1. Wesser - If Champion had stayed, I'd have no hesitation to move Merritt to the back and cut Wesser, but now I worry that Souths need more experience - and more importantly a talker - in the backline. I think Wesser is more likely to be the required talker/leader than the likes of Merritt, Inglis and Talanoa, who all strike me as being very quiet.
2. Merritt - He needs to search out the ball a bit more often, like he was doing at the end of 2010 when Sutton was injured. He really is probably the club's best fullback option (maybe Inglis), but he also seems to be wary of responsibility and pressure. That last part is more of a feeling on my part - he looked really uncomfortable when he used to kick for goals.
3. Inglis - He typically plays on the left and would make a nice combination with Merritt. But, with the loss of Champion, it'll also make the right side look a touch vulnerable. In the end, I think the Bunnies need to play to their strengths, though, and if the centre/wing pairing on the other side can't hold their own defensively, then they should make way for someone who can do the job.
4. Vaivai - I haven't gotten to see enough of him, but apparently he's very highly regarded. It was hard not to be impressed with Farrell last year. Vaivai is more nuggety at 5ft 10in, compared to Farrell's 6ft 2in, and both weigh in around 100kg. If one was to end up on the wing, you'd think it'd be the taller (and I think faster) Farrell. EDIT - As per my Inglis explanation, if the right side is defensively vulnerable, then I see no harm in repurposing Lowe as a centre and bringing in another forward (where the Bunnies are strongest).
5. Talanoa/Farrell - Fetuli has just about exhasuted my patience with him. He's good at carting it out of the Bunnies' 20m zone and he knows how to get over the line in close range, but his hands and defensive lapses give fans the jitters. Meanwhile, Farrell really does look the goods. Talanoa needs a good 2011 to save his first grade career, for mine.
6. Sutton - Yes, he can be patchy. But he's due a good year (about every second season) and 2011 coudl be a blinder. I think Sandow improved a bit in Sutton's absence towards the end of 2010 and that will hopefully take some pressure off John. If Sandow has matured a little and doesn't backslide in his form, then I think they will be a lot more effective - can consistent - than they have in recent years.
7. Sandow - I think the kid gets more knocks than he deserves. He needs to grow up a little and play more for the team and less as an individual. He also needs to cut out those stupid defensive charges - they are mostly responsible for his dismal missed tackles stats. I honestly think 2011 will be his best season so far.
8. Stuart - Ironman.
9. Luke - Any lengthy injuries and the Bunnies are shot. He is the Rabbitohs.
10. Asotasi - I saw glimpses at the end of 2010. I think he has maybe shaken the injuries that have plagued him over the past two seasons. He NEEDS a good season to reestablish his career. He's only 29, so still has some good years as a frontrower, but his earning capacity will take a hit if he doesn't assert himself on the field. Hopefully his NZ snub will fill his belly with fire.
11. Burgess - Along with Luke, Sam brings passion and competitiveness to the Bunnies. He will lead the way and drag others along with him. Along with Isaac, he carries the hopes of the team and hopefully can stay injury free.
12. Taylor - A bit like Sandow, Big Dave needs to play a bit less selfishly ... but he adds an extra attacking dimension to the team. With Inglis in the team, the Bunnies will present attacking threats on multiple fronts, and guys like Taylor (and Sutton and Sandow) might benefit from slightly less opposition attention. Like the Storm, shutting down one Bunny won't be good enough in 2011.
13. Lowe - Ben made this position his own in 2010. If he tackles his bum off, then no one will unseat him.
14. Clark - Hopefully the young man will be better for his 2010 experience. While I'm sure there are better options, there needs to be some kind of coverage for a potential injury to Luke. Falloon would be a better hooker, but Clark is the better backrower ... and ideally you won't have to replace Luke.
15. Pettybourne - A great runner, but I'd like to see some improved defence from him (and most of the whole team, really).
16. Crocker/Ross - I wary to just say Ross until he actually gets some game time ... but to be fair, Crocker hasn't played many games during Ross' time away either. I see a lot of squandered resources in Mick, so he needs to really step up or be remembered in the same vein as Heggarty.
17. Geddes - Prior to injury 2010 was probably his best season ever. I hope he kicks on.
18. McPherson - He's a toiler, but he gets the job done. He used to drive me crazy, but in 2010 he cut out a lot of his errors.
