I hope you are right and he does turn into a terrific player by the end of the season. In my mind he has a couple of games coming up where he really needs to put his foot on the gas and show us his real credentials. If he does then great, we can all rest a bit easier.

Hooker with the vision to steer the team around the pitch (a la Riddell)

I agree. Once he develops the same understanding with his other support players as he already has with Hoffman, he'll be a real threat. We're seeing improvements week on week, to the point where he's already getting some picks in the MoM 123 voting on here.

Finch is a top class half, let not pretend he is anything other you do not do what he has in the game if you are an average player.

The man will be a great asset to us although i have to say i prefer more strike and pace in the halves when he is partnered with Deacon.

If everythings working out the way we all hope and pray it is for his mother.

Maybe we could see Riddell back at wigan next season. long shot i know

That's why I like the idea of partnering Mellor with Finch. On one hand you'd have the experience, kicking game and knowledge of how to control a game provided by Finch. Coupled with the running game that Mellor would bring to the table. I've always liked to see contrast in the halves, and with Finch and Mellor I think we'd see the correct combination of that.

I still have some concerns with Mellors recovery, he lacks the zip he had prior to his injury and it may take another year or so at least to see it return, much in the same way Locky did.

Tommy for me has that zip and I would not be adverse to seeing Mellor be the long term replacement for Finch once he fully (hopefully) recovers.

Well that's the great thing about having him on dual reg at Widnes. He's getting the game time against tougher opposition that will allow us to see where he's at.



He's got excellent acceleration Tommy over short distances, but I wouldn't back him over a long distance, as I would Joe (pre injury). It's that "zip" you speak of that makes Tommy so dangerous at 9.

I do not think halves need that natural sprint speed if they have that natural acceleration to break the line. A half with both is a real bonus though and Mellor if he recovers fully could well be a player that has both.

It depends whether Roberts returns to his old form or not. If he did I'd like him at 1 and Sam at 6. Not sure we need to sign anyone for next year if Hock returns and Carmont signs up for another year.

Are you seriously telling me that if Scott Dureau came onto the market you wouldnt want him?

If that's the case, then you've obviously not seen his absolutely commanding performances for Catalans, including the one where they (ie Dureau) destroyed us at the DW. He's the best halfback in SL at the moment.

We all know that Aussies don't respect contracts and as soon as it gets too cold for them they bugger off home. Barrett did it, Maguire's doing it and Finch will do it. Deacon won't go on forever and Leuluai's a hooker. Where will we be then?

Dureau is exactly the type of player Wigan RL needs.

I've said it on here and on the Saints and Wire boards Dureau is the best player I have seen playing against Wigan this year.

It depends at what cost, don't forget man of steel, SL top try + goal scorer, Wigan's SL record points scorer Pat Richards' contract is up at the end of the year. I don't know what he was on before but I bet it'll go up by a lot if we want to keep him. I reckon the following squad would challenge for the treble next year:

1. Roberts
2. Goulding
3. Charnley
4. Carmont
5. Richards
6. Sam
7. Leuluai
8. Fielden
9. McIlorum
10. Prescott
11. Hansen
12. Joel
13. O'Loughlin

14. Lima
15. Finch
16. Mossop
17. Farrell

18.
19. Hock
20. Tuson
21. Pryce
22. O'Carroll
23. Marsh
24. Crosby
25. Davies
26. Mellor
27. Logan
28. Hughes
29. Russell
30. Powell
31. King

viewtopic.php?p=16089803#p16089803 A little footage for those who haven't seen much of Mellor.

viewtopic.php?p=16089803#p16089803 A little footage for those who haven't seen much of Mellor.

I agree that we do not need another half back, more in need of a hooker

But could you imagine the Chase and Leuluai combination.