With JE saying on Radio Leeds that we were after 2 more signings and Mathers and Aiton being revealed, what is your starting 17? I don't know much about Mariano and Johnson, being new to the Wildcats, but everyone seems to sing their praises. Was that because they are actually good players or because they never gave up the cause last season and you want to give some loyalty? I'd say we are looking good so far and with 5 pre season games to get things together we could hit the ground running.


Richie Mathers
Peter Fox
Vince Mellars
Dean Collis
Ben Cockayne
Isaac John
Tim Smith
Oliver Wilkes
Paul Aiton
Kyle Amor
Steve Southern
Frankie Mariano
Andy Raleigh

Andy Ellis
Ali Lauitiiti
Paul Johnson
Danny Washbrook

Both.

I would perhaps switch the hookers around and start with Ellis bringing Aiton on as an impact player.
Im not sure we have anyone with any goal kicking credentials so that may require the inclusion of morton on one wing.
Otherwise that doesn't look a bad side.

Only 3 players from 2011 so really need to get off to a good start. Still 7 foreign players though.

Richie Mathers
Peter Fox
Vince Mellars
Dean Collis
Ben Cockayne
Isaac John
Tim Smith
Oliver Wilkes
Paul Aiton
Kyle Amor
Steve Southern
Frankie Mariano
Danny Washbrook

Andy Ellis
Ali Lauitiiti
Paul Johnson
Andy Raleigh

Players who are easily pulled into that 17 are:
James
Kirmond
Morton
Wildie
Davey
Walshaw

You have also 1st graders in Moty Tony & Kyle Wood

Good point about Motu Tony, though limited game time in my opinion.
Wood I just don't know him well enough. I imagine he isn't going to get game time this year,

Who are your Kickers.

Is wood just a back up then? I still think we need a leading prop. Amor quality but I think we could do with a number 8 still. That team looks very solid indeed and i cannot wait to take Cas fans money off them !

Issac John & Dean Collis.

And Dale Morton.

As we stand...

Richie Mathers
Peter Fox
Vince Mellars
Dean Collis
Ben Cockayne

Isaac John
Tim Smith

Paul Johnson
Paul Aiton
Kyle Amor
Steve Southern
Frankie Mariano
Danny Washbrook

Andy Ellis
Ali Lauitiiti
Olly Wilkes
Andy Raleigh

Matt James
Danny Kirmond
James Davey
Kyle Wood
Matt Wildie
Dale Morton
Motu Tony
Russ Spiers
Kyle Trout
Lucas Walshaw
Gareth Moore?

Looking at that I think another prop is a must but other than that we look good. Shame that Morro retired just after Howarth left as we would have had real good depth there but should the injuries strike then the young guns should get their chance.

Both of those things; a couple of big, tough young English lads who never took a backward step last season, despite being on the end of some lousy towellings. Johnson in particular went up against some of SL's biggest, nastiest forwards and just kept on going and going - the lad's as hard as nails.

I expect big things from both next year, when they'll have a bit more quality around them.

Sounds like a couple of gems. Looking forward to the season and can't wait for kick off.

[size=150Got to agree bren, all the players that got through the 2011 will be tougher and better players for it..[/size

Ouch. That hurt my ears!

i don't know why they class Isaac John as a 6, he plays 7 better. Did a great job in the Warriors under 20's and the junior kiwis in a 7. They only had him as a 6 because of Stacey Jones and then Maloney!! I'd try him back at 7 - he is a good organiser. And from what I have heard in school days Quade Cooper played 6 and John was 7.

Started looking at the squad in a bit more detail re long term depth and strength...

Full backs: Mathers, Cockayne, Tony

Summary: Think we have this well covered. Personally I think BC is the better FB but I think Agar will start with Mathers at FB and BC on the Wing.

Wing: Fox, Cockayne, Morton, Walshaw, Cowling, Tony

Summary: One of the weaker areas IMHO. Fox is the only proven winger. Although BC can play there and will do a good job I would still have liked to have seen another proven winger in the squad. Morton IMHO is nowhere near SL standard, not seen enough of Cowling to comment fairly (although I do believe he's a centre) that leaving us only Tony or Walshaw as cover. Neither real wingers.

Centre: Collis, Mellars, Walshaw, Cowling, Tony

Summary: Same as above really. Only two proven centres. A great young gun in Walshaw but with the unknown/unproven youngsters as cover this leaves only Tony who is no centre IMHO. Kirmond or Mariano could drop in if we get really stuck but again neither are natural centres.

