Depends if we lose a halfback. If not then 3rd is definitely achievable.

1. Elliot Hall
2. Matty Dawson-Jones
3. Rhys Evans
4. Kieran Gill
5. Ryan Millar
6. Declan Patton
7. Jordan Lilley
8. Steve Crossley
9. Thomas Doyle
10. Anthony Walker
11. Brad England
12. Sam Scott
13. Jordan Baldwinson

14. George Flanagan
15. Ebon Scurr
16. Ben Evans
17. Samy Kibula

Probably because we will very rarely, if ever, be able to actually name that as our 17 on a match day. We'll always have injuries and our squad depth is poor.
I also don't rate Patton one bit.

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In defence of Patton I read an article this week that he has never played as first choice Halfback for a lengthy period of time. He had offers from SL clubs but wanted to prove himself as first choice. I say we give him a chance.

That's an interesting take. You can certainly look past number 17 and think if we were to put a side out with 5 or 6 of these of these lads how would we fair. Kibula, Hall, Jowett, Ho, Wallace could literally be anything. I can see the reasons for optimism as the squad is bigger numbers wise and the backline revamped but I don't see enough tempo/running/pace either at the ruck or on the edge. If the loans/dual reg don't materialise in the form of 1/2/3 players available throughout the season, 4th/5th for me.

I don't get the negativity on Patton. He's 26, he needs us and there's not a half in the comp who's had close to his career.

Heard on Sunday that Jamie Shaul and Josh Bowden are the 2 players available on dual reg probably for the start of the season. Squad numbers 29 and 22 for Hull FC this should help with our chances.

I would be wary of Shaul. Wasn't it York where he was on DR as an up and coming youngster for Hull, and he notoriously didn't run all game. If he had that attitude where he hadn't done anything in the game yet, what will he be like now he's an established SL player?

Hampshire still not sorted. I still expect him to end up at Leigh though.

I dont think Jordan Johnstone will get much game time at Hull.

We've signed Lovodua and have Houghton still. He's currently 3rd choice hooker for us now. We tried to move him and Bowden in the off season, but no one bit.

We won’t need Jordan Johnston if we have Doyle, Flanagan, Johnson. Bowden however could be a very good addition in the Championship!

I forgot you got Johnson from Leeds.

Bowden hasn't been the same player since he did his ACL in 2018. He's either injured or just plods his way through games.

A season in the Championship might do him good, to get his confidence back.

Jack Brown is a good kid. Makes decent yards and has really good offload game. I'm hoping he gets more game time again for us this season.

He'll be 5th/6th choice behind Taylor, Sao, Satae, Evans and possibly Fash. Depends what Hodgson wants to do with dual reg/reserves but he may be sent your way for game time.

I haven't seen him play at Hull but the Jordan Johnstone at Widnes wouldn't be at the bottom of that list.

I don’t think anyone is saying he would be 4th choice with us, just that we have 3 decent options and won’t have tHe budget to attract him and then keep paying the other 3

Correct. I might not have been clear but we have 3 hookers signed up. And tbh they are 3 really good hookers for this level.

Would we need to attract him or would he made available to us under the terms of dual reg? Does anyone know what they are? Is there a standard fee, a percentage of salary or is an arrangement wherein the SL club takes the benefit of game time/match fitness they otherwise wouldn't get?

Ok guys potential Fax starters
1 Woodburn Hall
Saltonstall
Worthington
Arundel
Walmsley
Jouffret
Keyes
Murray
Kyle Wood
Calcott
Knowles
Matty Gee
Fairbank

With Brandon Moore. Ben Kavanagh, Tangata etc in reserve