I knew as soon as I saw this it would be a thread bagging Williams. A Wigan lad brought through the system who has won academy Grand Finals, played every level as a junior for his country, won young player of the year, scored a try every third game, won 2 Grand Finals as our first choice halfback, won a world club challenge and represented his country at the highest level.

22 assist this year
21 assists the year before
29 assists (top assist maker in that year - 2017)

He is 24 years old.

No greater expectation at halfback greater than at Wigan is there?

It’s a sign of his talent that you’d still say he could’ve done more. He’s part of a group of mates who’ve all seemed to agree they’d like to play in the NRL at some point and maybe even together for the same club. That has meant all bar the ultimate competitor in Bateman have had spells of their heads looking elsewhere in their time with Wigan. Fantastic players on their day but heads in the clouds on others. I don’t blame them, as young lads with no kids, having an eye on spells playing in a beautiful country, in the best league in the world and with your mates sounds like a dream come true. It’s probably cost us as a side though as all have been inconsistent, with spells of ups and downs.

Maybe I’m being harsh but that’s how it’s always felt to me. Constant speculation surrounding Williams has done him no favours these last few seasons.

When Sam Tomkins left the first time around I was gutted. I’m honestly not bothered that George is leaving as we’ve signed a better player in Hastings (all going well). That tells me everything I need to know about how I feel about it.

George has been good for us and has come in for some unfair treatment from Wigan fans. But he isn’t in the same universe as Tomkins was before he left for the NRL.

I’d have loved to see him with Hastings but we certainly do look to have signed a better player. I feel Williams has had a raw deal from some of our supporters at times and in an era of us having a side that’s played the percentages, he’s been one of the very few out and out entertainers we’ve had but he like a couple of his good mates have had an eye on the exit door and it’s been to the detriment of their consistency.

I’m sad to see him go and wish him well. I hope he reaches his huge potential because I certainly don’t feel he’s done that yet.

Hard to argue with this. Sam Tomkins was a true world beater when he left. I'd go as far as to say the best attacking FB I've ever seen at Wigan.

I still put Sam Tomkins (first spell with us) down as the 2nd most exciting/attacking British born player ever to play for Wigan (1st being Hanley).

I think once Williams gets behind a better pack at Canberra we will see a different player. He still managed to stand out playing behind our pack which is one of the poorest in the league.

Did you never see Barry Williams or Andre Stoop.... where have you been

I'm sorry to see George go.
He's a real talent and will probably go well at Canberra. He'd have also gone well at Wigan playing alongside Hastings.
Those two playing at 6 & 7 could have been something special. Unfortunately, from my pov, it's not going to happen.

That’s a great debate. Who’s the most exciting/attacking player...
Robinson and Offiah always got people off their seats.
In more recent years Barrett was a joy to watch.

But Hanley is the best I’ve ever seen. One of the only players who could have (throughout the course of this career) played any position, and played it well.

If you’re a podcast listener I’d recommend the Matty Johns podcast. Previous week he was discussing how good Hanley was in the NRL and what it was like playing against him, even when Hanley was at the back end of his career.

Obviously it’s not going to happen. Lol!

I remember “the doc” very well but as you say, for all the wrong reasons.
Paul Koloi was to Kevin Iro as Gary Henley Smith was to Martin Offiah

The best ever attacking fullback was Luisi Sione who couldn’t play in Sunday’s.