Maybe a Cameron Phelps type squad signing would add extra depth and cover to our back line?

6 / 7: John, Smith, Wood, Wildie, Moore, Kay

Summary: More than happy with our options here although I would be tempted to try and get a few of the youngsters out on loan to give them much needed game time as you got to think John & Smith unless injured/completely out of form will take some budging.

9: Ellis, Aiton, Davey, Wood, Wildie, Tony

Summary: Two great 9's in Ellis & Aiton. Davey IMHO is not SL standard and I think both he and Wildie both really need some more game experience, hence getting them out on loan somewhere. Tony & Wood as cover here.

Prop: Amor, Wilkes, Raleigh, Johnson, James, Trout, Spiers

Summary: IMHO only really Amor who is a line breaker. Wilkes, Raleigh & Johnson all grafters. Can't help but think we have too many of the same type of prop here. Another big, hard hitting line breaker prop (hard to find I know) required here IMHO. Trout & Spiers not SL standard and need to be sent out on loan to get some much needed game time.

2nd Row: Lauitiiti, Southern, Mariano, Kirmond, Raleigh, Trout, Slater

Summary: One of our stronger areas. Trout & Slater will struggle here, get em out on loan somewhere to give them much needed game time/experience.

Loose Forward: Washbrook, Aiton, Southern, Annekin, Tony

Summary: I can't see past RA playing Washbrook here. With Aiton, Southerm & Tony to cover I think were fine here. Feel for Annekin as I'd love to see him get a go but just can't see how he's going to force his way into the back row or LF. Loan maybe a better development option for him...

In a nut shell I think we have a very good squad, some quality players and a great nucleus of youth. Ideally a big hard hitting prop and a good quality utility back would finish the squad of nicely.

Really can't wait for us to get going.

Come On The Trin !!!

So in summary, you advocate that every single one of our academy products is not SL standard and that they should all go out on loan?

No! I didn't say that.

IMHO I think "most" aren't good enough *yet* and I do stress the word *yet*.

The problem I foresee is how they will get any quality/real game time with the starting 17 been so strong baring injuries/loss of form etc hence my suggestion we get as many out on loan where possible. This will help give them the grounding and opportunity each one of them deserves to show they are good enough and do deserve a chance in our starting 17 other than watching other play SL every week.

The best example of how well this can work was Aaron Murphy.

Not all these players will make it or succeed but I'd like to see each of them given a fair opportunity to do so and I simply feel that most will be able to do this better away from us unfortunately given more valueable game time elsewhere.

Just out of curiosity - can you enlighten me re the young ones of ours you feel will be pushing for a place in our starting 17?

I think that is a very good summary Comeon trin.
I posted a while back my concern about lack of cover in threequarters.
We only have one true winger as you say.
Its a position where lack of real pace,sidestep,body swerve etc can cost you dear in tight matches.
Similarly in the centre.
Its ok making do for a match or two, but no proven experienced cover if Mellars or Collis are out for a while.
I too am worried as to the actual quality of so called youngsters.
If they are real class nothing would have or will keep them out.
They must really have something to start with that no ammount of coaching can put there.
But are any of them Poyntons ,Toplisses or even Geoff Wraiths and Terry Crooks in the making?
I would be really pleased if people can convince me we have real quality coming through.

And that for me is Mr Agar's job; we were assured when the recruitment process was underway that one of the key expectations of the new HC would be to bring young players through into the first team, so that's what I expect him to do. Certainly it's not easy, but we have to demonstrate confidence in some of these lads and give them a chance.

Some of SL's brightest stars throughout next season will be young kids who've been given game time in a squad that could protect and help them; if our starting 17 is as strong as you say it is, then we too should have the ability to give players like Cowling, Trout, Walshaw et al the opportunity to grow and develop. If we can't do that, we'll be stuck in the rut of recruiting overseas players every season.

i'd agree wth that mate.the biggest problem with the squad is the front row. i'd say we have only got one in there that amor who could be taken back at short notice. ollie is ok , a good grafter. johns is wasted in the front row. well we will see how they go

mate. talk to some of the young fella's they will tell you its not in the script this year unless there are a lot of injuries. maybe next year.

They will get their chance with injuries and loss of form. Its then down to them. A few dual Reg for .. Kaye, Annekin, Spiers would be ideal for us and any NL club.