when you look at that list, its good to see the strength in depth, but equally IMO we need to keep Byrne beyond his current contract. IMO he's currently our 3rd prop, and can play big minutes if Havard or Thompson are injured / banned or need a rest

Ellis i agree is still a prop and another option, but we're then lacking a 13 if he does move back to the front row. So we'd be looking at the best alternative, whether prop or 13 to back fill

i'm really hoping Eseh has a big off season, and puts his name forward to be included in our prop rotation. having Hill and Eseh will provide some quality depth, if and when we need them

A thing to Mago's bow is he can do a stint at 13 if Ellis goes off, I'd argue he's got the best hands of all the above listed

Good podcast interview with Keighran on the YouTube channel - “Keegan and company”

He couldn’t be more complimentary about the culture at the club.

On his future he confirms he’s just got this year left at Wigan.

Sounds like his preference would be an NRL gig for family reasons but if not he’d love to stay at Wigan.

Seems a good bloke.

It feels like there might be a mutual parting of the ways and on great terms 'if' he can get an NRL Club. On the balance of things, I think that could be the right call for the club, with Eckersley taking the 3 shirt for 2026. Currently it would feel like we'd then need some backup but hopefully Nathan Lowe can push towards becoming that.

I like the look of Lowe, he has all the attacking attributes to be a class centre he just needs to work on his D. He reminds me of a young Newlove.

Feels like a natural transition for Eckersley to take Keighran's place in 2026 but I think it will depend on how much game time he gets next year and how much he impresses in that time.

In an ideal world I think I’d like Keighran for another couple of years and Eckersley takes Miski’s spot on the wing.

They gave Miski a 4 year contract, which seemed strange at the time to me, but suggests he might be seen as a more long term option than Keighran.

Either way I'm optimistic Eckersley will be pushing for a first team place next year.

Good shout - Miski's lack of pace does stand out from time to time and Eckersley has the pace and physicality to go with it. Depends what he and the coaching staff feel his best position is.

I was talking to Kyle Amor about Eckersley when he was on loan at Widnes. Eckersley had just scored two long rang tries and we were discussing his best position.
I said that I was unsure if he was a fullback, wing or centre,
Kyle said he thought that Eckersley would make a great wide running 2nd row, as he had the size, pace and power for that position.

That’s interesting, wonder if he’s ever played there.

I can understand that but there has been a dearth of quality centres in the British game over the last few years, I’d love him to cement a place in the three quarters.

Kyle Amor needs to stick to punditry!

Centre and secondrow are in the modern game quite similar positions and for years we had a trend of converting big athletic lads who play centre as juniors into secondrow forwards the basis of that decision was that they were big and athletic.

Whilst there is a hole in my rear Eckersley is a centre and that is where he needs to be playing.

Eckersley has a centres skill set he’s not just big and athletic he also has hands and ability to read a game hence why he is able to cover multiple positions including fullback.

I used to pull my hair out watching clubs take big athletic centres and try to convert them into secondrows on the basis that they were big and athletic….then we wondered why we had no big athletic centres at SL or playing for England.

I can understand a centre covering there and vice versa just like Isa, Bateman, Faz and players like Gildart did in the past. I can even see it when lads like him get to the back end of their career, I think Hardaker could transition well for a year or 2 into the pack at Hull, but we must not even consider it with Eckersley.

He’s a talented strike athlete with a high level developing centre skill set, and that is where he needs to play.

I think Keighran has shown he has been excellent when the important games have come but he isn’t the wingers centre I thought we were getting. He’s a very solid defensive centre who maybe at times lacks that bit of control which has cost him and his team at times during his time with Catalans and Wigan.

I look forward to seeing how he goes next year as he’s had to transition from Australia, to Catalans and then to Wigan in a short period of time relatively speaking and we may see him take his game to the next level now he has a season with up already under his belt but a call will have to be made very early in 2025, if it hasn’t been made already, on if we are looking to retain him beyond his current contract and Eckersley will also have a big part to play in that.

If I were to make the call now, I personally wouldn’t be making him an offer for 2026 and ideal world he returns to the NRL. Tough call though undoubtedly.

Agreed. We need more big strong fast centres, with footwork and good hands rather than converting them to 2nd rows.

Zak should be aiming to emulate Herbie Farnworth, fast, strong, good step, good hands.

Matt Shaw got asked on his Q&A today if he thought Ryan Brierley was signing for Wigan. He said he had heard it but don’t think Wigan will have the cap space.

Nothing against Ryan but I don’t see the point of signing him given the cover we already have.

Yea he’s a good player but with who we’ve got what’s the point in having a good player on. The bench whether that be Fields or Brierley. Hopefully he stays at salfords and keeps them strong. I don’t see us bringing anybody more in this year think the youth we have should kick on and only place I see open is Miski’s. Rather us plan for the future and sign an up and comer for the future

Brierley isn't needed but wouldn't be the worst signing to provide further depth.

Whilst we likely won't have too many signings over the next few years as the majority of the squad is set, there is a question mark over Jai Field. I haven't seen him in any out of contract lists put together by the media but they may have forgotten that his '4' year deal is actually a 2 year with a 2 year option for the player. Quotes below:

“I got this year and next year and then see what happens from there. I’ve got a few options here in my favour at Wigan after next year, but everything’s always an option,” he said.

“That’ll be five years by the end of next year. That’s a long stint.”

I saw something with Rads recently saying we're right up to the cap limit, so I doubt that will happen. It wouldn't be the craziest move, given Hampshire has moved on and he's certainly a better player than him but now is the time for Eckersley and Farrimond to move up the pecking order and to get their chances.

Longer term, if Field or French move on, I'd expect the club would look to go pretty big on an overseas replacement if they didn't think they could just drop Farrimond in at stand off or switch things around and get Eckersley in somewhere (with maybe Keighran going to 1 or 6 for example).

Interesting times at Saints with both Lees and Knowles off contract, I would imagine that there will be plenty of suitors. The NRL seems to be showing an interest in Lees (Gold Coast) and Iv'e been told that Wire are looking at Knowles.

Knowles has a young family I think so doubt he'd consider the NRL but a local SL move might be an option. Lees could go to Australia.

I would be surprised and disappointed if Knowles went to Warrington bearing in mind the club have granted him a testimonial this season. His wife is heavily pregnant with their second child so I'm hoping family support may keep him here.

I can see Lees going as he has no kids and lets face it who wouldn't want to live on the Gold Coast on more money for a few years. Interesting times ahead particularly as there has already been NRL interest in Delaney too.

I believe Field has also just got engaged - looking at the pics on Instagram. I think his GF stays over in Aus most of eth year so that may well be a big consideration in the next year or two.

genuine question

what is a testimonial worth to a player? I know there is lots done re charities with testimonials, but would £x from a testimonial cover a potential contract & salary increase elsewhere?

No I agree that financially it wouldn't be a game changer. My point was more about loyalty. I know its a short career and they don't get what footballers earn etc but by and large we've managed to keep our top players over the years. Roby was a prime example of someone who could've gone to Australia and didn't. We've managed to keep the likes of Lomax and Walmsley for all their career when I would imagine there would've been interest in both when they were younger.