Quote: MadDogg "I think Wigan fans will have to accept the high likelihood that 2024 will be the last year we have Smith, Field and French as the spine of our team. Because 1) they are all off contract at the end of 2024, 2) they will all have NRL interest and 3) there are only three marquee spots and we decided to use one on Thompson.
The one thing I hope hasn't happened is that Wigan have inadvertently snookered themselves by offering Thompson the marquee deal he has. As I said on a previous post, Smith's rise has been relatively quick (primarily over the 2nd half of 2023) so perhaps Wigan didn't view him as someone who could be in the marquee mix in their long term planning. The long term plan may have been Field, French and Thompson for marquee spots.
Alternatively, Wigan may already be aware that one of Field or French will move on thus opening up a spot.
Personally, I think if we start 2025 with two of Field, French and Smith then I'd be over the moon.'"
Maybe just me but I don't think Field will get much attention from the NRL. You'd certainly be happiest losing him out of the three you mention