Re: 2013 Player Movements : Fri Nov 01, 2013 11:11 am  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

But he has to stand in line behind Anthony Minichiello and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for the club's top full back slot.

I hope that he will be satisfied playing in the Holden Cup for a few years.

Probably not, he's certainly thrown his toys out of the pram once he landed regarding t'Bulls.

And as a lot of players seem to only go/stay for a year or so I'd probably say he may be back in England for 2015.

Anyroad, good luck to him.

Re: 2013 Player Movements : Fri Nov 01, 2013 12:42 pm  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

But he has to stand in line behind Anthony Minichiello and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for the club's top full back slot.

I hope that he will be satisfied playing in the Holden Cup and NSW Cup for a few years.

As a 18 year old I don't think he'll be expecting to start every week.

Re: 2013 Player Movements : Fri Nov 01, 2013 5:54 pm  

John Bateman to Wigan for an undisclosed fee.

Re: 2013 Player Movements : Fri Nov 01, 2013 7:06 pm  

CM Punk wrote:

John Bateman to Wigan for an undisclosed fee.

That one's come out of left field.

I'm sorry to see another young Bradford lad turn his back on the club. However, that being said Bateman has yet to make a full season without picking up a serious injury. So if Wigan can keep him fit, they've got a great player on their hands. It's if he can stay fit that's the big ask.

Re: 2013 Player Movements : Fri Nov 01, 2013 7:37 pm  

Why is everyone who leaves Bradford deemed as "turning their back on the club"? Surely from a players POV Wigan is the best place to gain international recognition and silverware, think anyone would do the same in his position

Re: 2013 Player Movements : Fri Nov 01, 2013 7:58 pm  

roofaldo2 wrote:

That one's come out of left field.

It's also a bit of a strange one isn't it? With Wigan already having Hansen, Farrell and O'Loughlin in the backrow plus having already signed Clubb.

Re: 2013 Player Movements : Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:51 pm  

We have Hansen, Farrell, Lockers, Clubb, Hughes, Burke, Bateman, Hopkins and Pettybourne all battling for a spot in that back row now. I'd expect the last two will be used more in the front row but that's some depth.

I think Hansen may well be playing his last season with Wigan next year though so you can see why we want plenty of options.

Re: 2013 Player Movements : Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:14 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

We have Hansen, Farrell, Lockers, Clubb, Hughes, Burke, Bateman, Hopkins and Pettybourne all battling for a spot in that back row now. I'd expect the last two will be used more in the front row but that's some depth.

I think Hansen may well be playing his last season with Wigan next year though so you can see why we want plenty of options.

Yeah I think Pettybourne will be used as a prop but it's still a lot of people to keep happy. Obviously it's great depth if you get injuries.

Why's Hansen leaving? I thought he was immense in the Grand Final.

Re: 2013 Player Movements : Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:44 pm  

Him wrote:

Yeah I think Pettybourne will be used as a prop but it's still a lot of people to keep happy. Obviously it's great depth if you get injuries.

Why's Hansen leaving? I thought he was immense in the Grand Final.

It's not confirmed but the general feeling seems to be that he'll be happy to have a final pay day from his hometown club at Salford because Wigan won't match the deal he wants. He really has developed in to a fantastic player and he's hugely undervalued I feel but we can only trust the clubs judgement given the results we've had recently.

One other issue that gets mentioned with Hansen is his wrist problem. He played on with a bad injury back in 2006 when we were in relegation trouble which led to him having a plate inserted and has left him with long term damage. He hurt it again in pre season last year and it isn't a problem that is going away by all accounts.

Re: 2013 Player Movements : Fri Nov 01, 2013 11:09 pm  

Bateman should be a great signing.

Phil Clarke will need some new under crackers after hearing this news.