I think this would be a very good signing, last year we lacked somebody to organise us, I have a feeling that the new coach may see Tommy as a hooker and not a scrum half.

Had briers been in that team they'd still have won those trophies. Whereas long was a major catalyst for us, the likes of lowes and paul were more important to you than deacon was imo. I can see why wigan would sign him, a steady eddie who is better than leuluai, but to state that he was massively underrated is giving him too much credit.

In a coaching capacity yes I'm all for it.

In a playing capacity no I'm dead against it.

Simples.

Fits in with Radlinksi's wishes, according to his book anyway, of having specialist coaches for specific positions

Radders - outside backs
Deacon - halfbacks
Wane - forwards

Was MM a stand off in his day? If so he should be able to look after the middle backs, or delegate this between the existing staff

Deacons always been one of the players ive rated highly throughout his career and ive no doubt he can bring alot of quality to not just the coaching side but the playing side aswel.

Im sure he will work well with both half backs, mainly Sam to develop his kicking game in general play.

He's a good professional, who has had a good career so far and looked after himself well - so he should be in pretty good shape in terms of fitness.

Maybe we will see Sam or Tommy as our back up goal kicker aswel?

Is he going to be are equivalent of Andrew Duneman? In which I mean he'll be signed to bring through are younger halfbacks guiding them round the park.

Deacon has been remarkably unlucky - his two best 'big stage' performances, vs Saints at Old Trafford in 2002 and NZ at Huddersfield in 2005 were each tarnished by factors outside his control, namely an incorrect video ref decision that chalked off his Grand Final try and Nigel Vagana's thuggery that could have killed him in the test match.

Lowes and Paul were each brilliant, but hardly without patches of poor form and serious injury in the latter's case. No Deacs, no treble in 2003 I'm pretty confident to say.

If Sam or Tommy get injured we have no reserve half backs with any SL experience so I could see the logic in signing him as cover.

The main problem with this though is if his main job is to be junior coaching how will he stay match fit enough to be worthwhile cover?

Dave

If im not wrong, the academy team train later afternoon as most of them go to college in days.

Wrong on so many counts. (IMO of course

)

I think the idea behind a potential move for Deacon would be for mainly stengthening the squad with an experienced player, mentoring young players, having a good professional attitude, Wigan & home grown influence and future involvement with coaching.

An Overseas player such as Orford would IMO be the typical end of career, 2 year big payout contract with every intention of going home at the end of his spell.