James McDonnell : Thu Jul 21, 2022 5:53 pm  

Signed for Leeds for next season. Good opportunity for him. If he doesn't crack it at 2 big clubs then the decision will be justified but he was never going to get in here, not at second row anyway. Heard nothing but good things about him (professionally speaking) so would fit in well with the Culture thingy Smith is trying to do. If only they could get shot of Bentley. He has more disciplinary than the rest of the league on his own this season. Head case.

Re: James McDonnell : Thu Jul 21, 2022 6:14 pm  

It’s a shame to lose him but at 22 now, it was always on the cards. He needs to be playing first team and whilst I thought there was more chance of keeping him now Nicholson has left, he would still have been down the pecking order. We just need to be careful that too many aren’t leaving with Nicholson gone and Partington sounding like he’s likely to be off as well. On the plus side, let’s hope it means KPP is here next season because surely we’d have kept McDonnell if not.

Re: James McDonnell : Thu Jul 21, 2022 6:30 pm  

Genuinely gutted about that. I thought the lad had a huge upside.

If I had any grumble with Peet and it's only a small one - it's his loyalty or faith in certain players. I don't understand why, or how Partington, Isa and Shorrocks have played so many games this season?

I look at tonight's side and can't understand Shorrocks being in there over O'Neill?? When Powell was suspended, Shorrocks got 1st dibs at the 9 role, but wasn't up to it. O'Neill then made it his own, but is he now back behind Shorrocks?

How many games does it take to prove Partington isn't good enough?

Re: James McDonnell : Fri Jul 22, 2022 12:22 pm  

Really disappointed with this.
Along with Nicholson (gone) and KPP (going) that's my aspiration of a big back row in the near gone down the river.

Re: James McDonnell : Fri Jul 22, 2022 2:06 pm  

Does anybody know if Wigan made an offer to James?

Re: James McDonnell : Fri Jul 22, 2022 7:49 pm  

McDonnell and Nicolson were exactly what we need now in the back row, which is strong runners who run good lines. Farrell and Bateman are lightweight in my books, McDonnell and Nicolson would have been the future. McDonnell is like Mick Cassidy, gutted he's gone really am.

Re: James McDonnell : Fri Jul 22, 2022 7:53 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

Genuinely gutted about that. I thought the lad had a huge upside.

If I had any grumble with Peet and it's only a small one - it's his loyalty or faith in certain players. I don't understand why, or how Partington, Isa and Shorrocks have played so many games this season?

I look at tonight's side and can't understand Shorrocks being in there over O'Neill?? When Powell was suspended, Shorrocks got 1st dibs at the 9 role, but wasn't up to it. O'Neill then made it his own, but is he now back behind Shorrocks?

How many games does it take to prove Partington isn't good enough?

Shorrocks hasn’t been playing 9 though since Powell came back so that’s an irrelevant point.

For the record though, I don’t think he’s good enough and won’t make it at Wigan in the future as a starting second rower or loose. He’s just too small and doesn’t do enough in attack.

Re: James McDonnell : Fri Jul 22, 2022 7:56 pm  

post wrote:

McDonnell and Nicolson were exactly what we need now in the back row, which is strong runners who run good lines. Farrell and Bateman are lightweight in my books, McDonnell and Nicolson would have been the future. McDonnell is like Mick Cassidy, gutted he's gone really am.

Both Farrell and Bateman are heavier than Nicholson according to what Wigan have posted online.

Re: James McDonnell : Fri Jul 22, 2022 7:57 pm  

Zig wrote:

Does anybody know if Wigan made an offer to James?

His comments about his move to Leeds included one saying how he found it hard to say no to the offer at Wigan, so it looks like we did.

I can’t blame him for going, he’s just not had the chances to show what he can do.

Re: James McDonnell : Fri Jul 22, 2022 7:58 pm  

nathan_rugby wrote:

Both Farrell and Bateman are heavier than Nicholson according to what Wigan have posted online.

I'm same size and weight as Jonah Lomu in his prime but I know who I'd rather tackle. Nicolson and McDonnell both stronger runners in my book.