FORUMS FORUMS



  
FORUMS > Wigan Warriors > The Melbourne Trio
35 posts in 3 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, DaveO , Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy , Pemps
JRD
RankPostsTeam
International Star6No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 201014 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Jun 2013Oct 2010LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Although I know its been quite a while since Finch, Lima and Hoffman signed for you guys, I thought some around here might he interested in a some descriptions of your future players and I couldn't find an old thread to resurrect.

Obviously, people have probably already learned a far bit about these guys but I hope I might provide a degree of insight from my time in Melbourne.

Jeff Lima

An excellent signing for Wigan. Counter to what I've heard a number of people say, Lima is probably the best of the three. Where Hoffman and Finch are good players who have probably been flattered to an extent by the players around them in Melbourne, Lima is the opposite, largely unrecognised but a very vital player. Lima is one of the most underrated players in the NRL. Over the past four seasons, Lima has been Melbourne’s dominant prop and also one of the top props in the competition.

A reason for his low profile is the fact that Lima has no single facet of his game that is particularly impressing. Rather, he just does almost everything very well.

A solid and consistent meter-eater, Lima has no fear of hard-work and is almost always found taking the first few hit-ups of a set and really bends the line. A very good defender and a despite having a reputation as a grub, he receives very few penalties and drops very little ball. His style of play is very simple and he hardly ever offloads, preferring to play it safe and look for the quick PTB.

Over the last few years he has improved his fitness base and is capable of playing long minutes (although he often doesn’t).

2010 was a poor year by his own standards but hardly unexpected considering the Storm were playing for nothing. If Maguire can get Lima motivated he will be a massive addition to the forward pack.

Brett Finch

A versatile half who can play at scrum-half, stand-off or as a back-up hooker. He has played much of his career at scrum-half but his best footy has probably been played at stand-off at both Parramatta and Melbourne.

Solid in most aspects of his game, with his passing being a strong point. His ability to put teammates through holes is excellent and he can cause headaches taking on defenders one-on-one. In fact, he has quite a dangerous running game when he plays wider, which IMO he doesn’t utilize often enough.

On the downside, Finch can be prone to bursts of poor decision making. He is a player who needs space to play and can be put off his game when he is playing behind a beaten forward pack or against a fast moving defensive line. Probably his biggest weakness is his tendency to throw heavily telegraphed inside balls and the occasional hospital pass to his forwards.

His form over the last 2-3 years has been very good. The biggest question is how he will adjust to whatever role Maguire wants him to play. Over the last two years at Melbourne, he has flourished with less pressure as Cronk and Smith carry lion’s share of the kicking and organization of the team. This freedom has allowed him to slip under the radar and he has been a real game-breaker on a number of occasions.

Playing in Superleague, with the slower-moving defensive lines Finch should do very well, although I’m not certain he is the man to take over the role that Deacon played for you this year.

Ryan Hoffman

Hoffman is a player who could be a great success next year but it depends heavily on how he fits into the team.

At his best, Hoffman is arguably one of the best hole runners in the world. At club level, over the past 3-4 years, his ability to attack the fringes with clever lines and break open opposition teams off the Cronk short pass is staggering.

He has also shown the ball-skills to suck in defenders and pop on a quick pass or offload to a supporting player. But over the past year or two he has stopped looking for the pass as often and it has probably been to the detriment of his game.

His defense is solid and his discipline is good, although he tends to drop the pill at times.

His biggest weakness, however, is that Hoffman is quite a one-dimensional player. He excels in the Melbourne structure, playing with Cronk, however, his few forays into representative football have been very disappointing.

When he is not playing in a familiar environment he can be a bit wasted and often ends up getting smashed when he is asked to straighten the attack or be used as a battering-ram.

For Hoffman, a move to a new league is ideal; with many NRL teams learning how to counter his run by targeting him with big forwards the second he gets near the ball. With Maguire at the helm, Hoffman should get back to his best.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach3448
JoinedServiceReputation
Mar 200619 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Sep 2021Sep 2019LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: 21-12 "Oh my good god, that starting 13 is frighteningly good!!!! And look at the bench, that bench would walk into nearly every starting 13 in SL. Id expect Hock to be in the 17 after a few months aswell.'"


And to have Hansen and Mossop not even in the 17!

The strongest squad we've had for a long time.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach750No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200816 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Sep 2014Jun 2014LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: Guerrier "And to have Hansen and Mossop not even in the 17!

