Mark O'Neill was captain of the NRL Champions when he left to join the SL runners up, he was a one fooking fat Christmas turkey.

Joking aside, I'll give him a chance, but the fact Wigan didn't break their backs signing him does put a damper on it. Hopefully it will turn out to be a huge blunder for them.

Deal 1
Duration 2 years
SL Pedigree Champions in '04, '07, '08 & '09
Half Back Situation Current first choices both signed for the club at roughly the same age as him, within 2/3 years had been handed the 6 & 7 shirts, and have both had nice long, stable, mortgage paying, secure jobs ever since.
Notes The team he's supported since he was six.

Deal 2
Duration 1 year
SL Pedigree Champions in '98 & '10
Half Back Situation Going through them like they're going out of fashion. Change half backs at the same rate they change the kit. 10 different men in 10 years.
Notes One of the arch rivals of the team he's supported since he was six.


Anybody got any idea which deal looks the most attractive to an 18 y/o lad??

In other news... The pope is a catholic, A Wigan fan doesn't think a player Leeds has signed from them is very good, and Frankie Boyle hasn't got a Christmas card from Katie Price.

Wigan may not have tried too hard because they need a scrum half capable of playing at the top level sooner than we do. I can't see Deacon contributing for too much longer (although in fairness he went a lot better last season than I'd thought possible).

Or alternatively, Wigan have two young half backs who they rate higher than this lad - Joe Mellor and Sam Powell

Spot on. He's probably taking up a chunk of salary cap too. What a waste of time. When are we going to act and behave like a proper big club?

I seem to remember Sean Long being regarded as surplus to requirements by Wigan, who didn't offer him a contract. Whatever happened to him?

I'm not quite sure why people feel the need to judge a player as soon as they are signed and before they see what a change of club and training regime can do, or even judge at all being that several highly paid individuals at the club have already done all the judging with regard to players ability, availability, finance and squad requirement - its their job to do all that and they stand or fall by those decisions.

By comparison anyone who simply pays their money at the turnstile generally knows nothing at all of any relevance ...

He grew some silly hair, made a few bets at the bookies and then got paid lots for sitting on the sidelines at Hull?

Or alternatively, they will let these two go as well

But it's a fair point you make; I know virtually nothing of what's available to wigan's in terms of young talent.

Totally agree.

I mean, even if Wigan think he's a load of old tosh and threw him at Leeds, he could just totally click with Mac, enjoying playing for us and do really well. Alternatively, he could have gone on to be Wigan's best ever player had he stayed, and turn out doing nothing for us at all.

You're second point is spot on too... it's our scouts/coach job to find these players and make sure they fit. Why people don't just let them do their job and get on board with their choices is beyond me.

I support Leeds. To me, that doesn't just mean turning up and cheering on match day, it means SUPPORTING the club. Like I would support my Mrs-to-be if she was moving jobs, or like I'll support my mum when the t'old man goes (assuming it's that way around). It doesn't mean, "blindly following" or "just agreeing" (Before Rhinos Feckwits gets involved!). I don't agree with everything the Mrs does, but I'd support her wholeheartedly once she'd decided to do it. That's how it's supposed to work IMO. I support this club, I might not agree with every decision they make (like at times last season when we played Smith over Donald?! WTF!? Anyway), but hey ho, they're much better placed than me to make the decision in the first place. Our job as supporters is to do just that, support. Not just f##king moan all the time and argue for the sake of arguing. Really gets my back up.

Back to the kid... he's followed us since he was 6. I know if I was hoping to break into RL, playing for the club I supported would be the ideal. It can't always happen that way (ask Ryan Atkins!) but if the contract is offered... it's a no-brainer if you ask me.

Has he been put into the first team squad or will he be playing academy level all year?

I've said all along that you are in decline.

Yet you lot sign most of our cast-offs.

Interesting.

lets see the kid play in our system before casting judgement

pace is hardly a trait that will hold you back in our game,and irrespective of your age too

let's give him a chance shall we rogues?
imo there could be some rich pickings available from this very successful wigan academy production system in the not too distant future,as not all of these super star juniors at the club presently,are ever going to fit into the elite senior squad at wigan and all at the same time are they?