Quote ThePrinter="ThePrinter"I don't think the lack of rotation had anything to do with making them 'battle hardened', I think McDermott's sticking to the same guys had more to do with a lack of confidence in the fringe/young players to do a job. IIRC he and Sinfield said something along the lines of needing to address the lack of quality in the depth of the squad after the GF.
As for Singleton, if we sign Moon (or Tonga) then it will lessen his chances of any game time.
Ablett will return to Loose Forward,
which in turn means Bailey will revert back to Subsitute Prop,
which leaves you with Achurch (if used as prop and not 2nd row), Griffin, Kirke, Moore, Singleton fighting for the 4th prop spot in the 17.
I think the forwards will look like this when/if everybody is fit.
8 - Leuluai
10 - Peacock
11 - JJB
12 - Delaney
13 - Ablett
14 - Subsitute Hooker
15 - Bailey
16 - Achurch
17 - Ward (another season of subsitute back rower for him because he won't be getting near the halfback positions for a while yet unless injuries strike)
That leaves Griffin, Kirke, Moore, Clarkson and Singleton out of the 17. And they might not be everyone's cup of tea but i'd be very surprised if Singleton got picked ahead of Kirke and Griffin if 1 or 2 injuries occur or rests are needed. Might as well try get him out on loan to another SL club if possible.'"
I'd be surprised if Kylie plays as much as he did last season, and would also be surprised if Achurch walks into the squad as a prop. Also, teams based on injury-free scenarios never really work.
As far as I can see our depth charts (if we sign Moon) are:
Fullback: Hardaker (BJB, Watson)
Wing: Hall, BJB (Watson, Vickery, Chisholm)
Centre: Watkins, Moon (Ablett, Keinhorst, Delaney)
Halfback: Sinfield, McGuire (Burrow, Moon, Ward)
Prop: Peacock, Bailey, Griffin, Leuluai (Kirke, Singleton, Moore, Achurch)
Hooker: Burrow (McShane, Hood)
Backrow: JJB, Ablett, Delaney, Ward (Achurch, Clarkson, Bailey)
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Plenty of combinations available to cover for most injuries or rotations. Can see all of those named above except maybe the reserve wingers getting good gametime.
