Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:15 pm  

Chuffed for O'Neill & Ellis getting numbers in the first 13.

Imagine having so much money we can have a marquee player on the bench.

Re: Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:20 pm  

Loads of competition in the forwards and some decent cover for the backs, hard to find anything to moan about there, where’s the fun in that !!

Re: Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:21 pm  

I would expect Walters to be first choice 2nd row regardless of his no.22 squad number

Re: Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:39 pm  

Looks a fantastic squad on paper - about as good as anyone could reasonably expect with a Super League salary (probably more so). Brad O'Neill and Kaide Ellis are the main stand outs - great to see them given prominent numbers. Interesting to see Patrick Mago go up the list as well - I still think there's another couple of gears left in him.

Re: Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 11, 2023 7:15 pm  

Really interesting to see Mago in the 17 over Dupree. Looking at the preseason pics, Mago looks like he's in great shape. Maybe this will continue to encourage him.

Re: Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 11, 2023 8:44 pm  

That’s a very impressive squad.

1-25 all played regularly at SL level and some fantastic potential in the rest who can be managed through the development pathway.

Loads of versatility giving us not only strength in depth but great cover across the park.

Exciting times for us.

Re: Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:16 pm  

If you went with the pack given the starting numbers, you've then got: Cooper, Leeming, Dupree, Walters, Nsemba, Thompson

I'd be happy with either of the 6 starting

Re: Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:32 pm  

Exactly the way I’d have had the numbers.

Havard, O’Neill and Ellis have earnt them numbers. Leeming, Walters, Thompson will have to earn them.

Exciting squad. Can’t wait to see Eckersley and Douglas in preseason.

Re: Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:55 pm  

There aren’t many concerns squad wise. There is pace and power across the board, a great mix of youth and experience and a nice group of players in that in between age, who are ready to step up and take more leadership responsibility. I’m happy we’ve decided to go with Eckersley and Douglas as pretty much first choice back ups for wing/centre and I think both could make a pretty big impression in 24.

If somebody pushed me to name one concern, it would probably be the Smithies exit and the hole that could leave in terms of workrate and aggression. Kaide Ellis and Brad O’Neill are the two I feel will need to pick up the slack now and I think they can but his exit will be a case of not knowing what you’ve got until it’s gone IMO.

Re: Squad Numbers : Mon Dec 11, 2023 10:15 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

There aren’t many concerns squad wise. There is pace and power across the board, a great mix of youth and experience and a nice group of players in that in between age, who are ready to step up and take more leadership responsibility. I’m happy we’ve decided to go with Eckersley and Douglas as pretty much first choice back ups for wing/centre and I think both could make a pretty big impression in 24.

If somebody pushed me to name one concern, it would probably be the Smithies exit and the hole that could leave in terms of workrate and aggression. Kaide Ellis and Brad O’Neill are the two I feel will need to pick up the slack now and I think they can but his exit will be a case of not knowing what you’ve got until it’s gone IMO.

Agree with the Smithies thing being a concern. He was the glue in the middle of the park all year. KPP aswell in the last 3/4 months of the season had an enormous work rate in defence.

We’ll miss those too.