Vikings head coach Neil Kelly share his views with FLAGSHIP on his new signings for the Super League season

DANIEL FRAME (FORWARD)

AUSTRALIAN second rower Daniel Frame signed for the Vikings from Brisbane-based club Wynnum Manly last week.

The 26-year-old, who has played for East Brisbane and enjoyed a two-year spell at Melborne Storm, was part of the Dewsbury Rams' side that won the Grand Final in 2000 under the leadership of Neil Kelly.

Frame scored seven tries and won three man of the match awards during his 2000 season with the Rams.

He is 6ft 2ins and weighs over 15 stones and will be one of the Vikings' over-seas quota, despite his mother being from Hull.

Vikings coach Neil Kelly said: "Daniel is a great line breaker and has good pace and his defence is solid as well. He is a good footballer and if he plays anywhere near his potential I think he could be a surprise package for us this season."

ROBERT RELF (FORWARD)

NORTH Queensland Cowboys forward Robert Relf became the Vikings' second over-seas signing this month.

The hard-hitting Australian second-rower, renowned for his aggression on the pitch and never-say-die attitude, was given a one-year contract.

Relf played most of his professional career for the Bankstown Bulldogs, formerly Canterbury, and appeared in the 1995, 1997 and 1998 NRL Grand Finals with this club.

He made 164 first team appearences for the Cowboys after joing them in 1999 and was the top-scoring forward in the NRL with five tries this season.

Kelly said: "We highlighted what type of player we were looking for and based on that pen picture we became interested in Relf. When you start hearing the same name from quite a lot of different people you have to pay attention and we did some homework ourselves on him and were impressed with him as a player. He is the top scoring second rower in the NRL this season.

"We need players who are going to front up every week. Relf has missed very few games for a back-rower and yet he gives 100 per cent each week. These are qualities we feel we need and want at the club."

JASON DEMTRIOU (CENTRE)

VIKINGS centre Jason Demetriou became the first of the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final-winning team to pledge his future to the club.

The 25-year-old confirmed he would be part of the Vikings' Super League campaign when he signed a two-year contract last month.

Jason made 32 appearances for the club last season and scored 16 tries, including two crucial touchdowns during the Vikings' Grand Final win over the Oldham Roughyeds at Spotland.

He also earned two man of the match awards against Gateshead and Doncaster last season.

Before signing for the Vikings he played for both Rochdale Hornets and Lancashire Lynx.

Kelly told Flagship: "During the time I have been here Jason has been one of the most consistent performers. I have had a lot of people make positive comments about him and his reputation is starting to grow a little bit.

"I have every confidence that he can make the step up into Super League and be successful. He has taken a chance on himself by turning professional which proves the fact that he has confidence in himself as well."

RYAN MCDONALD (PROP)

NEIL KELLY again raided the Dewsbury Rams locker room by capturing young prop Ryan McDonald.

The 23-year-old Scottish International, who has also enjoyed spells at Leeds and Bramley, is 6ft tall and weighs in at 15.5 stones.

McDonald, who signed a full time 12 month contract on Thursday, September 13, is Kelly's fourth acqusition from the Rams since leaving them mid-way through last season.

PHIL CANTILLON (HOOKER)

VIKINGS' record-breaking hooker Phil Cantillon will be part of the club's Super League campaign after signing a new two-year contract.

The prolific try scorer, a favourite with Widnes fans, put pen to paper on Monday, September 17, after weeks of negotiations with the club.

Cantillon smashed Rugby League legend Ellery Hanley's six-year-old world record for the most tries scored in a season by a forward during the Vikings' 2000/2001 Northern Ford Premiership campaign.

The record came during a 72-18 demolition of Chorley Lynx, a game in which Cantillon snatched a hat trick, and by the end of the season the in-form hooker's tally had reached an amazing 48 tries.

Cantillon also earned himself a place in last season's Northern Ford Premiership dream team, selected by the Rugby League.