Yeah I'm sure the CEO and DOR are all over it .... let's hope the group who select coaches are not the same who select new players. 


I don't believe we had succession planning for Powell despite the writing being on the wall for weeks that he was done for. Panic coach recruitment phase with the will she/ wont she relocate to the UK farce, then the wild card Sam Burgess. 

But any NRL club could do that with any of our players. But you are right about contracts - they only work one way in practice. 

Both Sam and Brad Arthur openly talking about their next job in 18 months time is unedifying in my view. Disrespectful to the clubs. Sure, have the conversations - but why in public? Maybe their agents are ensuring their names are in the fray, keeping them in the picture and relevant. Sam speaking out after Brad getting his elbows out first earlier in the week.  It's no coincidence. 

We don't have players talking like this. Imagine Danny Walker saying "well I've got a job to do at Warrington, but then in 2027 I hope to be going on to bigger and better things at Wigan". It would be unacceptable. 

Sam won't be getting the coaching role at Perth based on coaching credentials or achievements so no pressure on him to deliver anything with us - which is fortunate for him. His well backed club with 3 marquee players is  going to be 9th in the league and way, way off the pace. 

Sure we will stick with Sam - but the timing is all to suit him, not our club. He will be signing players that another coach will have to work with when he's gone. What if we continue our nose dive? the club will think, well he's going end of 2026 anyway and another 3 year plan to kick off in 2027. 

Also releasing this PR on the eve of the Magic Weekend with a busted up squad about to be annihilated by Wigan. 

No, I'm annoyed by this. 

Yes our CEO is already talking to Ronald McDonald and Daffy Duck

Yes, they could and probably do.

The difference is that Burgess has a personal relationship with our players and would have one and a half seasons of daily contact to persuade them to move to the NRL with him.

Fair point, but I would counter that those minded to go to the NRL with Sam, would likely be tempted to go to the NRL anyway if the opportunity arose. But yes I agree this can only increase, not decrease, the risk. Let's just make sure our contracted players have rather large transfer fees attached. 

i suppose the big difference is Brad Arthur only extended for 1 season after only initially committing to part of last season, and has made no secret of his intention to go back to Oz

with Sam, i dont think there is any secret he plans to go back to Oz, but equally i agree talking whilst under contract isnt an ideal situation


on the flip side, and there was a thread on here a couple of weeks ago about him, is he actually achieving as a coach? Whilst there is no doubt he was an incredible player, and has an aura about him. As a coach, there is only so far that the aura will get you. If you dont / cant manage players or have the tactical nous, then he may not succeed here or in Oz, and at the minute does his time here merit a head coach role in Oz, i from an outsiders perspective would say no, but you guys are better placed to comment

On the example of Walker leaving, I wouldn’t mind that if it was the case (to the NRL though, not Wigan.) if he’s leaving, and we know he’s leaving, we can use that cap money and get in the front of the queue for replacements. If he kept us guessing and we had to keep a significant portion of cap free just incase he signed, ultimately to walk short notice, we’d be in trouble. It’s like when Briers left in 2013, we couldn’t look in advance to recruit for such an important role, and ultimately it set us back years. 

We can’t afford to go into 2026 without a coach locked in. We have the May timeline to lock in players for 2027 before others can approach, and we need the incoming coach to have a read on who they want/don’t. Powell was given that opportunity, shipped out the ones he didn’t want and had the chance to bring in his people to get to work on day 1. He completely butchered it, but the concept was right. 


We’ve all known for a while now that Sam wants to go to the NRL. To his credit, he has given us a timeline. It’s for us to get our house in order now and work out the replacement.

Good points. But why does this all have to be conducted in public? 

Here's a question - could you imagine Matt Peet talking openly to the press about coveting the Penrith job in 18 months time?  No neither can I. 

Replacement - Paul Rowley before he goes to Saints or Leeds. 

If memory serves, Wane set out his intention to leave Wigan months before the end of the season. I think he said he wanted a new challenge, I think he publicly singed with Scotland RU shortly after. 


We will all remember how that season ended.