We'd be better off bringing someone better in to play off the bench and using the youngsters as the squad players after that. We should only be keeping Washbrook if we can't get anybody better, but on saying that if we can't it's a worry. I'd actually rather keep Lauaki for another year to see what he can do under a better a coach.

As for the general thread, there are 2 categories of players we have to look at: Those we definitely need to replace, and those who it may be worth seeing under a new coach before deciding. IMO, the former group is Radford, Washbrook, Dowes, Phelps, Obst, Gleeson, and the latter is Sharp, Horne, Lauaki, Turner.

He can play in a few positions, but he only does a decent job in one of them.

Agreed. It's worth carrying 1, maybe 2, but the rest should be kids. Whiting is by far the best of our utility players so he should get the nod.

The problem is, we've earmarked him for the backrow a couple of times in preseasons and he seems to have struggled to put the weight on. I agree though, if he could put about a stone on it could be his best position. I've maintained since the Sharp days that he should have been our replacement for Chris Chester.

Kent/Cunningham/Green should be our squad players.

I thought your pack did okay last night!

The guy is a waste of space you could effectively replace him on the pitch with a bear trap in defence as he has zero movement and is only ok if somebody comes within arms reach, even then he will inevitably end up falling off of the tackle to the side taking him out of the next play.

That's our problem being ok just doesn't cut it.

Have we

Washbrook still has potential and maybe with a better coach he could get back his early career form, as a squad player I don't think it's a bad move.

Whiting shouldn't be on the wing he is too slow and when he plays against a quick winger with good feet he gets stood up like last night a few times this year.

Again hopefully Gentle and his coaching team can improve Sharp or Lyne to play on the wing.

I'd use Whiting as a backrow forward if we get injuries.

Also if we can sign a good centre like Bridge then that will help Sharp or Lyne, Sharp looked much better with Gleeson in the couple of games they played together.

Don't get me started!!

Good post, agree with all of that. Especially the first sentence.

Please tell me we have not

In my opinion whiting is the ultimate squad player who can fill in anywhere but would get nowhere near the first team if eveyone is fit

With all due respect Paul, our back row this season has been Tickle, Manu, Westerman and Fitzgibbon. When 2 of these were not available Washbrook gets involved and we were significantly weaker.

I am aware of the need for squad players, but they have to be of a minimum standard which in my opinion Washbrook isn't.

Gleeson!!?? Jeez, I'd forgotten all about him! Feels like ten years ago that he was here (and performing quite well it must be said)

whiting every time for me and yes, it's now time the coaching staff finally pinned a position on him. many are saying LF, some second row. Even Whiting said himself a couple of seasons ago that he wanted second row, but yes, the powers that be persisted in the 'squad player' tag.
Now the old guard has gone lets see what he can do in a 'position' where he can command-we can't afford to cast him aside in my opinion.

Couldn't agree more ! If we are to challenge Wigan and Wire with any seriousness, players like Washbrook, Dowes, Radford, Lauaki and Sharp have no place whatsoever in our squad.

Washbrook is just another fine example of a local kid who just isn't good enough.

raises the question why we are playing O'Meley and Moa at the same time? surely splitting them up would at least leave 1 decent forward on the field at all times. As you say Dowes and Radford just aren't at the races. Radford's 2 year deal was another ridiculous celebration of all things mediocre by the club.

No other coach in SL would play Whiting on the wing. Every other coach in SL would play Whiting in the back 3 and anyone with a brain would give him some responsibilty with the ball. He had a bad night the other night as did quite a few others but once again he had to cover a lot of ground cos Turner didn't read the play when they scored from the quick tap.

Lauiki goes. Never ran his weight apart from his debut and is a penalty machine.
Washy goes, he wouldnt get near any top 8 sides starting 13. The one time the other night he had to catch the ball and pass it outside he dropped it. He can only go in one direction!
Turner goes, not good enough for me at the highest level.
Dowes goes, good servant and not had many chances but we need some real presence off the bench.

Rubbish, Whiting for some reason decided to shoot out of the line at Atkins even though all his inside players were in slide defence as proved by Turner getting close to Riley.

Lets face it, if as PG has said he wants to make us a top 2 side, who out of that starting 13 would be good enough to keep??
For me only
Briscoe, Yeaman, Houghton, Moa, O'Meley, Westerman.

Hopefully a big clear out in the next few seasons.

You can add Manu to that list too, they are the 'spine' of the team that we should build around.

the rest have had their chances, or haven't ever been good enough.

Whiting is versitile but the wing position stretches his abilities. He has come in and done a good job there at times against players like Richards for defending the jump but to put him against an out and out speedster is risking it. Hence why he tried to shoot out of the line early.

I think Whiting and Washy should be ok as squad players if we get a good core 1,6,7,9 going next year. This will improve everyone's game and give us more structure, communication and set play/dummy runner options. Not every player has to be a star. If we get playing the right way, blooding young players in a successful team becomes easier and then success breeds success.

See Melbourne Storm: strong core 1,7,9,11(Blair). Some old warhorses and some promising youngsters and they are breeding SOO/internationals in all positions. Duffie, Widdup, Nielsen and Proctor not being far off.