Plenty of players in good form as we move into the finals, below are the players I would consider as certainties for the starting line-up:
1. Paul Wellens (St Helens)
2. Mark Calderwood (Leeds)
3. Martin Gleeson (Warrington)
4. Keith Senior (Leeds)
5.
6. Kevin Sinfield (Leeds)
7. Danny McGuire (Leeds)
8. Stuart Fielden (Bradford)
9. Keiron Cunningham (St Helens)
10. Adrian Morley (Roosters/Bradford)
11. Jamie Peacock (Bradford) (c)
12.
13. Paul Cooke (Hull FC)
A boat load of players have played themselves into contention these past few weeks, here's a rundown of the players that could yet make the 17.
Fullback
Richie Mathers (Leeds) - has come into form these past few weeks, although perversely that has coincided with Leeds' poor run. :lol:
Stuart Reardon (Bradford) - see below.
Wing
Ade Gardner (St Helens) - been solid all season, one of the most improved players of 2005 and must come into consideration when you consider the form of the other options.
Leon Pryce (Bradford) - spent a lot of time in the outside backs in recent weeks and is in excellent form. Has all the attributes to succeed at this level but his temprament remains a danger.
Stuart Reardon (Bradford) - hasn't set the world alight but he's a solid player who knows his way to the try line. Performed well for GB last season and he'd be my choice at the moment. Also a candidate for the fullback berth should Wellens get injured
Centre
Paul Sykes (London) - a superb season, since moving from fullback his attacking game has really come to the fore and he's a superb goalkicker too. Maybe a bit too soon for him though.
Chev Walker (Leeds) - was ineffective from the bench for GB last term but that role isn't for him. A classy centre who will certainly come into consideration should we pick up an injury.
Paul Johnson (Bradford) - another Bull who is coming into form at the right time. Couple this with his solid form for GB and it would surprise me if he wasn't in the squad. Worth a bench space as he can cover back row effectively.
Halves
Richard Horne (Hull FC) - would be on my bench as he can cover all through the backs and at hooker at a push. A good finals could propel him into the 7 shirt though.
Chris Thorman (Huddersfield) - in superb form and has almost carried the Giants to a playoff place. Can play 6 or 7 but would probably find a place hard to come by unless we pick up a lot of injuries.
Prop
Euan Dowes (Hull FC) - tough as teak and has got the stamina to stay out there for long spells, maybe not the type of player to bring off the bench but he's a capable understudy to Fielden.
Jamie Thackray (Hull FC) - has been in dominant form but maybe Hull's recent batch of big games has taken a bit of wind out of his sails? In any case one of the form props of 2005 and he'd be on my bench at the moment.
Ryan Bailey (Leeds) - lack of form and rumours of unrest are threatening his place in the side at the minute. Hasn't got any kind of form together this term and I'd be reluctant to give him a shirt.
Danny Ward (Leeds) - another Rhino who has been performing well while the rest of his team struggles, he's their front line prop now and his game has come on leaps and bounds from last season, where he didn't deserve GB recognition IMO. Would be on my bench.
Back Row
Gareth Ellis (Leeds) - been a bit blunt in an attacking sense this year but defensively he is without equal in SL. Can come on and shore up the defence whilst also providing cover for the centres, a bench spot for him at the very least.
Danny Tickle (Wigan) - Wigan's stand-out player by a mile this season, defensively sound and provides great impact in attack. Not too shabby with the boot either and he would be my bolter in the No. 12 shirt for the first game.
Lee Gilmour (St Helens) - remains to be seen whether he will be available following Thug Newton's antics on the weekend, but he's been consistently good in a dominant Saints pack this season and has never let GB down in a number of positions.
Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield) - perhaos not his most orthodox position but he could cause some serious damage as a wide runner and he has a good offload and defence.
Hooker
Malcolm Alker (Salford) - statistically the best hooker in SL this year and many would say he deserves a run. With Newton out and Diskin in poor nick I think he'll finally make the breakthrough this winter.
Micky Higham (St Helens) - back after injury and straight back into his best form, his pace and directness from dummy-half can cause trouble for any defence and he's a candidate for the bench.
