Gone under the radar a bit at Wigan, one of our key players and a bloody good halfback. In the big matches that man has stood up and made himself counted. I was unsure when we signed him, but Wane/IL/Rads got it spot on. I wish him all the best in Melbourne.

I wonder who will step up?

Hampshire has played more at 1. Williams/Powell have played a lot at 9 - you feel it will be between those two. Powell is another one who has gone under the radar a bit at Wigan. He was superb before his injury against the New Zealand Warriors. He has impressed me with his running game the few chances he has had at halfback - a little similar to Green in that respect. It would not surprise me to see him take the 6 shirt.

A bit to late for Smith, he as been released by Salford to make room for Kevin Locke ( who as gained his immediate release from NZW to join Salford immediately) Smith is going to Wakefield on loan for the rest of the season.

I think most people can deal with this departure tbh because we've got three good young English options chomping at the bit for a chance. It's a funny time to announce this though, 3 days after a defeat in a game where we actually missed Green a great deal (along with a couple of props) and I think that's lead to a bit of a wobble. If they announced this after the Salford game for example most people would have thought it was a cast iron correct call.

As you say it's the unexpected departures that are the problem. Until 2-3 weeks back nobody saw Taylor leaving and I still wouldn't be surprised to see Charnley move on as well. Those are lads we can't really afford to lose and if we did you'd hope we'd be signing ready made, top class replacements but in truth we'd end up with a couple of cheap 'development projects' from teams in the lower reaches of superleague. Those signings are fine coming in to a side full of experienced winners but the average age of the side is going down and down.

that is why I said end of season which coincides with Green leaving.unlikely to happen but he is decent, and halves capable of cutting it at SL level are few and far between these days.unless a Luke Walsh type player comes available from NRL or you have a young lad ready to step up I dont see too many options.

Tim Smith is garbage. If we resigned him I would be more than worried!!

We have three

confirmed to Melbourne, on all the reports its interesting because they say junior moors is leaving the storm to come to super league but don't mention any club. Now he is one 2nd row who is much better than Vea and i would like to see him at wigan, 6'2 tall and 18.5 stone so defiantly fits the criteria about bigger athletic players. go on a video website and watch last years NSW final he was immense.

I like the idea of a long term 1, 6, 7, 9 spine of Hampshire, Powell, Williams and Mcilorum.

In an ideal scenario we'd establish this and keep it together for a long time ensuring stability and understanding. Its just the inevitable problem that as soon as one or more play well they'll be off to Australia or RU.

Not sure on Matty Smith. Its hard to criticise him considering he played a key role in us winning two trophies but I can't shake the feeling he can be quite limited at times. Good organiser and kicker but if you're looking for someone who can throw that killer pass, step around a defender or produce a magic dummy, then he's not the guy.

Moors has signed for Castleford.

Massively underrated and we arent the same side without him.

People will realise how good he actually is when he goes.

great signing.

I think he is underrated yes but he's also extremely inconsistent. There was about a 6 week period in the middle of last season when he was absolutely awful, but finished the season off superbly. This season he has been brilliant in some games and completely anonymous in others.

We will miss him and I'm not certain Hampshire or Williams are good enough for the starting 6 role yet.

Could you name one player whose form was consistent throughout the whole season without any dips in form, because I can't think of one. Faz is probably our most consistently good player week in week out, but even he had a dip after the first couple of months.

Green played well when it mattered. He did it this season at Saints and against Leeds at Magic. And I hope he'll be fit for the end of August and in to the playoffs, because we will need him. I agree with you - There is little evidence yet that any of Powell, Hampshire or Williams is ready for a regular first team place.

Green provides that X factor and rises for the big games, Smith is good and consistent, the two complement each other. Green will be missed IMO. It showed in the cup game how much we miss him in a tight game.

It will be interesting if we sign a player to replace him or promote from within. A half back role is probably the hardest for a kid to establish himself in, experience there counts more than in any other position. If we do decide to sign someone I hope Williams, Hampshire and Powell are patient enough to wait for their chance.

Williams, Powell and Hampshire are all ready now, all they need is an extended run at 6. So now is the ideal time.
We need to pick one of the three and stick with him. All this swapping half backs is not working. My choice would be Hampshire, as I feel Williams and Powell are better 9's. Smith needs to form a partnership with his 6 and that doesn't happen overnight it takes 6 to 8 weeks to come good.