away. He is the same type of centre as Yeaman and we all know Yeaman doesn't put his winger away enough.

He should definately be defending in the centre, would strengthen us no doubt. The only issue is our centres don;t get enough decent ball and we need Berrigan involved in the game. For this season he has to stay at either 6, 7 or 9. Maybe next season will be different if we are playing with more width, I would not mind seeing him at 6 with Long at 7 and Horne in the centres.

Tickle to go hopefully!

Pay off King and Radford, waste of time IMHO.

I think Berrigan and Long in the halves would be great but I can't see it happening. If it did happen then I would give Lee a new deal and let him and Houghton share the hooker role.

Yup that was my thoughts too, they both compliment each other quite well at hooker.

As long as Houghton got 40 minutes I would be happy with it. Berrigan would be a lot better than any other Stand Off we could get too.

Berrigan is to good a player to be isolated in the centres. He needs to be at the thick of the action for whatever duration he is on the pitch. If we have the team that will spray the ball about then i agree with your call. We all saw with Yeaman what you can get when your centre gets plenty of ball.

Passes into touch?

Houghton has played well when coming on to exploit tiring defences.

He plays well whenever he comes on, he's a good player and should be the 1st team hooker for many years to come.

I'm still not convinced TBH. He skoots well but thats about it IMO.

His passing from Dummy half is getting better, in fact it looks faster than Berrigans. He is also a very good defender. What more do you want?

although i see him at 6 next year...

I am very happy with the squad, keep Whiting, Lee and Moa (or the new kid) and we will have a squad to compete again.

If we sign Turner and Rooney (as a back up) then thats even better news.

Tansey
Calderwood
Briscoe
Yeaman
Raynor
Horne
Long
Dowes
Lee
O Meley
Tickle
Fitzgibbon
Berrigan

Cusack
Manu
Hame
Houghton
Whiting
Rooney
Hall
Moa/new prop
Burnett
Turner
Washbrook

24 first team players, might have missed someone?

A young players to be added Jack Briscoe or Liam Kent maybe?

No he isn't.

Ok if you say so he is that bad last season he missed 1/30, this season he misses 1/23.

I wish some of the other players where as bad as him.