Sam must have advised him about signing for Wire.

Not a rumour just a comment and one that confirms our policy under IFL is regarding players going to the NRL.


Laters edition on the Bye Round features Jon Bateman. He said during his first spell at Wigan IFL approached him and discussed his opportunities in the NRL and said that Wigan were a bit of a stepping stone to the NRL and if it didn’t work out for players they would be welcomed back.

It was pretty telling in terms of why we’ve struggled more than most to keep players away from the NRL. It wasn’t a surprise to me because I remember being at a fans forum years ago where Lenagan spoke about players going to the NRL for fees being part of the business model of the club.

Re. Bateman the business model worked a treat, two transfer fees for him must have made him one of the cheapest big money players we've had at the club

Definitely. The strategy they’ve used in the main has worked pretty well for us. We’d all like to have kept certain players at certain times but the bottom line of the success we’ve had had been positive.

Broken collarbone for Walters, 12 weeks if he needs an op.

Gutted, I was really looking forward to seeing him play, on the plus side having N'Semba/Walters coming back April/May will be a real boost.
Giving Isa another season has turned into a masterstroke.

A real shame - hopefully Isa and Farrell can get through OK otherwise we'll have to ask one of the front rowers to try and make it work. None really stand out as suited to that position but Dupree or Ellis would probably have the best chance.

No criticism of Walters whatsoever but it perhaps is a lesson to be a little smarter when it comes to pre-season games (or even a competitive game that is already won). The injury came when he went for a unnecessarily big hit towards the end of the game when we were 40-0 up.

Big loss is Walters, we are a little thin at second row and with him and Nsemba out we are at bare bones to start the season off, big chance for Chan and hopefully he takes it, I do however think we need Walters X factor in the Penrith game.

Unlucky to have both injured at the same time. One more injury and we’re in trouble.

Our massive set of props are great but lack the versitlity of last year (KPP could play prop, 13, centre backrow, Smithies prop, backrow, 13, Shorrocks 13, backrow, 6).

Hopefully Chan can do a job there but looked way out of his depth vs Wakefield (maybe I’m reading too much into that first hit out).

Seen people mention Ellis as a backrow option but he’s nowhere near mobile enough to defend in space.

Thompson used to play a bit of backrow in his younger days but that was pre injury.

Am I crazy to think Brad O’Neill could do a job there in an emergency? Would hold up defensively that’s for sure.

I’m sure Peet will work it out.