My thoughts to the letter and same goes for Wire both teams put on a fantastic display and we couldn't have asked for more from either team. Huge well done to everyone involved

Quote Rogues Gallery="Rogues Gallery"Sam Powell was my pick, followed by Bateman.'" Waney agrees with us, fwiw... www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2017- ... ic-feeling On Sam Powell. He was the stand out player for me, playing the minutes he played and to be targeted like he was. You can target him as much as you want but he’s got a heart the size of a lion and I’ve got Micky Mac to come back too.

Quote Rogues Gallery="Rogues Gallery"Sam Powell was my pick, followed by Bateman.'" Waney agrees with us, fwiw... www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2017- ... ic-feeling On Sam Powell. He was the stand out player for me, playing the minutes he played and to be targeted like he was. You can target him as much as you want but he’s got a heart the size of a lion and I’ve got Micky Mac to come back too.

Quote Geoff="Geoff"Waney agrees with us, fwiw... www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2017- ... ic-feeling On Sam Powell. He was the stand out player for me, playing the minutes he played and to be targeted like he was. You can target him as much as you want but he’s got a heart the size of a lion and I’ve got Micky Mac to come back too.'" I thought that Powell was man of the match by quite a distance. Not sure how MM can get his place back whilst Powell keeps on improving and can play 80 minutes virtually every game.

Quote Geoff="Geoff"Waney agrees with us, fwiw... www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2017- ... ic-feeling On Sam Powell. He was the stand out player for me, playing the minutes he played and to be targeted like he was. You can target him as much as you want but he’s got a heart the size of a lion and I’ve got Micky Mac to come back too.'" I thought that Powell was man of the match by quite a distance. Not sure how MM can get his place back whilst Powell keeps on improving and can play 80 minutes virtually every game.

options - we need cover and Sam/MM combined give you that. MM can also do a job as a squad forward and Sam as half back cover. Sam will need a break at some point in the season!

FWIW, I think Escare has fitted in remarkably well and certainly gives us options along the line. he defended well too, and as a kicker I think he'll go fine (looks a natural striker of the ball, so its just practice, practice, practice!)

I would like Escare to get more of the ball and as you say when summer comes along I think his pace will become even more telling.
ST was for him pretty poor for the majority of last season and unless he finds his mojo can't see him displacing Escare particularly if his goal kicking continues to improve.
Escare could be a beltin signing for us and may just be what the doctor ordered if it means ST gets his act together.

I do think we'll see a much improved Sam Tomkins this year and he'll have to be. He's the ultimate competitor and I can see him ripping it up on his return. If not then he's in danger of not getting a game.

As for Escare it'll be interesting to see how he develops long term. He's got a one year deal currently and I'd already be prepared to extend it but ultimately I think the club will need to make sure he's settled in nicely and that he's happy. It must be difficult at times for him with him not being able to speak English and how he adapts to that could have a big bearing on his long term future.

It shows how poor th Catalan are when they drop a player like Escare when all he needed was a bit of confidence and defence coaching. He will be make a few mistakes but will be great for us.

I read a Catalan fan saying it looks like we've bulked him up and they thought that was positive as it's helping him defensively.


At Leigh he was pretty quiet and my expectations weren't huge but I watched the Catalans friendly and was blown away. He's pretty much been the polar opppsite of what I thought we were signing. I expected a defensively weak, support play machine who probably wouldn't be able to link play and I certainly didn't expect a kicking game. He's in fact been solid as a rock in defence, he's bringing others in to play and he's kicking very well.

I'm just glad that we look to be developing him nicely because it will also help France and the game could do with a strong French team.

I haven't seen it back yet, but on the night I thought I was him. Right footed kicker, yellow boots, and Escare was cuddling one of the other lads when the ball went over! Still got Escare as the kicker in the match reports too.

The full game is on YouTube for anyone who wants to see it.

A year ago all was gloom and doom as McIlorum was injured. Now Sam Powell has been hooker in a Grand Final win and a WCC win. He regularly does 80 minutes which Micky rarely managed. I'd say Powell has cemented his place. Micky will need to do well to win back a starting jersey. Of course he can come off the bench and cover 13 as well so things are certainly looking bright. And from what I've seen Josh Ganson is going to be a hell of a player if he continues his improvement. I believe Waney really rates him.