According to MM yesterday he didn't want to go to Aus because of his dogs(?), and that was a genuine reason.

I can believe that. Not a dog lover myself but we have friends who are and the way they treat the things better than some of the human members of the family never ceases to amaze me

Hate to be pedantic mate but GW got it in 2015, it was Tom Johnstone in 2016.

On Williams, I personally think he's a cracking player, yes he still has parts of his game to work on, like Kicking but give him a pack that can make plenty of yards and he will shine behind them and he's still only 23.

The 'he's only 23' line is a copout, as is the idea of needing a winning pack to play well (obviously it helps). Compare Williams' skill with the likes of Mitchell Moses (23), Nathan Cleary (20) and what's severely lacking is exactly those core basic skills without which you won't have a future in the NRL - kicking, passing and organising.

That's not bashing Williams BTW, every young halfback Britain has produced for years has lacked one or more of the skills to the sorts of levels required. Its why I hope that Williams, unlike so many before him actually does develop them. To me its down to lack of quality coaching for juniors, but also as someone else mentioned the sad fact that halfbacks simply don't need to get that good to play regularly and win things in SL.

Couldn't agree more.

Spot on

So it is official, Gelling has signed for the other Warriors.

Well that is a new way to get out of a contract. Seek compassionate leave, get a release on that basis and then you are free to sign for another club and your new club gets you for free.

Very cynical. He’ll be playing for absolute peanuts at NZW, night not even play for them at all and is on a one year contract.

I know yeah, all he had to do was get his girlfriend involved in a bad car crash

Based on what?

Wigan wouldn’t have asked for a fee anyway even if NZW had come straight to us. They’ve managed to squeeze him in as back up so they were never going to put any cash up.

I think Gelling has given us enough of his life to enable us to feel pleased for him.

Agreed. In 9/10 cases, there's plenty of reasons to be cynical when players break their contracts - but not in this case. His girlfriend had a serious accident, he didn't want to sit out her recovery on the other side of the world and he's taken an opportunity to keep playing. Is it really more complicated than that?

AFAIAC the Gelling issue is not about how he has behaved but about communication between club and fan base. I hope that he can get a start and it is probably a good thing for both parties. TBH Anthony did not have a great season and he took a lot of stick from fans when he put his hand up to play whilst unfit. I wish him well.
What annoys me is the cackhanded way the club manage this situation, rather than giving some more definitive response. We live in an instant news world where a lack of information creates a void which is always filled with the most extreme rumours. These in turn have a negative effect. Probably the best response would have been a swift announcement saying that A G was tacking a leave of absence for........and we will be looking for a replacement who will strengthen the squad..... After that the club would have had room to manouver.