The strongest squad we've had for a long time.'"



Id say its the strongest squad we have ever had in superleague.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach1871No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
May 201015 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Mar 2017Mar 2017LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: Sharpy_4a "Id say its the strongest squad we have ever had in superleague.'"


and by some distance.

RankPostsTeam
Club Coach4131No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Feb 200520 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Jun 2015Oct 2012LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: Sharpy_4a "Id say its the strongest squad we have ever had in superleague.'"



On paper id say its potentially the strongest squad put together ever in SL not just Wigans best.

RankPostsTeam
International Star550No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Sep 201014 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Sep 2014Sep 2014LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Reading this just makes me want the season to start again already. Madge is going to have one hell of a (nice) headache in trying to select a team, but whereas injuries plagued us in the past, with this squad the strength in depth is there for all to see.

35 posts in 3 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, DaveO , Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy , Pemps
35 posts in 3 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, DaveO , Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy , Pemps



All views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the RLFANS.COM or its subsites.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that news stories, articles and images are correct, we cannot be held responsible for errors. However, if you feel any material on this website is copyrighted or incorrect in any way please contact us using the link at the top of the page so we can remove it or negotiate copyright permission.

RLFANS.COM, the owners of this website, is not responsible for the content of its sub-sites or posts, please email the author of this sub-site or post if you feel you find an article offensive or of a choice nature that you disagree with.

Copyright 1999 - 2024 RLFANS.COM

You must be 18+ to gamble, for more information and for help with gambling issues see https://www.begambleaware.org/.



Please Support RLFANS.COM


2.734375:10
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
51m
2025 Squad Numbers
DSJ1983
13
Recent
Realistic targets for 2025
DSJ1983
144
Recent
Looking for a Good Time Connect with Local Ladies in Your T
hcc
1
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1m
2025 Shirt
--[ WW ]--
27
1m
BORED The Band Name Game
Boss Hog
63297
1m
Ground Improvements
Trojan Horse
233
2m
Shirt reveal coming soon
Trojan Horse
50
2m
Transfer Talk V5
Jack Burton
546
2m
Realistic targets for 2025
DSJ1983
144
3m
Film game
karetaker
5859
5m
2025 Recruitment
bowlinboy
228
6m
Pre Season - 2025
Armavinit
213
7m
Co-Captains for 2025
MjM
15
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Looking for a Good Time Connect with Local Ladies in Your T
hcc
1
TODAY
Matty Ashurst testimonial dinner
Big lads mat
1
TODAY
2025 Squad Numbers
DSJ1983
13
TODAY
England Women Las Vegas train-on squad
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Quiz night
H.G.S.A
1
TODAY
Co-Captains for 2025
MjM
15
TODAY
Cornwall has a new owner
CM Punk
2
TODAY
Callum Shaw
Wanderer
1
TODAY
Squad Numbers
phe13
4
TODAY
Rhinos squad numbers
Rixy
1
TODAY
Squad numbers
Warrior Wing
8
TODAY
Mat Crowther pre season update
Dunkirk Spir
1
TODAY
Mike Cooper podcast
Wires71
10
TODAY
Shirt reveal coming soon
Trojan Horse
50
TODAY
Opening Championship and League One Fixtures for 2025 Released
RLFANS News
1
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
POSTSONLINEREGISTRATIONSRECORD
19.65M 1,684 ↓-2480,15614,103
LOGIN HERE
or REGISTER for more features!.

