So tonight starts the final year of Sean O’Loughlins career.

Still criminally unrated by opposition fans (disregarded as “sick note” or “high shot merchant” . Even unrated by some Wigan fans.

First played for Wigan in 2002 and now entering his 19th season with the club.

He has been Wigan captain since 2006, that’s FIFTEEN seasons as captain, has that every been achieved before?

He has had a great international career.

In the age of players bursting onto the scene then getting attracted to NRL or Union. He has stayed loyal to the club despite big interest (Roosters in 2014, Newcastle 2017).

Played every position for Wigan bar Wing and Fullback.

Can hit as hard as any prop forward, has the hands as good if not better than the majority of half backs. A true Loose forward.

Yes he’s not the 80 min machine he was 10 years ago, yes he misses a few weeks here and there but this guy is a club legend. Our attack transforms when he is in the pitch, an extra pivot - taking the ball up to the line creating space for the halves.

A player ultra respected in the game, by peers, opponents, NRL veterans and NRL super coaches alike.

A unique talent, who has grown into being a great leader on the pitch and superb role model off it.

Let’s hope he can stay clear of any long term knocks and have a crack at Wembley/Old Trafford.

The final season of an all time great.

Last of a dying breed, the ball handling 13.
We've certainly been blessed in that dept, Hanley, Clarke, Farrell, O'Loughlin, hard to see the next one anywhere in the current crop.

Agreed and well said!

Legend

Looks in phenomenal shape this year - better than anyone in the squad. With some luck on the injury front he could have a huge swansong.

Good post - class act and SL will be a lesser competition without him in it.

We won’t know what we’ve had until he’s gone. He has been an unbelievable player for us and has been without doubt one of the best in the world over a sustained period.

The team really do need to send him out on a high.

I'm hoping he's benefited from his International retirement and full pre season in a similar way to Jamie Peacock and others.

I am guessing but maybe Jim Sullivan captained Wigan for longer, he played for Wigan for 25 years!!

Onto O'Loughlin. When we played Hull in Australia in 2018 there was a presentation to many of our ex Australian players with their heritage numbered shirts. After the presentation we were talking to quite a few of the players, Pat Richards, Brett Finch (what a character) Bryan Fletcher etc etc and we asked which British player did they think would have, or should have made it in Aus.
Everyone of them said Sean O'Loughlin and stated that he would have "walked into ANY of their teams" Jeff Lima when he was at Wigan said exactly the same thing.

Absolutely

Me too.
SOL has been the best rugby player in SL for many years but age and injuries have been catching up with him.
A final year with a few flashbacks to his former glories would be brilliant for a brilliant player and a top bloke to boot..
We were debating in the pub the best ever Wigan team at the end of last season and I couldn't separate SOL or Hanley for the 13 shirt. Two very different types of players but both great players.
I really hope that SOL goes out on a high as much for himself and his family even before his teammates and fans.

Top Pie. Great player.

Been good and still is

2 seasons too late

I don’t think tonight he was that attacking threat but your post is absolutely word for word spot on.

O'loughlin looked 3 years younger. He looked fitter than he has done for years. He was bouncing up from the tackles even late in the game whereas last year he was still getting off the floor whilst the ball had gone.

Yes he looked good tonight. We just need to be careful about overplaying him.

Aye, very good tonight and we needed him. Wire being down to 12 is the only reason we got home and Lockers played a big part in that. It was a leveller then fact that we lost two players to injury so soon we in the game but it still should’ve been more comfortable than that.

For the first game of the season he looked really good. Definitely better for having the full pre season and, as said elsewhere, with careful management should make a big contribution this season. He looked good in the Leeds game and again tonight looked strong, focused and ready for work.

We need to manage him right now. He’ll be important at Cas but then after that we should either rest him against Toronto or manage his minutes very carefully.

Thanks for the kind words about my post.

Not ideal timing tonight with Lockers having to play in the halves for most the game. Ideally I’d want him doing the first 25 and last 15 with Smithies rotating.

And getting rested for home games against bottom half of the table opponents.