Also isn't our 'strawberry blonde' quota full?

So your saying I'm still within a shout of getting a game for us

Russell has arrived and was in training today. We'll have to wait and see whether he warrants the quota place he's got. I really hope he does. Maybe Burgess and his coaching team have seen something in his game that will work really well in the British game.

I'm glad you raised that example because yes they would. They signed Ryan Hampshire and he played about 12 games in 2023 and 2024. Not a standout signing but someone who clearly did a job for a few games, fit in easily because he was there previously, and all without breaking the bank.

They also did the same with Iain Thornley. Easy to forget what other clubs do.

Yeah, there's a fair few players who have done really well over here, that couldn't get games in the NRL. So i'm hoping he'll be well suited to our game, we'll have 2 big tall second rowers causing havoc on the edges hopefully

Sorry I should have been clearer. Would Wigan sign Harvey Livett if he was from Wigan and lived in Wigan?

Ryan Hampshire was from Wakefield.

You know that wasn't the point but well done for doubling down. The fact that Livett knows the town means he is a much lesser risk than an equivalent quality player who has to move home or country. Just like Ryan Hampshire - incidentally, one of those 'Wigan youngsters' who is actually from West Yorkshire.

Other clubs that win grand finals?

I don't care if someone is from or knows the town. He could have lived on Fletcher Street as a kid or played on Orford Park with his mates every weekend. The question should be, is the player good enough? In this case, he absolutely isn't. If we start signing players on a nostalgic/geographical basis over ability then we really are screwed.

I can see how it was ambiguous. My point was "would Wigan sign someone of the track record and quality of Livett because they lived in Wigan and played for Wigan before".

But OK fair enough. You think Livett would be a reasonable signing and I don't. We just differ in opinion which is all what the board is about



I think it speaks volumes about the recruitment market though if this was even under consideration.

This.

IIRC The recruitment since the DoR and new go forward reads as follows

IN
Yates
Bateman (loan)
Oli Leyland
Dan Russell
Alfie Johnson

OUT
Matty Nicholson
John Bateman (loan)
Gil Dudson
Josh Drinkwater
Matty Russell
Joe Bullock
Wesley Bruines

I guess we could also put some of the academy graduates in the IN column. And some of those are very good. In fact I'd go as far as saying that Lindop and Taylor-Wray are infinitely better than any signings we've made or mooted over recently. Apart from Cleary of course, who was never really on the cards.

That's a good call. Our feed from the young 'uns is a very important plus.

You're just making up a strawman so you can knock it down.

I think it's perfectly fine to say you don't think Livett is good enough: he wouldn't have appeared in my top 500 list of signings either.

All I was saying is that many clubs have a few 6/10 players and you sometimes need those to balance the salary cap and/or ensure you don't burn out your first 17. And that given a choice between a 6/10 player who lives in Toowoomba and one who lives in Warrington or developed in the club, the latter has more advantages.

But sure, feel free to say that by that logic you could get a game next year and I'm sure you'll rack up the likes.

We already have our fair share of 6/10 players. Infact, I think we have more than most clubs.

Other than Ashton, Thewlis, Williams, Harrison, Walker and Fitzgibbon I'd say the rest are all pretty average and can be much improved on.

Unfortunately it appears that the club have spent a huge chunk of the cap on improving Dufty's new deal when we seemingly have a immensely talented fullback waiting in the wings already. Another poor indictment of the recent recruitment at the club.

Sure I read that Dufty’s increase was already built into his contract.

Not sure that’s fair, Dufty’s contract is up at the end of 2026, at which point CTW will be 20 I think. Seems sensible planning to me…?

Sensible planning yes. However, I'm talking more about how much Dufty is now on. Which means we can't improve the squad that much. He's now on silly money.

Actually I remember now it was Abe that posted something about Dufty’s contract a good while back and that an increase would kick in.

If you think Dufty is 'pretty average' - as well as, presumably, Currie, Vaughan, Yates and King - I can probably leave it there.

Hopefully things will improve with the end of King's contract. I don't mind a huge chunk going to Dufty as he is box office (and we would be up in arms if he left to our rivals), but King is absolutely not box office.

So Dufty can’t be improved on? For every good game he has, he’ll have a brain fart and drop a ball or be nowhere positionally. He’s in a different universe to someone like Bevan French, say.

Vaughan who has been questioned by Burgess? He makes guards but he’s 34, he’s always suspended. I’d much rather we had signed Luke Thompson.

Currie? One good season in about ten. If you’re happy with that then guess you don’t have very high standards.

I forgot about Yates so I’ll give you that one. I like him.

What has Tony King done since he resigned? He’s been average at best. Again, Wardle twice the player he is.

Dufty adds an X Factor for us and it was correct to extend his contract for now, but Cai Taylor-Wray will be introduced to that role gradually when opportunities occur so that he will displace Dufty towards the end of Dufty`s contract.

CTW and Aaron Lindop need to be used to cover absences to our current regular first teamers and Lindop should replace Tai at the end of this season when Tai`s contract expires and I expect Lindop to get a lot of game time in 2025.

The Alfie Johnson recruitment intrigues me. Whilst he won`t count on our Salary Cap in 2025, I don`t expect him to get a 1st team opportunity before CTW or Lindop.

Lindop can cover the Centre/Wing positions, and CTW can play Fullback/Wing and both need as many games in the first team that we can accommodate, for suspensions, Injuries and loss-of-form etc.

Thewlis seems to think Johnson is in for a spot on the wing in a recent interview.