yh
Search through the media content of most clubs and there will be no mention of "all spots are up for grabs". Think about it, assuming all players are available, considering the 4 spine positions, how many of those 4 spots would be 95% certain to the average reasonably knowledgable punter and are not particularly debated in the media or on forums?
Penriff:
Edwards, Luai, Cleary, Kenny. All certain
Strom:
Pappy, Munster, Hughes, Grant. Ditto
Ok, too easy? Let's look at some mid range teams.
Manly:
Turbo, Brooks?, DCE, Croker. Only 1 ?, although most would probably put Schuster in the backrow.
Knights:
Ponga, Gamble, Hastings, Brailey. All certain, even with Cogger arriving, he is clearly back up for Hastings.
Cows:
Drinkie, Dearden, Townsend, Robson. All certain
Eels:
Queen Guth, Brown, Moses, Hands. All certain
Now look at the conjecture over our spine:
FB - Could be Critta, Taffee, Tracey, Perham (please no).
58 - Burton is no longer 95% certain, plenty of people want to see him at centre, with 58 going to Hutch, Taffee, Tracey, or even Salmon or KO (when fit).
HB - Will it be Sexton, Hutch, or Tracey (who is listed on the site as a HB).
#9 - The only certainty in our spine, and even Reed is under more pressure for his spot this season with the arrival of Turps.
The only teams that come anywhere near this level of uncertainty are possibly:
Dragons - though mostly because they have a new coach, pretty sure Hunt and Liddle have at least 2 spine spots locked down, and Flange Jnr is probably also a lock.
Raiders - FB and 58 are not certain, but Fogarty is obviously going to HB, and based on last season Woolford starts and Starling comes off the bench for #9.
Titans - mostly because they have a new coach, although Foran is certain at 58, and hard to see anyone other than Boyd and Verrils in 58 and #9, Campbell and Brimson fighting it out for FB.
Even Wests have more certainty around their spine than we do right now, and they are Wests!