Player Retention

Quote: Septimius Severus "1. Aekins – Keep – Hopefully qualifies as British
2. Hitchcox – Let go - Limited opportunities and is Australian
3. Brand – Keep – Most improved player this season (don’t let him play Fullback)
4. McDonald – Retained – Top try scorer- unorthodox Centre
5. Nisbet – Let go – Played Wing and pack - a trier put lacking the pizzaz of Inu, Ferguson and Charnley
6. Reynolds – Keep - Solid in defence – kicking game improved but does not offer enough threat in attack (especially at SL level)
7. Mellor – Retained – Dominated games at times
8. Sidlow – Keep – Solid all round has improved discipline having been made Captain
9. Smith – Sign – Smith has spent several seasons at Leigh and needs to make the move permanent.
10. Ioane –Keep - Qualifies under residency 6 years in UK – season plagued by injuries – always gives 100%
11. Wardle - Keep
12. Stone – Keep – Malta International
13. Amone – Keep – Star Prop
14. Green – Keep – Unfortunate injury – Plenty of SL experience
15. Hingano – Let go – unpredictable player with some good touches and occasionally reckless in the tackle – provided cover at 6,7 and 9 incredibly important squad player
16. Chamberlain – Keep – talented Centre still learning his craft
17. Jones – Let go – Young lad not quite SL standard yet
18. Asiata – Keep – Gets better every game – fills in deficiencies in the half backs – attacks the line and pushes Mellor and Reynolds wider
19. Roberts – Keep - Young local lad with potential. Fills a squad position
20. Dixon – Let Go – The age of the small speedster, might be coming to an end. Inu, Ferguson and now Charnley have more of a Lam feel about them.
21. Ipape – Retained – Oh Edwin Ipape (I love that man)
22. McDonnell – Sign – Highly rated by Lam but still a Wigan loanee.
23. Inu – Keep – I would like another season from this top performer (At 35 he might hang up his Blue and Red Boots)
24. O’Donnell - Keep – Hopefully qualifies as British
25. Nakubuwai – Undecided – Getting better with every game
26. Ferguson – Keep – A little bit of stardust at the LSV
27. Charnley – Signed'"

I agree with most but not all of this.

My picks are ....

1. Aekins - Keep/Release (undecided) depends on Quota & who we manage to retain. Very good season but not irreplaceable, doesn't like taking bombs but in most areas good.
2. Hitchcox - Release. Not in Lams plans it seems & hasn't done enough to be retained + he's an Aussie so takes a Quota spot.
3. Brand - Keep - Brand has done plenty very well & gets better. He's one to get signed & could have a bright future.
4. McDonald - Retained. Excellent, hard to handle Centre with plenty to worry defenses.
5. Nisbet. Release. Has been a hard working squad player & of course we need squad player's (not everyone can be superstars) Not done much wrong but we have plenty quality in his position.
6. Reynolds - Keep - as already said, very solid defensively & much improved in play kicking, strong squad player (though I would like an NRL/SL quality 6)
7. Mellor - Retained Nothing to add, good signing
8. Sidlow - Keep - Nothing to add.
9. Smith - Keep/Sign - still developing but doing it very well, a solid performer, needs to be a Leigh player & part of our first choice 2 Hooker game.
10. Ione - Keep - Nothing to add.
11.Wardle - Keep/Release (undecided) decent/solid squad player
12. Stone - Keep/Release - Depends again on Quota spots & who does or doesn't sign again. Very good but not irreplaceable.
13. Amone - Keep - Absolutely must attempt to get Amone for at least 2 - 3 seasons. Might come down to a fight between Leigh & bigger name Super League clubs.
14. Green - Keep - Been unlucky to lose him for most of the season so far but again, SL quality
15. Hingano - Release. Hasn't done enough & takes a Quota spot
16. Chamberlain - Keep - Very good & will improve further.
17. Jones - Release/? Don't know enough about him.
18. Asiata - Keep - Very good, an attacking threat, good defender, has been a good signing
19. Roberts - Keep - a good squad player will need game time to develop.
20 . Dixon - Release. Not in plans & we have & can attract much better (Plenty of quality wingers)
21. Ipape - Retained - What a player. This signing alone shows where we are & where we want to be. An inspired signing & he will attract others to Leigh.
22. McDonnell - Sign (If we can) has been very good for Leigh when played. Does he want to be a first choice Leigh player or squad Wigan player ?
23. Inu - Release - Yes I know he's been excellent this season but he is 35 & will he retire ? Being 35 in Championship is not the same as being 36 in Super League !
24. O'Donnell - Keep - Very, very good, much better than most realise. Kai is an excellent all rounder, massive defence & massive workhorse.
25. Nakubuwai - Release - Better out there & takes a Quota spot.
26. Ferguson - Keep *If we can* Will he sign again ? Will he get bigger offers from bigger name clubs in Super League or NRL ?
27. Charnley - Signed - still has quality & a proven try scorer.

*The name Lachlan Lam is still being mentioned in the media*