I agree about Fitzhenry.

I think a lot of it is relative expectation. The likes of Latus and Bauer were inexpensive players who could fill in if needed, and I'd say they filled that job description okay. Kris Keating was supposed to replace Dobson and he had a better NRL pedigree, but never got close to living up to that billing.

Also to establish a reputation for being a bit rubbish, you have to at least be good enough to get a run of games. You at least remember Latus, whereas there's plenty who came from the academy to play only once or twice.

So, 'players I thought could potentially be good signings, but weren't' XIII

Must have played at least 1 game (sorry taulapapa, maki and paniu).

Dixon. Not much in it between him and Eden. Both made significant contributions, compared to the three quarters though...
Ulugia
Ratu
Gleeson
Thompson
Campese. Good bloke by all accounts, but he came, he saw, he convalesced. Fond memories of his performance vs Wakefield this season.
Kelly, pips Keating. Kelly did at least have one good season, but his attitude this year cost us much more than Keating's averageness did.
Mills. Specifically the second contract - signed that and was barely seen again.
Carlile. Tbf, didn't do much wrong and won't have been a big earner, but in four seasons he didn't do much at all.
Bailey.
Mason.
Langley. Seemed like a good guy too, and looked the part with his massive arms. Past his best by 2014 though and only played 11 games.
Any suggestions for the third backrower?

Ratu, that's him. I forgot all about him. He was so pants, I don't even remember him. Must have disappeared without trace after we got rid.

As I'm a soft touch, I will bow to peer pressure about Fitzhenry, who was signed as a winger as I recall, was really nothing special, but did play the odd blinder at hooker sometimes. Fitzhenry out of my worst Rovers SL team and Ratu in.

I've amended and edited my earlier post.

Quote: Pickering Red "Ratu, that's him. I forgot all about him. He was so pants, I don't even remember him. Must have disappeared without trace after we got rid. As I'm a soft touch, I will bow to peer pressure about Fitzhenry, who was signed as a winger as I recall, was really nothing special, but did play the odd blinder at hooker sometimes. Fitzhenry out of my worst Rovers SL team and Ratu in. I've amended and edited my earlier post.'" Ratu is still going with Rochdale, so we might see him again this year. www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/Tea ... Id=149052#

Quote: Pickering Red "Ratu, that's him. I forgot all about him. He was so pants, I don't even remember him. Must have disappeared without trace after we got rid. As I'm a soft touch, I will bow to peer pressure about Fitzhenry, who was signed as a winger as I recall, was really nothing special, but did play the odd blinder at hooker sometimes. Fitzhenry out of my worst Rovers SL team and Ratu in. I've amended and edited my earlier post.'" Ratu is still going with Rochdale, so we might see him again this year. www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/Tea ... Id=149052#

Seeing as I'd forgotten about half the players mentioned I give it my best shot
FB Briscoe ( because I can't think of another good FB we've had )
W Sio
C Webster
C Welham (even though I slagged him off for 2 of his last 3 years)
W Mantallato ( special mention to Byron Ford for his ball steal try at Wigan)
SO Blair (could have been Cooke or Green )
SH Dobson
P Paea
H Hodgson (but Fisher ran him very close )
P Vella ( could have been Weyman if he hadn't retired)
SR Newton
SR Galea
LF O'Neill ( not even sure he played there can't remember)

1 Briscoe
2 Sio
3 Webster
4 Anybody but Welham, even my Mum would do.
5 Fox
6 Green
7 Dobson
8 Weyman
9 Hodgson
10 Vella
11 Newton
12 Galea
13 O'Neill

Think Goulding could have been a great centre for us the games he played alongside sio they looked as good a pair as iv seen.when you think of the players we have had retire through injury it's way above the norm.Weyman,Poore, Goulding, Gleeson. Campese's issues think Vella was his knee?Walkers bad break he didn't really come back from.quite a few there

I agree about Welham I couldn't think of another decent centre I nearly put Goulding in there but Welhams long service and decent last season got him my vote

Best 13

Briscoe
Fox
Webster
Goulding
Sio
Green -if not for the blood clot we would have had 2 fantastic seasons out of him.8/10 every game. Went to Wigan and won a title, still outstanding at Melbourne. Cooke should have been the best player to come out of Hull. On his day could run any game, which he did in most of the derbies he played. Unfortunately is a complete pr#ck who pi##ed his career up the wall.
Dobson
Vella
Hodgson
Weyman (on one leg most of the time)
Newton
Galea
Gene


Worst
Dixon....Wembley performance...and I wanted him to start...
Latus
Salter
Gleeson (loathsome individual).
Ulugia
Pick anyone who was played out of position there or Cooke when pis#ed. Made Kelly look like a saint at times.
Keating
That donkey from Melbourne (cant remember his name) who used to turn side on as he hit the tackler....awful.
It's hard to pick Carlisle who wasn't great but wasn't awful. Bit spoilt for hookers.
Mills. Played like he was traumatised by his dad playing in the garden as a kid. Who wasn't traumatised by his dad. Got told Jim Mills and Kurt Sorenson had a club in Widnes. If true one to avoid..
Mason....pr#ck.
Langley
Clarkson/Bailey. At least Bailey was awful for just 2 games and left.

Does anyone ever remember that French half back Morgan brought over on loan in our first season back up in super league? I think the chump lasted 2 games and was sent packing

No but then again I'd forgot we had Kris Keating

??? I think you have had a bad dream pal, unless you consider Chas I'Anson to be French.

can I add Sharon Mcdonnell to worst list, never a fullback and scared of her own shadow

I think his name was greseque or something like that he came on loan from pia but only lasted 1 or 2 games