Melbourne are reported to be offloading 8 players...Koroibete would be a nice addition, for one..

..

Koroibete's off to union

Lol, how many Wigan academy players are at other Super League clubs? Why is it any different for Catalan?

The point he was making is that Catalans seem to prefer to bring in the big name Aussies, rather than bring on their own talent. Wigan produce so much talent that they simply don't have room for them all. Hence why we are the unofficial feeder club for every club in RL.

Nicky Stanton! Bloody hell, there's a name I haven't heard for a while. I seem to recall him not turning up for the Academy Grand Final because he had signed a contract elsewhere. I don't even think he's in the game anymore.

Catalans have plenty of their own talent, I think they fielded only one overseas player and 14/17 from the club's academy on a couple of occasions this season, admittedly due to injuries. They probably produce more players and have more home-grown players in their squad than any club in the league apart from Wigan. As far as Escare goes, he was forced out because the coach prefers Gigot who is more of a ball-player at fullback and if you leave quality players on the sidelines for too long they inevitably get ed off and want to leave.

Onky 1 player we need to target for next season for the backs and thats ratchford

I'd take him as a utility option to replace Sarginson but I can't help feel the lad is vastly over-rated. He's a solid enough player but he's never one you really worry about and you don't have any sense of fear when he gets the ball.



As I say I still think he would be a good option for us (especially due to his goalkicking)but it would have to be on sensible money and I doubt we'll get him away from Wire for that.

All fair points

I'm pretty sure he would get a game for us. We currently only have ten backs signed up for next season. Only two of those are centres, and one of those is Willie Tonga, who seems to spend much more time in the treatment room than on the pitch. Ok Ryan isn't a centre, but we seem to be being linked with a few full backs - Escare, Evalds, and even Hardaker, which suggests we may be in the market to improve on McNally/Smith. Also, whilst Drinkwater and Ridyard may well be first choice at half back, it only takes an injury to mess that up.

I see Kevin Naiquima of West Tigers is looking to come over and experience Super League before finishing his career in the NRL. He would be a great option as a utility back for a year.

Only 1 player can cover our wing/kicking needs for next season(if smith leaves) and thats Mantellatto if smith stays sign ken sio

I saw that last night and have asked a friend in Aus if he can kick goals, he would bea very good signing if we could pull it off.

Noooo, please can people stop suggesting this. He is awful, and his kicking success rate is worse than Matty Smith!



Ken Sio wouldn't be too bad as he could cover Full back/wing, but I guess wouldn't be a first choice everyone being fit.

Aye, Mantellato has probably been relegated to a level fitting his talent now.



He's about as fast and agile as Barry Ward and his famed goal kicking is actually not all that.

We shouldn’t sign a player just because he can kick goals. I’d rather have the best rugby playing side we can and kick a few less goals. I’d get a kicking coach in (if we don’t have one already) and hold trials between the guys who are dead certs to make the side and play 60+ mins every game. I make that – S.Tomkins, Burgess, Gelling, Gildart, Williams, Leuluai, McIlorum, Bateman and Farrell. The best three practice with the coach, who then picks the kicker.

He was nearly 28 by the time he had played a first team game.



At least Ken Sio has 60 NRL games under his belt, a lot of Super League games, and is still only 25.

There is a Ken Sio montage on YouTube showing his tries (NRL /SL). Vast majority were from ten yards out (ala Tommy Makinson). Didn't see one full lengther. Not sure on this one!

I do think we need to sign someone who can kick goals though now. It does seem like it could be a problem. The only person/people in our first team squad who I know can kick at least a little bit are the younger lads like Shorrocks, Higginson and Gregson, none of whom are likely to be first choice to play every game.

But if I was one of those younger players I would be practicing kicking like crazy as another talent to get into the 1st team with!

He has played full back, wing and centre. He has a decent strike rate but I don't think he has ever kicked goals.

I think shorrocks will get the job tbh he's already kicked a few this season and is decent by all accounts, I know the people who have sponsored him this season and they've watched him closely for a few years and are always raving about his goal kicking. I think he'll definitely get plenty of games as well providing he doesn't get injured.



Of the first team regulars though we'all probably see Sam and George having a crack at it.

Never known of him kicking. He'd be a real good option to cover Sam at FB or Manfredi on the wing and once both back fit he would add good competition at centre.

With Matty Smith leaving, surely now we have free cap space to bring in another player?

Good as Shorrocks is, I don't see him getting too many games, unless there are injuries again. With MM back as hooker, he'll be behind Williams, Powell and Tommy, I'd say.