I was thinking that Vella and Lovegrove could make a useful bench combination, but only if we could sign another prop. It seems now that Mick cant put in the stints that he used to, due to injuries and maybe with his age catching up with him, but he is one of our two forwards, lovegrove been the other, that find the floor quickly and get their nose through the line. I think Mick could be more effective used this way towards the end of his career, and maybe if this was the case, make Clint captain, which is becoming inevitable IMO. If we dont sign another prop, then the next best option has to be to start with Netherton. I've never really seen the logic of starting Netherton off the bench. He is not the type of player that is going to come on and make a big impact, but he will get on with his work, make steady yards and put in more than his fair share of tackles.

Netherton(A.N. Other) Wheeldon (with Vella and Lovegrove off the bench)

It will not send shivers down the spines of the rest of super league, but could be our most succesful combination imo.

We played most of last season pretty much with either Vella or Fozzard rarely did they both play together. Lovegrove and Vella will start the game having Wheeldon and Netherton off the bench.

We still have Mills who by his own words said he never wants another season like the last and is putting in the work to make sure his name is in contention.

Adding to this we will welcome back Chev Walker who I feel is naturally going into the front row and then we can call upon Newton to play more centrally. Ratu is of a similar build to Jake Webster and has done his fair share of action in the back row so it gives us options with Matt Cook, Ben Galea and Ratu to play in the back row if we ever need to move Newton into prop.

I am hoping the warmer climates of Australia have helped Mick's knee heal and will be all the better for it when the new season comes around. We dont look the same side when he is not on the pitch so when he does depart I hope we have a very good player in mind to bring in for him!