I doubt it was Hampshire because he had a two year contract.

Not sure who it was but it wasn’t Hampshire.

I agree

As the roles of rugby league "positions" become more and more interchangeable, the need for RH to have a permanent position seems to be less important. Every club needs a utility player and I think Rocky suits that title more than anyone else.

I 100% agree with you re the value of a utility



However as some one that played the game I assure you no player grows up wanting to be a utility player



I don’t know Rocky but I’ve watched the game over 30 years and he strikes me as the sort of player that needs a regular spot (and deserves one) I also think he would benefit himself and the team for having a regular position (that’s just logical)

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Having a regular position is less important to the team but I'd say more important to Rocky.

His benefit to the team is enhanced by being so flexible but having to change position all the time means he has to reset his brain to new defense structure and new partnerships each time. It just doesn't help development.



If you think about fullback, Max is training everyday with his position in mind and developing a better game.

If Hampshire is covering half back and fullback he can only do 50% or less in one of the positions.



I personally think he's more valuable as a utility. But it depends whether that translates to money in his pocket. If utility translates to second choice, then it won't.

Where do we play Gaskell because all positions are currently filled but I would suspect we have invested quite heavily to secure his signature for a filler in.

Not true at all imo.



Although I agree that Hampshire almost certainly always saw himself as a SH not all players have a fixed idea of their position, unless dictated by certain physical criteria.



When I played there were plenty of good young lads who were happy to play anywhere. Quite a lot just enjoyed the game and had no real idea what their favoured position was. In fact many became dissolutions by unimaginative coaches who pigeon holed them due only to the stage of physical development they were in at the time.



It’s ridiculous, you can’t know your physical or mental limitations until you are about 17, much older in some cases.



So many players start off as utility players and remain so.



Arona is a utility player as is Crowther and a few others and I suspect they are happy to be so.



The Utility tag only really hold a player back at international level and even then some slip through. Most utility players have a much longer career than so called specialist.



Even the ultimate specialist Neil Fox eventually extended his career by adding other positions to his CV. More a progression I accept but the versatility is still there.



I know your now going to get abusive and tell me I know nothing but I’m sorry but I do. Utility is the future and the youngsters who spot that are the smart ones, yes specialist will always exist for clubs who can afford them but the MVP will be like Ellery Hanley, the ultimate utility player who’s career was not remotely blighted by the title.

But he’s not a filler in. Gaskell will almost certainly start at centre and when Bill is fit he will have to dislodge him. That will only happen if Gaskell loses form, is injured or his services are desperately needed elsewhere.



That’s not a filler player that’s a quality player who can hold down almost any position offered. Players like Bill, Jowitt and Lyne will be very nervous of Gaskell and that’s a good thing

B T ,Jowitt and Lyne will not have to wait long before Gaskell is out injured .And to say he should be picked in front of the three mentioned players is a bad statement Gaskell like most of the players Mr Chester signed was a bad call

That would worry me if Gaskell was a shoe in to start at centre.Played only around 10% of his career in centres and only once in last 3 years.IMHO think opposition would have a field day attacking his side.Fullback/Halfback yes - centre,please god no.

He’s not a shoe in, I’m assuming Bill won’t be fit enough to start the season full throttle, hence Gaskell will probably play there and if he does it’s fair to assume it’s Gaskells to lose, is that not how it works.