When J Hodgson was rotated from the hooking role he often showed up in the back row. He has a fantastic engine and would have no problems playing the full 80.

I think everyone would agree that Josh has a great engine, however dropping into the back row for stints isn't quite the same as 80 mins at hooker. I suppose it's whether you accept that he will get fatigued and may not be as able to scoot or distribute as effectively, to get greater flexibility on the bench.

MR - Agreed. Goal kicking will likely cost us some games with that team. I never saw Keating kick goals at Parramatta or the Dogs and Burns didn't look too great when attempting it last season.
It really leaves Hall as the likely kicker, which is a major step down on Dobson.

So by my estimations we need a goal-kicking winger. Shame we are out of quota as Mantellato could have proven to be a useful signing.

Eden
Hall
Salter
welham
Montellato
Burns
Keating
walker.A
Hodgson
Poore
Lovegrove
Costigan
Langley

Rep:
Larroyer
Weyman
Cox
walker.J

Some big misters this year just need a goal kicker?

Is montellato Quota?

Not my area of expertise, but I would guess we are already at our limit as it doesn't look like we would have got Poore had ET stayed.

I think Mantellato is an Australian with Italian ancestry, so if they are still doing this year's non-fed rule, it would be unlikely we could move for him. That said, I think MR has pointed out on a few occasions that the RFL haven't clarified the rules, and I think some clubs are already beyond the existing quota, so it may not be impossible.

Wouldn't matter as we have a quota place left it's a non fed spot we don't have.

NON-FED/Kolpak
(1) Travis Burns
(2) Justin Poore
(3) Michael Weyman
(4) Neville Costigan
(5) Kris Keating
(6)Enoch Maki
(7)Francis Paniu

OVERSEAS QUOTA PLAYERS
(1) Travis Burns
(2) Michael Weyman
(3) Kris Keating
(4) Justin Poore
(5)

Cheers Easty,
I wasn't sure who was in what category, but now you've listed them it is straight forward as to which players go where.

The above is assuming the two PNG players have been registered to play for Rovers. There has been talk of them been registered to play for Gateshead under Stanley Gene for the 1st half of the season. If neither have been registered we could sign Mantelato and at the midway point in the season register the PNG player who's making the most progress.

I'm more than a tiny bit nervous. As it stands now Hall's our only real option. What happens if / when he's injured? Kicks frequently decide the outcome of games. PNG would be going into the last 8 instead of France if they had a goalkicker. Really hope there's something in this Mantellato thing.

Quite happy with the rest. We won't be getting bullied up front very often.

A few Rovers fans are saying Cockayne is a done deal and due to be announced next week on the Wakefield board. I don't think theres much chance of Mantellato, if that's right.

I'd certainly have liked another experienced goal kicker. Burns had a decent success rate in the NRL, but from a very low number of attempts. He's put over 45 in his career - somewhere in the region of half-season's worth, roughly. Paniu can kick, too but I don't think too many think he'll be in the 17 initially. Welham's booted over a few, I think.
Maybe a chance for somebody to add another string to their bow?

Frosties on the VT seems to think you guys have released Tyler Hepi?
Just wondering if any of you guys had heard the same. I liked the look of him on the few occasions I saw him play for your lot, surprised if this turns out to be true.

He has, I asked him myself on twitter. Nothing official but coming from Tyla was good enough for me.
Shame as I thought the kid had lots of potential.

Why is Costigan not quota, Has he a PNG passport?

Would Mantellato be realistic? Newcastle have just released Kev Naiqama so Mantellato would be their first choice cover?