Fitzgibbon wasn't fit in that final - one of a couple of coaching mistakes Burgess has made and maybe won't again.

We were dreadful in the final, our worst performance of the season really - it happens. We got to the CC final, finished the season with the best attack and defence and really should've been walking out at OT. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but not resting all those players before Wembley would've seen us finish with the LLS as well. I just had a sneaky feeling we'd have done it at OT - I'm aware that's based on little and Wigan were deserved winners.

For me the gap wasn't wide at all this season I just feel with an inexperienced 7 (whoever it may be) and a Nicholson replacement that can't get into the PNG squad it will widen in 2025. Going to be a real test for Burgess next year.

Yeah he was at Rylands for a decade before being snapped up by Wigan.

I like the look of Leyland and wait to see how Russell & Johnson turn out. I reckon our coaching staff will have seen a bit more video etc. than all of us. I prefer to be positive. Lot's of times the new signings prove to be uneventful but sometimes you find a gem & often you don't. I bet when Dufty, Ratchford & Ashton were signed there would be one or two non-plussed. I did watch Tai last year (he'd signed but not arrived at Wire) & thought he won't play a game for Wire ... but wrong again. I won't judge Russell on two missed tackles. Everyone (who plays) misses tackles.

Yeah that's fair*.

*Ashton was Championship Player of the Year when we signed him so I think people were generally excited.

Plus we already knew about Ratchford before he signed for us.

Agree about Ashton, he was fast and scored a hatful. But there was always a lingering fear that he was very lightweight and could get found out like Kev Penny (who despite his limitations I really liked). Boy has he gone on to a completely different level and I rate him as best in SL this year.
But for every Ashton there are probably 4 Tee Ritsons