When you register you get access to the live match scores, live match chat and you can post in the discussions on the forums.
RLFANS Match Centre
 Thu 13th Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R1
20:00
Wigan
v
Leigh
 Fri 14th Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R1
20:00
Hull KR
v
Castleford
20:00
Catalans
v
Hull FC
 Sat 15th Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R1
15:00
Leeds
v
Wakefield
17:30
St.Helens
v
Salford
       Championship 2025-R1
18:00
Toulouse
v
Widnes
 Sun 16th Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R1
15:00
Huddersfield
v
Warrington
       Championship 2025-R1
15:00
Bradford
v
LondonB
15:00
Featherstone
v
Doncaster
15:00
Oldham
v
York
15:00
Sheffield
v
Halifax
15:00
Barrow
v
Hunslet
 Thu 20th Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R2
20:00
Wakefield
v
Hull KR
 Fri 21st Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R2
20:00
Warrington
v
Catalans
20:00
Hull FC
v
Wigan
 Sat 22nd Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R2
15:00
Salford
v
Leeds
20:00
Castleford
v
St.Helens
 Sun 23rd Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R2
14:30
Leigh
v
Huddersfield
       League One 2025-R1
15:00
Cornwall
v
Workington
15:00
Dewsbury
v
Crusaders
ALL SCORES PROVIDED BY RLFANS.COM (SETTINGS)
Matches on TV
Thu 13th Feb
SL
20:00
Wigan-Leigh
Fri 14th Feb
SL
20:00
Hull KR-Castleford
SL
20:00
Catalans-Hull FC
Sat 15th Feb
SL
15:00
Leeds-Wakefield
SL
17:30
St.Helens-Salford
Sun 16th Feb
SL
15:00
Huddersfield-Warrington
Thu 20th Feb
SL
20:00
Wakefield-Hull KR
Fri 21st Feb
SL
20:00
Warrington-Catalans
SL
20:00
Hull FC-Wigan
Sat 22nd Feb
SL
15:00
Salford-Leeds
SL
20:00
Castleford-St.Helens
Sun 23rd Feb
SL
14:30
Leigh-Huddersfield
Fri 28th Feb
SL
20:00
Huddersfield-Hull FC
SL
20:00
Hull KR-Salford
SL
20:00
Leigh-Catalans
Sat 1st Mar
SL
14:30
Wakefield-St.Helens
SL
21:30
Wigan-Warrington
Sun 2nd Mar
SL
15:00
Leeds-Castleford
Thu 6th Mar
SL
20:00
Hull FC-Leigh
Fri 7th Mar
SL
20:00
Castleford-Salford
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Mens Betfred Super League XXVIII ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wigan 29 768 338 430 48
Hull KR 29 731 344 387 44
Warrington 29 769 351 418 42
Leigh 29 580 442 138 33
Salford 28 556 561 -5 32
St.Helens 28 618 411 207 30
 
Catalans 27 475 427 48 30
Leeds 27 530 488 42 28
Huddersfield 27 468 658 -190 20
Castleford 27 425 735 -310 15
Hull FC 27 328 894 -566 6
LondonB 27 317 916 -599 6
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Betfred Championship 2024 ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wakefield 27 1032 275 757 52
Toulouse 26 765 388 377 37
Bradford 28 723 420 303 36
York 29 695 501 194 32
Widnes 27 561 502 59 29
Featherstone 27 634 525 109 28
 
Sheffield 26 626 526 100 28
Doncaster 26 498 619 -121 25
Halifax 26 509 650 -141 22
Batley 26 422 591 -169 22
Swinton 28 484 676 -192 20
Barrow 25 442 720 -278 19
Whitehaven 25 437 826 -389 18
Dewsbury 27 348 879 -531 4
Hunslet 1 6 10 -4 0
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
51m
2025 Squad Numbers
DSJ1983
13
Recent
Realistic targets for 2025
DSJ1983
144
Recent
Looking for a Good Time Connect with Local Ladies in Your T
hcc
1
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
1m
2025 Shirt
--[ WW ]--
27
1m
BORED The Band Name Game
Boss Hog
63297
1m
Ground Improvements
Trojan Horse
233
2m
Shirt reveal coming soon
Trojan Horse
50
2m
Transfer Talk V5
Jack Burton
546
2m
Realistic targets for 2025
DSJ1983
144
3m
Film game
karetaker
5859
5m
2025 Recruitment
bowlinboy
228
6m
Pre Season - 2025
Armavinit
213
7m
Co-Captains for 2025
MjM
15
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Looking for a Good Time Connect with Local Ladies in Your T
hcc
1
TODAY
Matty Ashurst testimonial dinner
Big lads mat
1
TODAY
2025 Squad Numbers
DSJ1983
13
TODAY
England Women Las Vegas train-on squad
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Quiz night
H.G.S.A
1
TODAY
Co-Captains for 2025
MjM
15
TODAY
Cornwall has a new owner
CM Punk
2
TODAY
Callum Shaw
Wanderer
1
TODAY
Squad Numbers
phe13
4
TODAY
Rhinos squad numbers
Rixy
1
TODAY
Squad numbers
Warrior Wing
8
TODAY
Mat Crowther pre season update
Dunkirk Spir
1
TODAY
Mike Cooper podcast
Wires71
10
TODAY
Shirt reveal coming soon
Trojan Horse
50
TODAY
Opening Championship and League One Fixtures for 2025 Released
RLFANS News
1
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS


Visit the RLFANS.COM SHOP
for more merchandise!