2012 Squad Numbers : Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:44 pm  

1. Richard Owen
2. Nick Youngquest
3. Joe Arundel
4. Kirk Dixon
5. Josh Griffin
6. Rangi Chase
7. Danny Orr (c)
8. Jake Emmitt
9. Daryl Clark
10. Craig Huby
11. Brett Ferres
12. Jonathan Walker
13. Steve Snitch
14. Stuart Jones
15. Adam Milner
16. Ryan Hudson
17. Lee Mitchell
18. Cas Fans
19. Paul Jackson
20. Grant Millington
21. Oliver Holmes
22. Nathan Massey
23. Ryan McGoldrick
24. Steve Nash
25. Jordan Thompson
26. James Clare
27. John Davies

Millward has said that he's not a 'great believer' in the squad numbers but that it has to be done. There is also an interview on the Cas website where he addresses a few of the surprise numbers ( eg Daryl Clark at 9) and is open in the fact that he is looking for a new centre when the time is right. Opinions?

Re: 2012 Squad Numbers : Thu Dec 29, 2011 3:49 pm  

One of the surprises for me is Steve Snitch 13, even when fit last year Snitch was often left out. Judging by the squad numbers alone Snitch may be playing a bigger part this year. Hopefully Snitch can recapture some of his earlier career form and be an important player for us again next year.

Re: 2012 Squad Numbers : Thu Dec 29, 2011 5:12 pm  

Bethman wrote:

One of the surprises for me is Steve Snitch 13, even when fit last year Snitch was often left out. Judging by the squad numbers alone Snitch may be playing a bigger part this year. Hopefully Snitch can recapture some of his earlier career form and be an important player for us again next year.

New regime, new ideas. The one that really surprised me was Clark to no.9. I'd have suspected Milner at 9 and Clark with 14-17 squad shirt, thinking that they'd be looking to start with Milner and bring on Clark for a bit of speedy impact of the bench. I'd also have thought that Dixon and Griffin would be the other way round. However, ATEOTD they're just squad numbers, and only an indication of what might happen this season. Looking forward to seeing how they go.

Re: 2012 Squad Numbers : Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:32 pm  

Similar surprise from me regarding Snitch, tore the place up in the first 6 months of a contract, needs that form back. As for being a loose? Suspect we will be playing with 3 back rowers, he is no more a 13 than the announcer bloke. Thats not a problem so long as the other backs shape and the full back accomodates it.

As for the Clarke Milner thing, that is interesting and if I had to guess, I would actually say there IS something in this. Clarke is a great young hooker and I rate him highly and I rate him because he plays shapes and patterns and lets the halves organise - which I think is vital early in games to keep your shape and not get fancy.
Milner is a little more cockey and confident and can make the kind of decisions like against Hull KR (play off decider) where he goes out on a limb and makes a 60 metre break - but then loses position in the tackle - So I think it is a good call, your run on 13 play and execute the gameplan, at times that changes and you use your bench to compliment, improve or change the plan completely.

I actually think that Hudson will find himself at loose at times, becuase he has a lot of experience. I doff my hat to him, sad times when one of the guys I have watched for a long time who I rate as a proper bloke isn't in the 1-13's anymore, hope you get a golden season in mate.

Re: 2012 Squad Numbers : Thu Dec 29, 2011 9:49 pm  

If Snitch plays at loose forward it will be in the same manner NRL teams have it, with the LF playing as an extra prop because the ball handling loose forward isn't really needed when you have a ball handing FB as well as the hooker & half backs.

Re: 2012 Squad Numbers : Thu Dec 29, 2011 9:59 pm  

Jones will be loose like on Sunday.

Pack should be when all fit:

Huby
Milner
Millington
Holmes
Ferres
Jones

Bench: Walker, Emmitt, Clark, McGoldrick.

Re: 2012 Squad Numbers : Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:10 pm  

And as Millward said in the interview, the depth in the pack is quite impressive - add to that:

Snitch
Hudson
Jackson
Thompson
Mitchell
Davies

Nash, Massey.

Re: 2012 Squad Numbers : Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:12 pm  

Strong looking squad, if we can avoid any serious injuries, we have some strength in depth and players fighting for position, would expect Millington to be more of a regular starter when he is fully fit. Agree with the Dixon/Griffin argument, Dixon more suited for his aerial strength when challenging the 'bombs'.

Re: 2012 Squad Numbers : Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:39 pm  

Fully wrote:

Jones will be loose like on Sunday.

Pack should be when all fit:

Huby
Milner
Millington
Holmes
Ferres
Jones

Bench: Walker, Emmitt, Clark, McGoldrick.

NO to McGoldrick

My Line-up would be:-
Emmitt
Milner
Huby
Holmes
Ferres
Jones

Bench: Walker, Millington, Clark, Mitchell or Thompson

Re: 2012 Squad Numbers : Fri Dec 30, 2011 12:22 pm  

By far the most strength in depth we've had in Superleague. In the past we've named a squad of 25 which includes 20 or so proven 1st team players and 4 or 5 youngsters promoted to the 1st team squad who you weren't sure would stand up if called into action. This time we've got 26 players only 2 of which (James Clare & Steve Nash) haven't played Superleague/NRL previously.

Also notice we've got only 4 overseas players in the squad so can still sign at least 1 more quota player if they become available.

Millward makes no bones about the fact he'd like to sign another centre but is equally clear about the fact there seems to be a lack of available players in the world currently.