They're faced with a different choice to us though. For them it's keep Bowen or sign another top NRL full back, for us it's sign Bowen, sign a bog standard SL full back (can't see Lomax, Hardaker or Ratchford going anywhere) or give Hampshire/Tierney the #1 shirt. So it's riskier for them to retain him than it is for us to sign him basically, because they have better options and we don't.



Having said that I'd hope our medics are confident he has a reasonable chance of his knees holding out for 15-20 games a season and the coaches would use him sparingly, giving Tierney a run against the weaker sides (I'd use Hampshire off the bench at 6)

It is not quite as you imply. They [iwanted[/i to keep Bowen but decided they couldn't risk it. They were under no pressure to do otherwise.



You are also missing the obvious option for us. Not sell "guaranteed to be here for three seasons" Sam.







He'd be first choice full back and to sign a player as 1st choice you have to treat like bone China is a sad thing for Wigan to be doing. It is of our own stupid making if we have to do so though.

So what would you do? Bearing in mind Sam would likely play half heartedly next season then leave soon after anyway if we forced him to stay against his will.

Grimmy: dont waste your time, you wont 'win'

I'm not sure why people would think that Sam would play 'half hearted' - he seems a driven, intelligent, articulate young man. He was happy to sign a contract at the time for five years making him the highest paid player in the league - deservedly so. If there was a 'don't talk to any other club clause' (which would be nigh on impossible to enforce) it would no doubt have cost the club extra to insert. He may well be miffed but I think his will to win and desire to have more experiences like that at the weekend would soon over ride any lingering resentment.

How do you know he'd play half heartedly? It is the usual excuse trotted out and I think it is well wide of the mark. He can either enjoy his time at the club playing to the best of his ability or damage his reputation by behaving unprofessionally. The latter is a price worth paying to enforce a contract. We seem to be playing hard ball over Hock's contract so I don't see why not here. He signed the deal he did and he could leave in a season and we'd still get a fee. No need to sign a potentially crocked player as a stop gap if we just stuck to the original plan.

Anyone think we could end up with Gareth Hock back at Wigan if no other club is willing to buy out his contract? Or is it more likely he'll be sent out on loan again? All the indications are the Paramatta deal will be called off.



Also if hypothetically Hock and Wane were to call a truce, would you want him back in the squad?

Obviously I don't know for sure, but I'm sure you will agree it's hardly unheard of. Personally I don't want any players at Wigan who don't want to be there, because even one mistake can lose you a game. The Hock situation's a bit different, we couldn't get the price we wanted so told him to stay and he spat the dummy. I'd hope if we couldn't get the price we want for Sam we would take a similar stance and see how he reacts.



Also, what happens if Wire, Leeds, and Saints don't follow suit? Players get the message - sign a long contract for Wire/Leeds/Saints and you can still go to the NRL if you play well enough, sign one for Wigan and you're stuck no matter what. I know where I would be going if the wage was roughly the same.



Don't get me wrong, I'm as frustrated as anyone, but I blame the RFL for not driving the game into the gutter over the last decade, not the clubs who basically have to make the best of a bad situation.

I'm sure some clubs would buy him, i would imagine IL wouldn't sell him to certain clubs.

Thought Hock was Salford bound?

Loan or Perm signing is the interesting one for me!

No way he's coming back to Wigan. I wouldn't want him either, he shat on our club, we offered him a second chance, and he shat on us again. I'd loan him to Widnes again unless someone comes in with a decent fee, ideally Salford.

I thought that but Koukash has twice stated that Hock will not be signing for Salford. Not sure how seriously to take that though.

Hock has had enough chances and has burnt his bridges...I hope anyway. He's a buffoon and a waster and regardless of him being supremely talented he's not worth it anymore.



Hock has never won a major trophy with Wigan. Is that bad timing? Coincidence? Or is it because there's more harmony in the squad when the 'Hock circus' isn't around?



Whatever it is I don't fancy us finding out if we can win things with him. As a club we're now better and stronger then that.

Bowen i cant believe we are trying to sign a reject

We signed George Carmont when he had been refused another contract by Newcastle and by your definition rejected.

He didn't turn out too bad did he?

Its significant that Salford don't seem interested - he must be the only player they are not interested in! So Im assuming that the off-field issues must be serious.



If Salford don't want him them who would want him?



Can't see him back at Wigan despite his talent but whoever does take him on would appear to be taking a big gamble.



Its a tragic situation as he has been one of my favourite Wigan players for many years.

How's he going in the NRL this year?

If he was a free agent he'd get a club easily, the Calder clubs, KR, Widnes, London would take him without a moments hesitancy, some other clubs would weigh up whether he was worth it and might still take a punt, a guy of his talent will get a gig somewhere.

I've heard he's signed? Just that Koukash is keeping his cards close to his chest?

I was told that he had agreed terms with Salford on Good Friday this year.

I was told the same, shook hands on a deal in April

Can't tell if this is sarcasm or not but he's going very well and i hope we sign him if sam is leaving.

Catching up on my NRL today, taking a real interest in the Cowboys and Bowen.



All I can say us, I wish my knees were as shot as his. Absolute class act. Pace, great defence and drops in as a pivot at first, second or third receiver.



In our situation with what we have coming through he would be a blinding signing.



Just to add, playing against the Titans, he has made 2 clean breaks, thrown a sublime miss out pass to his wingman to score and just now took the ball at first receiver and slid a kick in behind the defence for his team to score again, this is after he had put in 2 try saving tackles.



.......but the papers and media say he is shot, so he must be.

The problem that we are facing for next season is that Richards and probably Sam Tomkins aren't going to be here. We've got some quality talent but there's going to be gulf when it comes to experience.



I'm sure both Tomkins and Charnley have done so well in the 1st team because they had guys like Richards and Carmont guiding them every step of the way.



Bowen is the perfect man to fill the void left by Pat and to be the role model to our next set of future stars.



Really hope he puts his name on the dotted line!

Absolutely agree. Also at 31 a 2 year or 1+1 would be perfect to bring through either Hampshire or Tierney.