Exiled Wiganer

Cry me a river. . That’ll do nicely. Lots to build on, and now have plenty of time to do so. By the Saints game, we should have Lockers fit and well, Gildart back, Williams completely back in the swing, Tautai back from suspension (though I have lost count). That will give us plenty more threats across the board. Then 3 home games out of 4 (including post Wembley Wire), to push on for 2nd. It has been an excellent week for the club, the future is looking bright.

I thought he had already been made Man of Steel? I an sure I heard Eddie saying so.

Good luck to George in the NRL. Wigan will be fine, as we have great juniors, 2 marquee spaces if we need new half backs and 2 legendary half backs to choose and coach our 6s and 7s.

I think a draw is the likeliest outcome, given that we are at home, and Cas are slightly better than us. But should be another good game. I think knowing that Shaun will be watching and who is coming and going should give everyone a boost.

I remember watching Edwards run past me repeatedly at schoolboy level, and realising that the gap between god loves a trier and the real thing is as wide as the Douggie. He will do for me. Legend.

Bateman’s is a fascinating case. From our side we did not let him go. He had a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave if an NRL club paid a 6 figure transfer fee. So if Canberra paid that, we couldn’t keep him. As far as the option. Is concerned, it is worth hearing in mind that this is our web site and our spin for our fans, so should be seen through those filters. I expect that we agreed to accept a lower transfer fee from Canberra in return for an option with what sounds like a specified wage. If we have drafted it right it would be incumbent on John or Canberra or anithr club to buy out that option, which would be simple to enforce. As to how well he will go, if he was bigger and faster he would be a world beater, but I wonder where he will play. Let’s face it the NRL is filled with big lads with the same amount of talent. Good luck to him. He never gives less than his all. Finally, as regards re signing players, I trust we have something in the contract to do with his being in good physical condition at the time he would return. Sam was a very expensive spectator for much of his contracts.

Saints boo hooed when Hock threw the ball into the stands in one of our victories at their gaff a few years ago.

A few things occurred to me: - this year could be an exact mirror image of last year, with Saints taking Cas’ role, perhaps even down to the habits of their star full back; - I hope Eddie H has the support he needs to cope with this outlandish re writing of reality. The treble looks very difficult just now; - Cats and the Giants are the best teams in the competition just now. If only they hadn’t taken so long to hit their stride; and - Mcillorum’s performance was a throw back to years gone by when he gave Roby hell in big games on a regular basis. I never thought we would miss him, but he was colossal today.

I can’t see beyond a Wire win, as they have shown they are better across the park. However semis are funny things - I recall our defeat to the Cats, where it just seemed nothing would go quite right. If it’s level after 75 minutes my money would be on Leeds, but I think Wire will be out of sight by then.

2 really good sides, and a cracking match. What puzzles me though is what Barba said to Lineham. He has only been in the country for a short time, how can he have perfected his sledging against someone he shouldn’t know from Adam. LMS is 100% pantomime villain. Can’t wait for him to go into commentating.

Not pretty, but as Cats have achieved their goal, and have a semi final to look forward to, a repeat of the defensive resilience over the last few weeks should be enough for us.

That was one hell of a strop but it was less of a strop than we would have been subjected to if they had lost.

I would be surprised if we signed him, unless we already have a new coach in place. However, it is possible that we are talking to Canberra about Bateman joining. His contract gives him an option to move to an NRL club willing to pay a transfer fee. If I recall correctly, any transfer fee counts on their salary cap, and so they may be trying to work out another way to reach agreement. Hence, there is some logic to this. As we took FPN off their hands, and so I imagine we will tread carefully before taking anyone from them.

I could see Leeds winning this. If they can hit the peak of their performance against Saints in the recent past that should be enough. Which makes the race to avoid 9 th place fascinating,

Maybe. I think Price will make a massive difference next year. After that win - which I think we just about deserved after the Hill milked penalty - we are well placed for 2nd, especially as Wire and Saints will have a least one more and probably 2 more cup games to cope with. Oh and shame on us booing Charnley - it serves us right that he scored.

I will still be counting him on the sick list long after he has retired. Waiting for Brevo.

That's the spirit. And we will the World Cup!

I think Wigan will score this time, and will be very motivated indeed after having been absolutely taught a lesson in the cup game in every aspect of the game.

Unless they have someone else lined up. The obvious shortlist is Powell, Powell and Powell. Maybe mid year might for Cas, if Leeds pay them some much needed cash.

There will always be club v country tensions, but for what it's worth the NRL has done far more good for the international game than harm. PNG Hunters, NZ Warriors, potentially the Fiji NSW team, Pacific Tests... they develop all the players and have set up a structure in which players across the region can contribute. Through the NRL we are the top football code in the whole region. They will always want everything, and all club chairmen will be parochial at times, but we have far more international structure than we have ever had in our history, and the majority of the pro players are paid by NRL clubs. They did object to the Denver Test, but their argument focussed on playing it there (at altitude, a long way away, in virgin league territory) rather than playing at all. Finally, the NRL does not speak for all Australians. There are many Aussies interested in the international game, and many who long for competitive football. Is it their fault they have had no serious opposition for nearly 40 years?

He was certainly not under paid for what he did in 2017.

To go back to the starting point: - there are always rumours. We are Wigan; - letting McIllorum and the Tomkinses go is very good business; - a change of coach after so long will be good for us and good for Wane. It is natural change, and good business, not unrest. At this rate we will either have Edwards or another up and coming NRL number in situ with a strong (second best record deep into 2018) and young squad, plus a marquee spot and plenty of cap space to play with. What I would like to know is what is the cause of the forethought and prudent planning?

I would be surprised if this turns out to be a classic. Cas have a lot of players missing - 37 out of their starting 13 according to Powell - and we can be dull as ditch water without O'Loughlin. So Sky may be proven right not to nab this at this stage.

And the difference between the last one and this one is? I assume spending money on an I phone video is driven by local politics rather than pressure within the game. I would be astonished if SL found a way to put in place genuine minimum standards which wouldn’t find a place for Cas even with their atmospheric old ground, after all they voted for Elstone and would hardly support any change that might cause their demise at the top level. Have they been doing mock ups for over a decade now?

I hope Paisley gets a game. He looks a great talent. Wane is harsh on Woods, but I think that is because he sees a genuine thinking half back of high quality. Should be a good game, and I think we will be fine, as last week showed we have got Wane's departure out of the system. Cas' missing players look just as key as ours, so, while the international call ups clearly leave us depleted, they could well have done the same to Cas if they had everyone fit. I hope our fans bring plenty of change for the bucket collection at half time.