Sam Biddles
When moving from ruck-to-ruck, Sam appears to be mimicking a lost and injured Rhino, perhaps located in Kruger National Park. Not really the poster boy for "Push-Play" is he. Technically not too bad but his mobility has to be called into question. Came from Waikato with big wraps but we are yet to see what all the fuss is about.

James Hinchco
You don't have to be a learned hippie from Devonport to understand how we feel about this particular character. I just don't understand why he commands a regular slot, especially given that he is substituted with Parsons every 50 mins. His throwing is questionable and while his defence is sound I am at a loss to discover his true value. With his renowned penchant for "Happy Hour" at the Masonic, perhaps it's his unquestioned knowledge of hard liquor which keeps a place clear for this North Shore rascal.

Michael Reid
G enuinely looks ok, but is another that should be in the Bs, not the top side. With youth on his side he should get better with age, a bit like a cheeky Kumeu River Pinot Noir. Let's hope we can keep him as we hear in the undergrowth that Afeaki maybe lost to a union with a deeper cheque-book.

James Afoa
The big fella has regressed somewhat from the previous season. Whether it was the shock demise of Northcote or the fact that he subscribed to the "Biddles Fitness 500" program in the off-season, who can say? I can't remember a person who dropped a ball so much as this Polynesian colossus. Afoa was my Player of the Year in 2007 but this year he is running close to Mr. Average. Very disappointing.

James Parsons
Probably needs to move to another patch to realise some semblance of game-time. If we are going to persist with the same rotation of players in the hooker role then the writing is on the wall. He looks pretty good but will need to improve his "round-the-field" work if he is to make it in the new ELV's environment.

Martin Purdy
English recruit with a bit of spark but needs to do something with the hair. The "blue under-garment" thing didn't do much for me but he looked ok. I don't mind imports but I would prefer that they were in positions of real need, i.e. flankers. He didn't set the world alight but who did, if he wanted to return I wouldn't mind so much.

Antony Boric
Me old mate the All Black. There is no doubt that Harbour suffered this year with injuries and more guys selected for the All Blacks than you can poke the proverbial stick at. Boric was one we could not afford to lose. Some games when he was available he was good and sometimes he suffered the same affliction as his teammates - being poo. Not sure how long the career is going to last but if Harbour is to win more consistently we need experienced people and if they do make the ABs then we can ill-afford to be paying for them.

Chris Smith
Looked as lost as "Pumpkin", the small Chinese toddler abandoned by her father in Melbourne. That might be going a bit far but he looked like the world had firmly come to a stand-still on his broad shoulders. There is no doubt he has some quality but just didn't do enough. He got a lot of stick from some of our readers for being a "clapper" and a "back-slapper". I feel a little of this is unwarranted but his season failed to deliver a person marked as a future star. Let's hope his technical ability will enable him to make further strides in 2009.

Tom Chamberlain
No thanks, in a side were we are crying out for genuine loose-forward talent, this character does not fit the bill.

Malakai Ravulo
There is a big difference between Helensville and the Air NZ Cup. Malakai shows a great deal of promise but I thought he was a wee bit out of his depth on the national stage. Hopefully this does not deter him from another go next year rather than an all-expenses paid trip to Ireland.

Vili Maafu
A lot of people like Maafu and think he is a very good player - I'm not one of them. We lost a fair bit when Nick was unavailable and while Vili is good he isn't brilliant. Nothing personal but I feel, 6, 7 and 8 needs to be sorted. If Smith remains at 6 then the other two positions are the priority in my coaching manual.

Richard Mayhew
Yes but no. Yes, he is a good player, but no, he isn't the answer to our forward troubles. I think he is very good and may improve with age but we need a someone who can be explosive and positive off the back of scrums and break-downs. I don't want to be seen as unduly negative towards the youth element of Harbour but I see in my tiny mind the player we need and it is not Mayhew - yet.

Chris Smylie
Good player, I personally like France a little better as he runs well and can command a game, but Smylie had a sound season. With Pivac changing the two like he does with the hookers it amazed me that any of them could perform in this crucial role. Chris can be satisfied with a fine 2008 and it is comforting to have him back.

