Hall isn't daft if Warrington where in the hunt for his signature them I'm sure if they asked him to move then Craig would probably move. However what would concern Craig is why he has to move when it's perfectly okay for Briers to carry on living on Victoria Dock. Something tells me EasthullFC fan is talking .

Who lives on vicky dock?

So my guess at the likely line up (i'm sure someone will have been missed):
1. Eden
2. Hall
3. Gleeson
4. Welham
5. Hodgson
6. Burns
7. Keating
8. A. Walker
9. Hodgson
10. Weyman
11. Larroyer
12. Costigan
13. Langley

Subs
14. Poore
15. J. Walker/Netherton/Green/Maki
16. Lovergrove
17. Horne/Cox

Backups
Outside Backs - Salter, Paniu, Heil?, Guzdek
Forwards - Hepi, Beharall, Esselmont, Ollet

I don't think our reputation for being one of the most penalised teams will change next year, but hopefully there will be less conceded for weak collision's and lazy laying on penalties.

At a pinch Horne and Lovegrove can cover the centres, but we are very light on cover for those edge positions, particularly the wing. I would guess a wing/utility back would be a wise signing if we have any cap/budget left for it.

The 1st team looks pretty good on paper, but when the inevitable injuries occur, we will need much more from the back up players then we got last year.

We've definately got the graft, if Burns and Keating click to provide the craft we could go very well.
Tiny bit nervous about goal kicking.
Someone you missed RAO - Carlile. Not sure Hodgson should be doing the 80 - though Costigan could fill in for a spell I suppose.

Yeah good point... I had completely forgotten Keal. I suppose it depends on whether CS sees Hodgson playing the 80, I guess the fact he didn't this season makes it unlikely.

After watching Costigan for Newcastle (only on TV) I think that Keal is a much better hooker, although it depends whether CS wants a hooker on the bench to rotate with Josh, or a stopgap to give him a 20 minute breather and free up a bench spot.

When J Hodgson was rotated from the hooking role he often showed up in the back row. He has a fantastic engine and would have no problems playing the full 80.

I think everyone would agree that Josh has a great engine, however dropping into the back row for stints isn't quite the same as 80 mins at hooker. I suppose it's whether you accept that he will get fatigued and may not be as able to scoot or distribute as effectively, to get greater flexibility on the bench.

MR - Agreed. Goal kicking will likely cost us some games with that team. I never saw Keating kick goals at Parramatta or the Dogs and Burns didn't look too great when attempting it last season.
It really leaves Hall as the likely kicker, which is a major step down on Dobson.

So by my estimations we need a goal-kicking winger. Shame we are out of quota as Mantellato could have proven to be a useful signing.

Eden
Hall
Salter
welham
Montellato
Burns
Keating
walker.A
Hodgson
Poore
Lovegrove
Costigan
Langley

Rep:
Larroyer
Weyman
Cox
walker.J

Some big misters this year just need a goal kicker?

Is montellato Quota?

Not my area of expertise, but I would guess we are already at our limit as it doesn't look like we would have got Poore had ET stayed.

I think Mantellato is an Australian with Italian ancestry, so if they are still doing this year's non-fed rule, it would be unlikely we could move for him. That said, I think MR has pointed out on a few occasions that the RFL haven't clarified the rules, and I think some clubs are already beyond the existing quota, so it may not be impossible.

Wouldn't matter as we have a quota place left it's a non fed spot we don't have.

NON-FED/Kolpak
(1) Travis Burns
(2) Justin Poore
(3) Michael Weyman
(4) Neville Costigan
(5) Kris Keating
(6)Enoch Maki
(7)Francis Paniu

OVERSEAS QUOTA PLAYERS
(1) Travis Burns
(2) Michael Weyman
(3) Kris Keating
(4) Justin Poore
(5)

Cheers Easty,
I wasn't sure who was in what category, but now you've listed them it is straight forward as to which players go where.

The above is assuming the two PNG players have been registered to play for Rovers. There has been talk of them been registered to play for Gateshead under Stanley Gene for the 1st half of the season. If neither have been registered we could sign Mantelato and at the midway point in the season register the PNG player who's making the most progress.

I'm more than a tiny bit nervous. As it stands now Hall's our only real option. What happens if / when he's injured? Kicks frequently decide the outcome of games. PNG would be going into the last 8 instead of France if they had a goalkicker. Really hope there's something in this Mantellato thing.

Quite happy with the rest. We won't be getting bullied up front very often.

A few Rovers fans are saying Cockayne is a done deal and due to be announced next week on the Wakefield board. I don't think theres much chance of Mantellato, if that's right.

I'd certainly have liked another experienced goal kicker. Burns had a decent success rate in the NRL, but from a very low number of attempts. He's put over 45 in his career - somewhere in the region of half-season's worth, roughly. Paniu can kick, too but I don't think too many think he'll be in the 17 initially. Welham's booted over a few, I think.
Maybe a chance for somebody to add another string to their bow?

Frosties on the VT seems to think you guys have released Tyler Hepi?
Just wondering if any of you guys had heard the same. I liked the look of him on the few occasions I saw him play for your lot, surprised if this turns out to be true.

He has, I asked him myself on twitter. Nothing official but coming from Tyla was good enough for me.
Shame as I thought the kid had lots of potential.

Why is Costigan not quota, Has he a PNG passport?

Would Mantellato be realistic? Newcastle have just released Kev Naiqama so Mantellato would be their first choice cover?

If you had made a play for Mantellato 3 months ago, he'd have jumped at the chance.
Now the Knights have released fringe firstgrade backs Kev Naiqama (Penrith), Pete Mataútia (St George), Suitonga Likiliki (Titans) and Will Smith (Penrith), and Timana Tahu needs knee surgery and is very likely to retire - which means he has gone from one of 6 fringe guys fighting for a spot to our only real viable option, ahead of kids like chanel Mataútia, Pat Mataútia, Sione Mataútia and Dale Clacherty - all aged between 17 and 21.

Eden
Hall
Gleeson
Welham
Cockayne

Burns
Keeting

Weyman
J Hodgson
A Walker
Larroyer
Cox
Costigan

Carlile/Horne
Langley
J Walker
Poore

Guzdek
D Hodgson
Caro
Salter
Panui
Beharrell
Green
Netherton
Maki
Robinson
Ollett
Esslemont
Lovegrove

The negatives are that we'll have a little less flair with the absence of Dobson and Paterson but I'd say we are stronger in virtually every other facet.

1 homegrown player in that 1st 17. Not good after 7 years of SL.

That's just saved an FC troll 2 mins of their life.

And a very flimsy 3/4 line...that line up would just move the missed tackles out wide...

There's 2; Welham and Cox.



It's a fair point though, particularly when you think there's probably only Taylor who would get in our first 17 of the players we've moved on.

Hopefully the recent cash injection in to the club will help though there's plenty of work to do.

In the meantime I'd expect Salter and Green to be with us long term. Not seen enough of Robinson, Ollett and Esslemont to say if they can make it.