Matt Peet hails influential leader with name thrown in the mix for player of the season by Wigan Warriors boss

[josie andrews]

Matt Peet believes influential forward Kaide Ellis is in the mix for Wigan’s player of the season due to his level of consistency throughout the 2024 campaign, including another inspiring display in the 38-0 victory over Leeds Rhinos.

The 28-year-old Australian scored his first try of the season and assisted another in the penultimate game of the regular campaign, dominating their rivals at the Brick Community Stadium to go one step closer to retaining the League Leaders’ Shield.


Ellis has played a huge part in Wigan’s success so far in 2024 that has seen the Cherry and Whites claim a record-equalling fifth World Club Challenge and the Challenge Cup over Warrington Wolves at Wembley

And Peet admits that the loose forward is a ‘pleasure to coach’ - throwing his name in the mix for the club’s player of the year.

Speaking following the Round 26 win, with tries also from Bevan French (2), Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Abbas Miski and Adam Keighran, the Warriors boss said: “I was chatting with the coaches behind the scenes and I said it's funny because Kaide Ellis will get mentioned tonight by people because he's scored - but he's actually been in the mix for the player of the season in our opinion.

He's just a pleasure to coach, has a great balance in his game, a good lad, enjoys a laugh but works hard. We think a lot of him.”

The former NRL forward has made the iconic number 13 shirt his own in cherry and white, having missed just three games all season, and a draw or win in the final round will see the Warriors claim back-to-back League Leaders’ Shields for the first time in their Super League history.

He's certainly a leader. I like his manner, he has a good balance between having a laugh and enjoying himself but he's very determined, and very meticulous in his preparation,” Peet added.


“He's just got a good work ethic, he's from a working family in a working town and came through a good system at Penrith, so he's just an excellent trainer.

“Day-to-day, he's very consistent and he has a lot to be proud of at the moment.”


https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ss-4782241

[fozzie58]

Ellis has been a favourite of mine since he came here solid as a rock and the type of player you only miss when he’s not there fine signing by the club

[morley pie eater]

Ellis has been a favourite of mine since he came here solid as a rock and the type of player you only miss when he’s not there fine signing by the club

You are clearly better than me at spotting potential, Foz. (That's not sarcasm btw.)
I thought he was in the "solid but unspectacular" category at first. I now think he's one of those people who thrives on responsibility - give him a leadership role and you see him at his best.

We shouldn't talk too much about "the shirt", as every player is different, and deserves judging on his own merits. The 13 shirt is particularly problematic in this respect with Andy Farrell and Lockers as recent incumbents. Kaide is good for us now with no need to compare with past players.

[josie andrews]

Ellis has been a favourite of mine since he came here solid as a rock and the type of player you only miss when he’s not there fine signing by the club

You are clearly better than me at spotting potential, Foz. (That's not sarcasm btw.)
I thought he was in the "solid but unspectacular" category at first. I now think he's one of those people who thrives on responsibility - give him a leadership role and you see him at his best.

We shouldn't talk too much about "the shirt", as every player is different, and deserves judging on his own merits. The 13 shirt is particularly problematic in this respect with Andy Farrell and Lockers as recent incumbents. Kaide is good for us now with no need to compare with past players.

I have Kaide on my home shirt.

[fozzie58]

Ellis has been a favourite of mine since he came here solid as a rock and the type of player you only miss when he’s not there fine signing by the club

You are clearly better than me at spotting potential, Foz. (That's not sarcasm btw.)
I thought he was in the "solid but unspectacular" category at first. I now think he's one of those people who thrives on responsibility - give him a leadership role and you see him at his best.

We shouldn't talk too much about "the shirt", as every player is different, and deserves judging on his own merits. The 13 shirt is particularly problematic in this respect with Andy Farrell and Lockers as recent incumbents. Kaide is good for us now with no need to compare with past players.

I agree the weight of the 13 shirt is a heavy one he wears it well though and Morley I take no offense at all mate I’d say this last couple of years my player of the year has been an easy one as is been Kaide on both occasions this year he has been beaten (in my opinion)by the peerless Luke Thompson as I voted a few weeks back had I waited till now I’d still plump for Thompson but the gap,in my mind would be slimmer than it was a few weeks back

[widdenoldboy]

Nice accolade from Peet and richly deserved.

As mentioned, seen as a solid signing but. boy, has he developed here at Wigan, well done to him and the club.

[nathan_rugby]

Most successful teams, across all sports, have unsung hero’s / players that go under the radar to other fans.

Ellis is the type of player who you don’t notice in one off games. But when you see him week in week out, realise his minutes, realise his tackling and running numbers and how he links the attack, you start to notice his value.

[morley pie eater]

Ellis has been a favourite of mine since he came here solid as a rock and the type of player you only miss when he’s not there fine signing by the club

You are clearly better than me at spotting potential, Foz. (That's not sarcasm btw.)
I thought he was in the "solid but unspectacular" category at first. I now think he's one of those people who thrives on responsibility - give him a leadership role and you see him at his best.

We shouldn't talk too much about "the shirt", as every player is different, and deserves judging on his own merits. The 13 shirt is particularly problematic in this respect with Andy Farrell and Lockers as recent incumbents. Kaide is good for us now with no need to compare with past players.

I agree the weight of the 13 shirt is a heavy one he wears it well though and Morley I take no offense at all mate I’d say this last couple of years my player of the year has been an easy one as is been Kaide on both occasions this year he has been beaten (in my opinion)by the peerless Luke Thompson as I voted a few weeks back had I waited till now I’d still plump for Thompson but the gap,in my mind would be slimmer than it was a few weeks back

[morley pie eater]

Ellis has been a favourite of mine since he came here solid as a rock and the type of player you only miss when he’s not there fine signing by the club

You are clearly better than me at spotting potential, Foz. (That's not sarcasm btw.)
I thought he was in the "solid but unspectacular" category at first. I now think he's one of those people who thrives on responsibility - give him a leadership role and you see him at his best.

We shouldn't talk too much about "the shirt", as every player is different, and deserves judging on his own merits. The 13 shirt is particularly problematic in this respect with Andy Farrell and Lockers as recent incumbents. Kaide is good for us now with no need to compare with past players.

I agree the weight of the 13 shirt is a heavy one he wears it well though and Morley I take no offense at all mate I’d say this last couple of years my player of the year has been an easy one as is been Kaide on both occasions this year he has been beaten (in my opinion)by the peerless Luke Thompson as I voted a few weeks back had I waited till now I’d still plump for Thompson but the gap,in my mind would be slimmer than it was a few weeks back

(Emojis supposed to be handshakes. With my sight, they look like oven-ready chickens. Take your pick )

[Exiled Wiganer]

Ellis is Lockers re visited in the way he plays. He is a running threat, has superb hands and very good in defence. His emergence has been another sign of the brilliance of Peet and his team (clearly Lockers is having a very strong influence). Thompson has been majestic, but we knew he could be and that was what we were buying, whereas Ellis has grown into a massive part of why we are so good. My one quibble - and it is a single cloud in a blue sky - is that he could be more careful about landing himself in disciplinary trouble.

Love watching him, and pleased to hear that he is a good bloke as well.