How can people expect Joel to have nailed the position already? He's been playing centre for just a couple of months now and whilst it's has it's ups and downs he's shown enough IMO to suggest he can make it work to a very high level fulltime if needs be.



The areas we recruit in will decide his position for next year.

Problem is Joel at centre might be the lesser of two evils, their maybe no suitable centres available.

It's a very difficult job to think of more then 1 or 2 realistic options who are available in the position for next season especially ones that are good enough.



Outside of King, Ratchford or possibly keeping Carmont I can't think of any and many wouldn't be happy with Ratchford.

this is all fine in theory but for mine we are spoling the chances of one of our brightest stars - joel could be a world class backrower...



in a year or twos time when he gets a big nrl offer to go over there playing as a second rower (where he is far more involved) or sta at wigan 'helping out the team' and he then goes to oz we can have no cause to complain. loyalty is a 2 way thing



get joel back to where he belongs!!!

exactly he isnt good enough there, get a youngster in there who has the positional knowhow.

stevemascord.com/2011/06/08/hoff ... ace-blair/

stevemascord.com/2011/06/08/hoff ... ace-blair/

[url=http://stevemascord.com/2011/06/08/hoffman-ready-to-replace-blair/Hoffman to replace Adam Blair at Melbourne[/url



'Hoffman has an option to leave Wigan at the end of the season and is thought to have politely declined joining the Cherry and Whites’ coach Michael Maguire at South Sydney.'

It was quite encouraging to hear that he considers he has two options - Melbourne or another year at Wigan.



That said, I'd be absolutely stunned if he opted to stay here.



I know there's all kinds of crap written online, and that you can't take anything at face value, but that reference to Hoffman being put off staying because of the uncertainty regarding the coaching position was pretty irritating. Another reason to be miffed about Madge going early.

Yup, i noticed that word too, but as you say, probably just "paper" talk. I don't think any of us are suprised that he would choose to go back.

The longer this goes on and its gone on far longer than I thought it would - the more I think Wigan may be looking at someone other than Shaun Wane for the head coach's job.

If Blair moves then surely Hoffman would return to Melbourne.

It is a credit to our club that it is just between Wigan and Melbourne and no other club is being considered. There isn't another club that wouldn't want Hoffman in their pack.



As for Joel, I'd prefer to see us sign a quality right centre and Joel revert to his original position of right sided second rower. He was devastating there last year and could be again should a quality signing could be made for the 3 shirt.

Hard to know to what extent that's actually a factor though



Even if Madge was staying there is every chance Hoffman would still be returning.



But as MadDogg says, the longer passes without Wane being confirmed the less likely it seems he will get the job. If the applicants for the job have been as high profile as IL suggests he will have a difficult choice.



Unless it is a case of IL (or indeed Wane himself) not wanting to change the existing dynamics within the coaching structure

would be gutted to lose him because our coach hasnt been decided yet

+1



All the more reason to announce it sooner rather than later.

I don't think the coaching situation would have too much bearing, its been no secret that he would like to go back but thats not necessarily an option, its dependent on the Storms SC situation, I think if a move comes off for Blair he will go back, if not he will take up the option of the second year with us, I think talk of the coach is just paper talk, I'm sure the players have a very good idea who will be the coach.

If Blair goes to Wests and Hoffman back to Storm and can see us looking at Chris Highington as Blair could well be replacing him at Wests.



He's already declared an interest in playing for England as he holds an English passport which would also means he wouldn't be on the quota.



Also he said this in 2006.











Or am I looking into this too much?

The other thing is that coaches come and go. It must be very rare - I can only think of Millward in modern times at Wigan - when the appointment of a specific coach has led directly to players wanting to leave.



I think, as others have said, it's just paper talk.

im sure Mr Smith knows nowt

Didn't he only put his hand up for an English shirt after being constantly over-looked for his first choice, Australia?

He is a machine, never stops running and tackling with fantastic leg drive in the tackle.



If we are in the market for a backrow forward he would be a great player to look at, if Wests are potentially sacrificing him and Ayshford for Blair I think they want their heads testing. Blair is top class without doubt but I think sacrificing 2 excellent performers to make room for him on the cap is a massive call.

Heighington is a beast with a huge engine on him, he'd bolster our pack no end. Would love for this to happen.

Thread on the VT saying Widdop is on just 35k a year..... sign him up!!! Offer him a deal!!!! Please IL!!!!!

Just signed a new contract, and who can blame him.

id jump at a contract like that 35k n stay in aussie, where do i sign!

So we possibly have carmont and possibly deacon and coley retiring and hoffman going home.



We only have hock coming in as a direct replacement for hoffman.



Add to this Gleeson leaving early this year.



That says to me we have a huge lump of cap to spend.



We need definate replacments for Carmont, deacon and Coley.



To maintain our strength in depth we need 3 new signings for next year.