Itchy Arsenal wrote:I thought Joel was great before his departure to union. For me his all round game was much better than Bateman. I did hesitate before naming Isa but thought what does Bateman offer what Isa cannot do? Both fit, athletic and committed whilst both offer limited attacking options. That’s not criticism of either player but for me is a summary of both players abilities.
Joel remains the single best example I can name of the detrimental impact a spell in Union can have on a quality RL player, and it's a high bar given what happened to Henry Paul and Iestyn Harris.
Fans seem to only remember a certain try by Joel, talk about Wigan tinted spectacles, the Anus of Wigan was mediocre at best and only had a career at Wigan to keep little Sammy sweet
All the good music has already been written by people with wigs and stuff.
Out of all the players Michael Maguire had an impact on in 2010, I think Joel was the biggest turnaround. He went from being a decent player before that, to being absolutely outstanding in 2010 and 2011. I remember when he came back for that 2010 season being amazed by the change is his body shape. He wasn't over weight or unfit prior to that season but he came back and looked like he'd put a load of muscle on and was fitter, stronger, faster etc than previously. The Union spell put a pin in his progress. It's why I wouldn't have him above somebody like Bateman. I think he had 2 excellent years as a Wigan player and either side he was just a decent player.
The Whiffy Kipper wrote:Fans seem to only remember a certain try by Joel, talk about Wigan tinted spectacles, the Anus of Wigan was mediocre at best and only had a career at Wigan to keep little Sammy sweet
I could go with that in his early years and his second spell but 2010 and 2011 he was like a totally different player. His form in 2010 in particular was probably one of the best seasons I've seen a Wigan back rower have. I've just had a look at his appearances/trys stats from that season to jog my memory and he got 17 in 34 games. I'd agree though that it certainly wasn't his usual standard throughout his career.
Joined: Jun 20 2005 Posts: 15751 Location: Listening to the reggae band, Jihad
Talk on the Wire forum about Bateman. May be nothing in it as I would expect Hull to try and outbid anyone but will be interesting to see how he goes back in SL
Couldn't help but think of the implications of George Williams choosing Warrington over Wigan in 2021. I remember him taunting the Wigan fans a little at the Magic weekend that year (all in good fun btw) and you couldn't help but wonder whether Wigan would live to regret that one.
As it has turned out so far Williams has watched Wigan win five trophies and won nothing thus far with Warrington. With hindsight we now know we wouldn't have been able to put together the Field, French and Smith triangle and we may not have been able to keep them all at the club anyhow.
Would Wigan have had the same success had Williams signed? Is he regretting that decision now?
Re yesterday I thought he was generally poor - lost count of the amount of times Miski bounced off him to surge up field, Field drew him in easily for the Farrell try and he was generally a bit of a headless chicken in attack.
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