We showed with Rich Wilkinson last season that if given the opportunity, they can go on to become very good players. Wilkinson definitely showed that, and its something which I feel we've done well in recent seasons, taking in youngsters from SL and other Championship clubs who may not have had the opportunity to play first team, and give them the opportunity to play.

I suppose the club has decided that spending a decent chunk of their available wage bill on three or four quality players is less desirable than investing in seven or eight youngsters who are eager to learn and show what they can do.

We do have a decent track record of improving young players and bringing them on. I don't have a problem with this approach but ...

I can't help but think that we need a couple more proven players of similar ability to Steve Snitch to give the team the correct balance between experience and youth, probably in the prop/second row department.

Nobody banged on about Wilko more than me. I could tell he had what it took when we went to Aldershot and he played vs the Army team.
However not all youngsters achieve their potential like Wilko is doing.
Generally you can tell if someone has the class, and if they do, Paul Cooke is the man to develop it.
So if Paul Cooke reckons someone has the class to make it with the Dons that's enough for me anyday.

COYD

You're right there mate ......
Bringing on youngsters is fine but takes time and there is no guarantee they won't just bugger off when they are up to speed.
No side without a good blend of mature experience players to guide the youngsters around the park is ever going to win anything.
So I am afraid that sides do have to buy in some already successful players whether they want to or not.
Also we are owned by the Rovers, they control finances now .... we may have our own philosophy but they call the shots.
That doesn't mean that Carl is not the man guiding us, because he is.

COYD

Mark Castle reportedly signed for Hunslet www.loverugbyleague.com/news_165 ... astle.html While he'd not had the same impact this year as the previous season I still felt he could have done a job for us

Mark Castle reportedly signed for Hunslet www.loverugbyleague.com/news_165 ... astle.html While he'd not had the same impact this year as the previous season I still felt he could have done a job for us

Yea surprised at that one, good luck at Hunslet.

very unexpected a player i always thought gave 100%

I've always like Cas. I thought we always looked a more potent force going forwards with him on the field last season. He always tried hard for us and never let us down. Sad to see him go.

He's left a hole that definitely needs filling.

Good luck at Hunslet mate!

I liked Cas but thought he could have got himself fitter , anyway good luck Mark !

Quote ="Jemmo"Mark Castle reportedly signed for Hunslet www.loverugbyleague.com/news_165 ... astle.html While he'd not had the same impact this year as the previous season I still felt he could have done a job for us'" We must be about to announce some fantastic signings in the front row.

Quote ="Jemmo"Mark Castle reportedly signed for Hunslet www.loverugbyleague.com/news_165 ... astle.html While he'd not had the same impact this year as the previous season I still felt he could have done a job for us'" We must be about to announce some fantastic signings in the front row.

Yeah sure ........

Alternatively .......

I have it on good authority that we are considering three big lads from a top Indian RL club.

Our top forwards next year will be Brett Waller, Chai Walla (who has the game off to a tea), Dhobi Walla (who at one time looked washed up, but has turned it around) and Punka Walla (who is a bit of a rebel, but a big fan of RL.)

Their cousin Bottley Walla will be a waterboy

Dudh Walla didn't make the team unfortunately.

Definitely need to sign at least 2 decent props now even if Waller re signs.

A winger or 2, a half back, 2 big props are defiantly on my wish list

I like the idea of investing in youth, giving us continuity for years to come

We seem to have done well to fend off other clubs from taking Pas Dunn from us.

He showed some good ability even though lacking experience since he's joined us.

I've been puzzling over where his best position might be. What does everyone think?

Depends how fast he is.
I've only really noticed that he defends aggressively and can put folk on their ar/se.
He's not big enough to be a prop and he's not a playmaker (yet).
So if he's got the speed he's a centre, if he hasn't he's a second rower.
Don't think he's a winger.

I'd be looking to make him a Yere, but what do I know?!

I agree with S/O. He's not going to be a prop but the other options apart from being a winger seem possible.

I think I'd like to see him in the centres (like a Yere) but not sure if he has the pace either. If he could develop the required ball-playing skills, I could see him being a formidable hooker.

Maybe whilst he's still learning the game, his best place will be in the second row?

Yere isn't blessed with the greatest of pace either, he manages to break the line, then has the power to keep going, I think Pas could be a good centre, but as has been suggested, if his ballplaying is any good, he may be a cracker of a hooker.

I think second row for him tbh even if he is a ball player (some of them can ball play too!) but mostly because I think he struggled with picking the ball up at dummy half (which is understandable as even though he played there as a youngster its effectively a new skill he has to learn/relearn), he seemed noticeably slower at this than our other players so for me its a no to hooker.

The lad can certainly tackle, still getting to grips with the game, looked a little lost at times, not sure what his role was. Convinced he's got a lot more to come, his best position remains to be seen.

True, Yere has the power to bust tackles rather than pace to get by people. Yere's weakness is his tackle technique and if people get past him he can't usually catch them up. Pas is the opposite at the moment. His tackling is rock solid. We're still a little unsure where Pas will best fit in from an attacking point of view.

I'm sure as he gains more experience Cookey and Pas will find his best position. It'll certainly be interesting to see him develop through next season.

Liam Colbon has had talks with Paul Cooke but has decided to hang up his boots due to injury problems.

Here is the full article from the Hull Daily Mail detailing what Liam is doing now:

[urlhttp://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Ex-Hull-FC-KR-winger-Liam-Colbon-aims-help-stars/story-23250768-detail/story.html[/url

What is the confirmed squad so far for 2015. Please anyone.

Quote ="onedon"What is the confirmed squad so far for 2015. Please anyone.'" There is thread stuck to the top of the forum showing it viewtopic.php?f=42&t=573926

Quote ="onedon"What is the confirmed squad so far for 2015. Please anyone.'" There is thread stuck to the top of the forum showing it viewtopic.php?f=42&t=573926

Have a look on the topics page of the forum, you'll see the very first topic is a "sticky" thread in red showing the Doncaster 2015 squad details.

Thanks both