I would definitely put Kearney at 6 to start the season. It's unfair to move Halley just yet. If Kearney doesn't work well there with Orford then try Sykes, with the squad shifting round a bit.

If you were Macca as a professional coach (and posibly considering your job to be on the line) you might not consider "unfair" to be a word that deserves any preferential consideration in your vocabulary.
"If Kearney doesnt work well there"

This guy could work far and above our incumbants in any back line position. Wait till you see him play... he is awesome.
Question really would be is what position to bring on our players and how near to Orford should you think his link should be

For me, these are probably the 2 most likely line-ups.


Halley
Reardon
Sykes
Nero
Sheriffe
Kearney
Orford
Lynch
Godwin
Scruton
Hall
Menzies
Langley

L'Estrange
Sculthorpe
Kopzcak
Whitehead/Donno/Worrincy


Kearney
Reardon
Platt
Nero
Halley
Sykes
Orford
Lynch
Godwin
Scruton
Hall
Menzies
Langley

Scully
Kopzcak
L'Estrange
Donno/Whitehead/Worrincy

Think you second line up has better balance.
Also it does not incude Sheriffe who imo is a weak tackler and ineffectual attacker.
I do think that L'estrange will be the starting hooker, with Godwins pace
being used as interchange as he was last year.There is much that could be said about Hall, Manzies and Lagley in thieir interchangeable positions. This can only be a good thing.
Similarily in the back line with Sykes, Platt, Reardom and Halley.
As I've mentioned elsewhere I expect Crookes to have a huge season.

All in all I have seriously more confidence than 2 months ago and without being unduly optimistic see us a hard side to beat if Orford and Kearney can organise our defensive line.
Fairly comfortable with the power of the forwards if Kopzac kicks on and Scruton continues his seasonal improvement.
No doubt Hall will bring everything that he's shown in Aus. You can ask no better than that! Talk about providing what it says on the tiin !!!
Upsteps from Donaldson and Whitehead with probably lesser use of Worrincey unless he van really make huge strides in his tactical play.
Lynch should continue to be the Godfather of all matters upfront and Langley needs to eventually find his niche role.

Mine is:

Halley
Sheriffe
Sykes
Nero
Reardon
Kearney
Orford
Sculthorpe
L 'Estrange
Lynch
Hall
Menzies
Langley

Subs: Scruton, Godwin, Worrincy, Donaldson.

I feel Scruton is suited to coming off the bench to utilise his power as an impact prop, along with Worrincy to impact with pace.

Does anyone know how often Hall played prop at Manly? I notice everyone is picking him at 2nd row.

I'd go

Halley
Reardon
Sykes
Nero
Sheriffe
Orford
Kearney
Lynch
L'Strange
Scrutton
Hall
Menzies
Langley

Godwin
Sculthorpe
Kopzack [sp
And 1 up and comer

True. But we've got 4 props. 5 if you include Crossley. So makes more sense to have Hall play 2nd row

Kearney
Halley
Crookes
Nero
Sheriffe
Sykes
Ox
Scruton
L'estrange
Lynch
Beaver
Hall
Langley

Sculthorpe
Godwin
Koppy / Worrincy
Reardon

Remember we will have the Burgessi too...

Not that often, he only filled in for injuries IIRC. Second row is his best place.

He's a modern forward, he'll do both and probably both very well. Reminds me a bit of Fairbank - looking forward to his addition

Mine would be:

1. Halley
2. Sheriffe
3. Sykes
4. Nero
5. Reardon
6. Kearney
7. Orford
8. Scutton
9. L'Estrange
10. Lynch
11. Hall
12. Menzies
13. Langley

Subs
14. Godwin
15. Worrincy
16. Sculthorpe
17. Donaldson

Would expect the Burgess twins to feature as well as Kopzcak, Whitehead and no doubt Platt will be in (although god knows why!!!)

1. Halley
2. Platt
3. Sykes
4. Nero (c)
5. Reardon
6. Kearney
7. Orford
8. Hall
9. L'Estrange
10. Lynch
11. Sheriffe
12. Langley
13. Worrincy

Subs: Godwin, Menzies, Sculthorpe, Scruton

Not much outside the 17. Macca better be praying to the football gods that we don't get any injuries. Light at prop.

lynch
scruton
kopczak
sculthorpe
crossley
t burgess
g burgess

and langley and hall both able to cover their as well. How many props do you want in the squad?

Seriously, the idea of Worrincy in the first choice 13 is scary to me.

The idea of him in the 17 isn't awesome, but a starter?!?!?

Sheriffe in the second row?

I've just had a mad idea about Worrincy.

You know how you can have 2nd rowers playing as centres?
And sometimes centres play as wingers?

well, it seems to me that Worrincy is big, fast and powerful and knows his way to the try line.

so hows about giving him a shot on the wing?

Maybe he could be a new Vainikolo?

I should also point out, I've had a liquid lunch with my work collegues as it's my birthday and i have the rest of the week off after today

I've thought about that aswell, although he can provide good impact off the bench in the second row, providing he sorts his defence out.

Well, the thing is, he's behind Hall and Menzies as 1st choice, Donaldson and Whitehead are snapping at his heels to break into the 1st team. But we're lacking cover out wide. Pair him up with Reardon down the right hand side during a warm up game. See if he cuts mustard

Yeah but if Lynch get injury we are boned. Koppy is hardly a 1st choice at this level, Scully Jnr cannot play in long stints, and the rest would get mullered by an experienced front row. Wonderboy Hall might have to play prop. SHort on quality

Well he is a Big Unit with bit of pace to burn. Maybe he will be less expose in the pack. There is talk Meli will play SR surely if this is the case so can Sheriffe



Also I believe the Worrloard might be a good winger with ball in hand but I am not confident about him fielding high balls or defending on the wing

It's not that hard to train people to defend a high bomb, despite what Platt might be trying to make you think.

And Worrincy's defence can't be any worse than Sheffife's

take peacock out of leeds and they're in a similar position. same can be said for most teams in league. beyond first choice couple of props the quality of props available drops off in most teams. We've got a lot more cover than most in that position and potentially of better quality.

Look at how many tries we conceded last year because Worrincy shot out of the line and left a huge gap.

It was becoming a regular segment on Boots n All for Paul Cullen to highlight it.