Attempting to get this thread back on track. . .

My amended starting 17 (for the opener) based on the squad we know:

1 Josh Mantellato
2 Kenny Sio
3 Darrell Goulding
4 Ben Cockayne
5 Kieron Dixon
6 Maurice Blair
7 Albert Kelly
8 Mick Weyman
9 Keal Carlile
10 Adam Walker
11 Kev Larroyer
12 Tyrone McCarthy
13 Jamie Donaldson

Bench: Ryan Bailey, James Green, John Boudebza, Jordan Cox

NB: Graeme Horne unlucky not to make the 17 – I’ve gone for size and bulk - and selected Josh Mantellato at full back based on his performances for Italy

Have to say the depth of SL experience in the squad is thin, mind you it was deep last season and look where it ended up!

Cockayne at centre? Why? I had the "pleasure" of witnessing his performance there at The Stoop in 2008 when Jake Webster was withdrawn late, he was a nightmare and should never play there again.

Salter needs to be played there, he will be worth it in the long run.

I don't like Charlie at full back, tried to accommodate him, and have reservations about Liam Salter; good defender but lacks an attacking edge, his played:tries ratio is appalling for a centre.

Did decent enough on the wing for Wakefield, if starting in our line up, why not there. Looks like we have versatile players in the buckling who can switch position. Personally, I would have him on the bench covering at hooker and back line.

Agree with all that ^

The only thing worse than Cockayne at centre would be Cockayne at hooker. Do you not remember his attempts to play there under Morgan? His dummy half passing was akin to clay pigeon shooting.

He's a winger who can cover at full back.

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.