DONCASTER coach Richard Horne is convinced Connor Jones can play a key role in helping the club realise their long-term top-flight ambitions.
The South Yorkshire side missed out in this year’s Super League application process.
But they are ready to keep pushing their claims – and after successive eighth-place Championship finishes since promotion from League One in 2023, Horne has his sights set on a top-four finish in the new enlarged second tier next year.
Australian Jones has joined after leaving stricken Featherstone, where he had two spells either side of a stint at Salford in 2020 and was contracted to 2026 before Rovers’ financial strife meant he was free to move elsewhere.
The 29-year-old, who played for Cairns team Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup before arriving in England ahead of the 2019 season, has penned a two-year Dons deal.
He will join ex-Featherstone teammates, centre James Glover and prop Gadwin Springer, at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Horne has also signed Bradford fullback Tom Jones and Sheffield halfback Cory Aston and said: “Strengthening the spine was important.
“I felt our pack dominated plenty of games but too many times we didn’t come away with the result, and now we have some more experience and knowhow to get wins over the line.”
Doncaster operated with two hookers in Greg Burns and Kiwi Isaac Misky last season, and Horne explained: “When Connor became available, I was interested.
“He’s one of the best nines in the competition in my view, and it will be great to have his quality, calmness and leadership.
“To have three strong nines is great, because competition will be high and that will drive performance and consistency, which we need throughout the squad.”
Jones said: “I thought Donny were going to be there or thereabouts in the season that’s just gone, but a few injuries probably just meant they burned themselves out at the end.
“With retaining most of the squad and then with the additions as well, there’s no reason why we can’t be up there at the top next year and seeing where we can go from there.
“I’m a fairly experienced Championship player, so hopefully I can bring some of that across and help out.
“I’m really confident in the team. Obviously it’s a long season and things can happen along the way, but there’s no reason we can’t be up there.”