A think you have to remember that we were pretty lucky to get Lima, Hoffman and Finch over here at the stages of their careers we did. It was only really down to the fact that we had their ex-assistant coach and their current club needed to offload players due to breaching the NRL salary cap.

Hoffman and Lima (and Tommy) have all decided that they are young enough and good enough to have another crack at the NRL. From the statements that have come out of the club it doesnt sound as though simply throwing more money at Finch would have kept him, in fact the way its been worded it sounds as though he has a contract with a view to coaching after he retires. There's also the fact that he's an Australian, he probably wants to live in Australia.

I'd have loved him to have signed another 2 year deal with us but unfortunately it hasn't happened. I have every faith in Lenegan, Wane, Harris, Radders etc that they will do as much as they can to ensure we have top quality replacements for every player we are losing. FWIW I think this will be Thornley (Carmont), Dudson/Crosby/Spencer (Lima), Matty Smith (Tommy), New 6 (Finch).

I do not think that has any relevance at all.



The way it has been worded is that Wigan did not go out of their way to make Finch's decision that hard. We also caved in and let Lima out of his contract early. We knew of Carmont's and Tommy's position before this season started so IMO it should have been working to sign Finch up back then rather than hanging about (which it did given Finch said himself talks began a month or two ago).



However you justify it the club has got itself into a position of losing four of the best players in the league at the same time. If it does as you say we will be considerably weaker next year.

Gutted, but we have lost important players before, and im very confident we'll get who we need for next season.,,

I am glad you got the news you were clearly waiting for. Enjoy indulging in your usual curmudgeonly style.

For all you know we could have very significant signings already wrapped up. Even if we don't, whoever is put in the halves next year could be the best thing since sliced bread.

Why is it always the negative with you?

Jeez DaveO, how do you get through the day!

I was happy in the daze of a drunken hour.........................

You beat to that one.

When we signed TL you can guarantee that many on here did not think he was good enough and even up to the end of last season some felt he was a hooker not a no7. Carmont the same journey man pro was the term people used for him. And Finch after his first game some would have got him a plane ticket back to Oz. Some are never happy but nothing we can do about it until we get announcements of the players who will be coming. Matty Smith is not my first choice but tbh neither was TL when he joined us.

We lost Joel and Gleeson as a centre last season but Goulding is the best centre in SL atm. We have players to cover Lima and Carmont in the aquad atm we only need 1 more to cover Finch and we will be sorted for 2-3 seasons. Will be a massive loss but instead of jumping the gun and going all downhearted ENJOY THIS SEASON. IL will take care of next for us.

Just how much money will be freed up for next season?
Carmont, Lima, Amos, Tommy, Finch, Fielden?
Dear lord well struggle to spend up to the cap surely.

players come and go wane will put out a competative team again next season at least theses players leave on good terms

Jesus christ, it's all doom and gloom then. We are going to be the worst team in SL, we have still yet to announce that we are swapping Sam with Mathers and are bringing Moran out of retirement as our half back.

Finch will have been offerred a decent contract, he's chosen not to accept it and is leaving. There is nothing in any of the statements that suggest anything other than he wants to go back to Oz and there is an offer there for him. As for Lima, I don't think there is any point keeping players here against their will, I know the old "my wife's homesick" is a soft excuse but moving across the world is a big commitment and some people don't take to it.

I've just posted in the Rumours thread, we don't know fully what next years recruitment is so you can't say for definite we will be a worse team. People (i.e YOU) were saying the exact same things last year when we lost players.

FWIW I think Thornley will do an excellent job replacing Carmont, I've not seen a lot of him but he does look an exciting player. Dudson, Spencer, Burke and Crosby will all be fighting for starting berths against Mossop, Prescott, Lauaki and Flower - still a strong front row with plenty of depth. Smith I'm unsure of but I'm willing to give him a chance. My main issue is who will be stand off, but the coaching and backroom staff will have known for some time losing Finch was a possibility and will have been searching for a suitable replacement.

Realistically how much will Roberts', Fielden's, Finch's, Tommy's and Carmont's wages add up to. Surely enough for a marquee signing once we've paid Smith's wages and put McIlorum, O'Loughlin and some of the youngsters have been put on improved deals.

You obviously haven't bothered to read it thenRugby General Manager, Kris Radlinski addedWe tried our very best to keep Brett as he is so important to us, both on and off the field. We offered Brett the contract that he wanted but in the end his desire to return home and plan for his life after the game were too strong. He is a tremendous character and it has been a honour having him represent our Club."

Wigan Owner, Ian Lenagan, saidThe Wigan club has done all it could to persuade Brett to stay longer but he is right to be making plans for himself for his final career years and for his role thereafter. He will be remembered as a special Wigan player in a special team - and even more so if we pick up more silverware before he leaves."'"

Hope Ryan Hampshire gets a couple of games if not more next season superstar in the making and has had finch as his mentor. Takes the game very very seriously and is a class act

ben jeffries