Hodgos Best Western Force 22

[Darren]

Matt's putting some Force and Wallabies kit up for grabs to the person who picks a Western Force best 22 players that most resemble his own selection.

Head over to his blog for more info

[Burgs]

A little sad to realise not too many from around #60 would feature, ie 30 odd consecutive average to below average players

[James]

Matt Giteau at 9. Think about it- you know it makes sense.

We've never really had a great 9. Henjak was average in the first year and solid in the second and the little of the third he played. O'Young was good but a little lacking in size. I'm not sure Stannard was ready for 9 when he had his first crack. Valentine was pretty good but was also not a great runner/tackler. Sheehan is good but isn't getting any younger. Turner looks sharp and hopefully will be great but he needs experience. That lost ball out the back of the maul in our last game was painful.

[James]

A little sad to realise not too many from around #60 would feature, ie 30 odd consecutive average to below average players

Now sure. But, if we choose on overall form and not just Force form, 5 years down the track I bet you we have Nathan Charles, Luke Jones, Winston Stanley and Justin Turner in that list.

[Burgs]

Possibly, but it also indicates we haven't had the drawing power for out of contract seniors to commit.
That said, I think that is the reality of our situation and probably, especially after the Giteau experience, that is going to be the reality for us into the foreseable future.
Personally I would be delighted to have a team of home grown, or at least raised, players, but we have let a few good ones slip through so we are kind of missing out on both ends of the spectrum.
I think for a team based where we are, the "them and us" culture of the West v the rest (a bit like the whole "Queenslander" thing) would stand us in good stead. Seems to be working for the Highlanders/Otago/Southland lately...apart from the finance bit...

[Darren]

I took a crack at this:

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Tai McIssac
3. Matt Dunning
4. John Welborn
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Scott Fava
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown
9. Matt Henjak
10. Matt GIteau
11. Digby Ioane
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron Shepherd

16. Nathan Charles
17. Pek Cowan
18. Sam Wykes
19. Ben McCalman
20. Chris O'Young
21. Junior Pelesasa
22. James O'Connor

3 Was a tough one and my memory isn't that good - I remember Ben Castle being a rock, AJ was a legend but Dunning is clearest in memory, so Dunning wins out.

A notable omission is Nick Cummins - but you can't go past Ioane and Mitchell when in form.

If you come up with your own - be sure to post them up on Hodgo's site to possibly win some Force and Wallabies kit!

[GAFFA]

^^ No Cannon tough call Coach

[Darren]

I know, I know ... whittling 90 down to 22 is a tough ask - a lot of good players miss out, but they are fondly remembered

[shasta]

I took a crack at this:

3 Was a tough one and my memory isn't that good - I remember Ben Castle being a rock, AJ was a legend but Dunning is clearest in memory, so Dunning wins out.

A notable omission is Nick Cummins - but you can't go past Ioane and Mitchell when in form.

I mostly go along with Coach. I'd put Canno in the 2 jersey but can't leave Tai out (my best admired Forcemen for a long time for his 100% effort and huge minutes every time he pulled on a jersey) so he'd get a prop spot instead of Boof.

Wish he'd only said Force form tho. Don't like leaving the Honey Badger out in favour of Digby Scissorhands , and I have no axe to grind with Diggers.

[Buddha Handy]

This was mine

1. Pek Cowan
2. Brendan Cannon
3. Matt Dunning
4. John Welborn
5. Nathan Sharpe (C)
6. Richard Brown
7. David Pocock
8. Ben McCalman
9. Brett Sheehan
10. Matt Giteau
11. Digby Ioane
12. James O'Connor
13. Scott Staniforth
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron Shepherd

16. Tim Fairbrother
17. Tai MsIsaac
18. David Pusey
19. Scott Fava
20. Josh Valentine
21. Nick Cummins
22. Ryan Cross

If Hodgson was available I would have him at 6 and Brown at 18.

[Rex Messup]

I'm not a fan of current team members rating their colleagues

bad for morale

[palitu]

1 Pek Cowan
2 Tai McIsaac
3 Ben Castle
4 Nathan Sharpe
5 John Welborn
6 Richard Brown
7 David Pocock
8 Scott Fava

9 Matt Henjak
10 David Hill
11 Digby Ioane
12 Jame O'Conner
13 Scott Staniforth
14 Drew Mitchell
15 Cameron Shephard

16 Nathan Charles
17 Keiran Longbottom
18 Sam Wykes
19 Ben McCalman
20 Matt Giteau
21 Ryan Cross
22 David Smith

[James]

Someone should put out last weekend's 22 as a speculator.

[Darren]

This winds up in a day or two, get you're nominations in if you haven't already!