Also been captain of the the Academy team.

I’m not sure who gets the number 13 next year but for me I’d expect Harvard, Partington and Smithies all to get lots of time there depending on the opposition.

It is clear that there will be a change in style that we have been used to for the last 19 years although we have transitioned with that this year with Locky missing so many games.

I like a secondrow rotation on Isa, Faz and Bateman and I think we need more go forward from a 13 than Isa gives and Bateman again isn’t a big meter maker down the middle, he tends to make his meters running intelligent strike lines on the edge.

Captain I think will probably be Bateman or Powell. I’ve been impressed with the leadership Hardaker has brought to the team and long may it continue but he seems to be thriving and enjoying his rugby at the moment so I think it’s best to let him continue focusing on that.

Faz doesn’t need to be captain to lead by example, and as others have said he is less vocal on the pitch and assuming Tommy’s role will be reduced in 2021 I don’t see how he can get it.

A player who looks more than capable of stepping into a leadership role is Singleton, whilst his on field performances have been great I’ve also been really impressed with his talk he seems very vocal when the lads are huddled together and the lads seem to listen which shows real confidence from him. I’m not throwing his name in for captain but certainly expect him to be part of a leadership team along with Hardaker, Tommy and Faz.

As Wigan have signed a half back in Field and already have Hastings and Smith in contention at half back, could Leuluai be retiring or taking up a new role at loose forward, especially with his tackling.

A 13 needs to do more than tackle they need to have a strong carry too.

I can’t see Tommy in that role.

If we want a ball playing #13 is there a case for playing Hastings there?

Not big enough

Hastings isn’t small by any stretch. Very much in the Barrett style and size of half/13.

I agree with Rouges to a certain extent he has the game to play there but I personally don’t think it would be a wise move.

I wouldn’t like to see him having to do the donkey work in defence I think it would fatigue him and blunt the stuff he is good at, ie organising and pulling the strings.

I think Lam is going to go for size and aggression in his pack which is also why I think we will see a traditional Prop style player move there.

Hastings is the best HB in the comp imo. We'd be crazy to move him for anyone.

Play forwards in the forwards! It's not like we don't have enough of them.

If any of them are good enough to play the ball playing role, great. If not we'll have to adapt. It's not like we haven't got used to playing without Lockers.

I think we've struggled in the forwards at times recently, there's no way i'd be sticking halfbacks there.

100%. I think about what team I’d pick to start next season at times and I struggle to fit in all the forwards I’d like to as it is.

Feel sure Isa is the right choice for #13 having thought about it. Bateman is a natural right side second row and we haven't had one of those since he left. Smithies hasn't earned a starting spot yet. Partington is the only viable alternative for me but Isa's experience should get him the shirt.

TBH I’m not fussed who gets it, all those mentioned are worthy contenders IMO

I wonder if the club have considered or are considering "retiring" the 13 shirt?

Why?

Not for me, it should be one of the shirts that any young backrower should aspire to wearing, a legends shirt.

In recognition of a very special and loyal player and as an acknowledgment to Sean`s outstanding contribution to Wigan Warriors and to Rugby League.

No no and a thousand times no, the 13 shirt is a position in the field, I get the move to squad numbers but the number described the position.

What about the other players who’ve played loose forward for us? Hanley had it, I remember him silencing the saints fans before kick off at Wembley when he ran down the touch line to test his fitness, he then went on to destroy them in the match. It passed to bell then on to Farrell, the shirt is part of the club, you add to it’s value and prestige as a player you don’t own it, you are lent it

In my time supporting Wigan I’ve seen some great players in that shirt we can’t forget that legacy we build on it.

He isn't the best 13 we have ever had so why would we? Do we retire number 12 too when Faz goes?

The retiring of jerseys (unless that player has died whilst at the club in the Marc Vivien Foe example at Man City) is more than cringeworthy. Birmingham City wanted to do it for some 16 year old kid FFS.

It's worse than giving a number to the fans.

Agree 100%

I have seen many players in the 13 shirt. My first being in 1958. It was Roy Evans who was a butcher and who along with his father had a shop in Lower Ince.

And so I go back a very long way as a truly loyal supporter.

And yes, Sean may not be the best 13 the club has ever had.

But he IS a special player who has remained loyal to the club and who didn`t sign for the dosh and who didn`t move on for more dosh.

Anyhow, I just wondered if the "retiring" of the shirt was a consideration.

Absolutely correct. The 13 shirt to us is what the 7 shirt is to Manchester United and it should be something you strive to wear and feel a huge buzz when you make it. It should be given to somebody with the talent and personality to handle it and that would be John Bateman IMO, regardless of him playing at loose forward or in the second row.

Whenever you get asked that weird question of ‘what is your favourite number?’ by one of your kids or whoever, I always say ‘13’ and you get looked at like you’re crazy choosing ‘unlucky 13’ but it’s been anything but for us. In my time watching us it has been worn by Ellery Hanley, Andy Farrell and then Sean O’Loughlin (with a couple of others in between on a less permanent basis), that is just incredible! Absolute legends of the game pretty much one after another. Who wouldn’t want to earn that jersey?!

I think it’s a fair idea given it seems to be a thing that is done nowadays but all the reasons against that have been highlighted show why it’s probably not for us.

As a fan base, once fans are let back in the grounds, I just hope some sort of way of showing appreciation for Lockers is thought up.

Bring him out holding the SL trophy we're going to win next week.

Big Willy for 13

No other player has worn 13 since beginning of 1996!!!!

And if we had squad numbers going way back, since 1987 our 13s would have been

Hanley
Clarke
Farrell
O'loughlin

Unbelievable!!!!