Im suprised with Long, O'Meley, Fitzgibbon, Berrigan and co they have any room left anyway?

But (purely speculating) if he's not willing to drop his wages, which pretty much everyone has agreed needs to happen, then is it really Madge's or IL's fault if he goes? With whay he's reportedly on we could get 2 decent props in for the same money (LMS and Lynch???)

Exactly. Fielden of 2006 was worth his big bucks, he was a marquee player. Today hes just a good team player who doesnt have the X Factor like James Graham, Peacock, etc.

Its all about value, and 2006 Fielden != 2010 Fielden. Simples.

Disappointing news - I hope there's some time for things to change and Fielden to stay but if not, I trust Lenagan's judgement. He's certainly earned the fans' trust so far.

I would guess its a possibility that the three from Melbourne have signed on the premise that we don't go over a certain limit for a potential wage for Fielden next year.

Maybe Maguire/Lenagan has someone else in mind to replace Fielden - either outside the club or within it. It wouldn't surprise me to see Lee Mossop 'officially' converted into a prop next season.

If he's leaving, surely Fielden will be pumped up for the playoffs in his last chance to win something after 4 and a half years at Wigan.

If Fielden does go we are an experienced Prop short. We cannot afford to go into 2011 with that problem. Hock may well return and go to prop but that will be June sometime and 2/3rds way through the season.

Having Coley, Lima, Prescott & O'Carroll isn't enough. Mossop isn't ready for the front row, O'Carroll has played very few games this past two seasons. We can't rely on going into a season with only three reliable props.

Should Fielden depart there would be an amount free under the cap which would enable us bring a top quality prop in. Probably from overseas.
LMS is going to Saints and their replacement for Graham who is going to the NRL for 2012.
Lynch isn't going anywhere!

Hope he stays, in case he does leave, does anyone know of top quality NRL props available at all?

Carl Webb?

i can't see why people think LMS is nailed on for saints. I might be being naive but thought the IL connection would help us.

Big disappointment if Fielden leaves. He's been excellent this season and I would love to see how he gets on in a far stronger, more experienced pack that isn't as reliant on him to carry us forward.

Having said that, MaGuire is not stupid and I have complete faith in his judgement.

bad move in my book this one (if true) , and one i could see coming back to bite us


but , madge and IL seem to be doing ok

This is not good news, Lima & Coley are decent props, Mossop, Hoffman are 2nd rowers and Hoffmans only on a 1yr deal, Davies is in experienced, Hock won't have played for 2 years and O'Carroll & Prescott aren't that good anyway. I feel that we should give stu 2 year contract so he can help out the likes of Davies as for O'Carroll & Prescott for me one of them should go along with Feka.

Gaz Hock could easily play prop. He has beefed up and must be about 18 stone and it is not fat, he is a monster and will trample over a few people. He is definitely too big for second row at present but it is up to Madge.

We should have big 2nd rowers, the aussie always have big 2nd rowers. Peacock and Morley are players who are props but can also play in the 2nd row.

The problem with Hock is he hasn't played for 2 years, its got to be a gamble playing him straight away @ prop.