Dont get me wrong, I love flow, but all of the above simply says that you would make these selections on personality and sentiment, rather than skill. Let's not go overboard with 'what Nighty brings to the team' because in theory, it's all off-field stuff. Motivation, attitude etc is more important on the training paddock than on the field, where what's really important is scoring tries. He's a winger, outside another experienced player, so his influence isnt really going too far on the field. Far less important than that of Dugan, Widdop and our forward leaders.The NRL is more or less even with regards to the amount of talent in each club. The most important factor is getting the best out of the playing group and having the right game plan for them to be motivated and firing. If nightingale brings something to the group that Mann cannot then that will be more important than just matching like for like skills on the park.
What is good for winning is having the right attitude as a group.
If Nightingale doesn't score a try or make a break where Mann could of, then Mann should get the spot. And based on last year, that's the case. Sentiment is great and all, and Nightingale is a legend of the Dragons, however if there is a better player there then that player should get the spot.