He will in the top tier of HB's in SL, which is perhaps more relevant?

I think he's a fantastic player, but so was Matt King before his first year in super league! I will reserve judgement on any player. The way some signings fall appart when they go to other teams I don't think it would be a shock if this deal worked better for us than for you.

He will but his wages are that of one of the worlds top players which he most defo isn't!

I just don't think it's the right move for Bradford

People seem to be assessing how we will accomodate Deacon into the side as if he will be our first choice 7. I don't see that happening unless when he does get a chance he impresses to the extent that we can't drop him.

i can see deacon starting, with leuluai at 9. and either riddell/ mcillorum as the other hooker.

I can't see him signing a playing contract that takes him from Bradford's 1st choice 7 to a situation where he might not get a game at Wigan.

There would be two ways this could go in my opinion.

1. It's already been said by the likes of SW there will be genuine competition for places in the first team so if for example Riddell doesn't buck his ideas up he may not make the side. So Deacon is signing with a view to forcing his way into the side.

2. What I don't want to see is how this signing would have been handled with Nobby still here which you can guarantee would have seen Deacon a shoe-in for a starting slot with McIllorum as the junior player most likely to miss out for no other reason the established senior pros would get picked.

Given what SW has said I expect 1 to be what happens and if so we could easily see Deacon win a place in the side IMO. Not just at Riddell's expense either. TL might be deemed not really a 7 for example.

Dave

No official announcement from the club as to whether he has signed, when will this be or is this another rumour which has been made because of the Orford to Bulls signing? Wouldnt suprise me if we didnt sign Deacon at all.

We all know IL doesnt rush with announcments.

He could have signed last week and will be annoucment next month

Ditto, could see Nobby and Celtic being interested if Deacon was available.

I was thinking the same but after a decade of commuting to Bradford from Wigan, Deacon strikes me as somebody who likes to be close to home.

More importantly, I think he'd jump at a chance to be involved with Wigan. I remember Bradford doing player profiles and questionaires in programmes earlier this decade and Deacon has mentioned on more than one occasion that he'd like to be at Wigan if he wasn't at Bradford.

[urlhttp://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/4742095.Deacon_ends_glittering_Bulls_career/[/url

Apologies if repeated elsewhere.

Deacon confirmed on official site

Welcome back Deacs.

Quote ="wigan_knight"Deacon confirmed on official site'" www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=5296

Quote ="wigan_knight"Deacon confirmed on official site'" www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=5296

First team assistant and first team player for 2010

So he's only carrying on as a player for a year then?

Looks like they could be doing a lot of split, specialist coaching sessions with Mcguire for the 3/4, Wane the forwards and Deacon the halves.

Sounds like a decent deal for all concerned.

I'm happy with this.

It's interesting that he's only got a 1 year playing contract. There are an awful lot of players off contract at the end of 2010 and we'll have the leway to overhaul the squad totally if McGuire feels thats whats needed.

Clearly he's mainly been aquired for a coaching role. I may be imagining this but, on announcing Maguire, didn't Ian Lenagan mention something about developing an Anfield-type 'boot room', a sort of nursery for young, upcoming coaches?

IIRC It was a poster on here rather than McGuire who said that, still it's looking that way.

Great news I think.

Will provide experience in the halves and good quality cover and competiion for places.

I was in Deac's class at school. He was a straight A student who was good at everything. So i think him going into a coaching role is a good move for him and he will be pretty successful.

I remember Paul coming on as a sub for Oldham Bears at Central Park. He went to full back, caught a high bomb and simon haughton absolutely smashed him!! I think he was about 16 at the time and tiny.

Still hope we get a forward!

The playing role just gives us added depth. If the hooker's aren't playing well/injured Deacs can come in at half and move Tommy to dummy half. Just options really. Obviously mainly for the coaching role, which can only be good for us.

Do we need one?

Welcome on board Deacs.

Good move, gives us a bit more deapth which we needed for the long season ahead without holding anyone else back. Bonus that he's a local lad too!



Win, win for me!