The whole Michael Dobson situation is spurious to say the least. I think it would be highly unlikely for him to do a u-turn on Hull KR.

[urlhttp://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/cooper-to-shun-super-league-to-stay-a-loyal-dragon-20110409-1d8gq.html[/url
Matt Cooper is poised to sign a new deal with the Dragons. It is believed he wants to remain a one club man.

Matt Bowen on the other hand:

[urlhttp://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_5370-super-league-move-interests-bowen.html[/url
[urlhttp://stevemascord.com/2011/04/19/bowen-set-for-super-league/[/url

Should a Super League club pick up Matt Bowen then it would be fantastic business. Look at the import full-backs that are currently plying their trade here such as Phelps, McGoldrick and Dorn, all who have had relative success in this competition. Anyone who watches the NRL wont need me to point out that Bowen is vastly superior to all of them, as well as being the right side of 30, unlike Hodgson, Schifcofske and Webb.

SIGN -- HIM -- UP!!

Ok thanks Cadoo.

Not seen much of him but he sounds like the sort of player we should be after.

I agree with a lot of that, and I'm glad to see someone else agree's with me that Charnley should be our replacement for Carmont. I'm also with you on Joel continuing at centre beyond this season. I did have worry's that his departure from the backrow coupled with Hoffman's would leave us weakened there, but Hock returning to the backrow would cover those losses.

I do think Sam will remain at FB into 2012 and beyond. With the club operating a similar system to what we have now. Where by Finch and Leuluai would start at HB, with McIlorum at 9. And after 20 minutes or so McIlorum would go off for a rest, Leuluai would revert to 9 with Mellor coming off the bench to partner Finch at HB.

Marsh really impressed me to be honest. However not in the way I'd usually be impressed. When he first broke in to the first team he was a defensive frailty there's no doubt about it. But the way he improved his defense as the weeks progressed was astonishing. Now while I severely doubt he'll end up as a top quality centre. He would IMO make an excellent winger, and provide cover for a number of positions in the backline, in a similar vein to what Goulding currently does. But it's my opinion that Marsh can be a far superior player to Goulding, so that when Stephen does cover a certain position in the backline, it's more than just plugging a hole as I often feel happens when Goulding plays at centre.

I'm sure we will make a new signing or two. But I'm really struggling to think where the money could be best spent. I really want Wigan to get away from signing players that were only going have to replace again within a year or two.

Been mentioned as a possible replacement for Carmont but Beau Champion has signed a 3 year deal with the Gold Coast Titans from next year. Real lack of centre options on the market unless IL's prepared to pay a fee, or possibly take a chance on Ratchford for the no 4 jersey. The other option of course is to move Charnley inside with Goulding outside Joel.

Some posters talking about SL hookers the most impressive one for me so far this year has been Henderson at Catalans, he ripped Wigan to bits at the DW.

Matt Bowen has had a couple of years with bad injuries. He is looking like his old self again this year, he may have mentioned coming to SL to keep his options open. I would be suprised if he is not offered another NRL contract.

Bringing over top quality players from the NRL will be difficult to the point of impossible with the new tv deal they are about to sign.
Each of the 16 NRL clubs will have five news player spots as their squads are going from 25 to 30. That means they will need an extra 80 players for that increase.
There will also be two new clubs from 2013 which will account for a further 60 players between them
So altogether the NRL from 2013 will need 140 extra players than now. That is an awful lot of players to find in 18 months.
Far from us looking for NRL players who's to say they won't come looking over here for our best talent?
The only ones that will come are those seeking to extend their careers and are after one last big contract.
We had better look towards our own players like never before and if there are quality players in SL perhaps go for them.

Agree totally. The plus for ourselves is the fact that we have some of the best kids knocking about. But their only going to hang around for so long, and if a first team chance or at least a few first team games don't come their way. Their going to look elsewhere like Thornley did.

A little OT: Anyone know what the status is with Wigans DR player's. Are the likes of Mellor and Crosby still at Widnes? And likewise is Davies still at Barrow?

Thornley never earned his chance. I agree with the sentiment, but I think it cuts both ways.

If the RU are daft enough to pay someone like him big money - untried at serious level (for a reason) - then that's up to them. But there's no way in this universe that the NRL would have gone after him.

I totally agree that chances have to be earn't that goes without saying, and under Madge it sounds as though those who do put the extra effort in are rewarded.

