Think you're being a bit selective Stan. Cockayne had to fill in at centre one season (2010?) when Webster got injured & he was very good. Probably the longest run he had in one position since 2007 & one of his best seasons for us imo.

Having said that I don't think he'll be playing centre next season.

I agree passing is the weakest part of bens game,no timing at all,just tends to throw it in the general direction and hope,would be no good at hooker IMO.

i like the way any player at any club can be turned into a hooker(well according to said clubs fans) it doesnt happen with any other position

We get a star hooker and you only need cover for 10 mins.

Interesting response to my selecting Charlie at centre although there seems to be agreement he should be in the 17, but where?

Lets say he isn't in the 17, there are plenty of options available to Chezzy;
Sio can play full back, wing or centre but he has been scintillating on the wing in the NRL last season.
Dixon has thrown his hat in for the full back spot, but before his injury (and return) he showed what a good winger he is.
Both these players are speed merchants - something we cannot label Charlie with - and Chezzie is on record saying he wants an injection of speed out there.
Then there is Mantellato, who can also play wing or full back. An unknown quantity because of his lack of NRL experience, but his performances at full back for Italy in the World Cup make him a serious contender IMO and why I selected him.

We can also add into the mix Welham, Salter and Hallett. Based on last seasons form and ability to score tries. Hallett gets my nod and with hindsight perhaps ought to be in rather than Charlie.

I agree with Stan about playing Charlie at hooker, a major No-No, unless his role is to run from dummy half; distribution is not his forte.

However, I feel Charlie's gung-ho style of play needs to be accommodated somewhere, coupled with the fact he is a crowd favourite.

It is certainly an interesting conundrum, and looking at the bigger picture highlights the versatility of Rovers back-line.

Think you're getting Mantellato confused with Minichello. As far as I know Mantellato doesn't play full back at all.
Roopy will know and give a reasoned polite response if you ask him. Some others on here should follow his example. Every thread about Rovers players and signings has the same old narcissistic nonsense on it.
If I read another grammar correction or ridicule of a slight mistake I think I'll puke. I can handle the juveniles but some of the other bullies on here need to take a look at themselves. No wonder the same six posters are the only users.

His prefered position is on the wing,but has played full back on occasions due to injuries, for the knights and italy.

Mantellato was a fullback till he joined the Knights.
His first games for Italy were before Minichello joined them and before he joined the Knights, so he played fullback.
He has played a few games at fullback in the Knights reserve grade when others were injured, but mostly he has played winger.
He did represent Newcastle in the country championships and play for NSW country as a fullback.

In my opinion the Knights moved him to wing because he is tall and can jump, and it's a bit of an arms race these days for teams to find wingers who can get up higher than their opposition, and Josh can do that.

Thanks roopy for all your input, I'm 100% sure the Rovers fans appreciate the insight into players down under. #respect

Enthusiasm and popularity don't strike me as strong reasons to accommodate/shoehorn-in Cockayne. I'd say he's a wing who can also do a decent job at fullback. In an emergency he could fill in at centre, as he has done in the past - but it really shouldn't plan A, IMO. At the moment I think it is any 3 from 4 for the fb and wing spots, depending on form and fitness. He's good enough to earn a place on playing merit, but not so good that dropping/resting him should be seen as any sort of taboo.

I think cockayne is a good squad player and can cover a few positions but I think we have better options in the starting 17 now