Rocky is a strike weapon with good handling skills, would be more effective out the back door using his pace and movement as a second receiver from full back. Thesedays halves predominantly bring others into the game.

Personally I think he's the closest to Sam Tomkins at our club, keep Rocky progressing as a 1.

I honestly think Sam Powell will be a star in the halves, seems to have great timing and control already, was the best player on the pitch when we played the NZW.
Williams and Powell to be our long term 6 and 7.

For now let the 6,7 and 9 position be interchanged between
-Green
-Smith
-McM
-Powell
-Williams

I honestly think all of the above are better than Logan. I'd like us to bring in another class 9 so McM is playing so much, and so we have another leader on the pitch. Clark from Cas would be ideal.

The way the current team is playing plus the players to return I see the Wigan team as:

Bowen/Hampshire; personally I think Rocky looks better but we have to think of the future with his development.
Charnley; better than Manfredi, even though many feel he's done enough not to be dropped.
Gelling
Sarge
Burgess
Green
Smith
Flower
McM
Taylor
Bateman
Faz
Lockers
--------------------
Crosby
Pettybourne
Hughes
Williams/Powell


Controversial talking point is leaving Daz out, I'm sorry but I think Gelling looks more threatening. If anything I was annoyed when Daz came on Wane moved Gelling from the centres when Gelling needs more time to learn and play the position in the first team.
Maybe he only moved Gelling as he's the bigger man.

Re. the palming the ball dead incident, watching the replay on the big screen it looked like he had more than enough time to pick the ball up and he seemed to deliberately step out of play before touching the ball. Was this a brain fart with him thinking he'd get a 20m restart ?
Anyway no harm done and apart from that I thought he had a cracking game.

That's my thinking as well he could easily have gathered the ball whilst facing the dead ball line instead it looked like he deliberately got round the back to force it dead for a Wigan restart.

Bateman gets better every game.

This young lad can go all the way to the top; he’s as hard as granite, and shows no fear for any opposition. He’s deffo one you’d want to have in your side, and not one you’d relish playing against. Let’s just hope the good Doctor doesn’t start waving his cheque book in his direction any time soon, or the wizards of Oz come sniffing either. He must be destined for a place in The Hall Of Fame if he keeps it up. I hope we can keep him for a long time yet.

No overreactions here then

Terrific player, was gutted when he left Bradford for Wigan as he always looked a top, top player in the making.

Even though it was Wigan, I really enjoyed last night. Some fantastic young players on show.

I think he's terrific, a real hard man and a great fooballer. His lack of size and possibly ball handling ability (simply not seen enough to know) suggest to me that he will be a great club player rather than the answer to England's prayers. Like McIllorum, I would not swap him for anyone in the world.

He reminds me of Anthony Wotmough, not the biggest but tough as they come with a great engine. Very impressive but if business from Wigan getting this kid in.

I think it is inevitable he will head to the NRL at some stage, he is certainly good enough to.

He's 6'1" (185cm) according to the Wigan website so not that small. He's only 20 so will bulk up as he ages too. Frightening prospect.

I think he'd be an incredible centre - I have no worries about his handling skills.

Will replace O'Loughlin eventually.

If John Bateman stays in SL with us he will be a future Wigan and England captain, yes, he's THAT good. At 20 years of age the potential in Bateman is absoulutely frightening.

Gereat player! To think it was only a few months ago people were calling for 'H' back or someone else to come in...