Assuming Branighan will be fit for GF who does MC start at half backs?

Black - quick and always a threat
Holroyd - His kicking game and well timed passes are excellent
Branno - Class, got it all apart from pace.

It's a nice problem for MC to have but its also a decision he must get right for us to stand a chance

Keep the same team I say. Yes it's not good to leave a player with such skill as Branighan out. But, why change a team that played a very good game last night? I'd take him as the 18th man, but I wouldn't move Holroyd, I wouldn't move Black and I wouldn't want another play maker at 13 because thats where I believe we went wrong at Fev, too many playmakers doing too much flashy stuff.

Branighan is widnes bound next year, him and black for the halfs. Holroyd on the bench.

6 - Holly
7 - Black

9 - Penky / Beswick

Cant see Branighan getting in the team for the final after Holroyd's performance.

Return to your projector Vikingwoman.

We need to kick Fev to death and continually turn their pack around as well as tackle, so i go for Holly at 6 to take us around the park on the basis of last nights performance. However, to leave Luke out would be almost incomprehensible. I personally wouldnt want to make the decision but for a change its a welcome dilema for Calland.

I would bring Brannigan back in - he is one of the main reasons why we finished so high up the league. Who to drop out is the problem though.

Knowing Calland, Branighan will be playing. But I really think it would be a bad idea to change the team.

If branno is fit he has to be in the 17 no question.

Put him in at loose man instead of Barlow.

I'd drop White and put Patto back on the wing making room for Branighan at centre.

I know we have to pick the team that will win the final and there's no room for sentiments at this stage but if Branno is 100% fit (and only if he is) it would just be wrong and unfair to leave him out of the Grand Final after what he's achieved this season.

A 100% fit Branighan gets picked for me. No questions asked.

But Holroyd destroyed Sheff last night!
And Black ... Well he's goto to start surely!

Aye, I never said drop them 2

Blueandwhite's suggestion about dropping White to fit Branno in sounds good. I'm talking about the 17 btw, bugger knows at what point to play them and where, but I ain't the coach

White had a belting game, wouldn't be right to drop him. And to put Branighan in at centre.... couldn't see that working.

Anyone that gets dropped from that side last night would be very unlucky.

I would have Branno in the side though, we played well yes, we are caperble of playing like that at any point against anyone, Branno not being in the side was just a coincidence

I agree with most of the comments in this thread, it's certainly a dilema.
I suspect injuries may play a part in team/positional selections as they have done for quite a while. I wouldn't want anyone missing the big day through injury, but I also want us to win the cup. All of the guys who came in for the Sheffield game upped their levels for sure, but we need to go a notch higher to beat Fev, they get off their defensive line very quick & close us down, but playing them on a slightly bigger pitch will certainly help us I reckon ( where's the "hopeful" icon ? )

We certainly need to improve our tactics. We drastically lacked pace Fev, and tried playing through the middle, yet had no push with the ball carrier. We have to address Fev killing us in the ruck with their wrestling, isolating defenders would do that.

It's a tricky one

Its a tough one, i just dont see us running through Fev, it didnt work last week and they caught us out too much, i think a more mobile side may be the only way, this may lead MC to consider finding space for Branighan and Holroyd, Branighan could potentially play a few positions and if Bobs is fit that helps, Bob really punches above his weight as a 13, even though we need his control at dummy half, i think it all depends on the pack he chooses. White Stays in for me, Pato stays at centre and Bannister plays second row, the tricky ones for me are Ostick and Cherryholme, Neil had his best game for us on Thursday and ive been a huge critic of him. The more mobile forwards that can stay on for more than 15 mins the more options we have for 6 & 7.

difficult one this.Up to thursday i would say Brannigan must play but with Beswick back in the fold I just dont know now for a number of reasons.
1. Balance of the team.White played very well on the wing and with Patterson playing at centre , the backs certainly looked more fluid and composed compared to the Fev game when we had Bannister and Nash in the centres. Bannister was annoymous against Fev , against Sheffield he was much more involved , made a try , good yards and plenty of tackles. By having a second rower on the bench , MC , rotated Bannister with Wrenchy and kept players fresh.
2.Can we afford to have another playmaker on the field against a team as strong as Fev.Dont forget with Holly, Black, Penky and Beswick that's 4 skillful players that we've got.
3.Holly and Luke are both left footed , tactical , players - is there too much similarality between the two. I dont know .
It is a difficult decision for the coaching team too make. There are others as well. Does Said come back in ? or Ostick.
I just hope that MC goes down , injuries permitting , a bench that includes 2 props , a hooker and a loose forward.

Its certainly a tough call for Matt but at least we have options

Branno had a virus, throwing up. Hopefully he will be good for the final

defence have been at 6's and 7's numerous times this year. hopefully can get it together for big finale

said thursday he would be ok for the final.

I would court controversy here and play Branighan at 7 and Holroyd at 6.

Branighan has been the best player this season bar none.
Holroyd showed what he can do on Thursday by running the game and constantly turning Sheffield round with his superb kicking.

Featherstone have proven they have a great defence and we will need guile to unlock it. those 2 give us the best chance of doing that..

V.harsh on Black, but I have seen him go missing too many times in the biggest games and he has quite a few errors in him.

Tamghart and Watene wouldn't make the cut either. We need a 100% error free, no penalties approach to have a chance. They have both been prone to these.