So for next year who do ppl think will make the 1-17?

Also any word on a new sponsor.

1. Bowen
2. Josh
3. Daz
4. Thornley
5. ?
6. Pirate Green
7. Smith
8. Flower
9. Mac
10. Dudson
11. H
12. Faz
13. Lockers

14. Taylor
15. Crosby
16. Pettybourne
17. One of many really. Logan, Hughes. God knows lol.

Also whats happened with Luaki?

Lying in bed the other night - still too excited to sleep - I counted 32 players for next season who are in the mix. 1-17 doesn't matter.

Players will emerge over the course of the season e.g. Lloyd/Hopkins/Sam Powell /Manfredi/Burgess/Williams/Hampshire/Greenwood/Sargison any of whom and others besides who could end up in the first 17 dependent on form and injuries. What is for certain, Shaun Wane will give the youngsters a chance to prove themselves and the exciting thing for me will be to see who is next off the production line.

think next year we will see a lot more of Burgess, Williams, Hampshire, Burke etc etc bringing them into a strong team at away games at the likes of Windes, cas, Wakey, Salford. Rotating all the first choice forwards so they only play approx 60-70% of the regular season at most and are fresh for the Cup and playoffs. The backs will likely get a rest after having played 7-8 consequetive games to also freshen them up....... SW will use the squad and in turn create competition for places.....If we have a 30 man squad it will be used so no-one is like a rabbit in the headlights if we do have an injury crisis .

The ? next to number 5 still worries me. I know Burgess and Manfredi are highly rated and neither looked out of place during the games they got this year. But there wasn't many of them and Pat Richards is a hell of an act to follow, especially as they will be lining up alongside a rookie centre. I think a loan deal to a mid-table SL side would be a good move for both of these, plus others from this year's u19s.

Perhaps Sarginson to the centres with Thornley being pushed out on to the wind could be an option also.

Other than that we still have excellent depth throughout the squad. And as much as losing Sam is a massive blow, Bowen should be a briiliant replacement, and it's nice to be going in to a season with the same 6,7,9 and 13 as the previous year.

Use some of the transfer money and bring in Lineham from Hull FC. He seems like a natural replacement for Paddy.

1. Bowen
2. Charnley
3. Goulding
4. Thornley/Gelling
5. Burgess/Manfredi
6. Green
7. Smith
8. Flower
9. McIlorum
10. Crosby
11. Hansen
12. Farrell
13. O'Loughlin

14. Taylor
15. Hampshire/S.Powell/Tomkins
16. Hopkins/Dudson/A.Powell
17. Pettybourne

We have loads of options which can only be a good thing. I reckon bringing Hampshire or Powell off the bench to give McIlorum a breather with Smith shifting to 9 would be a smart way to go in a lot of games so that we can prepare for Green leaving after next season. Then in the big games I'd use Hopkins or Flower in the back row and play MM for the full 80 as we did in the final

We need a goal kicker.

I thought Bowen was a kicker?

With regards to sponsorship, we've had a large amount of air-time this season and are seen as a sporting giant in the UK. I really do wish we could hook up a blue-chip sponsor for 2014, such as Next, M&S...etc!

I live in hope!

He can kick but given his injuries perhaps its not ideal.

I think Smith will be goalkicker, if there are any concerns about Bowen's knees then putting him on kicking duty isn't a very sensible option IMO.

Pat wasn't Wests kicker when he came over, Brett Hodgson was, although Pat did kick from dropouts and penalties.

In the same way, Matty with a lot of practice will be an excellent kicker. He just won't have Pat's range. There is no reason why he couldn't be as good as Sinfield for example because he has great kicking technique.

Knows how to kick (technically). You can tell just watching the kicks in open play. Ex Everton youth. With practice I would put him ahead of Sinfield.

I've looked at a few different bits of footage of the after match celebrations and I may be wrong but can't see him in any of them with the other off-field/non-playing lot who joined in.

