So, with our recruitment complete (albeit maybe a couple of 'outs' we are not yet informed about), what would you make our starting 17 out to be?

Shaul
Fonua
Talanoa
Tuimavave
Naughton/Lancaster/Michaels
Pryce
Sneyd
Ellis
Houghton
Taylor
Minichiello
Pritchard
Westerman

Washbrook
Watts
Manu
Thompson/Green

See Ellis and Pryce retiring , not be under cap other wise.
Remember when signed Ellis thought him and Manu would be great second -row, then let Manu go
Hope I am wrong

Pretty much the same

Shaul
Fonua
Talanoa
Tuimavave
Naughton/Lancaster/Michaels
Pryce
Sneyd
Ellis
Houghton
Taylor
Minichiello
Pritchard
Abdull

Watts
Manu
Westerman
Thompson/Green/Washbrook

I don't think Washbrook warrents utility place every match, just occationally as back up for Houghton on short turn arounds etc.

How much are the players earning?

Talanoa is no centre, why do people think he is one?

I still think it's his best position, not quick enough t good enough under the high ball. He can make breaks though, just needs backing up more and will score more try's.

I agree with Smiggs, he's another who can't put his winger away. I like the sound of Fonuabst centre.

Shaul
Talanoa
Fonua
Tuimavave
Michaels
Pryce
Sneyd
Ellis
Houghton
Taylor
Minichiello
Manu
Westerman

Pritchard
Thompson
Watts
Washbrook/Green/Feka

On the cap now so you be leave losing Sa ,Howarth and Cunningham can cover the 4 NRL players wages.
As for what they earn more a week than I get a month pension.

And Rankin , Paea, sure we will lose another 1 or 2 fringe players

....like Lineham.

For all talanoa is a 100%er and fans favourite he clearly doesn't have the hands to be a top centre and is very suspect under the high ball to be a winger.

If we are to challenge the top teams then I don't see a starting place for him.

Shaul
Lancaster
Fonua
Tuimavave
Micheals
Pryce
Sneyd
Watts
Houghton
Ellis
Mini
Frank
Westerman

Manu
Taylor
Thompson
Green

If the interchanges go down to 8, then 80 minute hookers are a certainty.

We have a couple of options with injury too. If LP is injured we'd be able to put CT at 6 and Logan to centre or bring Abdull in if Sneyd is out.

I'd try to get some of our better youngsters out on loan (Logan, Fash, HTW, Turgut etc.) at good sides. Don't want them anywhere near the 'merged team' or at Donny, tbh.

I concur with above. How are going to keep some of fringe players match fit next year ie. Naughton, Logan, Abdul , Bowden, Whiting, Hadley, Feka etc as barring injuries they are going to find it hard breaking into the first 17. Have we got any kind of dual reg in the pipeline? Agree that younger guys like Fash and Turgut should maybe go on season loan to play against seasoned pros in lower league and come back better players to step up when likes of mini and Whiting hang up their boots. What the he'll do we do with Yeaman as he's prob 7th choice in 2nd row and he ain't gonna stay match fit carrying the water!

Pea, Rankin, and Lineham also going.

Liam Watts has performed to such a standard this season to warrant keeping his starting berth at prop surely??

I don't think it matters, they will all get the same gametime, it's a good position to be in having 3 great props who can all do big minutes. I would switch it around each week anyway.

Looking at 1865's team I reckon that Naughton has just edged Lancaster.

Not really sure what to do with Talanoa, he offers so much with his go forward, enthusiasm and strength, but lacks certain attributes to be a top centre or winger.

Yeah possibly, it is a 17 man game these days as far as minutes played and rotations etc etc. But if Ellis does play again and indeed it is at prop at 35, would he not be best used as an impact player from the bench with the younger guys (Watts & Taylor) starting when they are fit and well.

Watts can always do stints at 13 if need be.

Fonua is gonna be played centre. I was chatting with a coaching staff member. I thought he'd come as wing but apparently not.
Tala staying on wing


Shaul
Talanoa
Fonua
Tuimavave 
Michaels
Pryce 
Sneyd
Ellis
Houghton 
Taylor 
Minichiello 
Manu
Westerman 

Pritchard
Thompson
Watts 
Washbrook/abdull

Backups gonna be really strong too. Barring hooker
Naughton/Carlos fullback
Naughton/lancaster wings
Tala/logan/Michaels/yeaman centres
Carlos/Abdull/Htw/Dean halves
Bowden/green/Feka props
Washy hooked
Whiting/yeaman/fash/downs/hadley/turgut 2nd
Abdull loose

The only place Talanoa shouod play is on the wing he is never ever a centre he simply cannot pass a ball.

Shaul
Naughton/Lancaster
Tuimavave
Fonua
Michaels
Pryce
Sneyd

Ellis
Houghton
Watts
Minichiello
Pritchard
Westerman

Abdull/Washbrook/Whiting
Thompson/Green/Bowden/Feka
Manu
Taylor

I would go with Fonua is a centre who plays wing Talanoa is a winger playing centre so they would go to there natural positions Pritchard would come off the bench for some great impact, Ellis I expect to be a tower of strength in front row and will be massive playing half as many minutes, great team with some quality squad members size power and pace all over the park its coming together very nice well done to the club great recruitment these things take time but Radders putting a strong team together now

Shaul
Talanoa
Fonua
Tuimavave
Naughton
Pryce
Sneyd
Ellis
Houghton
Watts
Minichiello
Manu
Westerman

Subs
Pritchard
Taylor
Abdul/Michaels
Thompson /Green

Thompson really needs to improve, his form has been disappointing since he signed his new deal, not sure he has the size to be a prop, looks goud near the line with husxquick feet, but doesn't make enough years and is suspect in defence.

For me Abdull has done enough to challenge Westerman for a starting birth each week. Hopefully radders will pick 13 based on form

I would like to see Fonua play centre too. Could be wasted on the wing, so to speak