Re: Rumours 2 : Wed Nov 28, 2018 9:12 am  

Or thane wrote:

Widdop wanting to come "Home" is a load of poop.

No it isn't. He said so himself in a Dragons media release.

Re: Rumours 2 : Wed Nov 28, 2018 9:15 am  

cheekydiddles wrote:

Leeds were rumoured to be in talks with him before he signed his new extension last time but we’ve no room now as already signed a 1st team halfback and young halfback prospect and we now have 2 marquees already so no way is Widdop coming to us.

If he can get his release he will be signing for you guys

We've one marquee. D Clark can be switched either way I believe.

Re: Rumours 2 : Wed Nov 28, 2018 10:22 am  

Reading this I'd say a move in 2020 to SL seems likely. https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/11 ... th-widdop/ Of the clubs that could afford him: Leeds: Will still have 2 recognised halfs on their books in Myler & Lolohea, plus Hethrington isn't known for splashing the cash too much. In Hurrell and Merrin, haven't they already got their marquees? - Widdop would probably become the highest ever paid SL player. Saints: Will have Lomax and Richardson, but if Coote doesn't work out they could always move Lomax to full back. Roby will be OOC so would have room for another marquee. Widdop may be quite partial to a red vee. Wigan: Currently only have Williams as a recognised half, with Leuluai and Powell filling in at 7. Should have a spot for a marquee and may well even lose Williams at the end of 19 - would pay the money I think. Warrington: Marquee spot available and Brown out of contract, one of the few clubs that probably have the balls to offer him a big deal. Hull: Could potentially move on Sneyd or Kelly, and probably have the resources, although they've never gone that big on a player before, Pearson seems to like to run a tight ship. Huddersfield: Big backer in Davy, and close to his Halifax roots - would depend if Davy wanted to add another £300k or so on to the massive losses he already takes over there. Toronto / Catalans: Probably got the spending power, but makes the going home excuse a little far fetched. I'd say we have a decent chance, and I'm sure would beat any financial offer put on the table to him. Just depends if he'd want to be this side of the pennines? I guess Price signed him for St George, so possibly have a relationship already?

Reading this I'd say a move in 2020 to SL seems likely. https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/11 ... th-widdop/ Of the clubs that could afford him: Leeds: Will still have 2 recognised halfs on their books in Myler & Lolohea, plus Hethrington isn't known for splashing the cash too much. In Hurrell and Merrin, haven't they already got their marquees? - Widdop would probably become the highest ever paid SL player. Saints: Will have Lomax and Richardson, but if Coote doesn't work out they could always move Lomax to full back. Roby will be OOC so would have room for another marquee. Widdop may be quite partial to a red vee. Wigan: Currently only have Williams as a recognised half, with Leuluai and Powell filling in at 7. Should have a spot for a marquee and may well even lose Williams at the end of 19 - would pay the money I think. Warrington: Marquee spot available and Brown out of contract, one of the few clubs that probably have the balls to offer him a big deal. Hull: Could potentially move on Sneyd or Kelly, and probably have the resources, although they've never gone that big on a player before, Pearson seems to like to run a tight ship. Huddersfield: Big backer in Davy, and close to his Halifax roots - would depend if Davy wanted to add another £300k or so on to the massive losses he already takes over there. Toronto / Catalans: Probably got the spending power, but makes the going home excuse a little far fetched. I'd say we have a decent chance, and I'm sure would beat any financial offer put on the table to him. Just depends if he'd want to be this side of the pennines? I guess Price signed him for St George, so possibly have a relationship already?

Re: Rumours 2 : Wed Nov 28, 2018 12:16 pm  

Yes, 2020 it is & not for 2019 as first announced. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/of ... dPR98QlE2Y

Yes, 2020 it is & not for 2019 as first announced. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/of ... dPR98QlE2Y

Re: Rumours 2 : Wed Nov 28, 2018 5:29 pm  

Builth Wells Wire wrote: Yes, 2020 it is & not for 2019 as first announced. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/of ... dPR98QlE2Y So Atkins as lost his shirt number according to that.

Builth Wells Wire wrote: Yes, 2020 it is & not for 2019 as first announced. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/of ... dPR98QlE2Y So Atkins as lost his shirt number according to that.

Re: Rumours 2 : Wed Nov 28, 2018 5:31 pm  

Builth Wells Wire wrote: Yes, 2020 it is & not for 2019 as first announced. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/of ... dPR98QlE2Y The Atkins story in the main article piqued my interest. I never give much credence to the content of the gossip, but the fact that there's a piece written in there means his agent is most likely now generating a bit of buzz to get him in the shop window ready for moving on at the end of this season for his final payday somewhere.

Builth Wells Wire wrote: Yes, 2020 it is & not for 2019 as first announced. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/of ... dPR98QlE2Y The Atkins story in the main article piqued my interest. I never give much credence to the content of the gossip, but the fact that there's a piece written in there means his agent is most likely now generating a bit of buzz to get him in the shop window ready for moving on at the end of this season for his final payday somewhere.

Re: Rumours 2 : Thu Nov 29, 2018 9:33 am  

It must be difficult for any player to accept that they are approching the end of their career.
I have enjoyed wathing Ryan Atkins in the P&B. Part of me hopes that Atkins plays his best rugby in 2019 and regains his starting spot but looking to the future part of me hopes that Toby King can improve even more and play well enough for us that he can challenge for an international call up.
You do get a lot of players that tend to get a bit disgruntled around the time of their testimonial year.
I dont know if that is down to the fact that the club is looking more to the future and maybe the club does not value the player as highly as they used to.
It could be that the player feels like they deserve more effort from the club in promoting testimonial events given their length of service.
I dont buy into the whole "loyalty, great servent" thing as there is little place for sentiment in modern sport but i just hope the player and the club deal with these things with a bit of dignity.
I do think that the way that some players that have gone past their peak in recent years could have been dealt with a bit better from the club and players perspective.

Re: Rumours 2 : Thu Nov 29, 2018 8:19 pm  

If I was Atkins, I would not be giving up yet.

If Toby King is the one ahead of him in the pecking order at the moment that is not a settled debate.

If it was me, picking a Warrington side for a one off game and the choice was Atkins or King, I would go with Atkins. He has had times before where his form has dipped or he's looked like a fading force and he's come back strongly again. I have a sneaking feeling that if Atkins was released, he would get picked up by Wakefield or Hudds or someone and then go on to have a strong season and have us saying did we let him go too early.

Re: Rumours 2 : Thu Nov 29, 2018 8:30 pm  

sally cinnamon wrote:

If I was Atkins, I would not be giving up yet.

If Toby King is the one ahead of him in the pecking order at the moment that is not a settled debate.

If it was me, picking a Warrington side for a one off game and the choice was Atkins or King, I would go with Atkins. He has had times before where his form has dipped or he's looked like a fading force and he's come back strongly again. I have a sneaking feeling that if Atkins was released, he would get picked up by Wakefield or Hudds or someone and then go on to have a strong season and have us saying did we let him go too early.

Atkins will only move if his wage takes a significant bump.

Re: Rumours 2 : Fri Nov 30, 2018 8:58 am  

So maybe the NRL then.