Agree, at the start of the season when most of the squad was fit we were competitive in just about all of the games. As the season went on when we suffered injuries (no worse than most others teams) we collapsed.

I guess we will see. I imagine they'll knock on more than Swift, but Swift will get taken into touch/behind the goal line more often. McIntosh is known to have a few errors in him, especially if playing fullback. I'm looking forward to us trying to utilise a bit of pace out wide, but I'm really concerned about where our early yardage will come from other than Griffin.

Swift made more yards out of back play than either of them. We moan when we have no pace . Do something about then say we have no power .

... and made more errors (11th place) than Fonua and Fariamo, neither of whom featured in last seasons penalties and errors top 20's.

It's the manner of the errors, that counts, oftern saw Faraimo drop the ball on the 2nd in our own 20.

Or Fonua attempt a ball steal or some other brain fart also in our own 20. Which we generally got crucified for.

Can't remember Swift making many errors in dangerous areas that led to trys. Plays alot more intelligently than Fonua and Faraimo.

Would be interested to see the clean break stats and missed tackles.

No bold predictions about top 4 or 5 from me.

Were a club in transition, from dressing room culture, to style of play on the pitch, under Hodgson I'd say for the better. I like that he's bringing in versatile signings that can adequately cover a second position in Lovodua and Macintosh.

Our squads unbalanced we have 3 fullbacks. 3 hookers 2 of which needed replacing, umpteen props a couple who can't string 4 games together, big rebuilding job.

We also have the academy that needs bringing upto scratch, yes we're bringing young lads through but with no bridge in place due to lack of reserve rugby alot have looked not ready, hopefully Hodgson and Shenton inspire more Higher quality young lads coming through the system.

As alot say we're struggling in depth, something the versatile nature of Hodgsons signings will help with.

Still abit of fat to be trimmed too. I'd expect more signings next season when a few overpaidid contracts expire. If be happy with qualifying for the playoffs

Johnstone
Shaul
Bowden
Matongo

Faraimo
Appearances 15
Tries 5
Av gain 8.29
Clean breaks 6
Metres 1393
Tackle Busts 41
Tackles 79
Missed tackles 17

Fonua
Appearances 16
Tries 8
Av gain 6.62
Clean breaks 5
Metres 1165
Tackle Busts 28
Tackles 101
Missed tackles 26

Swift
Appearances 17
Tries 13
Av gain 7.34
Clean breaks 8
Metres 1784
Tackle Busts 55
Tackles 64
Missed tackles 17

Main differences are Swift's superior metres and tackle busts. Fonua the weaker of the three but Faraimo the worst try scoring ratio,

I dont think our backs will be a problem we need more bulk in the pack to lay the platform for our halfs

Swift? was one of our better players and first choice wing

Bench options in the pack
Another hooker
Half backs

Would be my priority in that order.

The stats show Swifts value to us. And how crap Fonua was

Based on squad numbers (at the beginning of the season).

Why do we need backs for early yardage? Surely thats what the forwards are there for?
Griffin and Tuimavave both make yardage when required but we need to get away from this 5 drives and kick play and vary the way we come out of defence.
Saints and Castleford in previous seasons moved the ball through hands coming out of defence and stretching teams,creating a lot more metres and long distance tries with their fast backs.
you may get the odd mistake but then again a slow moving forward can easily drop the ball when hit by three defenders turning the ball over in whilst still in our 20.

Again, who is Ligi sponsor, you said was on here.

Interesting to see on the club's website that although Faraimo remains for now on the first team squad list Fonua has already been removed.

He disappeared as soon as the announcement was made yesterday lunchtime.

Suggests a less than amicable parting of the ways compared to Faraimo.

... maybe because Faraimo is still on the payroll, but I see what you mean.

He must read the posts but can understand why he may not be able to divulge what he knows
He was on the FC website a couple of weeks ago on a photo with Ligi so i guess Ligi will be staying otherwise he would not be sponsoring him once again

Would love to see the stats for stepping out of the defensive line allowing our opponents to score. Fonua and Faraimo were often guilty of that. Hope we exploit that when attacking the Cas line next season.

Quote ="ComeOnYouUll"Faraimo Appearances 15 Tries 5 Av gain 8.29 Clean breaks 6 Metres 1393 Tackle Busts 41 Tackles 79 Missed tackles 17 Fonua Appearances 16 Tries 8 Av gain 6.62 Clean breaks 5 Metres 1165 Tackle Busts 28 Tackles 101 Missed tackles 26 Swift Appearances 17 Tries 13 Av gain 7.34 Clean breaks 8 Metres 1784 Tackle Busts 55 Tackles 64 Missed tackles 17 Main differences are Swift's superior metres and tackle busts. Fonua the weaker of the three but Faraimo the worst try scoring ratio,'" https://www.superleague.co.uk/player/19 ... 3Emcintosh I was surprised how many metres Mcintosh made too averages well over 100m I don't think we'll struggle for yardage as much as people think. Grace and Makinson aren't massive and make good yards, same could be said for players like Marshall and Handley too

Quote ="ComeOnYouUll"Faraimo Appearances 15 Tries 5 Av gain 8.29 Clean breaks 6 Metres 1393 Tackle Busts 41 Tackles 79 Missed tackles 17 Fonua Appearances 16 Tries 8 Av gain 6.62 Clean breaks 5 Metres 1165 Tackle Busts 28 Tackles 101 Missed tackles 26 Swift Appearances 17 Tries 13 Av gain 7.34 Clean breaks 8 Metres 1784 Tackle Busts 55 Tackles 64 Missed tackles 17 Main differences are Swift's superior metres and tackle busts. Fonua the weaker of the three but Faraimo the worst try scoring ratio,'" https://www.superleague.co.uk/player/19 ... 3Emcintosh I was surprised how many metres Mcintosh made too averages well over 100m I don't think we'll struggle for yardage as much as people think. Grace and Makinson aren't massive and make good yards, same could be said for players like Marshall and Handley too

On the topic of Evans, I can't remember if the discussion about his ban got settled and I can't be d to read pages of off topic waffle to find out. But I just did some backtracking and when Rovers signed Travis Burns he had to miss the first 3 games of the new season and his 12 match ban was still enforced in Super League. So I imagine the same would stand for Evans should we sign him.

Was told yesterday, FC have another 2 signings to announce, possibly during the week but no names. Evans and Wardle?

I really enjoyed following Rovers from afar this year, more than any season in SL for a good while. Despite almost chucking in the towel after round 1 when I genuinely started to wonder if anything good would ever happen for the club again. Straw that almost broke the camel’s back, darkest hour before the dawn and all that.

Winning a play-off game and getting closer to a SL GF than ever before put a cherry on a nice little cake.

Looking ahead, I think there’s a possibility that we get a bit giddy with it. Which is fine and natural. We improved massively, and that is a huge shot in the arm, but it was from a very, very low base in 2020. It’ll be interesting to see how the team/club react, whether it whets the appetite for more or if we are content to consolidate. It is nice to wonder what is achievable again, for a bit. It has been difficult for us to go into a fresh season positive, or even just not knowing, for too long.

Interesting read Matt Heads take on Lovodua and how he thinks he’ll go at Hull and SL [url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/mat-head-hull-joe-lovodua-6033682here[/url

Read somewhere Wardle is off to a championship club. Cannot remember who or where I read it.