I'm quite hoping that Chessie will start the season's first game by selecting a team that has never let us down and understands what it means to play for Wakefield. Something along the lines of

Max Jowett
Ben J-Bishop
Reece Lyne
Bill Tupou
Tom Johnstone
Danny Brough
Ryan Hampshire
David Fafita
Kyle Wood
Craig Kopzac
Matty Ashurst
James Bachelor
Tinirau Arona

Kelepi Tanganoa
Jordan Crowther
Ryan Atkins
Chris Green

I suppose that looking at the players not in the first named team we have much greater strength in depth than for many years.

I`m hoping that he goes with his very best team, for me you are missing a few key players out there.

Chester has said it is nice to have a genuine ball playing 13 in the team in Westerman, which will allow him to play Arona as a middle man which is where he wants him to be.

Miller will start at 6 for me, would have Hampshire over Brough but not too sure he will start like that.

Walker I think is likely to be first choice at the back.

Would 100% also have Josh Wood on the bench, Wood is not an 80 minute hooker.

Jowitt
Lyne
Arundel
Tippy
Johnstone
Miller
Hampshire
Fifita
Wood, K
Koppy
Tanginoa (spelling?)
Ashurst
Westerman

Wood, J
Green
King
Crowther

Can not see Crowther and Bach been picked in our first choice 17

At the risk of offending a few on here I have to agree with you.

Walker
Ben J-Bishop
Reece Lyne
Bill Tupou
Tom Johnstone
Jacob Miller
Danny Brough

David Fifita
Kyle Wood
Craig Kopzack
Matty Ashurst
Kelepi Tanganoa
Westerman


J Wood
Arona
Chris Green
King.

A couple of places are hard, I could see Hampshire at FB, Pitts being on the bench , maybe Tangata may get a bench spot. See what happens in Pre season games.

Alex Walker (sorry but on end of season form he's way ahead of Jowitt)
Ben J-Bishop
Reece Lyne
Bill Tupou
Tom Johnstone
Danny Brough
Jacob Miller
David Fifita
Kyle Wood
Craig Kopzac
Matty Ashurst
Kelepi Tanginoa
Tinirau Arona

Josh Wood
Joe Westerman
George King/Tangata not too bothered
Chris Green

Much as I like Crowther, Batchelor and Hampshire you go for experience first. Why would you leave out Westerman? Ditto Miller. If it were not for the fact that when fit Tupou and Lyne are top notch I'd have Atkins at Centre but tbh it's hard to separate them. If these players don't do the job then you replace them with players like Hampshire but you at least start with those established layers in established positions.

Players like Crowther etc will get their chance but on day one you have to start with your very best players and see how it goes.

We're not going to start the Jowitt love in again are we ?

Only you by the sounds me owd

I reckon this is just about right. Miller will look a different player again when re united with the left edge of Ashurst/Tupou/Johnnstone.
Lots of really good players left out of that team too, which has to be a good position for us to be in.

The only possibility i can see (purely because i havent seen enough of J Wood) is if he isnt ready yet. Hampshire could start on the bench to release Brough to move to hooker, similar to the way Wigan play Leuluai.

I’ve often wondered whether Brough would be better at 9 these days. Because at 9 you’re tackling down the middle then the loss of pace isn’t so crucial so long as you still have some ticker. Also affords him a break. Problem is whether Brough can be subordinate when on or will he just want to take charge. Anyway it’s not our decision thankfully.