So Dobsons now on his own and cannot be helped by the club in any way?

So the RFL have lied about the issue, in the media, on three separate occasions?

He made the tweet not me. Wouldn't be the first time the RFL have told fibs.

For what it's worth, this tweet has as much substance to the tweet which caused this 19 page thread in 24 hours. No doubt this will be dismissed as "nonsense" because the outcome is positive for Rovers.

The only difference being that the RFL cannot confirm this one, as it would be saying they lied.

Also, people seem to be forgetting in the mail this morning the RFL states they are not in any way party to any agreements the club have with the player. Remember that.

The one thing this does prove is that I was bang on the money all along when I stated there was never a problem with Mason's visa and that he was merely awaiting his Tongan passport purely to be moved into the Non-Fed catagory and therefore whilst he would have no problems getting in the country, he wouldn't be able to train etc. until he had his Tongan Passport.

Now we have FC fans trotting out the exact same rule they were arguing against

dobbos injury must be worse than first thought.

maybe hes out for the full season and freeing the space up enables us to play willy no matter what happens passport wise.

if another team does come in for dobbo (and my understanding is hes a free agent ) they will be taking a gamble if he is out for the full season.
paying wages for a player thats injured and not going to get a game this season is a big big punt.

at the minute rovers wont have to pay dobbo any wages as hes been released ,im guessing that he wont be too pleased with this at all ,and with his visa conditions not allowing to be anything other than playing for us i would have thought there will be somesort of payment in place to keep him happy .

long story short IMO

mason no passport
dobson injured out for the season
release dobbo
but mason on quota
give dobbo somesort of compesation to keep him happy
bring in another half or premote from within
end of season bring back dobbo
take mason off quota
job done

just my 2 pence worth

This one is likely to be dismissed because it conflicts with the facts.


Several people, myself included, have mentioned that Rovers almost certainly have some kind of arrangement with Dobson that he won't go anywhere. Wouldn't be legally enforceable though.

For what it's worth, Rob Crossland posted this on the Unnoficial Forum yesterday evening:

Whooooooa.

All is well, Michael is injured and been carrying a knock before the op so timing is pure coincidence. He's going nowhere.

Have a little faith that we know what we are doing please.

Sure he knows more about the situation than any of us.

I doubt the clubs owner would articulate himself in such manner

That actually is Rob Crossland. As much as you want it not to be, it is. And it is well known that he from time to time has posted on the other forum.

I think it would though Kosh - look at the costs around iestyn signing for Bradford when leeds had a contract of exclusivity.

Leeds retained Harris's registration and had a written agreement with him that he would not sign for another RL club without their permission. Rovers have not retained Dobson's registration and the governing body of the sport has said publicly that he is free to sign for other clubs if he likes.

Have they really said that?

and he signed for bradford bulls

Cost to Bulls £2mill+
6000 fans
and sucess on the field

Probably grasping at straws here but this is what i think (hope) will be the case.

Mason unable to get his passport sorted
Dobbo gets injured
RFL would like to see Mason in the SL
Rovers unofficially agree with RFL to de-register dobbo and register him again when Mason's passport is finalised

Im sure few of the top SL clubs and some NRL clubs have been in contact with Dobbo already im just hoping we have an agreement with him to keep him here.

If not then we need to conceed to the fact that we will probably lose him. We would have a spare quota spot so could look for another 7 elsewhere and hope that we find another Michael Dobson or someone half as good at least.

Well fortunately for us at least he wouldn't be a target for FC as James Rule doesn't rate him

Yes. More than once. In the media. There are even links on this very thread.

Isn't cooper cronk OOC next year

No he's got another 3 years left.

At what turned out to be enormous cost.

I'm fairly confident he won't be going anywhere.

They also stated Paul Cooke was a registered player despite their own operational rules stating at that time that they required a [usigned[/u contract (not a legally binding, a verbal agreement etc. I mean a [usigned[/u contract) to validate a player's registration otherwise he was classed as a "contract expired player".

I get the strong impression the RFL make things up as they go along to serve their own purpose and in this case it benefits them making "off the record" agreements to get the highest profile signing in the summer era here in this country playing in the SL competition - especially in the light of Eastmond jumping ship to the toff brigade.

You're right in saying that Dobson is technically a "contract expired player" but this is irrelevant in the big scheme of things cos Dobson won't be going anywhere.

Napoleon.

Assuming the board says "Yes" to re-register, the decision can be overturned by the RFL council of member clubs that has to ratify the boards decisions. Lets hope the club have plenty of friends amongst other clubs, or Dobbo could be an expensive Spectator for the rest of the year.

You are also up against the Challenge Cup deadline for him to play after the next round (he would be fine for that if registered anytime soon). If he is not back on your register by 16th May, he is out of the team for the cup for the rest of the season (the thackray loophole got closed!).

It is a massive risk, especially if the passport was imminent - waiting a week or so wouldn't make a massive difference and I am not sure how many more paying fans Mason will add to the crowd on Sunday.