Interesting developments in the last few days. Couple of youngsters gone out on loan to London and now Isa going. We look to be going into the season as it stands with only 3 front line secondrow players. 1 of who in Walters has yet to really hit the straps if we are honest. We also now have a quota spot to play with. Potential for mid season signing or maybe sooner. Invariably some quality players become available from the NRL 2/3 months into their season.

[quote="jonh":1bvzmg66]Interesting developments in the last few days. Couple of youngsters gone out on loan to London and now Isa going. We look to be going into the season as it stands with only 3 front line secondrow players. 1 of who in Walters has yet to really hit the straps if we are honest. We also now have a quota spot to play with. Potential for mid season signing or maybe sooner. Invariably some quality players become available from the NRL 2/3 months into their season.[/quote:1bvzmg66] Watkins from Salford? He probably will want a 2 year deal which could make it a non starter.

[quote="jonh":1g3htvii]Interesting developments in the last few days. Couple of youngsters gone out on loan to London and now Isa going. We look to be going into the season as it stands with only 3 front line secondrow players. 1 of who in Walters has yet to really hit the straps if we are honest. We also now have a quota spot to play with. Potential for mid season signing or maybe sooner. Invariably some quality players become available from the NRL 2/3 months into their season.[/quote:1g3htvii] Wigan are working on an overseas signing as we speak.

[quote="The Yellow Giraffe":3bufygvp]Wigan are working on an overseas signing as we speak.[/quote:3bufygvp] Any clues TYG?

[quote="Itchy Arsenal":wfvmcb9u]Any clues TYG?[/quote:wfvmcb9u] That’s all I’ve got at the minute. I’m not being deliberately vague. Just been told they’re hopeful the quota spot won’t be empty for long.

[quote="The Yellow Giraffe":1hrodry0]Wigan are working on an overseas signing as we speak.[/quote:1hrodry0] If that’s the case this would suggest we have him. I don’t see any other reason for Isa to retire if we hadn’t. No mention of physical issues in his retirement release just opportunities away from the game.

[quote="The Yellow Giraffe":2itbqnjy]Wigan are working on an overseas signing as we speak.[/quote:2itbqnjy] If true I'd be surprised if it was a big name - doubt Isa would have been on a big wage at this stage of his career.

[quote="MadDogg":33batgjf]If true I'd be surprised if it was a big name - doubt Isa would have been on a big wage at this stage of his career.[/quote:33batgjf] Wouldn’t anticipate any big names would be available or interested in a move to SL at this stage of the off season. If true it’s a player without a contract (of which after having a quick look none look to fit the bill) or a player who has been told he’s surplus to requirements beyond 2025. A good experienced secondrow with a strong work ethic but maybe not the profile to match would be fine. In my head now I’m thinking 28-31 year old secondrow from a club with a good system and 100 NRL appearances fits the bill.

[quote="jonh":1dck39b2]Wouldn’t anticipate any big names would be available or interested in a move to SL at this stage of the off season. If true it’s a player without a contract (of which after having a quick look none look to fit the bill) or a player who has been told he’s surplus to requirements beyond 2025. A good experienced secondrow with a strong work ethic but maybe not the profile to match would be fine. In my head now I’m thinking 28-31 year old secondrow from a club with a good system and 100 NRL appearances fits the bill.[/quote:1dck39b2] Think it's more likely to be a younger player from NSW/Queensland cup looking for an opportunity - there's enough experience in the squad to cover Willie.

[quote="MadDogg":2zz5kfmd]Think it's more likely to be a younger player from NSW/Queensland cup looking for an opportunity - there's enough experience in the squad to cover Willie.[/quote:2zz5kfmd] We have our 2 younger secondrows in Nsemba and Walters. Ideally, in my head anyway, someone who falls midway between the age of those 2 and Faz would be ideal. Can’t expect Faz to play every game and 3 young lads to me is a risk. Time will tell I guess. Will liven things up on here nicely before the season starts. Left field (and total 2+2=5 possibility) would be Sam Stone at Salford. Peet likes tall forwards by the look of it with athleticism and mobility and he has all of them. Was good enough to tempt Melbourne to enquire about him, but to be honest not really sure how he went at Salford last year.

[quote="jonh":3l8b0o23]We have our 2 younger secondrows in Nsemba and Walters. Ideally, in my head anyway, someone who falls midway between the age of those 2 and Faz would be ideal. Can’t expect Faz to play every game and 3 young lads to me is a risk. Time will tell I guess. Will liven things up on here nicely before the season starts. Left field (and total 2+2=5 possibility) would be Sam Stone at Salford. Peet likes tall forwards by the look of it with athleticism and mobility and he has all of them. Was good enough to tempt Melbourne to enquire about him, but to be honest not really sure how he went at Salford last year.[/quote:3l8b0o23] 100% agree that we need someone with some good experience. Apart from just doing a Quick Look on Wikipedia I know nothing about Stone or his capabilities but his profile for me looks like someone who could add to the squad without causing medium term issues to the SC. Interesting times.

