6/8weeks for Dobbo from a players mouth today.

Cant see how we can go into the loan market, were running at full cap apparently, and its only a couple of injuries we still have people in our fulltime squad that can play there so wont get any dispensation.

For me its got to be Withers with either Hall or Murrell - my personal option would be Withers at 7, Hall at 2, Murrell at 6 and Lovegrove at 13.

6 about getting complicated.

Signed for FC about 7 years ago, we are just keeping it hush hush still.

give bell a go whats the worst that can happen you never know if there ready unless you play them

There were quite a few on here calling for Bell to be given a run last year when Dobson was injured.

Usually even less than 80%, normally only 1 player from a team of under 18s make it, if lucky 2 at SL level, a fair amount go on to NL1 though.

sydney area based aussie, one of last years stars thats fallen down the pecking order slightly? strong rumour from a good source.

Absolutely spot on - totally agree.

When looking at a replacement it depends what our priorities are. Even though Withers would probably be the best option I'd prefer to keep him at dummy-half interchanging with Hodgson to capitalise on our front-row strength.

Our main priority IMO is ensuring we have another kicking option other than Hall so would that would have to be Murrell for me. There'd also be pluses for putting Murrell there from a defensive point of view because with Lovegrove & Murrell defending in the half-back positions there'd be no easy holes for the opposition to run at. He's also got experience and can put people through gaps. Of course if Murrell played 7 then we could put another front-rower @ 13 like Watts etc.

The game is far more physical than it ever has been and it would be irresponsible to throw a youngster in who isn't ready.

Craig Sandercock has an exemplary record of developing youngsters so I trust he knows best.

Is he called Richie Storr?

It's been 2 years in the making, but what a brilliant 1st post. Welcome to the forum, we love a good rumour about un-named players on here. You will fit right in, just come back with a name before 2014 please.

I reckon we should de-register Dobbo, Green and Galea and sign Lockyear and Cronk.

Good call

the vast majority of those though have never seen the kid play, those of us that have seen a fair bit of him know he's nowhere near ready, he really needs a season out on loan in the championship to take the next step up imho unfortunately with the exception of wattsy a few years ago its not an approach rovers have ever really embraced.

It's very hard to resist a bit of [ireductio ad absurdum[/i. But I shall.

I'm sure Sandercock will be delighted to consider him when he's ready - and he perhaps isn't far away. I know very little about it, but maybe he and Dave Scott would be near the top of the list for full-time deals next year? Maybe that could even be brought forward. But right now he's a teenage, part-time loose forward as far as I can tell. Withers and Murrell/Hall looks a better bet to me.
Playing youngsters is a means not an end.