Matt France
One of the backs of the season. Although relegated to the bench, France displayed brilliant control anytime he played this year. Being second in the pecking order can't be fun but this never got in the way of his performances. Throw in a Mrs. who is hot and likes sport and you have the ideal man. Let's hope he comes back for another go next year, may go close to the Blues ...

Jimmy Gopperth
I thought we had bought a journeyman with no skill after the first few matches. Obviously up here for Blues selection, Gopperth didn't play like he was supposed to. Arriving in Harbour he probably thought he was destined for local stardom; score a few birds, get a nice new Ford and kick goals from all angles. This may have been the case, except the bit about kicking from all angles. His last game was his best and while the support from the forwards was at times woeful, I think we all wanted a bit more from this rugby relocation. Let's hope in 2009 he shows more of the talent evident at Mount Smart.

Jon Elrick
Drafted in late in the season as cover for anyone. This boy while talented doesn't have the best luck when it comes to Harbour selection. They never know where to put him and this affects any confidence he may have had at this level. His kicking is nothing sort of magnificent but whether he will ever cement a spot in a Harbour backline is questionable. I like him and want him to succeed but I get the feeling his home Union is not the best option.

Mike Harris
Along with Smith, young Mikey is another player labeled a future star of NZ Rugby. While his progress is not exactly earth-shattering, I think this more measured development will suit him in the long-run. Largely flying under the radar, Harris will improve and I expect better things in the next couple of years.

Nafi Tuitavake
The best back of the season in a back-line which wasn't too bad. He shows a striking resemblance in terms of skill and ability of his brother at a similar age. He was one of our only genuine midfield threats and his passing and breaks at time were quite exciting. In 2008 we were a little short-changed on exciting and Nafi was a "beacon of hope" in a season that God forgot.

Rudi Wulf
See Boric. We need these players and his surprising call-up to the All Blacks started to remove the "front-wheel" from the "2008 Harbour Bus". All waffling aside we needed him - didn't have him and paid the price.

Josh York
The absolute find of the year. This kid impressed me like no other this season. Not since I clapped eyes on former greats like Osborne and Flavell have I been so impressed with a small lad from the Bays. (those guys didn't play for Bays just thought I would add in some comparisons) For the Bays to even produce this sort of talent is a wonder to all at harbourrugby.com. He was quick, hard to put down and finished like a seasoned veteran. Let's hope he continues on and is not picked in the 7s as we are then duty-bound to give him to Bay of Plenty.

Jona Tuitoga
Faster than Flo-Jo when she was seriously on the juice. This guy is quick, and can step and flummox even the best defence. I like his natural excitement of being on a bigger stage. His own defence is highly questionable and that is his Achilles' heel. Who knows if he will stick around, let's wait and see.

Jack McPhee
Old left peg is running out of tricks. Despite a wonderful effort to set up Nafi's try against Auckland, I feel McPhee has peaked in his quest for rugby glory. He does a sound job but lacks the flair of some around him. His insistence to take the ball to the line like he was playing for Huddersfield against Hull Kingston Rovers was as unappealing as it was foolish. I like people from Glenfield but not when they start thinking they can offer more than is sensible.

Note:
There are obviously others but that about does it. The forwards will be remembered as error-ridden and lacking conviction. The backs feared a little better but had few opportunities and squandered what they received at regular intervals. While injuries and the All Blacks conspired to thwart what may have been a good season, the blame must be shared by management, the union and the men who represented us.

Coaches/Management
I thought there would be changes prior to the start of the season and there wasn't which has helped in the downfall of a Union who must do better if nothing else than to ensure its own survival. Pivac and Yelavich were not going to work as they have similar personalities, the others are largely along for the ride apart from Spy and the Doctor. I feel sure that the first two now regret not changing things before we sealed our own doom.

Pivac has now gone and the others I suppose will throw their hat in the ring but I feel there is a mood for change. If Craig Dowd wants it, it will undoubtedly go to him as we didn't bring him back for his good looks. Let's hope there is a decent and transparent process about selection which would make a change from the last time around.

See you in 2009 for another exciting episode ...