True, both packs look very formidable.

I certanly hope that Coley remains at Wigan for another season, he has been one of our best players this season and he looks to have another season in him for sure. Andy Coley is also part of the leadership team so he is obviousley somebody that Madge thinks can influence the players around him too.

Looking at Saints i think people will be suprised at what Soliola can do in the back row, he has been a big loss this season for you and given the circumstances i think Saints have managed pretty well in his absence. Tony Puletua is another player who's name i hope isnt on the team sheet whenever Wigan play Saints, the man is simply a beast in the forwards.

The investigation forund no evidence that Craig Bellamy or any of the players (including their agents) had knowledge of what was happening at Melbourne.

Incidently Ryan Hoffman was one of the players directly involved although again there was no evidence that he knew what was going on.

Strange how the players wouldn't know

Strange or just pure cunning from those who did?

If players did know then those who were involved in the scheme must of known that they would of been found out, particularly if relations between players and the club broke down.

The evidence does show that those who did know went to great lengths to cover their tracks.

LMAO they obviously knew about it but it's proving wrong doing. It's not upto them to police the SC and they can legitimatly say they knew nothing of others arrangements. As long as they declared to the tax man what they were earning thats them in the clear

Of course they all knew.

Inglis, Smith and Slater all had "side letters" ( a second contract) with the Storm.

Finch tows a cloud behind him which has a habit of obscuring his talent.

The others are solid enough I suppose.

From what I've heard Finch runs like he's towing a caravan too these days...

I'm sure Kyle will take great pleasure in running rings round him next year.

Would be awesome but unlikely.

Three terrific signings it has to be said. Wigan will be even stronger all over the field next year, which is ominous given where they already are this year.

Two great signings for Wigan, not so keen on Finch but he should be a decent signing for Super League level. Certainly a better scrum half than anything they have at the moment, I assume that Leuluai will move to nine to become a 'scooter hooker'.

Who are Wigan releasing to accommodate these out of curiosity? Riddell, Bailey and Fielden?

Riddell, Palea'aesina, Bailey, Phelps, Deacon are five who won't be there (Deacon will but coaching only) next season. Prescott, McIlorum, Pryce and a couple of others also out of contract at the moment.

Has Coley re-signed yet?

No, rumours are that he (and Fielden) have been offered one year deals. Coley I believe has a job offer as he is a chartered surveyor. He has to do what is best for him and his family.

Fielden I would have given a two year deal, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Why is it obvious that the melbourne players knew what was going on?
Do you know what everyone you work with earns?

Pretty much yes. All the this keep your salary secret crap (within a company) is a management ploy that came about in the industrial revolution to keep people down and stop people looking for pay rises

And Rugby players tend to have mates in there team so there more than co-workers so they will drink and talk. If you wanna kid yourself go ahead but they will all have been in on it , certainly all the senior pro's.

I don't agree.
I worked for a big multi national company for 38 years and didn't know what my colleagues earned. I knew their salary bands but not where they were inside those bands.

Im not kidding myself about anything,I'm not that bothered if the entire Melbourne squad were in on it or not.Cheating is cheating and they'll get what they deserve.
I was just wondering how you seemed to be so sure that they were all in on it but an inquiry found no evidence at all to prove this!

Very very difficult to prove and even if they did what exaclty would they prove? they were offered x amount of money and accepted it ..

the SC is the clubs responsibility not the players

Like I said very very old management ploy - encourage people to be secretive to save the company money 44

I've never been told by any managment I've worked for not to talk about my wage with my co-workers/mates.we go out,we drink,we talk too....but iv never asked/been asked what each one earns and I wouldnt expect to either.
Anyway thats getting away from the point.I totally agree that it would be very hard to prove and that it isn't the players responsibility anyway,but that still dosn't mean your right and that they were all in on it!

well we might find out when some of the player retire and write books.

As for the management ploy it's ingrained now and implied, alot of current working practices that we think of as normal came from greedy middleclass men during the industrial revolution, and it just gets worse , start work at 16 and work till you literally drop at 70 .. and we all just accept that as normal lol, crazy really

I retired at 60 with a healthy company pension. It worked well for me.

So how long you been retired brian?