Would be superb if one of the rumoured big announcements on Saturday was that we had come to an arrangement (fee) with Wire to sign Toby on a 2/3 year deal. I don't live in hope as I've no idea whatsoever how it would work with the Keighran signing and I'm not even sure if it could work for us within the salary cap.

Anybody think that the big announcement could be stadium related? No inside info or anything but I just think it would be good news If we no longer have to worry when the football side play in relation to our big games and potential changes of venue

It is nothing to do with a new signing but a current player.

Powell is the only one I can think of, so he gets a "send off" at the GF.

So good news regards a current player can only mean a contract extension. Unless we've done a late deal with Wire for King which is unlikely.

Assuming a contract extension then it could be Smithies, could be Junior who apparently has been extended but not yet announced, or it could be a further extension to French or Field or both? How good would that be?

Sorry guys, it was about Havard returning to the squad for Saturday’s GF. I couldn’t post it has I had made a promise to his dad not to do so before Wigan announced it. Ethan will be in the 17.

Seems to me the stumbling block is money. Warrington gave King a very long and very valuable (and very dumb) contract that terminates at the end of the 2025 season. Indeed whilst on loan with you, and Huddersfield, Warrington were still part paying his salary.

Either Wigan can pay out the remainder of this contract for the next 2 years or King can accept a new contract on reduced terms with Wigan. The reason he is not staying at Wigan is his desire for £££. There is no massive demand from the Warrington supporters to see him back.

Oh I get it comes down to money and I don’t blame him in the slightest for not walking away from that Salary. No player is on silly money in this game, so even if he’s getting more than he should, it’s still all a case of a player needing to be sensible and look ahead past their career.

He goes with everyone’s best wishes and hopefully it works out back at Wire and he isn’t made a scapegoat if things go wrong.

Ha !
Seeing as he only counts 50k on your salary cap money isn't the issue for Warrington either?
The only problem with the situation is Warrington

They offered the contract, they employed Darryl Powell, they allowed him to go on loan to Huddersfield, they paid the difference, they allowed him to go to Wigan and paid the difference (whilst indulging Daryll Powell with his Matatuia/Minikin etc Dudson,Maguire, Kasiano signings)

Maybe the club needs to look inward at its behaviour, culture, management set up etc
And the fans need to be asking why they aren't happy to see an International, Grand Final winning centre who gives his all in very game in line with his abilities I.e. Hard working etc. Back at the club, but we're doing cartwheels over signing a crocked inglis or a terrible/average replacements like Matautia or Minikin

Wonder how Briers felt he was treated, Mike Cooper, Josh Charnley, the list goes on and on

What I will say is, he's been a pleasure to have play for us and actually spoke to 2 of Wigans coaches about him 6 weeks ago and they said his attitude (and Wardles) has been outstanding since the day they walked in
Wonder what it is about 6 x time Grand Final Wigan that suddenly gets the best out of players?

PS
Is he the first Warrington player to win championship since 55?

25 carries and nearly 180m on Saturday, workhorse.

Will have fond memories of Toby. He’s a great interview and gives nice answers rather than robotic cliches.

Spoke to him after the game on Saturday and he was class act (as Jukes has said). To say he’s not looking forward to going back to that circus is an understatement.

Shame he can’t stay but it was never really an option.

He would be able to return after his lucrative Wire contract is up after 2025. But at that point he’ll be 30 and Wigan I’m sure will have moved on.

Hope personally he can have a nice rest of his career.

Fickle as they come you lot. Clearly a top lad and an absolutely solid player who lost his way a little as part of a failing culture then was hung out to dry as some sort of scape goat (much as Cooper was) - worst thing about it is that most fans seem to have bought into that ideology and struggle to see that building on the back of players like that usually brings success. You've still some top lads coming through with the likes of Ben Currie & George Williams adding some decent experience, but somehow the importance of this is completely cast aside time after time in pursuit of instant success with big money signings.

I think that sums it up nicely, TK has been critical to Wigan's success this year. AK is probably as good as any replacement we could have got - in the top 20 for try scorers this season; makes good metres when he carries the ball (doesn't take as many carries as Toby); needs to improve his tackling success rate (I'm sure he will with our coaching, TK did the same); needs to reduce his penalty count; can kick goals; isn't battered and bruised from playing in the NRL for years; played his first full season for Catalans which will stand him in good stead; plenty of improvement in him.

Him and Cooper not done too bad for bad apples. Not bothered in the slightest he’s turned us down, as people have said short career need to earn the money while it’s there. Same with Nicholson. You work hard you get your chance. Can’t cut corners and Warrington seem like a club happy to cut corners.

Sticking with comments on King. He refused to play in the reserves, forgot his passport when playing Catalans away and insisted on bringing his dog to training. Powell didn't like this attitude and he was out. If Wigan thought as much of him as suggested I am surprised they wouldn't pay all his salary when on loan, nor match his contract terms now. He's an average centre, miles behind Wardle yet he is being made out as the next Meninga.

I accept completely that our club is a basket case too.

Interesting noting comments post game by King stating that Warrington have hardly spoken to him and how he better not say too much or else people will take it the wrong way and he'll be in trouble. He said what will be will be and he'll worry about next year when it comes. He won't be at Wigan and will likely be at Wire but that didn't sound a certainty. Again the issue with a move to another club would come down to money.