https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... HlIRRZ0M2U

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... HlIRRZ0M2U

He cannot have been remotely close to fitness when he returned for the grand final. To completely re-do his hamstring, need an operation and be out for 5+ months is an absolute disgrace.

Our internal medical staff, physios and decision making in these matters needs a top to bottom review!

Good job we have front row depth next year - we'll need it in the first couple of months. If Harvie Hill is on loan as well we actually look a little thin to start off with. Dupree, Thompson, Byrne, Mago will probably be the four to start the year - after that we may even be calling on Sam Eseh early.

Agree Nathan that the decision to bring Havard in for the GF was questionable.

A real shame for him and us. It was obviously a huge risk to play him in the GF and it hasn't paid off but I can understand why they took it and I doubt they forced him against his will. If you were in his position, I think you'd take the risk but I get that maybe they should've saved him from himself.

Hopefully none of the other guys who've had surgery will miss too much of pre season or any games. I can't see that it confirms their return dates. I don't have too many worries about missing lads in the early superleague rounds but you'd want as close to a fully fit squad for Penrith as you can put out.

I supported the decision to play him, knowing that if the worst case scenario happened (which it did) we had plenty of lads how could play big minutes and get the job done (which they did).

A risk is just that, a risk. It work when Tommy came back for the cup final last year.

Shame to miss him for the WCC but we have cover and will be a nice boost when he’s back.

Out of the lads named Miski I’ve heard could be a doubt.

Yes but you would at least expect the club to factor in the chance of injury reoccurrence. Maybe they did and it was bad luck but it stinks to me of poor decision making from those involved.

I can remember lots and lots of occasions over the years when a player had been brought back in for a big game (final) and I’m struggling to recall the success rate of when it has happened.

Rads injection was one, Darren Albert was similar I think in a game and went well once can’t recall what final it was, beyond that it’s usually a bit of a disaster, which once again seems to have been the case here.

Lockers (not sure what year) came back for the GF and started on the bench.

Not a GF, but ironically Havard was brought back for the quarter final of the cup Vs Wire & won the MOM.

Yep. And Junior.

Way its going its a good job we have 33,000 players as backup

Coops ahead of schedule and could be ready for the start of the season. Would go some way to offsetting Havard's loss if he is.

Really good to hear

Good interview with Chan on Wigan tv. Spoke really well.

Hopefully he can surprise us, smash preseason and earn a bench spot for the start of the year.

I had forgotten about Chan - he could be in the mix for the WCC if there are any further injuries on top of Havard and Cooper. Looks to have a great attitude and will really rip in to everything - the only concern is the lack of size.

I'm interested to see where Chan will be used. He's mainly played in the middle at Catalans I believe but size wise, he looks more of a second rower to me and has played there at times.

On a side note, I've seen a couple of pictures of Patrick Mago in the last few days and he looks to have come back in good shape, which is pleasing. His only chance of a regular spot (outside of injuries to others) is to knock the door down and a good start would be to ensure he is in good shape physically.

He looks in great shape from the pics I've seen so far. I thought he went really well at the back end of last season and the fact that he's come back in such good shape suggests the penny has dropped with him. He certainly offers us something different and, if his attitude stays right, is worthy of his spot in the team. He's effectively playing for a new contract as I'm convinced it was his late season form that saved him from being let go. Hopefully that will be enough to keep his mind focused.

I used to see him last season at Total Fitness so its clear that he was putting in extra sessions than with the team at Robin Park.

I think the fact that Mago is there at all is good to see when Ellis, Field, French etc are still away. Would imagine it was a prerequisite of his contract extension.

I am not too sure on that one.

It could get a bit messy if that was the case.

Can you really imagine the club stipulating that?

Contractually they will be obliged to start pre season as when the club deems. There will then be individual agreements on top of that.

I don't think my post was clear - I meant the club may have stipulated that Mago needs to return early for pre season.