Re: George Williams. : Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:22 am  

shinymcshine wrote:

So for half a dozen games Widdop has been great, don't think it really defines our season though, I recall Austin once being fantastic for half a dozen games too - there's no guarantee come Sep/Oct they'll sustain it.

I guess we'll just hope for the best, and maybe Williams and a returning Inglis, and even Price himself, will all have a point to prove come the business end of the season.

Widdop is in a different class to Blake as demonstrated through their respective careers.

Re: George Williams. : Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:20 am  

wire2004 wrote:

I just assumed that was a paul Cullen thing that the guardian would have the exclusive. I always thought that was just phased out.

More just a case that the club simply don't need the Guardian as much these days. Before the times of social media, it was a symbiotic relationship - the club needed the Guardian for publicity, and the Guardian needed the club to boost its sales. Now, clubs have their own media platforms and can make announcements on their own terms, without needing the local press to do it for them. That shift in the balance of power is why you now tend to get bland press conferences with journos afraid to ask difficult questions that might upset the club.

Re: George Williams. : Thu Jun 17, 2021 12:45 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

If Widdop is going and the move happening is dependent on him going, would you play him tomorrow? It's a pretty meaningless game in the grand scheme of things.

It should be an easy enough ride for Saints with Widdop in our side.

Re: George Williams. : Thu Jun 17, 2021 1:10 pm  

Gareth Widdop will NOT be leaving Warrington Wolves to make way for George Williams.

The in-form halfback is being intensely linked with a return to the NRL in a move that would pave the way for Warrington to secure Williams immediately.

Williams will return to the UK over the weekend and is expected to sign for the Wolves, though they will have to free up some room on the salary cap to make the move come to fruition for the remainder of the year.

That has coincided with the latest wave of rumours surrounding Widdop, who is the subject of reported interest from Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors.

One report even suggested that Warrington would be willing to part ways with the former St George Illawarra Dragons playmaker if he was offered a return down under.

However, this has been strongly denied by Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick, who insists Widdop is settled at the club and they have no intentions of releasing him from his contract.

"The reports are way off the mark," he told Rugby League Live.

"Gareth is currently very happy at the club and I think this shows in his performances

"If we did get approached from the NRL we'd have no intention to release him early."

Widdop has been in sensational form for the Wolves so far this season, with his performances earning him a recall to the England setup.

But rumours surrounding his future have never been far away. His family has returned to Australia, which has resulted in constant talk that he is pursuing a return down under too.

With Williams now almost certain to join Warrington, it remains to be seen how they intend to free up the salary cap space to finalise the move.

But Widdop will not come into the equation.

Re: George Williams. : Thu Jun 17, 2021 1:24 pm  

Can only think its Inglis/Austin and Maybe 1 other making way for Williams then?

Re: George Williams. : Thu Jun 17, 2021 1:42 pm  

As much as preference for it to be Austin he does not have to go, he as every right to see out his current contract. Speculation as been Leeds for him but what’s the point when they clearly prefer postponing matches.

Re: George Williams. : Thu Jun 17, 2021 2:00 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

Gareth Widdop will NOT be leaving Warrington Wolves to make way for George Williams.

I'm getting a little worried now. D Clark has been off his game for a couple of weeks looking distracted, and at the same time we're being linked with finding ways to fit Williams in. I hope I'm just jumping to conclusions.

Re: George Williams. : Thu Jun 17, 2021 2:03 pm  

Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

You mean you hoped and guessed possibly correctly on Williams and are now hoping Widdop stays?

You ain't the chronicle, you're a taxi driver...

so while all the posts say Williams is going Pies or Leeds, rather than Wire.
Then when all the posts now are excepting Williams is going Wire with Widdop going imminently, I say I haven’t heard that...it comes to light Widdop isn’t.
I keep getting lucky then.

I’m saving you the biggest piece of pie to eat, but you’d still moan. That is a guess btw.

Re: George Williams. : Thu Jun 17, 2021 2:07 pm  

Gaz3376 wrote:

Can only think its Inglis/Austin and Maybe 1 other making way for Williams then?

Inglis would need to be signed by somebody, he can't just retire for salary cap purposes. Austin would need to find another club transferring immediately which is highly unlikely. I'm not sure who the 'one other' would be. Which of our players would be snapped up half way through the season? Lineham maybe? Which clubs also have space on the cap?

I think it's more likely that Williams will sign for next season on a substantial 3-year deal, part of which is a clause to not play again this season for another club. He has two months salary from Canberra and Warrington can factor his loss of money this season into a higher salary over the next 3 years.

Re: George Williams. : Thu Jun 17, 2021 2:10 pm  

easyWire wrote:

Inglis would need to be signed by somebody, he can't just retire for salary cap purposes. Austin would need to find another club transferring immediately which is highly unlikely. I'm not sure who the 'one other' would be. Which of our players would be snapped up half way through the season? Lineham maybe? Which clubs also have space on the cap?

I think it's more likely that Williams will sign for next season on a substantial 3-year deal, part of which is a clause to not play again this season for another club. He has two months salary from Canberra and Warrington can factor his loss of money this season into a higher salary over the next 3 years.

I thought a medical retirement can free up salary cap space?