Re: SL POE | Wigan Warriors (A) : Wed Sep 22, 2021 5:22 am  

I'd expect Donaldson to play. He's a reliable player who covers second row, and prop/loose.

Re: SL POE | Wigan Warriors (A) : Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:18 am  

Donaldson played well last week too, I’d be telling him to imagine those red shirts to be HKR ones.

Re: SL POE | Wigan Warriors (A) : Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:06 am  

Frosties. wrote:

Broadbent
Briscoe Newman Hurrell Handley
Lui Myler
Holroyd Leeming Prior
Donaldson Martin
Smith

Dwyer Oledzki Tetevano Mellor / Gannon.

Yes I'd probably go with this, or even King for that final bench spot.

Very difficult to guess selections this year due to ongoing injuries etc.

We bullied Wigan last time and they have a slightly bigger pack available this time, I think we need to go big on them and also pick a good defensive balance now we're in the play-offs.

I doubt whether we can progress without Gale and with so many players carrying knocks, but who knows. Hope it's a good game.

Re: SL POE | Wigan Warriors (A) : Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:27 pm  

Depending on the genuine level of fitness of the returning players i think Leeds have a good chance of progressing.This is a relatively average Wigan side. Strong defensively but other than Hastings lacks flair in attack.A probable trip to France awaits the winner and that might be a bridge too far for both sides

Re: SL POE | Wigan Warriors (A) : Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:47 pm  

Loiner at large wrote:

Depending on the genuine level of fitness of the returning players i think Leeds have a good chance of progressing.This is a relatively average Wigan side. Strong defensively but other than Hastings lacks flair in attack.A probable trip to France awaits the winner and that might be a bridge too far for both sides

FWIW I don’t think Catalans will make OT, I don’t think the break and recent losses will do them any favours, it looks like Tomkins might be out for the season and all the pressure is in them, whoever goes over there will be able to do do with sll the expectation on the home side.

I also think Wigan will edge us out in a low scoring game of attrition

Re: SL POE | Wigan Warriors (A) : Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:58 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Yes I'd probably go with this, or even King for that final bench spot.

Very difficult to guess selections this year due to ongoing injuries etc.

We bullied Wigan last time and they have a slightly bigger pack available this time, I think we need to go big on them and also pick a good defensive balance now we're in the play-offs.

I doubt whether we can progress without Gale and with so many players carrying knocks, but who knows. Hope it's a good game.

Gale hasn't done much this season. His kicking game has been terrible. He needs phasing out next season.

Re: SL POE | Wigan Warriors (A) : Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:02 pm  

The benefit of Gale returning would be Myler being able to go to FB, he’s not had a good year though and it’s debatable whether the benefits would extend beyond that.

Re: SL POE | Wigan Warriors (A) : Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:22 pm  

christopher wrote:

FWIW I don’t think Catalans will make OT, I don’t think the break and recent losses will do them any favours, it looks like Tomkins might be out for the season and all the pressure is in them, whoever goes over there will be able to do do with sll the expectation on the home side.

I also think Wigan will edge us out in a low scoring game of attrition

You'd have to back Wigan at home, however if our returning big guys are 90% fit we do have a decided edge in the middle of the field. Getting off to a good start will be vital.

Re: SL POE | Wigan Warriors (A) : Wed Sep 22, 2021 3:09 pm  

Gale is a bit predictable but what he does do is engage that left hand side attack well. His kicking game isn't too bad - certainly a mile better than Myler's.

If we need a DG or a 40:20 I'd far rather Gale was in the side than Myler.

Also at this point Myler is probably better at FB than Broadbent, although Jack would run his blood to water as always.

These two sides are quite evenly matched in some ways. I don't actually think home advantage means much at this stage in a season. What I have seen from this young Leeds side is a ton of spirit, as long as we give it a good go, and we don't kill ourselves with errors and discipline again, I'll be happy.

Re: SL POE | Wigan Warriors (A) : Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:51 pm  

Agree with a few others that Wigan start as favourites and a good start is key in getting us into the game.
Having a few key forwards coming in cold is also not helpful.
To win a play off game at Wigan our open play kicking and last tackle options will need to be significantly better than they have been for a long time when Gale has not played.
I’m sure the effort will be there, the challenge is can we produce the defence and quality with the ball to win a first play off game since the 2017 GF.
Hope so, it’s a good test for this side.