New member here so apologies if this topic has already been discussed.

After watching the Cas game Friday night it seemed to me that giving Joe a run in the centres may be of (potentially big) benefit to us.

The loss of Gells at the start of the season was a big blow for us in my opinion as it leaves us without a real big body in the back line that can provide us with a bit of real punch on the edges. Burgess is a big, fast, powerful athlete who I think could make up for this. The way he put Webster on his backside before that long break was impressive- I've not seen too many do that to him before. Plus it would see Budgie with the ball in his hands more often which can only be a good thing as he can be a real handful for defenders.

Of course there's a heck of a lot more to centre play than just running with ball in hand. He may need some coaching on defensive decision making, particularly when the opposition run their strike plays at us, but I believe it's worth a shot.

It would also mean that Bateman can stay in the back row where he is far more comfortable and effective.

Interested to hear what others think...

been done before...

Didn't work out too well then I take it? What was the downside?

Discussed at length in the Wigan v Cas thread below.

Think it was just unfamiliarity with the position more than anything else.

I think he could make a very centre, given a bit of perseverance, but personally would like him to stay where he is for now, because he's probably our best winger too!

He might've lost a yard through his injuries, but he's still rapid, and increasingly pace is still only one part of a winger's kit bag anyway.

Might be something for the latter years of his career, but not for now.

Some good points made here C&W. He would certainly need some time to develop there as I personally believe that centre is the hardest place on the field to defend. That's tactically and in terms of decision making of course, it is obviously more physically demanding in the middle.

I just think he's worth looking at there again, particularly at the moment as we are blessed with a crop of good wingers that can provide far more than just 'doing a job' for us.

It's always risk/reward with these types of decisions and coaches who are more knowledgable than me will make the call.

Burgess can't get his defensive reads right when he plays wing I'd just leave him where he is

Looks like this will not be an option for a while. I imagine that Marshall will get an extended run but we do not have a centre capable of making him the space that he needs.

You say that, but Marshall's try-scoring record when playing on the left suggests otherwise.

I hope that you are right but at the moment none of our centres seem particularly confident.

Any inside info on the injury?