York have come up against some quality players this season - not including St Helens in round five of the Challenge Cup final - and it's always nice to think about who would make up a dream team at the end of the season.

There aren't any York players here because it would look too biased, but these are the best non-York players we have faced so far this year...

Wayne English of Swinton Lions would be the fullback because he's got blistering pace, he's a threat every time he carries the ball and he gets himself in the game. He's a very busy player and he scored an outstanding try against us at Swinton and another against us at home, too.

On the wings I'd have Gavin Dodd, who we played against in the Challenge Cup match at Oldham, and Jake Johnstone at Blackpool Panthers. Dodd is quick and strong and just a pretty good all-round outside back and Johnstone is also a quick winger. Chris North at Hunslet just misses out on a place.

Lee Patterson at Swinton - not to be confused with our Lee Paterson at York - would go in the centre with Dave Foster from Keighley.

Patterson has scored a few and he causes problems because he's quite a strong player who is crafty and good on his feet.

Foster is very very strong and aggressive going forward. They are two very different players but both bring something to the side.

At stand-off I'd put Matt Turner from Oldham. He's an Australian player who is very quick and he organises quite well, supports well and is pretty good all-round.

Ian Watson at Swinton would be at number seven. He organises things very well and he has a great kicking game. He's definitely the first choice tactical kicker for this select XIII.

When it comes to props I'd go for Workington's Taani Lavulavu as one, and Keighley's Danny Murgatroyd as the other.

Murgatroyd runs all the right lines, is very strong on contact and takes a bit of pulling down. He's not the biggest out there but he is an awkward shape and that makes him hard to stop, and he's done a bit of damage against us this season.

Jamaine Wray from Hunslet would be the hooker. He's a bit reckless in the tackle at times but he is very explosive carrying the ball and good at reading attacking situations and punishing lazy marker play.

In the second row, I'd have Wayne Freeman of Hunslet. He's a big, tall, rangy player with lots of offloads. His runs all cut good lines and he's a bit of a handful.

There are several back rowers in the frame for the other spot. Tabua Cakacaka at Gateshead is a definite contender but I think I'd go for Workington's John Tuimaualuga - if I can say it! He's a big guy with lots of strength.

And finally at loose forward, I'd have Willie Swann from Blackpool Panthers. He's a good player - although he's in the latter stages of his career he still has the craft to open up the defensive line along with great leadership qualities.

To lead them all I'd say Ian Watson looks like someone who could be captain.

I actually worked with him during the European Championships last year when I worked with the Wales team. He's fit and has flair, he organises well and he can work to a game plan.

This is the final column of the season so I would like to thank Peter Martini and Claire Hughes for their patience and also having the ability to turn my comments into half readable material.

It has been a great season for the Knights and with the play-offs starting in all divisions I'm sure there will be some memorable times for at least three other clubs in the league.

I think on current form Saints and Bradford will be in the Super League Grand Final - although I wouldn't write Leeds off yet; Whitehaven and Castleford for NL1 and Batley v Swinton in NL2... but what do I know!

Thank you for your support.

Updated: 10:23 Wednesday, September 07, 2005