meanwhile, we have no one in the top running

Because when we put 40 points on a team and win in second gear away from home the local in-bred reporter still picks one of the opposition players as the top performer.

Hodgson for his kicking. We have not had a decent kicker since Jiffy.

The question has to be, does signing Brett Hodgson at the expense of losing both Chris Hicks and Richie Mathers strengthen or weaken us ?



I`m presuming that Chris Riley will replace Chris Hicks on the wing, we`ll lose a lot of tries on the right that Hicks would score but Riley wouldn`t do in the same situation. Mathers last line of defence will be missed as well especially in one on one situations.

I think to answer that fully relies on knowing who else we may sign so not something I can answer at the moment.



I do agree that we will miss Hicks' ability to almost always score when an opportunity presents. As far as I am aware, his games to tries record is the best in SL/cp games for the last 3 seasons. Riley will not replace that.

I think we'll sign a new winger this season.

That doesn't make sense. If Riley was being omitted to accommodate Hicks, then I see where you are coming from. They play in the same backline together, frequently.



I'm not sure who will be brought in to replace Hicks, if indeed anyone will be. It may result in a reshuffle of the current backs.

hodgson for his kicking



mathers for his sheer enthusiasm

IMO, I'd rather have Hodgson for a number of reasons (goal kicking, passing, reading play, taking bombs, experience, leadership etc). One thing that Hodgson doesn't do though is return kicks very well. Whenever I watch Mathers he always runs in hard and busts tackles whereas Hodgson dances about and throws dodgy passes sometimes. Saying that, Mathers seems to improve everytime I watch him!



Will be sad to see Hodgson go as he has been without doubt the best player I've ever seen in a giants shirt.



P.S C'MON WIRE TONIGHT

no way pedro, did you never see andy pucill play for you

They have only played in the same backline together this season because of injuries to Myler along with Mathers missing a couple of games, if all our team is fit then Chris Riley wouldn`t be in the starting 13 and more than likely he wouldn`t be in the 17.



If Chris Hicks is fit then he is our regular right winger, i think their is only one occasion this year which i think was against Salford away where Riley started on the right wing when Hicks was also in the line up. That was because Chris Bridge moved from right centre to stand off which meant we had to break up our left sided partnership of Matt King and Ryan Atkins with King going to right centre and Hicks played left wing.



So what i said previously makes perfect sense, if our regular right winger is leaving then presumably it will be Chris Riley that replaces him on the right wing. Whats difficult to grasp about that ?



If we have a fully fit squad then our strongest backline this season is



1. Mathers

2. Hicks

3. Bridge

4. Atkins/King

5. Atkins/King

6. Briers

7. Myler



If we make no more signings for next year then i would expect our backline to look something like this next season.



1. Hodgson

2. Riley

3. Bridge

4. Atkins/King

5. Atkins/King

6. Briers

7. Myler

Discounting the multiple occasions that Riley and Hicks have played along side one another. Do you really expect us to go into next season with one out-and-out winger?