"Richard can play full-back for us when he comes back to fitness and he's already done it this year to good effect." www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... story.html

"Richard can play full-back for us when he comes back to fitness and he's already done it this year to good effect." www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... story.html

I'm a bit unsure about this signing. He's clearly good in attack, but has often looked suspect under the highball and has made a few errors this way.
However, he's only 25 and it often takes players a while to adjust to SL when they come over from the NRL.
He should be getting better service in attack than he did last year - allowing his strengths to come to the fore.

However, we were all fairly uncertain about signing players such as McGoldrick and Aspinwall last season and they both turned out to be great for us, so I'm not going to bash McDonnell before he comes. He also has a good relationship with Gentle - family friends - which should stand him in good stead.

I think he'll probably just get the nod over Horne, but this means that there will always be competition for places and they both know that they'll have to be at their best to get in the side regularly.

McDonnell also gives us a bit of cover on the wings, too. We only have 3 'proper' wingers - Briscoe, Crookes, Lineham - and McDonnell has played there in the past, so I could imagine him switching to Wing with Horne at fullback if 2 of those 3 get injuries (I'd rather keep B. Crooks in the centres and Whiting elsewhere), so this signing offers us a bit more depth in the backs.

I reckon you're right. I thought all along with the stories of him going back to the NRL that there was a very small handful of clubs where he'd have a chance of a first team spot, so I would have thought any offers would have reflected that.

That being said, I agree with those who say he is probably about the best available, so you can't knock the club at all. Hopefully he'll do well for us.

If anyone can get the best out of him PG will.
People are pointing out he played for the exiles but after Hodgson got injured there wasn't many other choices available, and IIRC he was average at best in the first game. He is of course a Hull player now and will get my full support just like the rest of them.

Good Signing, deffo the best available. On his day he looked good last year and PG must feel he can can raise his game and consistency up a few notches. If he can we will have a very good full back and it will also be a real challenge to Rich Horne. I don't think Horney will just roll over and we might just see him hit some form too. Rich showed good form at times last year, running close for MOM on a few occasions, and I think they will bring the best out in each other. Will be good to watch them compete for the shirt. Welcome to a great club Shannon.

Looking forward to watching the kid run out in Black and White, dont know too much about him but one of the guys i work with daily is an HKR season pass holder for years and he recons we have signed a complete FB !!
contrary to most on here he sees him as solid in defence, reads the game well, good under a high ball and fast as ferk and joins the line at exactly the right time, he says he has more potential than the last loser we had...
and my one memory of him is he is clearly a fast un so yet more speed in the line, all looks good!!
in PG I trust and look forward to this kid being another class full back in black and white.......

having seen all his games for us to be honest your mate is not far off but not quite right, despite what some on here are saying he is usually flawless under the high ball, he had a nightmare match in the derby but caught everything else in every other game, he is good linking up in attack particularly on the left for some reason, he does read the game well and comes into the line well and backs up well. he is very light weight in defence and his one on one tackles are pretty much non existant. that said tackling from a modern fullback isn't a high priority nowadays, he will do a good solid job for you without being a world beater

Thanks for the info mate!!!
agree that one on one there are few fbs that are super solid and maybe thats something PG will work on , however i guess at mid 20s he wont change his tackle style too much .
thanks again

Was more bothered about losing Watts, who does have the ability to be top class, McDonnell is a reasonable SL player, but not at the money he wanted (if rumours are correct). As said, he is good under the kick, but the worst tackling FB I have seen at Rovers.

Looks like that could be beat next year if hall plays at FB, possible the worst FB I have seen Hull in the last few years.

Saying that he last few comments about McDonnell from rovers fans seem fair, hopefully he will improve at hull with better coaches and players.

As I have posted umpteen times on our forums, IMO Hall will be a mistake at fullback. As for McDonnell improving under better coaching, how long did he play in NRL under good coaching. I think he is as good as he is likely to get, which is average at SL and 2nd grade in NRL.

I agree with this, I think he will go well.