Why waste a wage on a player who would be third choice in his favorite position and even further behind in his other position. Hodgson and Houghton can't realistically be compared until Hodgson has had a decent run out at SL level.

good post

and on this production line too is a young hooker called Jack Iley

Are you listening Justine ???

Im sure he will be sniffing round

Well, he's never been known to turn anything white down has he?

agree. How people can use the arguement that he was reserve grade player of the year as reason to keep him is funny. Any other season with no first team injuries would have seen the likes of burnett, briscoe, hall etc all playing more reserve grade and josh wouldn't have stood out then. He's been in a poor team

Only ever saw him as average tbh, he was way down the pecking order so it's not a major loss. It also helps to keep Rovers local players quota up, by signing yet another one from us

Came on here to see what you guys thought of Hodgeson and only read a few posts on here and just basically seen a lot of points scoring. So delving beneath that is this a win win deal, you've let go a promising youngster that you have other players to fill his position. We have got a promising young player that plays in a spot we need a bit more cover in.

I wouldn't be surprised if we isgn an older more experienced hooker (maybe on short contract) for next year and bring in Hodgeson slowly.

I agree you have a good hooker in Houghton, Berrigan I'm not so sure about in terms of fitness and longevity, I know you lot really rate him and I've only seen him in derbies and on sky, but I do getthe feeling that the emperor has no clothes in his case, but suppose we'll see how he goes post op next year.

To be fair for us to take players from your academy makes a fair bit of sense, they are generally young hull based lads so the logistics of any move are made far easier. I would expect as the years move on and we develop our academy sturcture I would expect to see a fair few move both ways.

I know where you are coming from Dave but I dont really remember DH being anything special at reserve grade (do have memory block now and again!). I suspect part of the reason he's left will have something to do with the 21's being 20's next year. Mind boggling decision by the RFL tbh. Leaves little scope for clubs really. Only two over age players will mean a lot of our first team sqaud will have very lttle game time and in that sense it makes sense for him and for us to part. I liked him as a player that wasnt affraid to try the unusual to find a winning play. He flunked a few but quite a few came off.

didn't think any of our players were deemed worthy or good enough by most dobbins, so why are you all creaming yourselves over one of our reserves

Hodgson was part of your under 18s side last season so will still be eligible for the newly formed under 20s next season. Wouldnt have taken up an overage place.

Hodgson is 20 in October.

Good point well made.

Not sure what to make of this really. On the one hand we have lost a player who looks like he has a lot of potential. However, unless we are ravaged by injuries yet again I can't see where he would get a game for a long time. Hooker and Second row are two of our better positions, he would be waiting at least until Berro goes before he would be our second choice hooker.

We've signed plenty of young talent and have more coming through the reserves.

You're putting a lot of store on his recent award-winning form. Might I just remind you that your favourite [ibete noir[/i Richard Whiting once won SL YPOTY.

Fair point.

Although I take the opinion of a top four coach who is in the playoffs in short time since joining the league over the the coach that has guided us to being a basement club.

Interesting. Does that mean that you played an ineligible player in your under 18s last year then or do the Rugby League work on school years for eligibilty?

No ideas. I guess school years makes sense having come through the age groups with your team mates playing in the winter time.

Let's face it, we have had a number of potential superstars who then fail. Tommy Lee, Graeme Horne, Richie Barnett, even Washy who have not turned into world beaters. We also want to keep player's like Houghton (who's PROVED to be capable and has potential), Briscoe (both), Whiting etc....... so we have to let some go. I wish the lad well, hope he does not bring Rover's sucess, but if he does, that's rugby.

Houghton was fantasic for the reserves, his performance when we beat Wigan in the under 21's final about 3 years ago was amazing.

He is streets ahead of Hodgson, Hodgson is a solid Malcom Alker type hooker.

If he wanted decent money and a two year deal Hull have done the right thing.

I would rather us use the money on signing players like Briscoe (both) and Lynn on long term deals than sign Hodgson.

I think the club has done the right thing, they have a few potenially good hookers coming through the system and is one of the reasons that the club has tried to convert him into a hooker.

People have to understand that with the salary cap and other squad rules you cant keep everyone.

im always disapointed to lose a player to rovers ,but you can not keep everyone ,the truth is the lads got better 1st team chances at rovers ,and you carnt blame him ,i have heard hull offered him 10k a year if thats right ,he did right to leave,if hull want to keep these lads you have to give them a half decsent contract ,just hope berro shoulder isnt bad or we could regret this

i asked a question about this lad the other day.

if berrigan isn't fit for the start of the season or he gets injured in the season is he good enough to play sl?

He said it wasnt about money but about playing time. And he will get more game time at rovers!... end of