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Nope, Starke would've dropped to reserve. Glasgow had to make the double change before Smith got a new average to use the available points. Smith had an average of 5.44 in July. Glasgow could've made a single change (5 point rider for Pijper or Starke). The double change ended up pushing Pearson to reserve below Smith. Kinda drifting away from Poole here, so I'll mention them again, Starke did well for Workington at reserve, so would've done well for Glasgow too & Poole if he's signed for 2025.

I would prefer Gilkes over Pearson.

Of course you would, everyone would. But would Vissing & a 2.00 rider score more than Etheridge & Foord?

I'd say Glasgow scuppered themselves by dropping Starke before he dropped to reserve. Workington were schrewed enough to know what he could score at 6 or 7. Cami should've known that too. I think Starke & Foord would both be great reserves for Poole, they've got a good rider whoever they pick. Would've gone with Tobias & Vinnie myself.

The forum would be a very dull place if you could only state facts & not opinions. If people think Cook is good value on his average & would be one of the top riders in the league in 2025, then of course they're gonna say Workington have made a mistake.

One of the "pros" of the new system is that the last chance heats should be more exciting than the semi finals, because only the winners advance, so you will no longer get someone happy to sit on second place & protect their position. I'd suggest 1-3 into the final & 4-7 into a semi final & only the winner advancing would be a better system.

I think some people are too harsh on Simon Lambert. Looking at his final averages since covid. 2024: 5.98 2023: 6.02 2022: 5.33 2021: 5.82 He's a solid 5 to 6 point rider. Not everyone can make it to be a top Champ rider.

But Jacob Hook has a better Champ average than Luke Killeen, plus Wood has a better NDL average than Declan Killeen (from 2 matches I know). Aussie / foreign form is a useful indicator, but you never know for sure what you'll get!

So more accurately it's 3 choices: Ablitt & Starke Hagon & Foord Thomsen & Foord Tbh if they have lined up a "temporary two point rider" till Cairns turns 16, they'll win the league whichever pairing they go for! Not sure who'd want to be a 2.00 rider at Poole though? Nearly double your average - then your reward is to be dropped! This year, ride till June then get replaced by Cairns! Surely Poole will HAVE to start with the weakest 2.00 option?

If the options are Hagon & Starke or Thomsen & Foord, who would you want? Thomsen & Foord for me. Unless they've signed a great 5 point rider instead of Hagon?

This was a very silly question, obviously there is a point to heat 15. Had the title been, is heat 15 fair to strength in depth clubs? Then that could've been a better post for suggestions / opinions?

I'd suggest RS picks should be riders "too good" for the NDL. But still not ready to step up to the Prem fully.

Poole could fit in a strong team with Foord in it (Lawson, Kerr, Z Cook, Rowe, Thomsen, Foord, 2.00 reserve) they wouldn't have to drop him, so it's not really a case of "they had to drop someone". With Brennan & B Cook gone, didn't have to drop anyone else. But whoever gets Foord will be please with his scoring imo, think Workington would suit him well.

I would go half way between these ideas. 10 years with a club = a testimonial, but doesn't have to be 10 in succession. Then a 25 year testimonial. A farewell meeting if they've ridden for 20 seasons?

Can't understand why Poole would let Foord go, he'd be a good signing for Workington.

Which is no more clubs than Chris Harris in recent years, he's very popular with fans at every club yet gets dropped or moves on almost every year.

They don't have to, could just build the team with more strength in depth, use the spare points not used on Cook for a stronger number 7 than McGurk or another 2.00 rider.

If Harrison is in the top 5 can't see him putting 2 points on his average, like @scunny1 said steady progress would be a good season. But if the Kennedy's are at reserve, could mean Luke & Zaine swapping positions each month.

That looks a really good team, especially with some clubs rumoured to have weaker reserve pairings.

These days more often than not an 8.5 rider is a number one.

I know lots of people say Monarchs need to improve, pick a better team etc after a few disappointing seasons, but they finished above the 40 limit, so need to weaken the side (statistically) for next season.

With Lynn always having a strong reserve, means Boughen may only get 3 rides quite often. If save his 4th ride for heat 14 every match, then if the match (& BP) is decided give him a fourth outing, otherwise make a reserve change. Unless of course he's outperforming the number 6, but that isn't likely. How ruthless will the Lynn TM be?

I would say Schroeck is terrible, worse than Ermolenko imo. Both Oxford teams could have been stronger but they didn't use up their available points. Look at Poole & Belle Vue, both dropped reserves to try & strengthen up, didn't matter that they were already safe in a play-offs position. Winning mentality at those clubs.

Actually you're incorrect. We get the same mistake rolled out by posters every year.

No chance it was a random draw. I think it should be. The BSN is already regionalised. Also means there's less chance of a local derby for the final, although Oxford & Poole managed to miss each other this year.