: Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:45 pm  

cadoo wrote:

I don't think Matt Orford will be anything like Phil Bailey. Matt Orford is a world class player who has a big reputation in the NRL. Phil Bailey is neither a world class player and I don't remember him coming over with any reputation.

Matt Orford has also won the Dally M Medal, the greatest individual honour in Australian rugby league.

Another Phil Bailey?

The last bit of the post you've quoted is the way I see it. He has captained Manly Sea Eagles to a premiership and will be 31 and played well over 200 NRL games. So already he will bring two things we're lacking. Leadership and experience. As you mentioned he will be a fantastic mentor to Sam Tomkins and could form a really good partnership with the lad.

I see Tommy Leuluai as a hooker if we did sign him which would give us a quality 6 , 7 and 9. Something which I don't think we've had since 2002.

So let's say we didn't get a fullback for 2010 and just bought a top class prop forward and stand off.

Pat Richards
Amos Roberts
Karl Pryce/Darrell Goulding
George Carmont
Sean Ainscough

Sam Tomkins
Matt Orford

Andy Lynch/Luke Bailey
Thomas Leuluai
Stuart Fielden

Sean O'loughlin
Gareth Hock

Joel Tomkins

---------------------------------------------------

Feka Paleaasina
Mark Riddell/Michael McIlorum
Paul Prescott/Eamon O'carroll
Harrison Hansen/Lee Mossop

So that would mean we would have released - Mathers, Bailey, Phelps, Smith and Coley.

And brought in Andy Lynch and Matt Orford. (Only one aussie )

I agree Orford would be good but he could end up like Bailey. Bailey came over with an excellent repuatation but we know what happened to him.

As an alternative why not go for Richie Myler

Him and Sam would be awesome in 2-3 years

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:00 pm  

kirkamania6 wrote:

I agree Orford would be good but he could end up like Bailey. Bailey came over with an excellent repuatation but we know what happened to him.

As an alternative why not go for Richie Myler

Him and Sam would be awesome in 2-3 years

But would the fans be prepared to wait 2/3 years while they gel?

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:07 pm  

WigansForeignLegion wrote:

But would the fans be prepared to wait 2/3 years while they gel?

No most wouldn't be plus I don't get why people would want to sign him anyway. For a start he's not even proven at super league level yet, I know he may have got an international call up but do tell me how many halfbacks we have in this country that are of international standard?

We lack experience and have a youthful team as it is - Richie Myler is not the answer to Wigans problems IMO - we need a leader with experience who can lead the team like Trent Barrett did.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:07 pm  

kirkamania6 wrote:

I agree Orford would be good but he could end up like Bailey. Bailey came over with an excellent repuatation but we know what happened to him.

Did he?

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:15 pm  

cadoo wrote:

Did he?

To be fair, he was a fairly recent Australian international.

Looking at him now you'd never have guessed it.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:31 pm  

cadoo wrote: Did he? http://www.jamd.com/image/in-search/phil+bailey/#163g2650117 Aussie loose forward.

cadoo wrote: Did he? http://www.jamd.com/image/in-search/phil+bailey/#163g2650117 Aussie loose forward.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:50 pm  

cadoo wrote:

No most wouldn't be plus I don't get why people would want to sign him anyway. For a start he's not even proven at super league level yet, I know he may have got an international call up but do tell me how many halfbacks we have in this country that are of international standard?

We lack experience and have a youthful team as it is - Richie Myler is not the answer to Wigans problems IMO - we need a leader with experience who can lead the team like Trent Barrett did.

Absolutely, the kid needs time to develop into an SL player, let alone one of note.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:56 pm  

fazwigan4eva wrote: http://www.jamd.com/image/in-search/phil+bailey/#163g2650117 Aussie loose forward. If he's represented Australia at loose forward - should we not try him out at loose forward? Or have I put 2+2 together and got 5?

fazwigan4eva wrote: http://www.jamd.com/image/in-search/phil+bailey/#163g2650117 Aussie loose forward. If he's represented Australia at loose forward - should we not try him out at loose forward? Or have I put 2+2 together and got 5?

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:00 pm  

cadoo wrote:

If he's represented Australia at loose forward - should we not try him out at loose forward?

Ahead of Lockers, Joel and even Hock? In one word: No.

: Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:53 am  

cadoo wrote:

:shock:

If he's represented Australia at loose forward - should we not try him out at loose forward?

Or have I put 2+2 together and got 5?

I seem to remember him also playing in the centre as well for Australia. He was one of a select group of Chris Anderson's favorites who he would have found very hard to find a reason to drop.