I would be over the moon with any of those.

there are plenty of crumbs around in the nrl

edited for accuracy.

That's about right. Are there any NRL players without criminal records these days?

its in the genes

Add Andy Lynch to that list
Price will most probably retire
All the others would be good options but would prefer Fuifui Moimoi

I doubt very much he would get a visa i believe he has done time in Australia and has a few offences against his name from his younger wild days pre finding god.

I agree

Seriously think we will get any of those



We can dream though ey?

Joel Reddy would be an awesome signing for any SL side, he impressed me whenever I seen him play last year. Could be a possibility to replace Carmont/Phelps.

Trouble is, if plebs like us can identify a young and cracking player there's good odds the the NRL Coaches will already have their eye on him.

Lenagan has mentioned 2010 being the year we'll be free from salary cap restraint until he's blue in the face so if he doesn't deliver at last a couple of real quality players(including a halfback and prop) i'll be very dissapointed.

Any of the props on that list would be superb with my preference probably being for Bailey as he's just about the age we should be looking at in that he has very good experience yet isn't over the hill.

look at your own english juniors

I was just going to say something along those lines... all those calling for english players to get a chance are the same ones calling for Coley out and an Aussie in...

Although to be fair, there's a bit of a dearth of top drawer English front rowers around, so if an Aussie is to come in that is probably one position that we do need to recruit from overseas.

If a top drawer Aussie is available, we shouldn't hesitate to try and buy him. But to be fair, players like that are few and far between. Such a policy wouldn't stop us developing and fielding plenty of our own juniors. We have plenty of juniors who we've developed that we could field right now - it's Brian Noble who appears to be stopping that.

imo, lms is the prop we should target for 2010 (dont know what his contract status is)

Who are the Wigan juniors who could be promoted to the first team front row and do another 25 rounds this season of SL plus CC and maybe play offs?
Names please.

There are two in it already. I think our junior development people have already done their bit as regards the front row.

The problem is, if we sign another prop I doubt we'd keep both O'Carroll and Prescott. And to lose one of those would only be worthwhile if the new signing was a real top-class pro. For this reason I doubt we'll see a new prop signed until Coley's contract has expired, which I think is the end of this year.

Agree and disagree about Prescott & O'Carroll.
Agree they must be kept, disagree they are both ready to play another 25 rounds of SL, CCup and play offs.
This is where we need another prop asap. Coley isn't doing it, whether he steps his game after being dropped we'll see.
If Lonee's go and there's one spot left I'd try and get a prop.
We are on the right path with youth dev after IL & BN bringing in the accelerate squad.
The mere fact that they are full time on three year deals means they are going nowhere and will get full time training, fitness and conditioning.
IMO none are ready yet for a full season of SL but progressively will be. McIlorum being the first, O'Carroll behind him but not by too much.
The rest have to be introduced at the right time and in the right games.
Their future is assured at Wigan and Wigan's in them. It's only a matter of time for them all and that can only be assessed on a individual basis.
Our current problems are due to the management of the previous decade, not since 1st December 2007 when Ian Lenagan took control.
Brian Noble inherited a complete and utter mess with regards to the playing side of things. It will take time and I think he should be allowed to see it through and benefit from the rewards in the near future.

Interesting.

[urlhttp://www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic=164289[/url

I hope not TBH.....yet another player stopping the development of tomkins? its unlikely that both smith and leuluai will leave at the end of the year...

We need some experience in the side and genuine class.

I expect Phil Bailey and Cameron Phelps to leave at the end of the season and to not be replaced. We have plenty of back rowers - Harrison Hansen, Gareth Hock, Joel Tomkins , Lockers if needed and Mossop & Farrell & even Tuson in the reserves.

Phelps wouldn't need replacing as we have plenty of backs already - he was a stop gap signing for when Pryce was injured hopefully a fully fit and in form Karl Pryce for 2009/2010 will cover Phelps.

Richie Mathers is out of contract and this is where the first big signing should be made. Brisbane are trying to keep hold of Karmichael Hunt who is out of contract and would be a fantastic signing. A little more realistic (I think he's 2icon_cool.gif Anthony Minichiello is out of contract and is not the first choice Australian fullback anymore so missing out on any international honours should hold in our favour.

The other area we need to strengthen is at prop forward. With Andy Coley off contract he will go. We need an experienced leader in the side. Fuifui Moimoi would be another impact player which is something I don't think we need. We need another O'connor, Neil Cowie type forward which is why I think we should sign Luke Bailey or if we can Andy Lynch. Previously in the thread I have made a huge list of loads prop forwards currently off contract and there is certainly a lot of quality in there as well. No excuses IMO we can and must sign a top prop forward for 2010. I don't think we need two because with O'carroll and Prescott gaining (hopefully) another years experience they can prove established first team players along with Fielden and Feka. O'carroll has already forced Coley out of the side, so early indications are good.

Both our halfbacks are off contract in Thomas Leuluai and Tim Smith - this could merit a thread in itself as a lot of people will have their own different views on them both. Personally I think Leuluai has been one of our best players so far (which isn't hard I know) but the point is he really looks like he has kicked on from the world cup. He has improved every year at Wigan and I honestly believe he is one of the best halfbacks in the league and he will most likely want to stay. IMO we should extend his contract.

Tim Smith so far as good IMO in terms of his attack and his general kicks in play. His fitness is a worry. Bailey mentioned in his blog that he hasn't played80 minutes of rugby league (prior to this season) for more than a year. He was out of the game for 7 months and when he came to Wigan he never once played the full 80 minutes as he was used from the bench so he really needs to step up his fitness. I honestly believe he can make a great partnership with Leuluai for 2010 but I don't believe for one second he will stay if he has an opportunity to return back to the NRL. Which if this is the case most people will look straight to Sam Tomkins. If he hasn't been given many games this season then how will he be ready? Just throwing him in the deep end in 2010 will do us no good. Sadly I think we're going to blow it with Sam Tomkins and will need to sign another top halfback from the NRL - Matt Orford is off contract and has hinted at wanting to come to the UK. Huddersfield have been tipped to sign him. Matt is a top player and a fantastic captain and he would make a great addition.

So taking that into account the recruitment for 2010 in my dreamworld would be:

OUT

Richie Mathers
Andy Coley
Cameron Phelps
Phil Bailey
Tim Smith

IN

Anthony Minichiello
Luke Bailey or Andy Lynch
Matt Orford

Leaving us with a squad that would look something like:

Anthony Minichiello
Amos Roberts
Karl Pryce
George Carmont
Pat Richards

Matt Orford
Thomas Leuluai

Stuart Fielden
Mark Riddell
Andy Lynch or Luke Bailey

Gareth Hock
Harrison Hansen

Sean O'loughlin (c)

--------------------------------------------------

Joel Tomkins
Michael McIlorum
Feka Paleaasina
Eamon O'carroll/Paul Prescott

No-one is stopping the development of Sam Tomkins apart from Brian Noble. He is not playing the lad.

The other players are not to blame.

Only if he can be here by Friday.

I would have Lockyer any day of the week!!!

Smith can return to Aus, we can half Lockyer and Tommy in the halves with Tomkins replacing Riddell and Tommy going to hooker.

Lockyer can only improve Tomkins development by giving him knowledge and Lockyers wealth of experience. Tommy could also become a replacement hooker with Tomkins and Lockyer as our half backs.

I can dream though.

im of the same opinion. theres no-one better in the world for tomkins to learn from than lockyer