I think Dave Halley

Depends if Kearney works out at Stand off.



If not then I'd put him in the position everyone who's seen him seems to think is his best one.



If Kearney goes alright at stand off then I'd start with Halley. If he has a bad few games we have ample options to take his place.

Well the thing is, it seems clear we've brought Kearney in to play 6. But surely he can pass on a few hints and tips to Halley about playing FB?

It appears we've got a few options - some better than others!



Realistically it will be Halley to start, but personally I think the team would have more balance starting with the following:



Kearney

Reardon

Platt

Nero

Halley

Sykes

Orford



of those, 5 have played fullback for a reasonable amount of time during their playing career. We shouldn't have a problem in this area. We can probably add Hyde to that list too.



Personally I'm more worried about the back row.



We're expecting a lot of Donaldson and Whitehead at the looks of it.



Realistic back-rowers will be from:

Hall, Menzies, Langley, Worrincy, Donaldson and Whitehead. If we lose a couple through injury we look very light.

Unless he's gone backwards at a rate of knots, Reardon will certainly be our starting FB and deservedly so. I would rate him as probably as good an attacking Fb as there is in SL.



Halley should make a wing spot his own, and he and Platt (and indeed Kearney and Sykes) mean we have the best cover for FB than any team in the history of RL in the universe has ever had

Even Dave Halley doesn't know I said to him t could be an arm wrestle between him and Platty using the Harry Hill version of FFFFiiiigghhhtt, maybe in sumo cossies. He certainly isn't sure how Macca will go on this. I have to say Platty looked fit and quite relaxed on Sunday as did all the players so I think the pre season matchs may have some spice to it.

I just worry too much about Syke's defence in the centre position and would prefer him at stand off, meaning kearney at fullback and halley on wing.



Will be interesting to see what he does.

There may be times when Kearney plays elsewhere, but unless I'm missing something, surely we'll be going with Kearney and Orford at 6 and 7 for starters? I'd have thought that (and Reardon at F/B) were pretty much a "given"?

I'd say Kearney at 6 seems a given. Not sure Reardon at fullback is nailed on, unless i've missed something Macca has said. I guess lack of wingers would mean Halley has to be one.

With Halley, he seems to have developed into a much better player over the last couple of years, and there is his pace. Not sure how much better he can get but wouldn't rule out further improvement as he's still quite young. Though I wasn't that impressed with what appeared to be a Solomonaesque gut in his T&A photo yesterday.

Halley for the start of the season, but after that if anything isn't working or we need a fresh change, then Kearney or Reardon could move there and that would suit me.

Like Dixie I have concerns about the Sykes/Sheriffe partnership in defence. It never looked like being sorted out throughout last season and things only improved when Sykes was defending elsewhere.