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

When I was a lad their was plenty of star hookers that would only give you 10 mins. they were all down Hessle Road

On Hull KR TV Mick Weyman's 'Dream Team' (best players he has played alongside) includes Ben Cockayne at full back.

His role in organising the defence seems to go unnoticed and for me the only time we looked a cohesive defensive unit was with him at the back. He also made a number of last ditch try saving tackles and as always was never less than wholly enthusiastic with his kick returns.

I'd go with him in the No. 1 shirt, Dixon would be a bit of a risk and we need the finishing skills of Sio & Mantellato out wide. There are a few options, I'm sure Chester will look at them all in pre-season.

With regards to Aaron Ollet wasn't his original position in the under 19 squad a hooker or am I getting him mistaken with another player

Aaron Ollet is a 2nd Rower, Struggled towards the end of the year with injury but should be raring to go with a good pre season under his belt.

1. Guzdek

2. Sio
3. Goulding
4. Welham
5. Mantellato

6. Blair
7. Kelly

8. Weyman (c)
9.
10. Walker

11. Larroyer
12.
13. Donaldson

14. Cockayne
15. McCarthy/Horne
16. Bailey
17. Green

Dixon
Salter
Hallet
Marsh
Carlile
Boudebza
Robinson
Cox
McCarthy/Horne
Ollett
Esselmont
Holker

This is how I would go so far I think. We look very hooker heavy (despite not signing a first choice one...yet) and the abundance of back rowers makes me think Cox will be used as a prop. I think Welham will start as our left centre.

I hope CC disagrees with you.

It's not necessarily what I would go with, but I think he will