It would be interesting to know whether Thornley as ever had second thought's about going to Sale. Seeing as we'll have lost both are first choice centre's in less than a year after he left the club. I realize the financial gain was to hard to resist. But playing a poor game in a poor team in front of few people can't be all that rewarding. And that's if he's got any game time, because to be quite honest I haven't a clue as whether he's played for the first team or not.

Plus it would be interesting to know were he to return to RL whether he'd be fall into the category that Lenegan mentioned at the fans forum, of RU youngsters qualifying for a dispensation on the salary cap. I know strictly speaking he's not really a RU produced player, but it would be interesting to know the parameters of such initiatives as a side note.

I'd be interested to hear answers to those questions as well.

At the time, I heard a rumour that people close to Thornley (I don't know who) were constantly advising him to go to Rugby Union. I'm not sure why, given the new era that was dawning at Wigan. But of all the defectors in recent times, he doesn't seem to be one who had an 'automatic England selection' built into the deal. I've certainly heard nothing about him since he left. But I've said this before and I'll say it again, I don't know what kind of money his agent was demanding to make Wigan turn their backs on him, but as a junior I'd say that he was well behind Stefan Marsh in the selection stakes, and we've all see how tough Marsh has found it to pin down a first team shirt.

During a Cowboys game the other week Matt Bowen was linked with a moved to England, although no club was mentioned. Buderus and Tahu have been linked with a moved back to the Knights. Not sure if has been confirmed yet that Darius Boyd will follow Bennet again, but it was mentioned during either the Knights or Dragons game last week.

Would love Tahu to replace Carmont if he retires as expected.

Hardest centre partnership in the league Tomkins and Tahu.

I still think George has one more season in him but he needs to be managed better next season.

He shouldn't play all the games but 70% of them is achievable for him.

The guy gassed it in from 50 meters tonight. He CAN do another season.

He has another season in him, but apparently he wants to quit on his own terms. Fair play to him.

Where we're going to find his replacement is another matter.

Imo we will desperately need 2 new centres next year. And that won't happen.
Joel, for me, isn't a centre nor will he develop into this 'world class' centre that some are suggesting. He just won't IMO

He has the annoying habit of cutting his winger out completely. But I still think we need to stick with it and see if Maguire can turn him into a centre. If nothing else, it allows us to have Joel, Hoffman and Faz all on the field at the same time, and that's a terrifying trio.

Widdops signed a new 2 yr deal with the Storm. Tried to post a link but it didnt work. It's on loverugbyleague. com

I agree that he wont, he hasnt got the handling skills to find his wingman and his instance on running on the angle has seen him get dumped into touch countless times.

With Gleeson gone & George going, Im happy to give Charnley one centre spot, but we need a quality recruit in the other position.

Good.

England needs a quality halfback progressing his skills in the NRL instead of having to play in games like last nights where things come far too easily and make players lazy.

Hock, 5 year deal my backside.

Yep, it's 4 and a half years.

Quote ="Wigan/Leeds Andy"Yep, it's 4 and a half years.'" Quote ="thehullwhitestar"Hock apparently considers himself to be a free agent and has agreed a deal with us because the five year deal that he signed with Wigan was done while suspended which makes it invalid. He has now decided he wants to come to Hull for more money (and to be part of Rich's squad of course ) and the solicitors/agents are currently sorting/arguing it out. As someone has already said, isn't it odd that such a high profile signing with loads of media publicity has not yet included a single quote from GH himself. I think that this deal is not dead yet.'" posting.php?mode=quote&f=34&p=16118455

Quote ="Wigan/Leeds Andy"Yep, it's 4 and a half years.'" Quote ="thehullwhitestar"Hock apparently considers himself to be a free agent and has agreed a deal with us because the five year deal that he signed with Wigan was done while suspended which makes it invalid. He has now decided he wants to come to Hull for more money (and to be part of Rich's squad of course ) and the solicitors/agents are currently sorting/arguing it out. As someone has already said, isn't it odd that such a high profile signing with loads of media publicity has not yet included a single quote from GH himself. I think that this deal is not dead yet.'" posting.php?mode=quote&f=34&p=16118455

So Hock's deal is invalid because he signed it while suspended (even though the RFL would have to agree) and now he's going to sign for Hull while still suspended.

why on Earth do people keep mention Matt Cooper, the guy is 32 and will be turning 33 2-3 months into next season ffs

Some of the rumours on that Hull FC forum are absolute genius. Signature material.