[quote="The Yellow Giraffe":1w90nulw]Yeah new deals for him and Knowles to be announced before the season starts.[/quote:1w90nulw] Hi mate, I spoke with one of the coaches at Wigan tonight and he told me that Matty Lees’ agent has approached Wigan about a deal. It would appear that Matty is currently on a below average salary at Saints. I’m not saying that he won’t extend his deal at Saints but they will need to double his salary.

[quote="Zig":2ujimovy]Hi mate, I spoke with one of the coaches at Wigan tonight and he told me that Matty Lees’ agent has approached Wigan about a deal. It would appear that Matty is currently on a below average salary at Saints. I’m not saying that he won’t extend his deal at Saints but they will need to triple his salary.[/quote:2ujimovy] He's not on a below average salary at all. He's on a very good deal. A glimpse at his social media should tell you that. Have a look at the house he is having built and the money spent on it. That alone should be enough to tell you he is on a good deal already.

[quote="jonh":gmissy7n]We have our 2 younger secondrows in Nsemba and Walters. Ideally, in my head anyway, someone who falls midway between the age of those 2 and Faz would be ideal. Can’t expect Faz to play every game and 3 young lads to me is a risk. Time will tell I guess. Will liven things up on here nicely before the season starts. Left field (and total 2+2=5 possibility) would be Sam Stone at Salford. Peet likes tall forwards by the look of it with athleticism and mobility and he has all of them. Was good enough to tempt Melbourne to enquire about him, but to be honest not really sure how he went at Salford last year.[/quote:gmissy7n] Maybe George Hirst is ahead of schedule.

[quote="Stu M":21kecuco]He's not on a below average salary at all. He's on a very good deal. A glimpse at his social media should tell you that. Have a look at the house he is having built and the money spent on it. That alone should be enough to tell you he is on a good deal already.[/quote:21kecuco] He is compared to the top props in the game, I can only assume that he is getting money outside the game. Saints will have to make him a marquee player.

[quote="NSW":4swsj5ba]Maybe George Hirst is ahead of schedule.[/quote:4swsj5ba] I like the look of Hirst, was watching him at the game on Sunday, big powerful lad. Hope he gets a shot this year and gives Peet something to think about

[quote="Lester Bangs":5we2ypi6]I like the look of Hirst, was watching him at the game on Sunday, big powerful lad. Hope he gets a shot this year and gives Peet something to think about[/quote:5we2ypi6] Think he looked a long way off getting a shirt which is understandable and he is a project signing that may or may not work but he has the size if not the skills at present but he's at the best club to develop and hopefully over the next year or two he can get to that level.

I find it so strange Chan and Eseh seem so far down the pecking order. Chan played a decent amount of games for Catalan who finished joint top and made the GF in 23 Eseh impressed for Wakefield and we had to beat other clubs for his sighing. After 2 Wigan off seasons I was hopeful they’d have improved and would challenge for bench spots this year. Chan signed a 3 year deal so will be with us next year “ n signing Chan, Wigan coach Matt Peet said: “Tiaki is a dynamic young forward who we feel will go on to be loved by his team-mates and the Wigan supporters.” Chan turns 25 in June. Eseh signed for 2 years with a 1 year option so he could be gone after this season. Anyone got any insight into what’s gone on? Or am I reading too much into them not playing big minutes against Oldham and not being picked for Leeds?

[quote="NSW":2e9rhacc]I find it so strange Chan and Eseh seem so far down the pecking order. Chan played a decent amount of games for Catalan who finished joint top and made the GF in 23 Eseh impressed for Wakefield and we had to beat other clubs for his sighing. After 2 Wigan off seasons I was hopeful they’d have improved and would challenge for bench spots this year. Chan signed a 3 year deal so will be with us next year “ n signing Chan, Wigan coach Matt Peet said: “Tiaki is a dynamic young forward who we feel will go on to be loved by his team-mates and the Wigan supporters.” Chan turns 25 in June. Eseh signed for 2 years with a 1 year option so he could be gone after this season. Anyone got any insight into what’s gone on? Or am I reading too much into them not playing big minutes against Oldham and not being picked for Leeds?[/quote:2e9rhacc] Just seems like they're not impressing on the training pitch. It was always going to be tough for them to break into the 17 but not getting names in a friendly squad is strange (unless they both happen to be injured).

Thought Esseh went well against Oldham so I’m guessing he may have picked up a niggling injury.

Was weird in the Oldham game Chan was on with around 20minutes to go, he was back on the bench 5minutes later and came back on for last 6 minutes. I did think it must be something that he’s doing that the coaches want to change? Thought Sam was decent enough in his spell.

Been confirmed by Lockers Chan just wasn’t picked.

Havard and Miski fine for R1 also but no word on Eseh from what I've seen.

[quote="That Mon":3k22t394]Been confirmed by Lockers Chan just wasn’t picked.[/quote:3k22t394] Possibly we are looking to get him out on loan in order to open more room under the cap to facilitate any potential incoming player we are targeting to replace Isa in the squad. Him picking up an injury could scupper that. Possibly same with Esseh.

[quote="jonh":375oi7lt]Possibly we are looking to get him out on loan in order to open more room under the cap to facilitate any potential incoming player we are targeting to replace Isa in the squad. Him picking up an injury could scupper that. Possibly same with Esseh.[/quote:375oi7lt] I was told on Thursday that both are going out on loan.