That is one hell of a statement to make. Sinfield has been (and still is) one of the most reliable kickers in the game. Technique is a big thing but you also have to have the "mindset" to be a top class , reliable kicker. I hope Matty Smith can develop into this but we will have to wait and see.

Smith would be my bet ahead of Charnley or Bowen.

As for the team I really fancy George Williams to push through next year possibly as an interchange hooker. I'd still like to see us sign a left winger but I don't think we'll see it. I'd hazard a guess we'll start with Gelling and Thornley as left centre and wing.

Something along the lines of-

Bowen
Charnley, Goulding, Gelling, Thornley,
Green, Smith,
Flower, McIlorum, Taylor,
Hansen, Farrell, Lockers.

Subs- Crosby, Dudson, Pettybourne, Williams.

I think it's a four way fight for the #5 shirt. Gelling, Thornley, Burgess and Manfredi. They'll all get their chance, but knowing Wane and Bitcon pre season training, dedication and application will mean a lot.
It'll be interesting to see who goes on the pre-season "jolly" to Florida.

I think there'll also be a four way comp for the centre positions, Goulding, Thornley, Gelling and Sarginson. One kid I'm hoping to get a couple of games next season is Oliver Gildart, still only 18 but oozes class.

Only just turned 17 in August, youngest in the cohort

Yes I meant 17, my error. Even more reason to see what a class act he is.

One of my major dissapointments from the u19's GF was that Gildart didn't see much ball. I was really looking forward to seeing what he could do.

Very young at 17 but I see no reason why they couldn't get him a game or two at some point.

Think we will be something like:

1. Bowen
2. Charnley
3. Goulding
4. Thornley
5. Burgess/Manfredi/Gelling
6. Green
7. Smith
8. Flower
9. McIlorum
10. Taylor
11. Hansen
12. Farrell
13. O'Loughlin

14. Pettybourne/Clubb
15. Dudson
16. Tomkins/Hampshire/Sarginson
17. Hopkins/Crosby

Sponsor who knows, whoever bids the highest!

Or can knock up a company logo using Word Art like the GF ones did.

I was watching the Aussie Grand Final again. before the game they had a parade of player who are retiring. And what a line up. Two in particular caught my eye were Matt Cooper and Scott Prince. These two would grace any SL side.
Lets face it we need some stars in SL
Surely we have the clout to be able to persuade Cooper to try his hand over here.
Also noted matt Bowen limped onto the parade. are we sure his knees are up to it???

Bowen
Burgess/Manfredi/Thornley/Gelling/New Signing
Thornley/Gelling
Goulding
Charnley
Green
Smith
Powell
Mcllorum
Flower
Hansen
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Tomkins/Powell/Williams/Hampshire/Sarginson
Taylor
Dudson/Crosby/Hopkins
Pettybourne/Hughes/Clubb

Bowen,
Charnley, Goulding, Thornley, Burgess.
Green, Smith,
Dudson, McIlorum, A Powell,
Pettybourne, Hansen,
O'Loughlin.

Backs, Gelling, Manfredi, Hampshire, Williams, Tierney.
Forwards, Flower, Taylor, Crosby, L Farrell, Greenwood, Hopkins, C Farrell.

I think Thornley will get the 4 shirt next year. Gelling is not a left sided player but right IMO. No announcement re Sarginson or Clubb so not mentioned them.
No sight not sound of Lauaki so not included him either.
Connor Farrell will get an inclusion from me but maybe out on DR.
That's unless we get a return to U 21s which would change our reserve options.
Also I do feel that Faz will be behind Pettybourne as SW will again go for experience and size. I also think Faz maybe better suited to impact from the bench for a season due to his pace and elusiveness.
We need quality half backs and to me it is imperitive Williams remains a seven.
Too many 7s are drafted into 9s too early in their careers hence the dearth of quality 7s in the British game.