I would be very surprised if McDonnell is not a Leigh player next season.

Lam clearly rates him and says as much every time he mentions him. He is back again with the club and likely to play over the next couple of games. I could be wrong, but i also thought that i saw him with the team (Leigh) in the warm-up at White Hart Lane last Saturday.

McDonnell, in interview, has spoken of the need for him to be playing regularly to continue his development which he is not getting at Wigan. He also speaks well of his time with Leigh and of his good player coach relationship with Lam.

I think that the stars are aligned on this one and would be more surprised if he is not announced over the next few months as a new signing for next season

McDonnell (the Wigan one) is a player we definitely need to tie up on a 3 year deal, Wigans young players aren’t on big money.

I think we will release Hitchcox, Hingano and Inu even though I really rate Inu he has completely solidified that left edge defensively.

I’d be keeping

Ipape
Asiata
McDonald
Amone
Stone
Ferguson

I believe Aekins & McDonnell have British passports so keep them and we have one spot left, could we re-attempt for Lachlan Lam if we go up?

Charnley is a good pick up if we go for him and I’d like to retain-

Brand
Mellor
Chamberlain
Sidlow
Wardle
Smith
Reynolds
Nisbett (utility)
Roberts (young still)

Mark Ioane is a great player and I would love to keep him, does he count on the quota still? Samisoni Langi now qualifies for France on residency rules had Ioane been here the same amount of time?

Bongser, I appreciate what you are saying, but sport is a rough old business. I have been disheartened by Leigh's buy and discard policy of recent years. Players like McNally and Brierley have re-signed and left again, without the club saying a word. The fans buy into these players and need closure and send-off. We need to appreciate the good times and wish them well, but the club have robbed us in the past of such opportunities.

Lammy has been very open about the current situation, injury situations and squad improvements. Players often sign a one year contract and with Promotion and Relegation always on the horizon at Leigh, it is very much a reality. Everybody knows we have too many overseas players if promoted and we all have a wish-list of players we want to see again next year. It is nothing personal just about year-on-year improvements at the LSV.

https://twitter.com/LeighCenturions/sta ... 5211259904 Ipape signs till 2025

https://twitter.com/LeighCenturions/sta ... 5211259904 Ipape signs till 2025

MASSIVE signing!

Great news for the future of our club and a statement of intention. Buzzing

Absolutely great news. He is good now but i think that there is more in the tank and that he will only get better.

Also great news were the comments of DB that accompanied the announcement of Edwin's contract extension. Long term financial commitment to the club reiterated. This is crucial news for the club and for us supporters. There's plenty to smile about right now. Could be a hell of a lot worse - could be a Fev fan!

Blummin' 'Eck! Great news. 'Er indoors is trying to drag Bongser out for an even lengthier walk than the one last night that left him footsore. Now walking on air!!! COYL!

Absolutely brilliant news about Ipape. He's the best hooker we've had since a young Mickey Higham. I'm confident we will retain Amone and Asiata and a few others, including Fergie. I am also confident with Lam and Chester we will get to SL at the end of the season. I am also confident that this time, we will challenge in SL and when the leagues are restructured that we will be in SL1. Credit has to go to DB. He's learned from his past mistakes and recruited a top coaching set up to attract the top players. We'll done DB. Good Times are back at Leigh and even more successful years are ahead of us. A Challenge Cup final could be ours in a few years time. Congratulations to everyone at Leigh. Oh, Edwin Ipape!!!

WYSIWYG, dissing your own post takes sarcasm to a whole new level and for that you should be rightly lauded & applauded. Please allow us lesser mortals our moment of Ipappiness though.



Btw is anyone else getting "Bad request" error messages when attempting to move between threads (or trying anything else for that matter)?

im not getting too carried away. Lots of work still to do but I feel that we are looking to retain our players now which tells me we are in a good place.

DB is actually being a Chairman and proof in the pudding that leaving it to the 'professionals' rather than 'best mates' is the best policy all round. The 2 PNG players confirmed, I believe Asiata is optional, Amone is a must and if Ferguson wants to stay, why not? I think Aekins doesn't count on the quota and I am not too sure if Sam Stone does too (could be wrong) but one good quality Half back could solidify one of the best Leigh team we have seen for many,many years.

One thing is for sure, It is certainly the best pack I have seen and to be fair, thats all you need in the Championship really.

This news brought a huge smile to my face, which is how I react many times per game when Edwin has the ball in hand or someone is crazy enough to run at him.
He is a dynamic player, who must be a nightmare to play against.
Well done to the whole club and DB.
This season continues to get better and better and my outlook for the future is very positive.

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