Blimey.....you're brave...stand back and await the backlash from certain posters



IMO though and IF everyone is fit I'd agree with you regarding Diskin.

Burrow can fill in at dummy half IF Buderus needs a rest and having 4 big blokes/impact players on the bench would be the way to go IMO.

I know it's a big IF, but a fit Eastwood and Ali on the bench could hopefully swing things in our favour with Bailey and Burgess also on the bench.

Some very touch decisions for Bluey and some players are obviously going to be dissapointed and fans on here will argue over the merits of the selections whoever gets 'rested' for the final.

Given how Bluey went on Saturday leaving BOTH Frogga and 'Tony McCoy' Senior in the centres when many felt one would be moved to the 2nd row to cover injury and suspension,then assuming he sticks with that,one of the backs is going to get left out,especially if Disko gets the nod on the bench,which I think he will as I cannot see us going with say Smith on the bench with Disko and 2 props.

Given his 'rotation' the last two games it looks like either Smith or Donald could miss out which would be a shame for either.

A selection headache will be a bit novel this season when for the most part we've being looking for the 17 available fit bodies.

Assuming yesterday's team all remain fit plus Higham, I'd see only one possible change - Higham in for Vinnie Anderson. If Bridge manages to make it somehow, then I've no idea what Smith would do.

For me you can drop Burgess and Bailey

Bailey has been improving week on week for the last 2 months. On Saturday he was the best prop on the pitch IMO. His stats of 120m @ 15 hit ups go someway to showing this.

Ablett is not a bench player. He is the best 2nd rower at Leeds and will start unless he picks up an injury in training.

Smith vs Donald is an interesting one. Thought Smith showed a lot on Saturday and looked dangerous everytime he took the ball up. He's a hard one to put down isnt he



Id prob go...

Webb
Donald/Smith (see who plays the best rugby over the next 2 weeks)
Delaney
Senior
Hall
Sinfield
McGuire
Bailey
Buderus
Peacock
Ablett
Jones-Buchanan
Clarkson

Burrow
Leuluai
Burgess
Lauitiiti

Smith/Donald/Diskin/Eastwood

OK, This wont happen I know as Burrow will get the 6 jersey but I think this represents our best line up atm with Burrow coming off the bench as a back up hooker. Diskin too wont miss out and I fear for Clarksons spot but its a good position to be in when we might be leaving 3 of Eastwood, Smith, Diskin and Donald out.

It looks good for the next 2 months anyway with Pitts and Ambler also quality replacements to keep the squad fresh before the playoffs.

BTW I just get the feeling I have forgot someone

Get Bernard Cribbins back for the community singing ....

Smith-Donald is interesting. Smith was very good I thought yesterday. He always looks like he's going to make something happen. Delaney is a lump of not much though.

Trouble with that though is the players are not honest when it comes to a final. They'll lie about niggling injuries just to play in a final.

Re Delaney - I was hoping for more from him (as he was an unknown quantity to me from the NRL) but so far in to his Leeds career he is just a big, no frills, solid unit. The equivalent of playing Carl Ablett at centre which whilst OK is not what I was hoping for if I'm being honest.

I hope by the time his (Delaney) contract is up Leeds have unearthed a home grown prospect to replace him (or perhaps try Smith there again) as I trust Leeds will be filling their reduced quota spots with better quality than he brings.

TBH Delaney is one of those players that disproves the myth of NRL supermen. There is as much gap between him and the likes of Inglis as there would be with Shenton. I've nothing against him but he got the ball in a bit of space at least once yesterday and didn't look like asking any questions of the defence. Unlike the 90 year old bald bloke on the other side of the field.

I like Delaney. What you see is what you get.... a hard grafting centre who puts an honest shift in. Sure, he'll never be a showboater a la Solomona, or dance around like McGuire, but you need the players who can play no nonsense RL to lay the platform for the others.

And Delaney certainly does that as far as I'm concerned. If Leeds ever manage to get an in form winger outside him, I reckon we could see one or two people change their tune.

Smith in for Delaney?





I think we need to take Warrington a wee bit more seriously than that!

"She's a lassie from Lancashire" and "Ilkla moor bah't 'at" while the BBC camera picks out Colin Welland and Michael Parkinson in the crowd ?

A shame the other Bernard isn't still with us. Perhaps not.




If that is aimed at me, go back and read again what I said rather than what you think I said.

So, Chris McKenna with better hands then?

and no doubt significantly cheaper

I dont mind Delaney personally. As said above he's solid.

TBF its always hard in modern times to be a centre at Leeds because we have had Keith Senior on the opposie side for 11 years. Thats a hell of a lot to live up to because he's still probably the best centre in the Super League.

Whilst i agree with some posters that Clarkson has earned his spot, i strongly doubt if all other players are fit, which is how it is looking that young Chris will get a shirt at all. 18th man - great experience.

Webb
Donald
Delaney
Senior
Hall
McGuire
Burrow
Leuluai
Buderus
Peacock
Ablett
JJB
Sinfield

Ali
Eastwood
Bailey
Diskin

All prior knowledge aside, in terms of winning the game, you have to pick your strongest squad. To me that includes Ali and Eastwood regardless of fitness or future commitment, they are both simply too good to leave out.

Clarkson will get another chance, just like Sinfield, just like McGuire.

fatty fat fatty can sod off.

Clarkson over eastwood.

You ruined your quite astute opinions by leaving out Smith for Diskin. There is no way Smith can be left out of the 17 !!!! (IMO) Diskin on the other hand can be (IMO).

Please please consider switching wingers again so that Donald gets some quality ball from Senior on the left in the space he needs. Hall can continue to run over his opposition with or without Senior on the right wing.

twas not an error. It was a judgement call.

Smith got the vote this week and played well, I expect Donald to get the nod and enjoy the wide open spaces and tired legs at wembley.

Diskin if fit is a certainty and rightly should be.

However there are two games to go first and the decision may be made for bluey.

I've just dug my 1985 CC final programme with such illustrious autographs I collected that day as Clive Sullivan,Bernard Cribbins,Collin Wellend and even Neil Kinnock!!!

But not one of those Superstars could surpass my most cherished signature on that front cover.

That of former Leeds RLFC kitman Harvey Standeven!!

Except Harvey Stendeven was no kit man, he was the highly regarded and respected cigar smoking physio.

The Leeds kit-man in Harvey's day was ex Leeds second-row Alan Horsfall.

Ian Kirke..... who everyone seems to have overlooked!

Chris Clarkson to play...because he built our new conservatory last year and it would make his dad Peter very proud I would imagine.

and a honkey tonk piano player as well.





and the U19`s Intermediates coach as well

Thank the lord.