It was a great team effort from 1-17 but, for me, Bateman was MOM by a mile. Played his usual take no prisoners game in attack and defence and ran his blood to water. Hopefully the whole team can get a little rest before the Chemics match on Friday (thanks for the short turnaround Sky

)

No one had a bad game (although Gelling tried his best at times) but Bateman was my mom by a country mile - never stopped and was a handful in both attack and defense - the Cronulla payers must have been sick of him by the end.

Powell was my MOM not sure how they picked Williams. I was wondering what happens when Mclorum is fit what will happen. Bateman was outstanding he regularly out plays much bigger forwards. Gildart did well he kept Bird very quiet

Bateman is our best player by some distance

The defensive effort from all our players was immense and it had to be as we put ourselves under pressure due to errors.



I've watched the game back and I thought Bateman was out best with Farrell not far behind. Another player I'd give a mention to us Morgan Escare who I thought was terrific in tough conditions. There isn't much to him but he was terrier like in defence and cleaned up everything he needed to on the ground. Add in his goal kicking and his in game kicking and he looks a very rounded player. To think the guy is just settling in and doesn't speak English really bodes well for the future.

From what I saw yesterday, Escare has been a very good signing and, based on last seasons performances, it would/will be a shame when Sam replaces him if his form carries on. His attack has never been in question and he has electric pace but his defence yesterday was outstanding

I'm looking forward to watching him on drier pitches. I think on his showings so far Sam will be lucky to get back in straight away.He's certainly played better in the past couple of weeks then Sam did for us last season and he adds a kicking game and gives us a good goalkicker by the looks of things.



Maybe we'll shift Escare to the wing (which would be tough on Tierney) or we could potentially get Sam in the halves with Tommy Leuluai sharing the hooking role with Powell (although Micky Mac is due back around the same time). I doubt it, but maybe we'll just leave Sam out and make him wait for an opportunity.



If things like these are all we'll have to worry about though and I think we can be pretty chuffed. It's the rest of sueprleague that should be more worried then us.

It was only watching the highlights last night that I realised that Powell kicked the final conversion from out wide!!





Had a great game. Micky Mac is no dead cert to regain that hooker spot!

I think when Sam is fit he walks straight back in, which will be tough for whoever loses out as a result. The one I'm not sure about is MM. How the hell can you justify dropping Powell when he goes the full 80, allowing another forward a place on the bench?

My thoughts to the letter and same goes for Wire both teams put on a fantastic display and we couldn't have asked for more from either team. Huge well done to everyone involved

Quote Rogues Gallery="Rogues Gallery"Sam Powell was my pick, followed by Bateman.'" Waney agrees with us, fwiw... www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2017- ... ic-feeling On Sam Powell. He was the stand out player for me, playing the minutes he played and to be targeted like he was. You can target him as much as you want but he’s got a heart the size of a lion and I’ve got Micky Mac to come back too.

Quote Rogues Gallery="Rogues Gallery"Sam Powell was my pick, followed by Bateman.'" Waney agrees with us, fwiw... www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2017- ... ic-feeling On Sam Powell. He was the stand out player for me, playing the minutes he played and to be targeted like he was. You can target him as much as you want but he’s got a heart the size of a lion and I’ve got Micky Mac to come back too.

Quote Geoff="Geoff"Waney agrees with us, fwiw... www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2017- ... ic-feeling On Sam Powell. He was the stand out player for me, playing the minutes he played and to be targeted like he was. You can target him as much as you want but he’s got a heart the size of a lion and I’ve got Micky Mac to come back too.'" I thought that Powell was man of the match by quite a distance. Not sure how MM can get his place back whilst Powell keeps on improving and can play 80 minutes virtually every game.

Quote Geoff="Geoff"Waney agrees with us, fwiw... www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2017- ... ic-feeling On Sam Powell. He was the stand out player for me, playing the minutes he played and to be targeted like he was. You can target him as much as you want but he’s got a heart the size of a lion and I’ve got Micky Mac to come back too.'" I thought that Powell was man of the match by quite a distance. Not sure how MM can get his place back whilst Powell keeps on improving and can play 80 minutes virtually every game.

options - we need cover and Sam/MM combined give you that. MM can also do a job as a squad forward and Sam as half back cover. Sam will need a break at some point in the season!



FWIW, I think Escare has fitted in remarkably well and certainly gives us options along the line. he defended well too, and as a kicker I think he'll go fine (looks a natural striker of the ball, so its just practice, practice, practice!)

I would like Escare to get more of the ball and as you say when summer comes along I think his pace will become even more telling.

ST was for him pretty poor for the majority of last season and unless he finds his mojo can't see him displacing Escare particularly if his goal kicking continues to improve.

Escare could be a beltin signing for us and may just be what the doctor ordered if it means ST gets his act together.