Props

[Woody1989]

And if this happens there will still be complaints from certain fans,

Would love it to happen

In my opinion he is just what we need, would tear up SL.

He would be an excellent signing Woody but we can’t afford him.

Probably true, but I can dream!

[Caboosegg]

I'm hearing strong rumours George Burgess for next season too. Have to wait and see.

And if this happens there will still be complaints from certain fans,

Would love it to happen

Does he drop the ball to much

[medlocke]

And if this happens there will still be complaints from certain fans,

And there would still be fans who only ever listen to how good a player was or not on the radio but who thinks their opinion counts for sh7t

Fair enough, I won't bother anymore.

[keptinthedarkfans]

I do any wigan fans opinion matters and are all entitled to one dont care how they see game.not everyone can be a superfan can they

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

My view is that we don’t need to spend a fortune on prop forwards we need to invest the big money in creative players. What we do need is props who can make the hard yards and get us to the oppositions end of the field as well as tackle. A top prop in this country is paid circa £125k, Burgess would cost significantly more than that. Guys like Mitch Garbutt are the likes we should be targeting.

[Exiled Wiganer]

I would agree ordinarily, but, as we are seeing with Saints, having the biggest nastiest men on the pitch can have a huge effect. I think it has been so long since we had any scary forwards, it is easy to forget how enjoyable it is to have a real bully, and how thrilling it is to see rampaging runs. I would be happy with a Burgess.
We are also in an odd position, as for the first time in decades we have 3 (three!) young props who are big and talented. A roster of Burgess - Flower - Nav - Clubb - Partington - Byrne - Havard suddenly looks exciting.
As for the spine, simply having Hastings gives us something we haven’t had since Barrett - a
leader who can run, and move people round the park. Powell seems to be showing signs of realising that he has a running game, which would hugely benefit us (one of the reasons we over depended on Lockers was because we offered no threat from 9). Hardaker would go up a level running off Hastings. Which only leaves us a question mark over 7. Sammutt or Smith???

[keptinthedarkfans]

Think you may have a point can we afford him think a lot depends on lockers and any more outgoings planned

[Woody1989]

My view is that we don’t need to spend a fortune on prop forwards we need to invest the big money in creative players. What we do need is props who can make the hard yards and get us to the oppositions end of the field as well as tackle. A top prop in this country is paid circa £125k, Burgess would cost significantly more than that. Guys like Mitch Garbutt are the likes we should be targeting.

Personally I disagree, as much as I would love a James Maloney or Josh Reynolds or some other class half-back to partner Hastings, I don't think creative players need to be a priority. Hastings is an upgrade on Williams (as much as I would have loved to have both of them in the halves). The likes of Hardaker, Gildart and Burgess will thrive off what he brings. Sammut has shown this season that he's a capable option as Hastings partner.

If we're going to challenge Saints next year then we desperately need to improve the pack. Burgess would be perfect (although I agree with you that it's unlikely we can afford him). I've seen us linked to the likes of Russell Packer and Ben Matulino although, again, I'd be surprised if either of them signed.

[moto748]

Hastings is an upgrade on Williams

An opinion, of course, not a fact. That I don't necessarily share. NRL clubs sought Williams out in a way they didn't seek Hastings out. Well, we shall see soon enough.

[Woody1989]

Hastings is an upgrade on Williams

An opinion, of course, not a fact. That I don't necessarily share. NRL clubs sought Williams out in a way they didn't seek Hastings out. Well, we shall see soon enough.

Hastings has baggage in the NRL, Williams doesn't, which could be a factor. You're right it is my opinion, but I think performances from both players this season back me up. Hastings is arguably the best half-back in the league at the minute.