I want to see Pears play on the medium forwards. Not the huge power forwards or the zippy goal sneaks. He'll be able to match them in marking and his offensive work will either exploit them or keep them on their toes. I'm thinking of players, both current or past, like Darling, Crameri, Hahn, Johnson, Edwards, Fev, Bradshaw, Pavlich .. ect ect. Hooker can take the big gorillas or we could decide that Gumby, Crameri and resting ruck is enough height up forward, as well as Daniher potentially getting games, and play Hurley down back and he takes the gorillas. Carlisle is the tall rangy player who can play on a small in a pinch or a resting ruck plus his great hands and judgement will make him a third man up that will actually mark rather than just spoil. This is the definition of the Fletcher role, except that his disposal isn't in the same league as dusty. However, with Hurley's elite kicking coupled with the run and accurate kicking, if short, kicking of Dempsey and Pears we'll be able to cover the loss of Fletcher's disposal.
Of course Hardingham will be much more effective once the midfield is working harder defensively so that there will be more high balls coming in allowing him to use that extra ordinary jump to spoil. He also has the pace to go with most people and very good body strength too. The only issue of course is his disposal and that can be worked around if there is an effort to never isolate him with the ball nor choose him as a target when trying to freeze the clock, in that situation he can always push forward to assist if we're forced to kick long down the line to a pack. Hibberd can be the number one lock down small defender that can also provide drive from defence and Dempsey has improved the actual defensive side of his game since the change in coaches and can work hard to keep someone like Garlet in check yet then expose and defensive lapses by them.
I really think that a premiership backline is:
Carlisle Pears Hardingham
Hibberd Hurley Dempsey
I also think that Gumby, Daniher and support from Ryder playing as 2nd ruck and Crameri as midsized forward will provide a nightmare for oppositions to defend and they are mobile enough to not be exposed to much by attacking defenders. Winderlich's pace, leading and long kicking makes him an upgrade on Monfries as the 4th/defensive forward. To couple with that defence I'd love to see a forward line of:
Jetta/Davey Gumby Winderlich
Ryder Daniher Crameri
A midfield with nine of Watson, Goddard, Stanton, Heppell, Zaharakis, Myers, Hocking, Howlet, Kav, Colyer, Browne, Ross and Merret.
Personally I would like an inside group of Watson, Myers and one of Hocking, Howlet and Browne. All round class of Heppell, Zaharakis and Goddard. The out and out game breaking run of Stanton, assisted by Heppell who will be an elite runner. I would also like to see Kav be the inside/outside player that was suggested he could be to assist that part of Zaka's game. Not sure how we do it or who misses out but I'd like some game breaking pace on the wings, the sort of pace that Ross, Merret and Colyer can bring.