Campese most probably falls more into the Gareth Ellis camp as far as knackered players go. Plus they are most probably analogous examples in terms of age, experience and their impact on the salary cap.

I think Rovers and Hull have had (and continue to have) differing stategies -

We always tend to put the bulk of our cap into the halves and then never quite get the balance right in the pack and backline. You could see at the start of our season we were missing a prop or 2 and a big back rower. There is no immediate sign of these for next year either.

Hull tend to spend the bulk of their cap on the pack and then struggle to get the balance right with their backs. You may have found the right balance for next season or you may have just found another pack that can dominate and make more metres than the opposition, only to burn tackles for fun in the oppositions 20 without the firepower to get over the line.

I would say he's equally knackered to Pryce really, however I think not being in his best physical shape is a bigger issue for Pryce than it is Campese.
Pryce has a half back game largely built around running at the line and having the speed to worry defences. Campese on the other hand tends to play more of a traditional organiser/distributor role and so does not rely on his physical attributes as much as Pryce does.

Pryce and Campese are so different animals and where employed as such. we needed a leader badly, someone to direct the troops and act as an organiser. FC needed a running HB to help Sneyd along, I think Pryce filled the bill.

We've both had the worries of both players come home to roost, Campo has his inevitable injury, Pryce has been hit and miss and without Sneyd looks a bit toothless. Both have probably made our teams better but neither are long term solutions. One more injury for either and its probably the end of them.

Need clarification on this, but is the 'marquee' signing exempt from the quota roster's?

When comparing the halfbacks of both clubs in terms of style of play it would be Campo vs Sneyd and Pryce vs Kelly which both our players blow their opposites out the water imo. In terms of injuries it's campo vs pryce and sneyd vs kelly and all you have to do is to look at games played to see that. Am I right in thinking pryce has had a few spells out through different injuries? Where as campo has only had 1 big spell out from a very very unfortunate hand off and then missed the 60-0 away game at wigan through a twinge in his hammy. Kelly has had a couple of minor bumps and a absences from the squad but Id guess sneyd has missed more.

Pryce only performs when he feels like it, which I think will be the weakness within Hull FC next year. The fat lad may step up every now and then, but I don't think he has the natural ability of a half back and is instead a ball playing forward (as everyone has suggested), and after seeing Carlos play in the NRL he looks like Jism does to us at the minute (sorry, did I say Jism? I meant Chisholm) ..... But, that said, if FC manage to hold onto Hougton next year, their pack will look humongous and talented throughout (and a damn sight better then ours).

Report in a Newcastle gossip article today that Tilse will probably return to Newcastle next year and local clubs are all keen to sign him.

YIPPEE Hope so i dont think we will miss him

Will the manner of Saturday's defeat will have any bearing on our plans for next season?

we really need a couple of big big props if there is any available that is

It shouldn't, not much more so than any one game, whatever the result.

We came 10th in the league, with a pack that struggled to make enough metres. There are some positives to build on, but they were only seen sporadically. That's what our plans, that are probably well advanced anyway, need to be based on imo.

I don't think Saturday did anything other than brutally reinforce what we already knew. There'll always be results like that unless and until we become a top team ourselves - not necessarily in a Cup Final, of course.

We need to make more metres and miss fewer tackles, while keeping the attacking fluency that we saw on our good days. Easy said.

Surely you mean better props and bigger more mobile back rowers.

We haven't replaced Mick Weyman, Clint Newton or Ben Galea effectively. That's the standard of player we need, whether Domestic, EU or Antipodean.

I think the packs ok we need a really good centre to go with thornley Welham and salter just don't cut it as was seen on Saturday

Somehow we need to introduce more energy & more physicality to our game. We were beaten up across the park on Saturday & hardly won a collision all afternoon. Happened too often this season.

Our 2nd row is too small and too weak. Both are decent back ups but no more than that. 2 beast type props as well. The rest will sort itself behind that with the half backs we've got.

I thought Donaldson was a strange signing. He gives you everything but he's not big enough for this level. We had a prop a few years ago called Paul Johnson who just wasn't big enough, he was fearless ran the ball in hard but got smashed. What's happened to Cox? 2 years ago he looked like he was going to develop into an international. He hasn't got a look in this season.

