: Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:46 pm
If it was down to me I would bring Penny back but play him outside of anyone other than King. I would also stick with Riley at fullback for the time being as I believe that out of everyone currently at the club, he is most likely to be the first choice fullback in years to come. Monas needs to be moved to hooker sooner rather than later, and Bridge needs to partner Briers in the halves to give us a more dynamic partnership.
In my mind the best compromise to acheive all this would be Riley at fullback and play King outside Gleeson. If an Australian international (even an average one) can't switch wings then he may as well tear up his own contract and go back on the bins at home). If King can't find his confidence playing outside Gleeson then he will never find it. If Gleeson can make a donkey like Henry or a journeyman player like Hicks look good, then if it clicks what can he do with King?
At left centre I would play Hicks. This isn't an ideal solution, but he does have experience as an NRL centre and, as already said, there have to be some compromises somewhere. Outside Hicks I would play Penny.
This would free up Bridge to go into the halves, then Monas to Hooker, then Higham to impact hooker, where I believe he will be more effective than in his current 80 minute slot.