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FFS, so it begins

Annoying, but does it really matter? Give him time off till he is right, then enough time to do a proper pre-season training camp before he plays. Get him back half way through the season ready for the games that matter at the end of the season.

WWC is a game that matters, going in without 3 of our best ( manfredi, Sam and Micky) is annoying!

The superleague sides can't afford to be missing anyone really so that game looks an awful long shot.

That was proven last year.

These injuries used to fill me full of dread for the season ahead but not any more, we seem to do well when we are up against it.

In any case after a year out for MMc he would need to be given time on the pitch to get back up to the speed of the game. Gym fitness and training ground fitness don't equal match fitness unfortunately, so for that reason I think Powell would have likely started against Cronulla. He's earned the chance anyway, and he won't let us down.

I worry about Micky, similar to Joel Tomkins, and possibly Sam. We have a number of players who take up a large percentage of the salary cap which I worry are crocked.
They've been good servants to the club, namely Micky, but this season will be telling.

I know what you mean. Obviously when the club offers a contract, most (in fact all?) on here would have gone mental if Joel & Sam had been allowed to join someone else (eg Warrington). The club would have rightly been accused of lacking in ambition. We've had bad luck with injuries over the past few years, but I still want Sam, Joel and Micky to be here, because I think they have a lot to offer.

My biggest worry regarding injuries is that Tommy hasn't played a lot over the last 4 years and Matty Smith was a very consistent and reliable performer.

Tommy did look on top of his game playing the NRL last season, though.

Don't get me wrong I'm delighted to see him back. I'd have been gutted had he gone to Saints. I just hope he stays fit.

Add to that Manfredi and Clubb won't start the season in top condition, and Joe Burgess was ruined in the NRL and will never be the same player again.........

Not sure about your comments on Burgess, he had some very good games for Souths at the end of last season. I feel that had Wigan not signed him already he might have stayed with them!

I think he will be great for us!