Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 22, 2024 10:04 am  

Where is Eckersley up to with his contract? I've searched and can't find details. I was told last night (not from my usual source I hasten to add) that we are in talks with him as Wigan are struggling to fit him under their cap for next season

Not sure if there's anything in it or not but the lad who told me has heard this from Eckersley's brother. From a Saints POV I'd jump at it as we are crying out for young, pacy backs but if he's in the middle of a long-term deal its a non-starter

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 22, 2024 11:24 am  

Stu M wrote:

Where is Eckersley up to with his contract? I've searched and can't find details. I was told last night (not from my usual source I hasten to add) that we are in talks with him as Wigan are struggling to fit him under their cap for next season

Not sure if there's anything in it or not but the lad who told me has heard this from Eckersley's brother. From a Saints POV I'd jump at it as we are crying out for young, pacy backs but if he's in the middle of a long-term deal its a non-starter

Not sure about that rumour but one thing is sure his contract status looks to be being kept under wraps by the club.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 22, 2024 11:32 am  

jonh wrote:

Not sure about that rumour but one thing is sure his contract status looks to be being kept under wraps by the club.

Yes it seems to be "undisclosed"

As it stands we going to have a lot of cap to play with with Makinson, Dodd and very likely Matautia, Hurrell and Blake leaving (more hope for the latter two rather than knowledge) and we are crying out for a centre

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 22, 2024 12:00 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Yes it seems to be "undisclosed"

As it stands we going to have a lot of cap to play with with Makinson, Dodd and very likely Matautia, Hurrell and Blake leaving (more hope for the latter two rather than knowledge) and we are crying out for a centre

Thought you were in for Opacic from HKR?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 22, 2024 12:19 pm  

Fujiman wrote:

Thought you were in for Opacic from HKR?

He's going back to Aus to play Q Cup

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 22, 2024 1:12 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Where is Eckersley up to with his contract? I've searched and can't find details. I was told last night (not from my usual source I hasten to add) that we are in talks with him as Wigan are struggling to fit him under their cap for next season

Not sure if there's anything in it or not but the lad who told me has heard this from Eckersley's brother. From a Saints POV I'd jump at it as we are crying out for young, pacy backs but if he's in the middle of a long-term deal its a non-starter

For our sake's let's hope not as he looks very promising indeed (already helped us secure a major trophy with his try on the CC Final). Another thing that makes it doubtful is how often do you see a player go directly from Wigan to Saints or vice versa? When was the last one? Plus I'm talking about a first team player, not a reserve/academy/scholarship...etc.

Even Micky Higham came to us indirectly from Bradford and that was nearly twenty years ago.

Unlike Hull FC & Hull KR who regularly swap players both ways over the years for us it's very rare.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 22, 2024 1:16 pm  

MattyB wrote:

For our sake's let's hope not as he looks very promising indeed (already helped us secure a major trophy with his try on the CC Final). Another thing that makes it doubtful is how often do you see a player go directly from Wigan to Saints or vice versa? When was the last one? Plus I'm talking about a first team player, not a reserve/academy/scholarship...etc.

Even Micky Higham came to us indirectly from Bradford and that was nearly twenty years ago.

Unlike Hull FC & Hull KR who regularly swap players both ways over the years for us it's very rare.

I agree it would be highly unlikely. However if he is off contract at the end of the year, there's nothing Wigan can do.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 22, 2024 1:31 pm  

Stu M wrote:

I agree it would be highly unlikely. However if he is off contract at the end of the year, there's nothing Wigan can do.

I just can't see us not offering him a new contract, if rumours are true we are looking to offload Hampshire, Cooper and Isa (at least) by season end.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 22, 2024 1:34 pm  

MattyB wrote:

I just can't see us not offering him a new contract, if rumours are true we are looking to offload Hampshire, Cooper and Isa (at least) by season end.

I don't think its that it may be a SC issue and he wants more than what they've offered him. What happens with winning trophies is the inflated contracts and the young players suddenly earning and wanting more. It could be that they have made him an offer but he wants more coin.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 22, 2024 2:17 pm  

MattyB wrote:

For our sake's let's hope not as he looks very promising indeed (already helped us secure a major trophy with his try on the CC Final). Another thing that makes it doubtful is how often do you see a player go directly from Wigan to Saints or vice versa? When was the last one? Plus I'm talking about a first team player, not a reserve/academy/scholarship...etc.

Even Micky Higham came to us indirectly from Bradford and that was nearly twenty years ago.

Unlike Hull FC & Hull KR who regularly swap players both ways over the years for us it's very rare.

Matty Smith maybe?