Struggling to keep up with all the releases, injuries and suspensions we've copped recently to know what other changes could be made
I think this game is winnable and I'm happy Milf has been selected over Croft... Kelly primarily played 7 in ESL and acted as the primary playmaker, which will allow Milf to play a natural five eight role. I think Milf plays that role better than Croft and is better at floating from one side to the other, whereas Croft has really struggled to create any sort of attacking threat.
I would hope to see Kelly positioned on the right, given that is where Riki, Cobbo and Coates are located i.e. our big attacking threats... although I think he's played left side pretty much every game this year. Milf is used to playing left side though... he may have played left side late when Gamble went off (pretty sure that kick was from the left), which would mean Albert flipped sides.
Mead is an odd one, but I'm guessing it is all about coverage the utility player can provide rather than having a set plan to come on at hooker, etc... Levi has been playing 80mins recently so all going to plan he probably doesn't need to be subbed, but if he gets injured Kobe is there to take over anyway.
If we had Paix on the bench I'm not sure what they could do if we lose an outside back... probably Riki/Glenn into the centers. If they lose fullback probably the same thing... and potentially Kevvie doesn't trust that Paix can play halves in the NRL if Milf or Albert go down. That basically leaves hooker, but Levi is playing 80 anyway.
For Mead he can come on if an outside back goes down. If we lose Tesi then he can drop back there or Herbie/Cobbo. If we lose Milf then maybe Tesi can move to 6 and Herbie/Cobbo to 1... alternatively they could possibly throw Herbie or Cobbo at 6 to just play a big body running role with Mead taking the outside back spot. If hooker goes down then Kobe can cover dummy half.