Im a bit worried tbh. I cant see much improvement in terms of games won or climbing the league table, however if the squad settles there may be positives for the future beyond next season. As well as the further development of our younger players, cant wait to see Eden progress and Cox has started to show he could really make it.

The reason I worry is because our defense has to be the focus to improve, from individual tackling/positioning and maybe the structure I dont know. But with that and the fact our attack structure is going to change with Keating bringing a different style to Dobbo, its a lot of work to do.

The best I think we can hope for, with injury luck and a bit elsewhere is to finish 6th, home playoff. Worst case we miss out and finish 9th/10th.. Anyone else feel that this kind of season is 'it' and struggle to see how we are going to break out of the mid table group? I realise with financial restraints etc we do well and im not criticising.

What financial restraints , your less than 100k under the cap ?

Very realistic I would say, although I would argue with the statement I've highlighted. According to your coach you have had major injury problems.
As for Cockayne, it appears to me to be an NH signing rather than Sandercock's and I would agree with you it seems to be a retrograde move.

The ones that mean we have less coaches and backroom staff than a lot of teams. Its obvious we arent a rich club.

Im assuming Sandy will start the season like this (injuries permitting)

1. Eden
2. Hall
3. Gleeson
4. Welham
5. Hodgson

6. Burns
7. Keating

8. Weyman
9. Hodgson
10. Walker J.

11. Tuson
12. Cox
13. Costigan

14. Cockayne
15. Lovegrove
16. Walker A.
17. Tuimavave

Interchange winger on the bench. Interesting. Anyone know why Hull pulled out of the walker deal following his medical?

not injury prone enough cant be signing anyone with a clean bill of health its not the Hull way

That team would go ok but we didn't get our 1st choice 17 on the field once this season.

Only for for you, (and us as well) to succeed and break out, is youth. Hull does have the passion, and the RL set up to be a success.

Have we signed tuson?

No, Briers.

Do you have a stutter as well as problems with your lugs ?

So when was Tuson, Walker and Cockayne confirmed ???

You narrowly beat us to Gleeson and O'Hara, I'm afraid.

Aye but we let you have Galea, well past his sell-by date.

Yeah it is very important for us, look at Wigan and Leeds for example putting the young lads in and they dont look out of place. I think we do quite well bringing the young lads through, we just need to keep it going and produce more and more.

Agreed, and more of the calibre of Josh Hodgson (still cannot believe we let him go!) and Scott Taylor, Ben Crooks etc.

The ultimate aim has to be building the team around players from the academy rather than antipodeans, not sure how long it will be before that is realistic or maybe forced on us if the salary cap in oz keeps going up. Maybe wouldnt be a bad thing, invest the money which is spent on quota players on the youth systems. The you run into the next problem- keeping hold of the players you bring through. Taylor to Wigan, Beaumont who hasnt even been overly impressive to saints and already rumours of their interest in Cox too.

If we had the answer to that one we would both be rich.

I think things are improving for both teams, youth wise. Think both clubs will lose a few more in the next 2/3 years, but hopefully after that we can start to see more staying, and a spirit being built around the clubs.

Personally I am still annoyed about Tom Briscoe but what can you do. Ultimately not a lot

Well we need more recruitment for next year and im hoping that Langley/J Walker and Tuson plus Benny C will add to our already done 3 overseas.

If all come off of which 3 are very close if not done.
My 17 would look like this:

Eden
Hall
Salter
Gleeson/Welham
Cockayne
Burns
Keating
Weyman
Hodgson
Walker A
Costigan
Tuson
Langley

Rep:
Cox
Walker J
Lovegrove
Carlile

Which departing player are you going to change your username to next season?

If we get the players in that it looks like we might Costigan, Weyman, Keating, Langley, Tuson, Walker J, and Cockayne it will surely lead to us being a different animal from 2013.
I can see us being a lot tougher defensively as the players listed are better in that regard to the players leaving.
We will lose a fair bit of flair but it could be argued we were too 'free' in that regard anyway.
I just hope we haven't put a squad together that is going to go to far the other way.
I guess only time will tell.

I thought Tuson had signed for Wakey?

He's been given the opportunity to back out since Wakey have looked like potentially going down the shizzer.

I see. he'd be a good signing. I don't think Wigan particularly want him to leave.