Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Feb 09, 2021 6:28 am  

WiganPom wrote:

Having lived in Queensland for the last 7 years and watched quite a bit of QLD Cup I have always thought Page would go well in super league. Granted that was my belief before he hit 30. I still think he will go down well and would be relatively cheap bringing strength in depth to the team. I am all for the signing on a short term deal.

Good to hear from you.
I’m open minded if he does sign but is there any particular reason why he has hasn’t gone full time with a club in the NRL?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Feb 09, 2021 8:07 am  

Some Wigan supporters are like the weather where players in the squad are concened.

During the last few games of last season, they weer saying that we had two established Props in Bullock and Singleton, but now going into a new season, Bullock is now the target of not being good enough.

And do we need a Prop from down under who has only ever played one top game in the NRL and spent most of the time playing second grade rugby.

If we do indeed need a Prop, lets get one of top class estabished quality!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Feb 09, 2021 8:23 am  

Ruddy Duck wrote:

Some Wigan supporters are like the weather where players in the squad are concened.

During the last few games of last season, they weer saying that we had two established Props in Bullock and Singleton, but now going into a new season, Bullock is now the target of not being good enough.

And do we need a Prop from down under who has only ever played one top game in the NRL and spent most of the time playing second grade rugby.

If we do indeed need a Prop, lets get one of top class estabished quality!

I've found myself in full agreement with Ruddy Duck. Think I need a long sit down.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Feb 09, 2021 8:25 am  

Ruddy Duck wrote:

Some Wigan supporters are like the weather where players in the squad are concened.

During the last few games of last season, they weer saying that we had two established Props in Bullock and Singleton, but now going into a new season, Bullock is now the target of not being good enough.

And do we need a Prop from down under who has only ever played one top game in the NRL and spent most of the time playing second grade rugby.

If we do indeed need a Prop, lets get one of top class estabished quality!

Bullock is absolutely good enough to be part of a prop rotation in the match day 17, no doubt. Don’t think anyone had said any different on here so not sure where you are getting that from.

There is no “if we do need a Prop” about it we 100% do.

Is this top class established Prop we should be recruiting as well as the top class winger you think we should also be snapping up?

Ok we may have some money to play with now but if you look at the market and also the time of year it would be an absolute miracle for any top quality established props to suddenly become available...this is before we even factor in a pandemic.

The reality is a prop/player may become available at some point during the season (usually under a cloud/carrying a bit of baggage) however it is unlikely there will be many available at this stage of the season.

Page won’t cost the Earth, meaning we may have room to negotiate with anyone that comes available mid season, but also strengthens our front row position in the short to middle term and brings something different to the table in his style of play that we don’t currently have in the squad.

Add all that to the fact Lam will know him very well and I can 100% understand why we are being linked to him.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Feb 09, 2021 8:46 am  

Who said Bullock isn’t good enough? He’s a superb player but I fully understand what Jonh is saying about him not being a seasoned/experienced player at the top level. He was very raw when he came here and he’s developed nicely and is getting better and better. He is 28 years of age but seems to be a late bloomer and it feels like he’s not reached his peak yet.

It’s a huge year for the lad. I honestly believe he’s good enough to force his way in to the England squad but he’s got to show a bit more belief in his ability. He needs to start showing a bit more aggression and really grab games. He’s got all the physical attributes to be every bit as good as a guy like Alex Walmsley.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Feb 09, 2021 10:17 am  

Grimmy wrote:

I've found myself in full agreement with Ruddy Duck. Think I need a long sit down.

I think that would be a good idea!

When talking about recruiting a "Top Prop" and the salary cap etc. consider that GB didn't "Just retire", it was known about some 3+ months ago (coincidentally around the time French/Hastings agreed to stay - and dare I say it, with IMPROVED contracts).
Wonder were the money for that came from?

If there is any of the GB Salary left to play with under the cap I suspect it won't be the top end of the 150K that counted against the cap
We may have to, if the Club decide to recruit a prop, pay for the middle/lower end of that amount to secure someone and that won't be easy purely based on who's available at this time of year and the likelihood that the amount of money we have wouldn't attract a Top name/paid prop.

On the other hand - if one was available and other sacrifices made within the current cap players then who know

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:05 am  

Jukesays wrote:

I think that would be a good idea!

When talking about recruiting a "Top Prop" and the salary cap etc. consider that GB didn't "Just retire", it was known about some 3+ months ago (coincidentally around the time French/Hastings agreed to stay - and dare I say it, with IMPROVED contracts).
Wonder were the money for that came from?

If there is any of the GB Salary left to play with under the cap I suspect it won't be the top end of the 150K that counted against the cap
We may have to, if the Club decide to recruit a prop, pay for the middle/lower end of that amount to secure someone and that won't be easy purely based on who's available at this time of year and the likelihood that the amount of money we have wouldn't attract a Top name/paid prop.

On the other hand - if one was available and other sacrifices made within the current cap players then who know

Yeah fair enough, if we can't afford a top prop or none are available at this point then I'd keep the space for any mid-season developments (e.g a player falling out of favour elsewhere, injuries forcing our hand in a position). Anyone we bring in at 30 years old should be proven at the top level and a clear upgrade over our youngsters, otherwise it's just taking development off them to our long term detriment.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:50 am  

We've had a lot of players leave and their salaries will be available for 2021 and beyond.
Lam obviously knows about Page and the reply from WiganPom is the only one from a fan who's seen him play.
It appears to me he could make a very good impact and whether we do sign him or not I'd be happy if he came as either a starting prop or impact from the bench.
Although we do have a lot of props it is a very attritional position with injuries and suspensions not too far away.
Seems to me that Page could be an astute signing, if we do bring him over,

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:53 am  

MadDogg wrote: Good shout Jonh. https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2020/05/14/ ... -25-years/ we need to sign him just for his haircut!

MadDogg wrote: Good shout Jonh. https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2020/05/14/ ... -25-years/ we need to sign him just for his haircut!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Feb 09, 2021 12:17 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

We've had a lot of players leave and their salaries will be available for 2021 and beyond.

What about players we've already brought in and/or resigned on new improved contracts?
Do you not think that the club may have already allocated the players leaving/loaned salaries to retain and/or bring those in?

I'm not saying we won't bring anyone in, I'm not saying we should or shouldn't, but simply saying players have left/retired so we must have money is far too overly simple.

Most of those decisions would have been made 4/5/6 months ago (I knew Flower was going around Beginning of OCT so it must have been planned way before then for example) and as such plans on who we could bring in or increase wages for retained players (Remember the likes of Havard resigning on improved deals) would have been made far earlier than anyone imagines or gives credit to the club for.

I'll say it again - the vast majority of what is possible will already have happened, Burgess wages and what we could do with them under the cap will have been factored in 3-4 months ago