PICTURE the scene. In a locked drawer inside his office at the Hull FC training ground, football manager Motu Tony has a list with possibly four or five names on it.
A piece of paper no doubt only seen by a select few, on the weathered parchment lies a name that could hold the fortunes of Hull. A shopping list of half-back targets.
A fictional scenario perhaps, but there's no escaping the importance of Hull's next significant signing, on which they are rather wisely keeping their own counsel, unlike in recent years.
And let's not underestimate that it's a signing they have to get right.
Ask either Hull coach Lee Radford, or Tony for that matter, about their plans for 2015 and beyond and with a poker face and cards pressed firmly to their chest, they give nothing away regarding the plans for new arrivals.
And yet, it's widely known Hull are in the market for a new addition to strengthen their half-back department, an addition that has to be the right one after a chequered past in that area.
The names of Michael Dobson and Thomas Leuluai have been touted around by some, Terry Campese and Jeff Robson could also be two more names on that list.
Dobson and Leuluai have definitely been identified and approached about their plans, but enquiries and even offers don't mean deals.
Resolving their half-back recruitment is Hull's priority and the importance of finding the right fit won't be lost on Radford, who played alongside a revolving door of different halves and combinations during his final few years as a player at the Black and Whites.
Hull have four halves currently at the club, but with Harry Tyson-Wilson still very young and not ready for Super League, despite his undoubted talent, and with Richard Horne in the latter stages of a career that could end this year before a move into coaching, Hull need a new recruit.
Aussie duo Jordan Rankin and Jacob Miller have been tasked with the responsibility this season, with varying degrees of success.
At 22 and 21-years-old respectively, the two inexperienced players are good young talents.
The trouble is, rather than either being allowed to flourish alongside a more experienced half, they've been forced into the deep end together, holding each other's hand in an effort to swim and not sink.
Playing either of the two young players alongside a more established and vastly experienced half would not only aid Hull, but also the games of the young Aussies, who are under a lot of pressure being asked to be the generals of an FC side that has had a difficult season.
Of the half-backs Hull could sign, none would be better suited than Dobson.
A player who has excelled in Super League, knows the competition, understands the British game and would know what to expect from living in the city, Dobson is as safe a signing as you can make.
A terrific kicker of the ball as well as a goal kicker, Dobson's attributes tick the boxes of just what Hull need.
Departing Hull KR for Newcastle Knights, the former Rovers captain signed a one-year deal as he tried his hand back in the NRL. It's not worked out and he's played just five times this year for a Knights side who have won only two of their 11 games.
Hull have spoken to Dobson's agent. The trouble is so have big-spending Salford. A return to Super League for the former Dream Team member seems a certainty, but there's no denying it would be easier for him to return as a Red Devils player rather than for the Black and Whites, given his past history.
Dobson could well be top of Hull's list, but he isn't the only name on it.
Among the other targets is understood to be New Zealand Warriors star Leuluai.
The son of Hull great James Leuluai, Thomas has long been linked with Hull since his London Broncos days 10 years ago because of that famous surname.
Could the rumours finally become reality? It remains unlikely given he still has another year on his Warriors deal and despite not being involved as much as he likes this year because of injury, he remains a key figure for the club. Unlikely perhaps, unbelievable that he could sign? Definitely not.
Leuluai wouldn't be the type of general Hull need, but would add undoubted quality.
If Leuluai is a possibility but an outside bet, what are the odds on someone like Campese being prised away from his beloved Canberra Raiders?
A one-club man, the 29-year-old is a former Australia and State of Origin half who is still in his prime.
Having signed an incredible six-year contract with the Raiders, that deal will expire in 2015. His preference will be, no doubt, to stay with his hometown club, but the lure of a long-term contract on English shores could prise him away from the uncertainty of what his future will hold in Australia.
Could that lure also entice someone like Robson? An outside bet who is yet to be discussed in the possibilities of potential half-back targets, Robson has been looked at in the past and Hull could turn to him again.
Two years ago the Cronulla man turned down two offers from Super League, with one believed to be from Hull, to stay with the Sharks.
Still under contract until 2015, the 31-year-old may now be ready to begin his journey overseas and would be the surprise choice for Hull.
As to who will arrive, the Black and Whites will no doubt continue to keep their own counsel but they know whatever the outcome, like always, it will be one closely scrutinised.
MORE MISSES THAN HITS: Hull FC's cast of half-backs. Clockwise from top, Jordan Turner, Brett Seymour, Mathew Head, Chris Thorman, Sam Obst, Sean Long, Daniel Holdsworth.Revolving door of halves must be shut
THE statistics are alarming. In seven years since the successful partnership of Paul Cooke and Richard Horne was pulled apart by the former's departure for Hull KR, Hull FC have employed 15 different half-backs.
A revolving door has seen Horne partnered with a string of different faces at such a regular rate the ability for Hull to boast any sort of continuity in the halves has been impossible.
If a total of 15 players being employed in the halves isn't staggering enough, once the likes of Joe Westerman, Richard Whiting, Jordan Turner, Danny Washbrook, Tommy Lee, Shaun Berrigan and the many more who have played the position at one time or another are taken into account, the total easily surpasses 20.
Put simply, Hull have tried many options.
They went for the recognised Super League star in Sean Long, but got the St Helens great a season or two too late and injuries hampered his two years at the club.
The same can be said of both Mathew Head and Adam Dykes who, when fully fit, looked genuine quality, with Dykes instrumental in Hull reaching the 2008 Challenge Cup final.
But both very rarely ever trained during the week such were their injuries that they had no opportunity to build any sort of relationships on the training field.
For a club that has had some great overseas half-backs, Hull's record of recent years with Aussie players has not been great, with Dykes and Head joined by Daniel Holdsworth in failing to last beyond a year at the KC Stadium.
Sam Obst and Chris Thorman were supposed to be the steady eddies to settle the ship, but neither impressed, while the promising stars like Jamie Ellis and Danny Nicklas were not given much time after being thrown in at the deep end.
It's a similar situation currently facing the current incumbents Jacob Miller and Jordan Rankin, two promising young Aussies who are learning as they go while being asked to lead a Hull team under pressure. Both have the potential and have shown at times their quality and ability, but with youth and inexperience comes inconsistency.
There's no denying what a difference a more experienced general alongside them would make.
Whatever Hull's plans for their halves moving forward, consistency is the biggest factor and coach Lee Radford needs to have a partnership for the long term which he can continue to build his team around.
