Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Dec 03, 2024 4:36 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I was talking to Kyle Amor about Eckersley when he was on loan at Widnes. Eckersley had just scored two long rang tries and we were discussing his best position.
I said that I was unsure if he was a fullback, wing or centre,
Kyle said he thought that Eckersley would make a great wide running 2nd row, as he had the size, pace and power for that position.

I can understand that but there has been a dearth of quality centres in the British game over the last few years, I’d love him to cement a place in the three quarters.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Dec 04, 2024 7:09 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I was talking to Kyle Amor about Eckersley when he was on loan at Widnes. Eckersley had just scored two long rang tries and we were discussing his best position.
I said that I was unsure if he was a fullback, wing or centre,
Kyle said he thought that Eckersley would make a great wide running 2nd row, as he had the size, pace and power for that position.

Kyle Amor needs to stick to punditry!

Centre and secondrow are in the modern game quite similar positions and for years we had a trend of converting big athletic lads who play centre as juniors into secondrow forwards the basis of that decision was that they were big and athletic.

Whilst there is a hole in my rear Eckersley is a centre and that is where he needs to be playing.

Eckersley has a centres skill set he’s not just big and athletic he also has hands and ability to read a game hence why he is able to cover multiple positions including fullback.

I used to pull my hair out watching clubs take big athletic centres and try to convert them into secondrows on the basis that they were big and athletic….then we wondered why we had no big athletic centres at SL or playing for England.

I can understand a centre covering there and vice versa just like Isa, Bateman, Faz and players like Gildart did in the past. I can even see it when lads like him get to the back end of their career, I think Hardaker could transition well for a year or 2 into the pack at Hull, but we must not even consider it with Eckersley.

He’s a talented strike athlete with a high level developing centre skill set, and that is where he needs to play.

I think Keighran has shown he has been excellent when the important games have come but he isn’t the wingers centre I thought we were getting. He’s a very solid defensive centre who maybe at times lacks that bit of control which has cost him and his team at times during his time with Catalans and Wigan.

I look forward to seeing how he goes next year as he’s had to transition from Australia, to Catalans and then to Wigan in a short period of time relatively speaking and we may see him take his game to the next level now he has a season with up already under his belt but a call will have to be made very early in 2025, if it hasn’t been made already, on if we are looking to retain him beyond his current contract and Eckersley will also have a big part to play in that.

If I were to make the call now, I personally wouldn’t be making him an offer for 2026 and ideal world he returns to the NRL. Tough call though undoubtedly.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Dec 04, 2024 5:58 pm  

Agreed. We need more big strong fast centres, with footwork and good hands rather than converting them to 2nd rows.

Zak should be aiming to emulate Herbie Farnworth, fast, strong, good step, good hands.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Dec 09, 2024 4:06 pm  

Matt Shaw got asked on his Q&A today if he thought Ryan Brierley was signing for Wigan. He said he had heard it but don’t think Wigan will have the cap space.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Dec 09, 2024 5:14 pm  

NSW wrote:

Matt Shaw got asked on his Q&A today if he thought Ryan Brierley was signing for Wigan. He said he had heard it but don’t think Wigan will have the cap space.

Nothing against Ryan but I don’t see the point of signing him given the cover we already have.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Dec 09, 2024 6:40 pm  

Yea he’s a good player but with who we’ve got what’s the point in having a good player on. The bench whether that be Fields or Brierley. Hopefully he stays at salfords and keeps them strong. I don’t see us bringing anybody more in this year think the youth we have should kick on and only place I see open is Miski’s. Rather us plan for the future and sign an up and comer for the future

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Dec 10, 2024 12:15 am  

WWste wrote:

Yea he’s a good player but with who we’ve got what’s the point in having a good player on. The bench whether that be Fields or Brierley. Hopefully he stays at salfords and keeps them strong. I don’t see us bringing anybody more in this year think the youth we have should kick on and only place I see open is Miski’s. Rather us plan for the future and sign an up and comer for the future

Brierley isn't needed but wouldn't be the worst signing to provide further depth.

Whilst we likely won't have too many signings over the next few years as the majority of the squad is set, there is a question mark over Jai Field. I haven't seen him in any out of contract lists put together by the media but they may have forgotten that his '4' year deal is actually a 2 year with a 2 year option for the player. Quotes below:

“I got this year and next year and then see what happens from there. I’ve got a few options here in my favour at Wigan after next year, but everything’s always an option,” he said.

“That’ll be five years by the end of next year. That’s a long stint.”

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Dec 10, 2024 10:38 am  

I saw something with Rads recently saying we're right up to the cap limit, so I doubt that will happen. It wouldn't be the craziest move, given Hampshire has moved on and he's certainly a better player than him but now is the time for Eckersley and Farrimond to move up the pecking order and to get their chances.

Longer term, if Field or French move on, I'd expect the club would look to go pretty big on an overseas replacement if they didn't think they could just drop Farrimond in at stand off or switch things around and get Eckersley in somewhere (with maybe Keighran going to 1 or 6 for example).

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Dec 10, 2024 1:02 pm  

Interesting times at Saints with both Lees and Knowles off contract, I would imagine that there will be plenty of suitors. The NRL seems to be showing an interest in Lees (Gold Coast) and Iv'e been told that Wire are looking at Knowles.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Dec 10, 2024 2:14 pm  

Zig wrote:

Interesting times at Saints with both Lees and Knowles off contract, I would imagine that there will be plenty of suitors. The NRL seems to be showing an interest in Lees (Gold Coast) and Iv'e been told that Wire are looking at Knowles.

Knowles has a young family I think so doubt he'd consider the NRL but a local SL move might be an option. Lees could go to Australia.