I know a lot of people will disagree with this but unless you are an exceptional one in a generation level talent like Tomkins you should not be making your senior or SL debut in the Wigan 1st team.



I've always, and still do, regard the Wigan 1st team as the pinnacle. The Wigan 1st team isn't the place for players to get acclimatised to SL.



Guys like Charnley were rightly shipped out to Hull KR to develop. Tuson cut his teeth as Castleford for a while. Faz, Logan & Crosby had to play in the Championship at Widnes. It took a trip to Salford for Goulding to re find his mojo.



For me next season we might well have call on Burgess to fill Pat's boots BUT in an ideal world i'd have had him at Wakey, London, Hull KR for an extended run of games. Same goes for Tierney, Hampshire or Williams

If Bowen signs then Pat's is the only position unfilled.

Mossop has been replaced by Powell and maybe Hopkins, Pettybourne was mooted as a prop but seems to play 2nd row.

We have a massive squad now giving SW numerous options to rotate his squad through injury, loss of form, rest or simply to give competition for places.

After last night I'd be very happy with Burgess or Manfredi competing for the 5 shirt. It will be interesting who, if anyone, is given that numbered shirt next year.

I agree. I think it's 12 months too early for Joe Burgess.

As you say, the likes of Charnley went to Hull KR, Mossop went to Barrow then Hudds. I'd like to see Burgess play half of the 2014 season at Leigh to aide development and then maybe a SL team (such as Widnes) in the latter half.



Then in 2015 he slots into the first team squad full time.

They've played 2 and 1 first grade games respectively. It would be mental to give either the #5 shirt to be honest.

That's what I'm getting at.

I don't think either will get the 5 shirt but I'd be happy for both to compete for the place next year.

Just don't see the point in paying vast sums to a "named" winger when we've got Burgess and Manfredi in the squad.

I don't who I'd want, who's available, from another SL club.

As for the NRL, I don't think IL will spend big to being over a "flying wingman" after the Amos Roberts experience.

Carney from Castleford please, think he'd score bucketloads of tries at Wigan.



Bit of a hot head but meh, i'd still like him here

It's a bit of both really. There seems to be a lot of people claiming he's shot but they're basing this on newspaper peports rather than seeing him in action.

Just watched Matt Bowen score one and set up two in another MotM performance.



Let’s hope we don’t get beaten to his signature by Warrington.

Why would Wigan need a 30 odd year old Aussie - leave that type of signing to the pension fund down the road and promote a local lad who has got pride in his shirt.

Oh it's purely to help with the development of our massive crop of highly talented youngsters, you should try and get some!!

Matty Bowen back to his best in his teams win against the sharkies. He says now that his future is sorted he can relax and play without any burdens,it showed in today's clash. If he stays fit it will be a great addition to the squad and a player for the youngsters to learn from ,on and off the field.

... to whoever he goes to ...



lets just hope its us and not Wire or Salford

Bowen is class we need him.

Another outstanding performance from Bowen vs the Sharks. He has pretty been the catalyst for the Cowboys run at the Playoffs.



The media now reporting him as the difference between the Cowboys and their opponents in recent weeks, so I assume those making their minds up about him without actually seeing him will now be over the moon about his potential signature.

Surely another NRL club will snap him up?

He will not play for another NRL club.

1.Bowen

2.Charnley

3.Goulding

4.Thornley

5.Burgess

6.Green

7.Smith

8.Flower

9.McIlorum

10.Taylor

11.Hansen

12.Farrell

13.O'Loughlin



14.Hampshire

15.Pettybourne

16.Dudson

17.Crosby



18.Hopkins

19.Hughes

20.Tomkins

21.A.Powell

22.S.Powell

23.Gelling

24.Williams

25.Greenwood

Etc



We'd still be there or there abouts with that team next year. Bowen Is exact what we need in this young team.

Let's not forget other players have come from the NRL with so called 'shot knees' and played plenty of games. I'm sure we turned down the signing of O'Meley due to reported knee issues?



He's played plenty of matches for Hull FC.



At the end of the day Bowen is a class act both on and off the field. If we manage him correctly he's going to be an asset.

Would anyone else like Wigan to make a move for Dean Collis, I think he looks a very good centre.

I cant say I know much about him, but isn't he the Aussie at Wakefield, I think he still has a further year of a contract.

Knowing Wakefield's financial troubles they may sell, if you think he is up to it Rogues.

Yes, ironically been discussing Collis with friends, would be excellent in a better time like Wigan. Classy centre with lots of experience.

This, massively this.



Thank god there are other posters on here who actually watch the NRL and judge players off their performances rather than media press and his age.

He signed an extension in the last couple of months. Can't see it myself but I think he'd be a good buy. Doesn't he play right centre though?

Collis is a real class act. Great defence and ability to put his wingman away, would get far more recognition in a better side.



The problem for us though is he is a right sided specialist centre, if you watch him the way he plays the game has been groomed around playing on the right, and as such as good as he is we should not look at him as our main issue is on the left.

I have watched almost every game of the NRL this year and from rounds 1-12 (Before his injury) he was looking a shadow of his former self, since returning though he has been back to his best. There is no doubt he is good enough for SL, but we will have to manage his game time carefully.