I would take a chance on Ratchford, his kicking game is sensational and right now that is all we are missing, wouldn't it be great to develop a half-back partnership rather than pay megga bucks for Finch or Cronk?

Comparing Finch and Cronk's wage demands is silly. Cronk would demand mega bucks and quite rightly so, whereas Finch is not on a great deal at Melbourne. In fact, he is payed considerably less than most of the squad.

I agree with Ratchford. After having a nose on the Leeds & Saints boards, the general consensus is they would take him. I personally think Salford are silly to get shut of Ratchford and I would be pleased if we signed him.

Would you take Finch?

www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/cumb ... 06962.html Wakefield have handed ex Wigan Academy player Karl Olstrom a full time contract, only saw him sparingly but looked a good prospect a bit unlucky not to get a deal with us due to the lads ahead of him in the pecking order. I am sure Rogues or one of the other regulars will have a better view of him though.

www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/cumb ... 06962.html Wakefield have handed ex Wigan Academy player Karl Olstrom a full time contract, only saw him sparingly but looked a good prospect a bit unlucky not to get a deal with us due to the lads ahead of him in the pecking order. I am sure Rogues or one of the other regulars will have a better view of him though.

If Mark Riddell is leaving then yes I would from what Melbourne Storm/NRL followers have told me. I don't follow the NRL enough to form a strong enough argument either way so I can only go off by what I'm told.

Regardless of what other people think, no Head Coach in Super League will know Brett Finch better than Mike MaGuire and if he thinks Finch is right for Wigan then Finch is right for Wigan.

Gotta be looking at Jamal Idris at the Bulldogs for our new centre, seen a couple of games this year and he looks immense, 19-20 years old. Probably more chance of signing Inglis, Folau and Cooper!!!

If Finch is not paid as much as others at Melbourne than I doubt he's going to leave - they're cutting back on the cap remember so will more than likely keep him if he's their starting 6 and on a lower wage.

Personally i would be extremely happy with posible additions of finch and lima(hopefully shenton too), however this would force us to release some overseas players.

Although i am a fan of phelps and believe he could progress and improve his game, i see him as one that is in a weak spot to get a renewed contract.

If carmont decides to retire or doesnt trigger his contract i would also be looking for a quality centre, shenton would be very good but if this isnt possible for whatever reason, the NRL has numerous talented centres that have impressed me, maybe if we opted to get a centre from the NRL rather than finch this could be more productive ? this would allowed tommy, tomkins, riddell and mickey to have places for the next season.

Overall i would be thrilled with lima finch and shenton and believe that would be our best option, but there are other alternatives to explore

George Carmont doesn't count on any quota. He was reclassified as federation trained. It's complicated.

The only players that count on the overseas quota are Mark Riddell, Amos Roberts, Cameron Phelps and Phil Bailey.

finch and lima and were better than we are now.

cronk and lima and i'm living the dream as world champs again

Thats the way i was thinking, if we could possibly bring one of the star centres over, that would really improve the team, tommy and tomkins arent a bad pairing, although i can see the reasons for looking at finch. As i said getting finch and lima would be brilliant, but getting lima and the likes of cooper would be fantastic.

If camont gets a new contract i would go for finch, if not, then attempt for a classy centre.

Wages of ANZAC test players according to the NZ Dominion.

Australia
Billy Slater $450,000
Brett Morris $250,000
Greg Inglis $450,000
Jamie Lyon $300,000
Jarryd Hayne $500,000
Darren Lockyer $450,000
Cooper Cronk $350,000
Petero Civoniceva $400,000
Cameron Smith $450,000
David Shillington $250,000
Luke Lewis $250,000
Sam Thaiday $300,000
Paul Gallen $300,000
Kurt Gidley $350,000
Josh Perry $300,000
Anthony Watmough $350,000
Michael Weyman $250,000

New Zealand
Lance Hohaia $250,000
Sam Perrett $200,000
Junior Sa'u $175,000
Steve Matai $250,000
Jason Nightingale $175,000
Benji Marshall $500,000
Kieran Foran $120,000
Sam Rapira $200,000
Issac Luke $200,000
Frank-Paul Nu'uausala $175,000
Bronson Harrison $200,000
Zeb Taia $130,000
Adam Blair $300,000
Aaron Heremaia $120,000
Ben Matulino $150,000
Sika Manu $180,000
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves $175,000

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves $175,000


get on it IL

I would think for a talent like him..it would be absolute robbery on are part.

top young talent IMO

I cant see many at wigan with his potenial on less than that.