Yes

Sam Panapa was a great player for us. He played in every position except prop. Can't see many doing that now. I had the pleasure of seeing Meninga a few times playing for Saints but I don't remember Lewis at Wakefield. Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny are 2 that really stand out from the early part of the era we're discussing and they obviously played against each other in the '85 final. Despite our money we didn't really get many top Aussies coming over in their prime.

I don't know. I think you're wanting me to say 'no' so I will. I'll also appease you by giving the reason that 'There's more competition in the league now'. I'm aware of all that. My issue was with your statement that Wigan were the only professional team in that era.

Indeed. We won most of the 8 in a row before we actually turned professional. It's only missing the we bought up everyone to stop anyone else buying them and we've got a full house in the urban myths about that era.

Up until recently though, you did only have 'one song'

So was Hugh Waddell

I agree. Wigan got more value for their $ with the Kiwis, such as Westy, Bell, Iro Brothers, Botica...etc.

Wigan were also very good at scouring the lower leagues for talent - Sam Panapa (possibly my most favourite import ever) plying his trade for...wait for it....Sheffield Eagles!!! WTF!!! The guy was a genius with ball in hand, and a side-step to die for (check out his WCC try vs Penrith at Anfield).

Why did it take someone like Wigan to grab him from bloody Sheffield? Cause we had blokes travelling the country scouring for talent on wet Wednesday night in the lower leagues....it wasn't ALL top class NRL signings!

Didn't we get Dean Bell from Carlisle as well?????? The mind boggles!

"Didn't we get Dean Bell from Carlisle as well?????? The mind boggles!"


No, Dean was signed from Easts (now Sydney Roosters).....although Carlisle was his first club in England. Other signings of the type mentioned would include McGinty, Cowie, and Hall.

Yeah its clear that wigans cash was not the only reason that they were so dominant but undoubtedly played a part, You would have had to employ some1 to scour the lower leagues. Other teams were spending money too Widz offered offiah 85k but increased it to secure his signature which in them days was a phenominal amount of money. All teams had great players but for me wigan widnes had great teams which ultimately was the difference i used to dread playing the widnes pack harvey howard and kurt sorenson were for me the best front row props of that era

I dont think any team will eclipse the 8 in a row as thats a truely great achievement especially when winning league titles. However in todays game what we have achieved is also fantastic and shouldnt be compared to the 8 in a row. We do now need to push on for the elusive GF victory which we crave so much.

Just as money is playing a big part in your current success.

For everyone else's sake i hope they don't abolish the salary cap, as the Harry Sinfield sketch used to go, "We are considerably richer than Yow"

As an aside when the hell are we going to get the people's final in either of the finals?

Wigan V Saints ?

Undoubtedly it is playing a significant part in our success however that money was there when cullen was there and it didnt help us any then, as previously mentioned what goes on off the field also just as important as the money.

We have taken massive steps in improving the professionalism throughout the club and now have a solid 'brand' which is vital to the longjevity of our success (fingers crossed)

The lady doth protest too much, methinks