szkocjasid

I'm not sure why some posters appear to think that Hook would've been such a risk in the top 5. He's improved every year as a reserve, 2022: 2.78 (Edinburgh) 2023: 3.71 (Edinburgh), 3.74 (Berwick) 2024: 4.19 (Plymouth) 2025: 5.61 (Workington) He obviously improved an awful lot in 2025 putting almost 1.5 points on his average, yes that was at reserve, but so was his previous average. If he was a 4 point rider in a top 5, but dropped to reserve & scored 5.5, then I'd understand the concern more. If Hook carries on his seasonal improvement, I'd suggest there's no reason he can't match his 2025 figure when moving into the top 5. My other point is, if every rider was dropped once they moved up from reserve, where would the future heat leaders come from lol! Every single British heat leader must have started at reserve (plus some Aussies), I guess most improving riders move up during the season, rather than between seasons, that didn't happen for Hook cause Workington had a very solid team. Certainly seems a big difference compared to say Luke Harrison, I don't remember any Scunthorpe fans being reluctant to sign him up as a second string even through his away average was far below his home?

For some reason I was getting James Pearson & Connor Bailey mixed up! Pearson doesn't fit, but Harrison could be worth a shot.

This is a forum, I'm allowed to post my ideas!

This year they started 0.96 below the limit. Doesn't happen often for a team that wins the league.

With Gilkes off to Poole, how about? Sam Masters - 10.09 Anders Rowe - 7.38 Mitchell McDiarmid - 5.18 Luke Killeen - 5.15 Connor Bailey - 4.97 Cameron Heeps - 4.93 Darryl Ritchings - 2.29 Total - 39.99

Looks a decent team imo. Stronger top end than last year, while still having one strong reserve.

Heeps has been very up & down since Covid. So it could he'll have another good year? If he slowly went down every year, then I'd steer clear!

Plenty of development league / trophy riders to choose from, Senna Summers from their NDL side for starters? Wouldn't be as strong as Rushen or Ritchings, but he's probably the next Oxford "junior" in line to step up? Edit: thought we were in the Oxford page for a minute, whoops!

Plymouth didn't "have" to import a second string who would fly in for matches, they could have kept Alfie Bowtell!

I don't know why you'd think that, great number one, potentially the strongest reserve in the league, 5 riders who can realistically up their averages. Who would you swap out to be stronger then?

How about? Peter Kildemand - 8.05 Drew Kemp - 7.88 Nick Morris - 6.86 Francis Gusts - 5.49 Alfie Bowtell - 4.65 Simon Lambert - 4.48 Max Perry - 2.29 Total - 39.70

How about bringing back a couple of former Monarchs? Dan Thompson - 8.50 Justin Sedgmen - 7.34 Kye Thomson - 5.93 Lasse Fredriksen - 5.49 Jonatan Grahn - 5.30 Cameron Heeps - 4.93 Jordy Loftus - 2.14 Total - 39.63

Harrison was very good at home, not so great away being honest. Has scored well at Workington, so should help with the home wins. If he can improve away, then could put plenty on his average.

Like you say not many options close to 3.74, Adam Roynon? Connor Coles? Mitchell Cluff? If Monarchs went for a lower 3 pointer, could go with Palovaara instead of Castagna?

While the team doesn't have the second heat leader strength of last year, it does have 3 "3rd heat leaders" so the 3/4 pairing should be strong. Very decent reserves, especially of they carry on improving. Hard to judge till we see other teams complete, but see no reason they can't fight for the title.