Sadly I think spot on

Just suggesting somebody at the club needs to show some imagination and to think outside the box with the personnel we've got - and will probably be largely restricted to - owing to the salary cap. The team is too predictable now and dependent on individual brilliance: of course it is still capable of still pulling off some great victories, but those chances will quickly diminish with the ageing legs and wised up opposition. Negate Sinfield's kicking and we lose ALL kicking threats....negate McGuire and we negate ALL major 'strike' threats from half back.



It is evident next season will be 'crunch' time for the club with so many older team members coming to the end of their contracts at the SAME time. It's not just based on yesterday's result (G1)....we have to face the fact that the club is at the cross-roads with its present squad which has done the club proud (up until yesterday of course

).



I personally would rather next season be one of experimentation with accompanying low expectations so that we can hopefully crack on in 2012 with a younger new vibrant squad. Maybe concentrate on the CC again but leave it at that.



As for not trying lads in new positions ??? What about Schofield, Hanley, Pryce, Ellis, Dave Smith etc etc. It was only the boldness of somebody's decision that enabled these to effectively make their "new" positions successful.



I respect the value of the likes of Hall, Smith and Delaney.....but would suggest they are all presently playing [iout of position[/i.

Centre, Stand off and Second Row respectively all seem to be worth a punt for me. If not successful then so what....(based on it being a transitional season for largely experimenting).....BUT it's got to be better than being "easy" to predict.

I agree we needed to move people along before now and are stuck with issues that could and should have been resolved. I dont think you get the best of Hall at centre or the value of Smith at stand off. Delaney could be useful similar to how McKenna was used in the 2nd row........however we already have shedloads who can fill that role.

Smith as a stand off is one of silliest suggestions I've ever heard on these boards. He is a good winger, has the potential to be a decent full back, has done OK at centre, could play a bit of replacement hooker to get out of dummy half...



but he isn't close to having the skill set a stand off requires - his passing abiity is average, he isn't a great kicker (the 40:20 in the Grand Final aside), neither does he strike me as the kind of person who reads and can control a game particularly well.

Not even with some good coaching ??



He isn't fast enough to be a winger long term; he is too small in stature for centre long term and BJB will take the FB position long term.



He DOES have the ability to do something different and is gloriously unpredictable .....and alongide a better organiser and 'leader' (McGuire) as his half back partner I still believe it's worth a punt. If it doesn't work out then so what ....if we make it the season of transition and low expectations that is surely coming.

See comments ref Smith elsewhere.



Hall would make a damn good centre IMO to complement Watkins in the other centre berth....and Delaney would effectively replace Eastwood (a BIG loss) next season... thus making no difference in the "shedloads" back row situation.



Has this season not shown that this is the area where you need the said shedloads with the much more probable frequent injuries to contend with ?

I think two or three of Buderus, Lauitiiti, Leulaui and Webb will go next year. Depending on that I'd give Senior another year. Hopefully McShane and Ambler will break into the team next year. Peacock will stay on for another 2 years after 2011 I reckon. You never know about players like Gareth Ellis and Sam Burgess as well, if they would ever want to come back to SL then I'm sure we'd be in for them.



A prop is priority next year IMO, we seem to rely too much on Peacock as yesterday showed as well as the fact that Leulaui will probably be leaving at the end of 2011. I don't think we need a second rower to replace Eastwood, we have JJB, Lauitiiti, Ablett, Kirke, Clarkson, Pitts and Delaney/Senior as cover so we're alright in that area. As for the backs then if BJB and Watkins stay fit next year then their opportunities will come. Burrow, McGuire with Sinfield and Webb as back up cover the halves.

No.



He's been quick enough to do a good job, primarily on the wing for the last 4 years. I think that is fine as a long term solution. I don't see him as a centre but size isn't everything - ask Brad Godden.



The problem with your last paragraph is that McGuire is our player who can do something different and is gloriously unpredictable. He is not a great organiser and would benefit from having a good organiser alongside him, not another player like himself.



We will have to make transitions but expectations will not necessarily be lowered.

Hall doesnt have the hands for a class centre and is far better where he is..........why even contemplate moving a lad who is a top notch wingman??



Smith has not the distribution skills in my opinion to be a success at stand off. He can be a very effective full back and with some speed work could still play out wide if required.



As for the back row........you can have as many back rowers as you like if they are much of a muchness. We never replaced Ellis like for like and needed to!

Prop's the main position to look at for next year. Our dependence on Peacock has got a bit OTT now.

Agreed.



Bailey is only ever going to be what he is. ie. not a bigger metre maker.



Leuluai on his day offers great impact but for short periods.



Burgess looks like he is going to struggle to made the grade at the really top level for me.



Ambler has potential and next year is a massive year for him.



If we sign an experienced high level prop to complement these ad Peacock it looks really strong. Without that addition we look paper thin, especially with Peacock's age and injury to come back from

Props mature when they're 28 onwards. Biffa has a long way to go before he reaches that age.