We have had numerous tie ups with other clubs, both union and league, and even with other sports but I cannot , for the life of me, remember any lasting benefits for the club. It is not likely that we would be able to attract young Aussie talent as they will not meet the representative criteria and Aussie clubs seem happy using the Queensland and NSW competitions as reserves. I wonder what young Lam thinks about his decision to stay in Aus this season. I could see Canberra doing well out of any link up but I am not so sure about us.

Yes but other clubs don't put their players in the shop window like we do.

Nonsense. Every single player in RL is in the shop window. When you play for the biggest name in the game though it carries more weight when you perform well.

I agree. I also think we can expect quite a bit more interest since the Bateman signing.

it's a bit like RU after Jason Robinson. They unexpectedly found themselves with a storming player, and spent the next 10 years signing anyone and everyone, hoping to get the same thing again. I doubt Ricky Stuart and co will be that naive, but they'll certainly be encouraged to keep coming back. It'll be down to Wigan themselves to try and discourage them.

He's been retired 25 years and we haven't product a player like him in this country since. How many more years should we be trying and failing without looking at other options?

What is your point about him being at Rochdale?

ATEOTD Canberra and most of not all NRL sides are always on the look out for quality players. They will already be aware of the most promising academy players, not just at Wigan but throughout the country.

Whether they have an official link with a club or not that will not change. They and other clubs will still make offers for SL’s top talent.

The way I see it is the negatives of an official link will happen anyway so why not try and get something out of it even if it is just the gate receipt from a pre season friendly.

Agree with all of that. Problem is we can't stop it. The RFL and SL need to come up with a way of stopping it. For me it's pretty much out of the clubs' hands.

I also believe that Smithies is being courted by Melbourne. That would be a huge loss but on the other hand, how could he turn it down if they make a play for him?

Well being as this is a Wigan forum it was a matter of interest. People like to know what their old favourites are doing.

Realistically Aussie teams are not looking for players who need years of development, we will do that for them. That means that we will have Smithies and Havard until they are about 24 or even later. I seem to remember that players in The NRL generally debut later than Super League. Hopefully they can help us win something in that time.

Until the British game has a consistent reserve grade process this will only get worse, most young lads just want to play regularly.

Not sure that's true; there's a fair few teenagers on the NRL. Even front-rowers.

Does no one think that one reason we generally get the best academy players is because they know its a good route to the NRL?

but in general hes right, compared to SL

What often amazes me about The NRL is the number of returnees. I would have bet the house in Soliola being finished, having seen his last season in SL, but there he is still doing big minutes in NRL.

Corey Thompson! Just as good in the NRL as he was in SL.