That's why I like the idea of partnering Mellor with Finch. On one hand you'd have the experience, kicking game and knowledge of how to control a game provided by Finch. Coupled with the running game that Mellor would bring to the table. I've always liked to see contrast in the halves, and with Finch and Mellor I think we'd see the correct combination of that.

I still have some concerns with Mellors recovery, he lacks the zip he had prior to his injury and it may take another year or so at least to see it return, much in the same way Locky did.

Tommy for me has that zip and I would not be adverse to seeing Mellor be the long term replacement for Finch once he fully (hopefully) recovers.

Well that's the great thing about having him on dual reg at Widnes. He's getting the game time against tougher opposition that will allow us to see where he's at.



He's got excellent acceleration Tommy over short distances, but I wouldn't back him over a long distance, as I would Joe (pre injury). It's that "zip" you speak of that makes Tommy so dangerous at 9.

I do not think halves need that natural sprint speed if they have that natural acceleration to break the line. A half with both is a real bonus though and Mellor if he recovers fully could well be a player that has both.

It depends whether Roberts returns to his old form or not. If he did I'd like him at 1 and Sam at 6. Not sure we need to sign anyone for next year if Hock returns and Carmont signs up for another year.

Are you seriously telling me that if Scott Dureau came onto the market you wouldnt want him?

If that's the case, then you've obviously not seen his absolutely commanding performances for Catalans, including the one where they (ie Dureau) destroyed us at the DW. He's the best halfback in SL at the moment.

We all know that Aussies don't respect contracts and as soon as it gets too cold for them they bugger off home. Barrett did it, Maguire's doing it and Finch will do it. Deacon won't go on forever and Leuluai's a hooker. Where will we be then?

Dureau is exactly the type of player Wigan RL needs.

I've said it on here and on the Saints and Wire boards Dureau is the best player I have seen playing against Wigan this year.

It depends at what cost, don't forget man of steel, SL top try + goal scorer, Wigan's SL record points scorer Pat Richards' contract is up at the end of the year. I don't know what he was on before but I bet it'll go up by a lot if we want to keep him. I reckon the following squad would challenge for the treble next year:

1. Roberts
2. Goulding
3. Charnley
4. Carmont
5. Richards
6. Sam
7. Leuluai
8. Fielden
9. McIlorum
10. Prescott
11. Hansen
12. Joel
13. O'Loughlin

14. Lima
15. Finch
16. Mossop
17. Farrell

18.
19. Hock
20. Tuson
21. Pryce
22. O'Carroll
23. Marsh
24. Crosby
25. Davies
26. Mellor
27. Logan
28. Hughes
29. Russell
30. Powell
31. King

viewtopic.php?p=16089803#p16089803 A little footage for those who haven't seen much of Mellor.

viewtopic.php?p=16089803#p16089803 A little footage for those who haven't seen much of Mellor.

I agree that we do not need another half back, more in need of a hooker

But could you imagine the Chase and Leuluai combination.

If a new half back is needed that much, well we've a lad playing at FB that could do a job at stand off....

Got to say a

6.Tommy
7.Dureau

Sounds good to me

Not keen on Chase. A decent player but reminds me of a certain Moran, i don't think he is what we need.

Given that Gleeson has gone, Carmont, Coley and Hoffman likely to leave i think we need 3 players. The one thing we have is options. We can sign a 7 or a 9 and play Tommy in the other. Sign a FB and move Sam back to 6, Finch to 7 and Tommy to 9.

I have a feeling that Joel will stay at centre so i'd like us to sign another prop and leave Mossop and Hock floating between prop and SR. As far as realistic options go Dobson would be perfect for us.

No, he's back to Piggy again, not Sport Piggy. He's put the weight back on, looks slow and isn't performing for the Roosters.

Tommy's on his way with Madge, Deacon is class, but his recover rate is a problem. Finch still hasn't got through his duty frees. Chase would make a good scrambling hooker.

BUT when we were hit with the points deduction a few years back, we may have still survived in the league without Fielden; we may have survived without Kris the Legend coming back to play, but we would not have survived with Dobson. He's young and knows where the Wigan changing rooms are, HKR have messed him around time he came home.

As has been mentioned many time this year, with Sam at FB we are losing out on some elusiveness and invention in the middle of the park at times...with this in mind Chris Sandow has to be the choice and with quota spots opening up he seems a realistic prospect from our point of view.

Could you imagine the terror for defences of Sandow and Sam (aka the SAS) running in broken field in the same team....I see tries a plenty...

I'd love to see Rangi Chase in a Wigan shirt but I'm not sure how it would work. At Cas he's the main man and all their attack goes through him because he's given free reign to improvise. The Wigan attack is much more structured with lots of set plays, usually ending up in Sam's hands at 3rd reciever. It will be interesting to see if he could be as effective in our system, should we end up signing him

Just watched Rabbitohs match from last week, happy to let Finch go to Souths with out of contract Kris Sandow coming the other way. Not only would Sandow replace Finch but he's up and coming as a replacement for Deacon. Snadow and Tompkins, partnership made in heaven

Sandow has signed a big money deal with Parramatta unless I'm dreaming. He wouldn't have come to superleague anyway.

We'll have no chance of getting a top Aussie h/b with the increase in their cap.

SL will be solidified as a 2nd rate competition.

The cap increase only comes into effect in 2013

Indeed he did, massively overpaid if the reported figures are true.

I just pray teams don't go down the route of signing 2nd ratets from down under due to this and blood their kids instead.

As things stand the salary cap increase comes into effect in Oz from 2013 so I could still see big names coming over for a season or 2. If I were a player in the NRL and thought I could get big money to play in superleague for a season and then be on the open Market for cashed up clubs in the NRL were I could name my price I'd be all over it.

Yes, I see he signed for the Eels last Wednesday. Need to look again to Dobson.

none, put sam back in there!!!