Just a week to go now, and choosing my top pick of number 7s was the hardest choice so far. Enjoy!
Michael Dobson – The ex-Hull KR captain is a player Salford fans are excited to see playing in 2015, as he can bring a lot to the Devils: Experience, skill, try assists, kicking, you name it and most likely Dobson can do it.
Dobson spent the 2014 season with the Newcastle Knights over in the NRL, but struggled to secure a first-team spot in the side, only appearing six times for the Australian club.
Dobson was one of the best play-makers and players in the Super League while at Hull KR, and their fans were sure sad to see him go. In 2013, Dobson had the third-highest try assists to his name, behind Brough and his soon-to-be halfback partner Rangi Chase. Having Chase and Dobson for your attacking side is impressive, and Salford are sure lucky to have this. If they can gel together quickly, they’re combination in 2015 will be quick and slick, and should get Salford on the score-board time and time again.
I asked you, the fans, to describe Dobson in one tweet, and here's what you had to say -
@MatthwBaxter clearly rates him, calling the player “world class”, while @andyhullkr disagrees and thinks the player is ‘past his best’. @SalfordFaithful and @HKR_Anaylsis also had praise for the half-back, saying that he will be “Deadly with Chase” and is a “fantastic player”.
@tanno2503, a Rovers fan, said: “Being a Rovers fan, I would say a great hard working leader on the field, just not vocal enough,” while another Rovers fan, @kevintranmer81 was not so positive about the player, calling him “de-fence-less”.
“Superb kicking game. Hopefully he will go well with Chase,” said @SalfordPaulH, while @Carnster is also looking forward to seeing the player in action, “Looking forward to seeing him with Chase. He'll keep the ship tight leaving Chase to do what he does best. Fages back-up. Perfect”.
“As a Salford fan can't really comment because he's not really pulled on the shirt yet! But if I had to he's organised,” said @bigbeav30, while @sinirobin76 only had praise for him, saying: “Great dictator of play and outstanding kicking game, natural leader just lacks a yard of pace and not very strong defensively”.
@RugbyDiscipline replied with ‘money money money,’ clearly expressing his views, while @peteeth also thinks the player is ‘very poor defensively,’ and @wearehullkr agrees, tweeting ‘weak in defence’.
Albert Kelly – This 23-year-old half-back really impressed me with in his time over in the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans, where he often managed to secure a starting position at half-back. However, his 2014 season was impacted by injuries, meaning the Australian half-back appeared just 12 times throughout 2015. He did manage to score 5 tries in them matches, though!
The Hull KR recruit has his good games and bad games. On his good games, his lightening-fast pace can beat almost-every defender, whilst the skill he can produce with the ball in his hand is also magical. However, with some games I’ve seen him play in the NRL, he can go a little quiet. With Hull KR, he won’t be able to do this as they will expect him to lead his team up-the-field and secure good field position and produce good attacking play.
Personally, I loved watching him in the NRL, and now I can’t wait to see how he goes in the Super League! He just needs to remain injury free.
Luke Walsh – This man could have won the Steve Prescott Man of Steel, if it wasn't for his injury that ended his season short.
Walsh was something special in 2014, and he was St Helens’ greatest attacker within the season. His great kicking game and brilliant ball-handling skills really sparked up St Helens in 2014, and he definitely improved the side.
The 27-year-old made 11 try assists, despite only appearing 16 times for the Saints, as well as kicking 66 goals, scoring 5 tries and making 159 kicks in general play. St Helens look a much sharper side when this player is the on the field, and despite winning the Grand Final anyway, this player could have had a massive impact on the game if he had played at Old Trafford.
If the player can keep injury-free, he’s certainly going to have a good year.
Close calls – The Smiths. - No, not the band! - If you follow me on Twitter (@RLLatest) you’ll know I had a hard time choosing my top thee for this one. Unfortunately, Matty Smith and Tim Smith closely missed out even though I desperately wanted to include them both. Both these players have massive impacts on their teams, Wigan and Wakefield, and they both massively improve their sides as they are inspiring players with quality attacking management and skill. These two are definitely ones to look out for in 2015, too!
