1 mcdonnel
2 lineham
3 yeaman
4 b crooks
5 briscoe
6 holdsworth
7 horne
8 ogre
9 houghton
10 lynch
11 ellis
12 westerman
13 horne
14 galea
15 heremiah
16 green
17 seymour

Jason Crookes aint all that

Horne's not good enough to start in 1 position never mind 2

McDonnell
Lineham
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Ogre
Houghton
Lynch
Galea
Ellis
Westerman

Heremaia
Pitts
Green
Johnson

If Whiting is fit to play then I would put him in the 17 in place of Galea to be honest. Can't say I've been that impressed with him so far although I admit it's very early days but he just doesn't look fit.
Seymour for me proved he should be in the 17 as he created most of our decent attacking play today.

Crookes should not be anywhere near the first team

1. Shannon Mac
2. Lineham
3. Arundel
4. Yeamo*
5. Briscoe
6. Holdsworth
7. Seymour
8. Ogre
9. Houghton
10. Lynch
11. Ellis
12. Galea*
13. Pitts/Whiting (if fit)

14. Azza
15. Westy
16. Johnson
17. Pitts/Green

ben crookes? sorry he was nowhere today, made too many errors too

Mcdonnell
Lineham
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
O Meley
Houghton
Lynch
Ellis
Galea
Westerman

Heremaia
Whiting
Green
Johnson/Pitts

Thats assuming Watts and Tickle arent fit. Seymour n Holdsworth looked like a natural pairing today, and Seymour has certainly outshone Heremaia at 7 imo. Last season we didnt have the luxury of alternating Houghton n Heremaia, this season we do, and we've got a very capable halfback to partner Holdsworth = no brainer. Crookes hasnt really done anything wrong but we all know what Lineham is capable of, he carries the ball as well as anyone else on the field, gets a quick PTB and has pace to burn. The only reason I'd have Arundel over Crooks is due to composure more than anything, and I think Chris Green deserves his spot in the 17 based on the pre season games, he's impressed me more than anyone. The rest pretty much speaks for itself.

I know many have Houghton starting at 9, and Heremaia on the bench, but wouldn’t we be better starting with Heremaia, and having Houghton on the bench?

If Holdsworth or Seymour get a bad knock, then Heremaia can then cover, leaving Houghton to do the remaining minutes at 9.

1. McDonnell
2. Lineham
3. Arundel
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe
6. Holdsworth
7. Seymour
8. O'Meley
9. Houghton
10. Lynch
11. Ellis
12. Westerman
13. Pitts

Sub. Galea
Sub. Heremaia
Sub. Johnson
Sub. Green

Assuming Tickle, Whiting and Watts are all missing.

Thought Whiting was just out with a concussion ? If so likely to be available for Leeds I would have thought.

1 mcdonall
2 lineham
3 Arundel
4 yeaman
5 Briscoe
6 holdsworth
7 Seymour
8 Pitts
9 heriamia
10 lynch
11 Ellis
12 galea
13 whiting

14 Danny h
15 ogre
16 Johnstone/green
17 westerman

I'd start azza as I think he's a better an sharper passer than Danny, and can get the forwards on the front foot, and when the stings gone out the game bring Danny on to run at em.
I'd have ogre on the bench because Id prefer him coming on and steaming at tired defenders rather than at big men fresh at the start. Gives us more impact off the bench. I'd give Pitts a go as its Leeds and he'll want to prove something. Also westy off bench as he's good wide runner and can spell galea. Ellis n whiting will prob be good for the 80.

Anyone wondering like me if we might be better off at this point playing Richard Horne at centre rather than Arundel or Crooks?

Arundel is a young kid who will come good, just give him time. Horne should be nowhere near the line up. He'll be lucky to make the bench imo. The only time we'll see Horne is when we have injuries.

1. McDonnell
2. Lineham
3. Arundel
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe
6. Holdsworth
7. Seymour
8. O'Meley
9. Houghton
10. Lynch
11. Ellis
12. Westerman
13. Galea

Sub. Johnson
Sub. Pitts
Sub. Heremaia
Sub. Green/Whiting

Whiting will be fit so he must play. Assuming no Ticks with Watts......

McDonnell
Lineham
Arundel
Yeamo
Tom
D.Holdsworth
B.Seymour
Shrek
Danny H
Lynch
Ellis
Westerman
Whiting

Green
Galea
R.Horne
J.Pitts/P.Johnson

Feel very sorry for Ben Crooks but prepared to see Arundel get a chance.
No Heremaia for me, don't see what the fuss is about. He's behind DH at 9 and will never make a halfback. Waste of a space.

Heremaia a waste of space? Strong words. He showed some flashes of brilliance when he came from injury last season, hopefully the full pre-season and more game time allows it to be more consistent.

Mcdonnel
Lineham
Yeaman
Arundel
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
O'meley
Westerman
Ellis
Whiting

Heremaia
Pitts
Johnson
Galea

Heremaia a waste of space? Strong words. He showed some flashes of brilliance when he came from injury last season, hopefully the full pre-season and more game time allows it to be more consistent.

I hope I'm proved wrong. But for a quota space, I think it's bad business. I didn't understand why Agar recruited another hooker when we have one of the best in the business who can play the 80. We've got young Cunningham coming through too now.

Watch a re-run of our playoff game at Wire, you can see why he'll never make a half back. Rabbit in the headlights stuff. That's not his fault, he wasn't recruited to play that position.

No beef with him as an individual but I don't see his usefulness to us.

Like I say, more than happy to be eating humble pie.

You don't see the point in signing another hooker when we've got Houghton who can do 80 minutes, Seriously?
So if Houghton manages to play every game for the full 80. Do you honestly expect him to be fully fit towards the end of the season? He'll be burnt out ffs. Also what if he gets injured? We wouldn't have another experienced hooker to play? Come on think about it.
Can't just throw young Cunningham in there with no real experience and expect him to lead the team around the field for the full 80.

Fwiw, Heremaia has been a really good signing for us imo. Has good speed and passing accuracy, doesn't shy away in defence and seems a pretty clever player. Good signing for me.

Gentle himself has said that, although Houghton CAN play 80minutes, his effectiveness starts to dip and it would be a real plus when Heremaia was back from injury. He's right, too. I rate Houghton highly, but he can't do it himself to the standard he can when spelled, IMHO.

We went sideways when Danny was on and slowly. He scoots well and is a tireless worker but Heremaia ran straight and brought players on or passed sharply and accurately when he switched to 9. He's a good player and we should be using him in his best position especially when we're struggling with creativity.

McDonnell
Lineham
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Johnson/O'Meley
Heremaia
Lynch
Ellis
Westerman
Pitts/Whiting

Houghton
O'Meley/Johnson
Pitts/Whiting
Galea

Not sure whether to start Johnson or O'Meley, I'd like to think Lynch will be rested and would prefer Ogre out there when this happens.
Also good to have Pitts in the 17, can play prop or LF to tighten things up and really helps with the forward rotation.
I hope Gentle starts to play Westy out wide, preferably right with Ellis left, but I don't think that will happen.

1. McDonell

2. Lineham
3. Arundel
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe

6. Holdsworth
7. Heremaia

8. O'Meley
9. Houghton
10. Lynch

11. Ellis
12. Galea
13. Westerman

14. Pitts
15. Watts
16. P Johnson
17. Seymour