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?

If you had made a play for Mantellato 3 months ago, he'd have jumped at the chance.
Now the Knights have released fringe firstgrade backs Kev Naiqama (Penrith), Pete Mataútia (St George), Suitonga Likiliki (Titans) and Will Smith (Penrith), and Timana Tahu needs knee surgery and is very likely to retire - which means he has gone from one of 6 fringe guys fighting for a spot to our only real viable option, ahead of kids like chanel Mataútia, Pat Mataútia, Sione Mataútia and Dale Clacherty - all aged between 17 and 21.

Eden
Hall
Gleeson
Welham
Cockayne

Burns
Keeting

Weyman
J Hodgson
A Walker
Larroyer
Cox
Costigan

Carlile/Horne
Langley
J Walker
Poore

Guzdek
D Hodgson
Caro
Salter
Panui
Beharrell
Green
Netherton
Maki
Robinson
Ollett
Esslemont
Lovegrove

The negatives are that we'll have a little less flair with the absence of Dobson and Paterson but I'd say we are stronger in virtually every other facet.

1 homegrown player in that 1st 17. Not good after 7 years of SL.

That's just saved an FC troll 2 mins of their life.

And a very flimsy 3/4 line...that line up would just move the missed tackles out wide...

There's 2; Welham and Cox.



It's a fair point though, particularly when you think there's probably only Taylor who would get in our first 17 of the players we've moved on.

Hopefully the recent cash injection in to the club will help though there's plenty of work to do.

In the meantime I'd expect Salter and Green to be with us long term. Not seen enough of Robinson, Ollett and Esslemont to say if they can make it.

With 4 of them out of contract at the end of the year, I expect this area to be addressed for 2015.