Michael Dobson – The ex-Hull KR captain is a player Salford fans are excited to see playing in 2015, as he can bring a lot to the Devils: Experience, skill, try assists, kicking, you name it and most likely Dobson can do it.
Dobson spent the 2014 season with the Newcastle Knights over in the NRL, but struggled to secure a first-team spot in the side, only appearing six times for the Australian club.
Dobson was one of the best play-makers and players in the Super League while at Hull KR, and their fans were sure sad to see him go. In 2013, Dobson had the third-highest try assists to his name, behind Brough and his soon-to-be halfback partner Rangi Chase. Having Chase and Dobson for your attacking side is impressive, and Salford are sure lucky to have this. If they can gel together quickly, they’re combination in 2015 will be quick and slick, and should get Salford on the score-board time and time again.
I asked you, the fans, to describe Dobson in one tweet, and here's what you had to say -
@MatthwBaxter clearly rates him, calling the player “world class”, while @andyhullkr disagrees and thinks the player is ‘past his best’. @SalfordFaithful and @HKR_Anaylsis also had praise for the half-back, saying that he will be “Deadly with Chase” and is a “fantastic player”.
@tanno2503, a Rovers fan, said: “Being a Rovers fan, I would say a great hard working leader on the field, just not vocal enough,” while another Rovers fan, @kevintranmer81 was not so positive about the player, calling him “de-fence-less”.
“Superb kicking game. Hopefully he will go well with Chase,” said @SalfordPaulH, while @Carnster is also looking forward to seeing the player in action, “Looking forward to seeing him with Chase. He'll keep the ship tight leaving Chase to do what he does best. Fages back-up. Perfect”.
“As a Salford fan can't really comment because he's not really pulled on the shirt yet! But if I had to he's organised,” said @bigbeav30, while @sinirobin76 only had praise for him, saying: “Great dictator of play and outstanding kicking game, natural leader just lacks a yard of pace and not very strong defensively”.
@RugbyDiscipline replied with ‘money money money,’ clearly expressing his views, while @peteeth also thinks the player is ‘very poor defensively,’ and @wearehullkr agrees, tweeting ‘weak in defence’.
Albert Kelly – This 23-year-old half-back really impressed me with in his time over in the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans, where he often managed to secure a starting position at half-back. However, his 2014 season was impacted by injuries, meaning the Australian half-back appeared just 12 times throughout 2015. He did manage to score 5 tries in them matches, though!
The Hull KR recruit has his good games and bad games. On his good games, his lightening-fast pace can beat almost-every defender, whilst the skill he can produce with the ball in his hand is also magical. However, with some games I’ve seen him play in the NRL, he can go a little quiet. With Hull KR, he won’t be able to do this as they will expect him to lead his team up-the-field and secure good field position and produce good attacking play.
Personally, I loved watching him in the NRL, and now I can’t wait to see how he goes in the Super League! He just needs to remain injury free.
Luke Walsh – This man could have won the Steve Prescott Man of Steel, if it wasn't for his injury that ended his season short.
Walsh was something special in 2014, and he was St Helens’ greatest attacker within the season. His great kicking game and brilliant ball-handling skills really sparked up St Helens in 2014, and he definitely improved the side.
The 27-year-old made 11 try assists, despite only appearing 16 times for the Saints, as well as kicking 66 goals, scoring 5 tries and making 159 kicks in general play. St Helens look a much sharper side when this player is the on the field, and despite winning the Grand Final anyway, this player could have had a massive impact on the game if he had played at Old Trafford.
If the player can keep injury-free, he’s certainly going to have a good year.
Close calls – The Smiths. - No, not the band! - If you follow me on Twitter (@RLLatest) you’ll know I had a hard time choosing my top thee for this one. Unfortunately, Matty Smith and Tim Smith closely missed out even though I desperately wanted to include them both. Both these players have massive impacts on their teams, Wigan and Wakefield, and they both massively improve their sides as they are inspiring players with quality attacking management and skill. These two are definitely ones to look out for in 2015, too!