Wigan sign new centre

[robjoenz]

Ahh, here we go, I have used the facilties kindly given to us by Mike!

In his career at Wigan Hodgy has started 96, had 20 appearances as a substitute and scored 49 tries.

So thats career averages of
Hodgson 0.42 tries per game
Vaealiki 0.35 tries per game

We have our winner! Mr. David Hodgson!

I know there's more to a centres game than scoring tries but everyone seems to overlook the talent we have under our noses as soon as a Kiwi or Aussie name is mentioned.

[Cleveland Pieman]

Agreed that statistics can go on to proove whatever you like. However if Mo and Denis believe we need a centre to improve the team then I for one would accept they have a greater insight than me. Can this new bloke tackle and set up tries for his winger - it is not all about scoring tries as a centre. We will just have to wait and see.

[robjoenz]

Cleveland Pieman posted:
Agreed that statistics can go on to proove whatever you like. However if Mo and Denis believe we need a centre to improve the team then I for one would accept they have a greater insight than me. Can this new bloke tackle and set up tries for his winger - it is not all about scoring tries as a centre. We will just have to wait and see.

We will have to see won't we...
This season he has set up no tries at all, completes an average of 13.8 tackles per game, doesn't kick so much and makes about 70 m per game in runs.

Compared to Mark Gasnier (11 tries in 12 games!) he is hiding somewhere in the shadows which made me wonder whether Mo signed him because Eels were willing to let him go because of his injuries and he desperately wanted a centre.

If Dennis/Mike wants him then we'll have to go with that, maybe I'm being cynical but perhaps Mo just decides which players he buys and tells Dennis/Mike to play them. Mo goes talent spotting in June and comes back with a player that hasn't played since April.

I'm probably being too harsh on Vaealiki here but I am of the opinion we didn't need another centre.

[Welsh Warrior]

I will reserve judgement but it does worry me when they say 'goes with our blessing'. Reading between the lines I hope they don't mean 'glad to see the back of him'. Cynical old me.

[Fraggle]

Welsh Warrior posted:
I will reserve judgement but it does worry me when they say 'goes with our blessing'. Reading between the lines I hope they don't mean 'glad to see the back of him'. Cynical old me.

It does seem odd, especially in a week when transfer fees have been resurrected for contracted players here in the UK. I'm surprised that the Eels have missed a trick with not asking for some money for their player, unless they really wanted to get rid.

But I remember he was quite highly thought of before the Kiwi series in 2002 even if I don't remember him exactly setting the series alight. Saying that, in the same series was a certain Ali Lauititi who was totally out-of-place, he seems to be working out ok...

[Wight Pie]

Another ray of light.... according to Dave Hadfield in today's Independent we actually beat Stains to Vaealiki's signature and they had enquired after Gleeson went to Wire.

Another sharp stick to poke stains with... ah life is good!!

[MrsLam]

A little off the subject but have paramatta actually kept any of their players from this season?!

http://www.skysports.com/skysports/arti ... 54,00.html

[mario]

Wight Pie posted:
Another ray of light.... according to Dave Hadfield in today's Independent we actually beat Stains to Vaealiki's signature and they had enquired after Gleeson went to Wire.

Another sharp stick to poke stains with... ah life is good!!

If Stains went after him, that is probibly because Parramatta can't demand a transfer fee for him.

[Vaealikis Girl]

Hi! I'm from Down Under and have just registered on this site. To be honest i was never too interested in the ESL but i have a new interest in it since my favourite player has just signed with Wigan. I am absolutely shattered about him leaving! I guarantee you will not regret the signing but we will regret losing him.

Dave is only young (still just 23) and has a lot left in him. He was involved in a bad tackle early in 2002 and ended up with a neck injury. After that he was very reluctant to run at full strength into tackles which is why some people may doubt his attacking ability but he has since overcome that problem. His defence used to be a bit sus but he worked hard on that and became one of the most solid defenders in the NRL. I also think that his lack of tries in the past few seasons has less to do with Freshy's form but more the team not spreading the ball and passing out to that side of the field. He had started coming into the middle of the field and taking the ball up more like a forward than a back due to the lack of ball he was getting. There was talk of him being played in the second row for a while.

In 2001 he was definitely one of the Eels' best players and he seemed to have regained that form this year, being close to our most consistent player but unfortunately a freak accident ended that. He has still been attending training sessions and coaching clinics even though he can't do much so i have no doubt that he will be back better than ever to start for you guys next season. Sorry to ramble on but obviously i can't give the guy enough raps. Nicest guy you'll ever meet off the field too!

If anyone wants any more info feel free to ask.

Oh forgot to mention he is very strong especially in his legpower and has an awesome fend! Please can we have him back!!!

[Vaealikis Girl]

A little off the subject but have paramatta actually kept any of their players from this season?!

Not many that's for sure. A few of our upcoming juniors that's about it. The situation is getting ridiculous and you'll find that a lot of Parramatta fans are getting very annoyed with losing so much of our talent.