How do we stop it regarding juniors? don’t know, don’t think we can. Im not suggesting there’s a way really, other than hoping the game here gets stronger and the exchange rate gets to a point it was at 15 years ago.

As for us giving them every opportunity, I said Lenagan said it was part of the business model at a fans forum to let these lads go to bring fees in. I’m not saying I’ve a problem with it by the way, we’ve been successful and hopefully will continue to be so. You only need to look at the stats to see how many Wigan players have gone to the NRL in comparison to other clubs to see that there’s more to this then just coincidence. Lenagan has mentioned many times as seeing these approaches as a compliment, not wanting to keep unhappy players etc and wishing them luck in trying their hand elsewhere. Again is that wrong? Our record would say not but it’s certainly not the approach you see from other clubs who come out and say they’ll do everything they can to fight to keep their players.

My point is you won’t sustain that plan and success if the best juniors get picked off before they’ve made a name for themselves in our first team. If we can’t keep them at Rushton’s age I worry where we’re heading more than I do when losing a ready made international. I don’t claim to have any suggestions of how we stop that happening. You certainly can’t start throwing big money at kids you can’t be sure will make it.

I haven't missed a Fans Forum so can only assume the "Business Model" your referring to is the same one I heard.

I didn't interpret that the same as you (Maybe a Rogues can confirm his understanding?)

I believe when he said Business model, I didn't take it that we were producing players with the Sole intention of selling them to make money for a Business model.
My interpretation was that we give them slightly longer contracts with the release clause to benefit from them leaving if they Choose to do so. This in turn helps Wigan's business model because we are recouping some/all/more of the outlay for producing them in the first place.

I would Hazard a guess that given the Choice Wigan would have Chosen to retain ALL of the players that left for NRL rather than take the money, but once you can't keep them it's better get something for them?

I used to know a local lad quite well who although a professional footballer in his own right made his name as Man Utd Youth Team coach/development back in the Mid 90s
He told us that they had processes and systems in place throughout the 90's early 00's to coach & train their youth players and their sole intention was to develop them as 1st Team players
BUT
If they chose to move on due to lack of opportunity, they wanted 1st team to soon for Man Utd of they were poached etc. their Value as an asset was increased as they were Products of the United system. Clubs knew they were getting good players, brought up with the right ethics and coached in the right way. The money made can then be reinvested to develop and maintain more youth and hope to cherry pick the best.

My belief is that we can only hope that we get a similar reputation/system in place - But unlike a United or a Liverpool who seem to be doing something similar now, We are not the PEAK of our sport and until that changes we will lose youngsters who have different views, different aspirations etc.

Not sure of the rules, but do we get something for players say under 21 (I'm sure there was a rule in place were you could be compensated if you lost a player under a certain age?)

I don’t think the intention is solely to sell them on at all but I think the hope is that we keep producing enough good ones to keep being successful, whilst knowing that some are likely to move on and to be in a position when they do, that we financially benefit from that.

The long and short of it is that’s it’s basically a bit frustrating if a kid as young as Rushton walks for free. No blame being given to anyone at all but really sad to see him go. We can only hope it’ll be an isolated loss. If young Havard walls as well then that’s a huge kick in the teeth for the club.

For god’s sake stop talking sense.

Is this the new measuring stick for the super fan?

"I watched Boston play" "I watched us in the 2nd division" "I go home and away" have all been replaced with "I haven't missed a fans forum"

The penalty count one still tickles me

How many players have gone over there and not come back within a couple of years? Hodgson, Sam and George B, Graham and Whitehead?

Compared to the number that have actually gone, it's a small percentage. The player drain to the NRL has been exaggerated over the last decade.

Of those that have come back within the period of the contract they went for the majority of them have come back as a poorer version of the one that left due to either injury/lack of opportunity whilst in Australia having stifled or set back their skill development.

Sadly one issue we cannot address for the rest of the season will be game time for young players. We have got a hell of a crop of youngsters who need to play and no where for them to go ATM. It must be really disheartening for them.

I think we should be able to manage the young lads quite well and wouldn't be surprised to see a few debuts as the season pans out.

If we are having to play more than once a week we may well need a few of the youngsters.

Agree we will need the younger players. I thought that as much as the cost when more than one game a week became obvious we would require more than just the first team squad.
This will give us a good idea of the selection skills of SL coaches.

It sounds like the cup will stay and if that’s the case then the team who get to the final would play 4 games, plus 15 league fixtures and potentially a play off semi and final. That would be 21 games and there’s 17 weekends between restart (for everyone) and the proposed Grand Final date. We’ll definitely need to rotate a little looking at that, which should be good news for the young players. I think given this season just isn’t normal anymore, whilst it would be great to win a trophy, we could look to experiment a little and have a look at some of these young players in a bit more depth.

How many more players will leave as there is no reserve matches this season and next. Rushton would have clocked this and did not want to stay as he had only a slim chance of playing in the first team .The options stay at Wigan and maybe play a couple of games or go to Australia have a better lifestyle and play regular and get better paid.