Bit of a drop-off from Finch and Tommy L to Matty Smith and Blake Green. I'd say the Smith and Holdsworth partnership was better at Salford, could this be the result of Tomkins being on silly money or improved players getting deserved improved contracts.

This could be a sign of things to come with an increase in the NRL salary cap and not enough quality talent in the comp to support 14 teams. It's becoming ever more obvious.

All that will end up happening is the best players leave the "lesser" clubs for the "bigger" clubs so we still have a huge difference and uncompetitive league structure. And that's even before you contemplate the play-off system that rewards mediocrity.

And to add, the signings of Richard Myler, Chris Hill & Steven Ratchford (not calling a bloke Steph) could be pivotal for the next 5-10 years for us assisted by bringing through quality players like Gaz OB, etc hopefully keeping us near the summit of the league during this period.

We all know that we need a quality coach to supplement one of the best squads so Tony, sign the god damn contract extension please sir

Was about to post, glad we're in safe hands for the forseeable with Ratch/GOB/Myler/Dwyer to take over at 1/6/7/9 (I know Myler's there already but you know what I mean). Currie, Hill etc and rumoured signings of Clarke and Bateman leaves us in much better stead than the likes of Wigan signing horribly average 6's and 7's. I like where we're going.

I think Green is good and can be a dangerous player. But he's no Finch.

I wonder what the Pies think to this, as I've read a few of their posters suggest our youth players aren't up to much since we've signed on all our old players for extended contracts. Yet they're signing players from other clubs when they've got young lads in their squad who can play in these positions.

I'm sure they wouldn't be contradictory, would they?!

If you look on u-tube for Blake Green's highlights real you'll discover he's the best half-back to come out of Australia since Wally Lewis




Couple of quick observations:

1) They have signed the worse player from either club's half-back combinations. Dobson and Holdsworth is a much better combination.

2) If its true (as rumoured) that Hull KR are signing Travis Burns as Green's replacement then they will get a better player. Also shows that sometimes decent NRL players will be available, I read Anthony Quinn being quoted as wanting to play Super League next year. I'd imagine that the signings from the NRL in future will be young hopefuls you've never heard of (see the lad Leeds have just signed) or players at the end of their careers who bodies may be getting a little tired from the NRL and fancy seeing something of the world whilst getting paid for it. Which route a club takes depends on whether they believe that youth is more important than ability and whether you sign an Anthony Gelling or a Trent Waterhouse.

3) Last season apparently Stephan Ratchford wasn't a good enough player for Wigan to be interested in signing him.

If they had signed Dobson and Holdsworth I'd say well done to them, two cracking players.

If I were a Wigan fan I would be totally underwhelmed by the signings of Smith and Green. They paid a fee for Smith to get him for the end of this season and they will most probably have shelled out a fair bit for Green as he was under contract for the next two years.

Definitely a backard step for the Pies

who?

Wigan are now signing the calibre of Anita Dobson and Reg Holdsworth

I was panicking a little, in case we announced the signing of five 30+ year olds

There was a thread on the Wigan forum but been deleted I think...must be embarrassed!

About what?

The same one's that gave you not one, but 2 lessons this year?

Blake



This big time.

I would be disappointed if Warrington made the signings of Smith and Green. However, I am under no illusion that this will be the case for all clubs with the changes to the NRL cap, and it may be the case that Wigan have pinched the best two available to them in the current market. Nobody on these forums can doubt that Wigan would sign the best they could get their hands on.

I also think that we will see the gap increase between the top clubs and the lower clubs because of this, as it's understandable Salford's, Cas', Wakey's, HKR's top players will want to play for the Wigan's, Leeds', Saints and Wires of the comp. Shame really.

I just hope that, when our old guard retire, the youngster we have brought through and recruited are all at the top level, as otherwise there wont be many class players to fill the gaps.

That's a poor retort that rogues. signing a aussie nobody instead of promoting youth, what sort of message does that send out, thats what you said to us last week wasnt it?

Heh heh heh. Heh.

Classic Wigan half-back signing: 'Yeah...but...yeah, but the next two halfbacks in the academy are going to be WORLD CLASS.'

Where does this leave Powell? Wane must have no faith in him, looks like he is heading the same way as Mellor.

Short of signing a decent aussie 6, they didnt really have many options.

Pryce (Not moving)
Gale (not as good)
Briers (not moving)
McGuire (not moving)
Witt (not as good)
Chase (Hull bound and wrong attitude)
Brown (Wibnes bound)
Smith (Been there.. e)
Gaskell (not as good)
Hanbury (option?)
Richard Horne (e)
Holdsworth (Hull bound.. better option).

There is nobody else in reality.

They may also bring Mellor back from Widnes. I've seen him put in decent stints this season, maybe with better class of player around he could go ok for them?

Powell will be in the squad next season. He's still only 19/20. It's just a shame he broke his leg earlier this season and he's only just getting back to full fitness.
I have a feeling he will be used as sub back a few times next year where he will take on the Tommy Leuluai dual role of scrum half / interchange hooker. I expect Mellor will move to Widnes on a permanent deal as will Marsh.

Would you be happy to have Mellor back if that's what was decided or do you not think he could cut it at the top?