I don't think it's finances, The overseas trip was a natural reaction to idea the team was 'too soft', it was one Radford did last year, whether its the right call or not I don't know.
There has obviously been a real drive by CC to change the culture of the club and maybe that has made the oldr heads think twice about whether they want to dig deep enough at there age. Costigan struggled preseason last year so maybe he's just thought I've had enough.
I wonder how much Stan going has affected Costigans decision. I can imagine he played a big part in getting him here.

All this has been coupled with the likes of having to lose the likes of Langley, Poore, D.Hodgeson and to a lesser extent Netherton who where all injured or had to retire.

Looking at ins and outs on a player for player basis they look like they will demand a similar salary, I suppose time will tell if we get like for likes in for the remaining spaces.

Whilst typing all that it does make me notice how poor a state we'd got into under CS, if you list the outs from this year there are probably only a couple who'd we would have really wanted to stay.

Totally agree with you.

Looking at the 'outs' there are adequate reasons for letting go or not renewing a significant number of those players.

Without a doubt it is a wholesale change of massive proportions but looking at the INs I do feel there is quality (not quantity), although I fear we might have to resort to quantity (not quality) to fill in the gaps considering the current players market.

The clubs finances are very good; they will operate at the top end of the SC, so no need for you to be concerned.

The off season wouldn't be the off season if there wasn't a few FC fans questioning our financial state. It's the law.

In serious need of some grunt now, we are looking very thin on the ground regarding lads who will do the horrible stuff, our back line looks exciting and superior to last year but if we cant get on the front foot we could be in bother. 3 props and a 9 for me.

Mark Mexico and Gary lo have signed for Gateshead,think both will end up playing for you this season.We nearly signed Mexico last season but he went to Cronulla. Only played a few games for them and ended up playing for the PNG hunters in the QRL.He is a beast of a prop and easily SL standard.Gary lo is a 6ft 4 17 stone winger who is rapid ,lots of NRL intrest in him which makes his move to Gateshead even stranger.Think the gene link has got them there but both will head your way

Will Ryan Bailey do . . . for starters

How would this work then? Gateshead LOAN players to Rovers! I suppose it is a two-way street.

Don't know much about the players you mention, will go and do the homework.

Checked out both Mexico and Lo (on youtube), they would both do for me.

Mark Mexico and Gary Lo were the two best players for the PNG Hunters this year in the Qld cup.
In their first year in the Qld cup the Hunters spent most of the season in the top 5, but dropped to 6th and missed the finals in the last month.

Mexico is a powerful prop forward who was offered a contract by Cronulla mid season and he played well in their reserve grade side. He is average height but really solid and made a lot of impact in the NSW cup.

Gary Lo is a winger who was one of the top try scorers in the Qld cup. He is only 5'6" tall, but he is nearly 100kg and very fast. A bit of a Junior Sau type. He'd never make it in the NRL because short wingers don't work these days.

So, Is Gary Low 5' 6" or 6' 4"? This is important to establish poster credibility

Gary Lo is 171cm tall, which my dodgy maths says is 5'6".
I've never seen him live, but I watched most of the highlights from Hunters games, and he is short - but also fast and powerful.

The 6'4" winger from the PNG Hunters was 19 year old Wellington Albert, who joined Penrith under 20s mid season.
.

Sorry my bad getting them mixed up ,lo is the speed merchant,Albert is the bull.Gary lo very highly rated

Credibility remains intact due to speedy corrective post and humble apology, which is gratefully accepted. Please feel free to call by again, I miss banter with Haven fans, always a passionate lot when visiting Craven Park.

Thank you ,seriously can't understand the Mexico move ,Gary lo you could say is unproven maybe but Mexico is the real deal,we knew last season when we tried to sign him that a number of NRL clubs were tracking him and we just missed out.Disappointed when it was announced he had signed for thunder as he is way above that level ,that's what makes me think he will end up at you guys ,he will tear championship 1 to pieces

Wasn't mark Mexico supposed to sign for Bradford last year

I'm not so sure we will have any formal ties with Gatesheed next season, Sir Stanley of Goroka is no longer with us and any dual reg set up is yet to be announced. I do recall Mexico looking a handful in the 2 PNG games at Craven Park last year in the World Cup.

Haven4ever, I see 2 former Robins have signed for you Beherrall and Sheriff, also I note you have 2 other PNG internationals in Jason Tali and Charlie Wabo. Stans putting a very handy squad together for that division.

I popped up for 2 games last season, loved the set-up and atmosphere, reminded me of the beginnings of Rovers push to SL. Its all about momentum, win promotion and who knows what will happen.

I could be wrong but, I don't think Haven4ever is actually a Gateshead fan........

Whatever gave you that idea?

His username. I don't think Paul T- HKR has found it so obvious though......

Who does Paul support?

HKR i would imagine. What is your point?

Are you this thick in real life?

You're the thick one. Read pauls post to haven4ever (the one which i quoted) then you'll see why i said he wasn't a gateshead fan. Don't let that stop the insults though.