Props wise Walker is very good and will get better, Allgood is a quality player, Green's impressed me but Rovers fans don't seem to rate him that much. Once he got fit Puletua did a good job for you, is he worth keeping for another year? Tillse would be no big loss if the rumours are true. I've mentioned this on another thread but I'd seriously try and get another year out of Peacock.

How many quota places have you got left?

James Green has really improved this season in all facets of his game. Most on here rate him as very unlucky not to make the final matchday 17 for Wembley, which his current form and recent performances warranted. He's a definite keeper.

I rate Wigan loanee James Greenwood as a fine prospect. We should try and sign him up to a permanent deal.

Tilse needs to raise his game and effort if he stays on and sees out his contract, but we should let him go back to Oz as things stand and sign an upgrade.

We need a loose forward with size, pace and skill. Blair will be in the second row next year.

I think you need at least 3 new forwards and a Full back to get into the 8 next year, I know people wont agree with the FB one, but Dixon is far too inconsistent to be a top SL player. I look to release Tilse, and if Sio wants to go home, him and use their quota spots to sign two forwards. Look to the championship (or any SL club that doesn't come back up) for another forward. I'd make a move for either Hampshire of Ash Goulding on loan for a year.

New FB
JM
Thornley
Welham/Salter/Minns
Dixon/Cockanyn
Campese
Kelly
Walker
Lunt
Algood
New backower
New backrower
Blair

New prop
Bouboza (Spelling)
Layroyer
Green

Our second row is a priority for me. Horne is a squad player at best, larroyer has been awful all season apart from the semi final and as a previous poster said Donaldson is too small. Blair was good in the second row so hopefully he'll be able to move back there next season. As for Green it beggars belief that he wasn't in the Wembley 17, he's been one of our stand out props for me although he does need to improve on his work rate. Jordan Cox is a strange one, the kid looks good at times but Chester doesn't seem to rate him, again I think it's a work rate issue, he looked the business a couple of years ago but unfortunately he seems to have gone backwards, whether that's due to lack of opportunities I don't know.

As you say the FB is a contentious one, I'd persevere with Dixon but wouldn't blame CC for jumping and replacing him. I wouldn't have him on the wing though, too small.
The rest is pretty spot on, although I'd maybe go for another big prop as well.

Next year's squad:

Full Backs - Dixon / Ash Golding on loan / Cockayne. (Guzdek out for me, sorry)
Wing - Mantellato / Sio / Cockayne / Hallett
Centre - Minns / Thornley / Welham / Hallett. (Salter out for me, sorry)
Half Backs - Campese / Kelly / Marsh / Blair
Props - Walker / Green / Allgood / Puletua / Greenwood (loan or permanent deal) / New Signing (in place of Tilse)
Hooker - Lunt / Boudebza
Second Row - Larroyer / Blair / McCarthy / Ollett / New Signing. (Horne, Esslemont and Cox out for me, sorry)
Loose Forward - Donaldson / Puletua / Lawler / Holker / New Signing

So a new prop, a new second row, a new loose forward and a loan fullback and loan prop. Sorted

Since coming to Rovers Graeme Horne has been one of our most consistent players whilst also filling in in a variety of roles and positions he needs to be retained not let go

We have already made an important recruitment. Peacock as DoF should help steer the recruitment and general team decision making and add winning experience to the back room staff.

Another important signing would be a full time sports psychologist. Whilst a couple of players are a bit shakey at times, the whole club needs a shot in the arm to believe they can win. All top athletes are slightly arrogant and have complete and utter self belief. Just look at ManU, Leeds Rhinos, Wigan, Prince Naseem etc. Sure, they don't always win, but they always believe they can so never roll over.

Until we get that unshakable belief, work ethic and consistancy we can put thoughts of silverware on hold.

It's the front row for me that needs attention. We just don't have enough go forward or seem capable of controlling their equivalent numbers. Individually I don't have a problem with them, but collectively/pack they just haven't measured up enough.

A new full back has to be looked at, but for me we need to sign a/another leader. Campese aside, we're so lacking with on field leadership.

I don't think anyone is questioning that and as utility / cover value he should be retained but he really isn't good enough as a 1st choice second row.