Or alternatively, they were offering more than Wigan were.

There were limitations to his game, and therefore limitations to what he was worth. We recognised them. Sale didn't (and that proved to be an error).

I don't recall these massive weaknesses you speak of. At the time he was one of the best wingers in the league and was the best we had.

He'd be well clear as Superleagues top try scorer had he not gone to Union.

Didn't have the same pace when he returned but still an excellent winger. I thought he was MOM the day Leigh beat Saints in the semi this year.

Averaged close to a try a game didn't he?

I didn't say he had massive weaknesses. I said he had limitations to his game.

My recollection towards the end of his Wigan career was he was overweight and somewhat disinterested.

He had a Blip in 2015
2016 he was very good again and back towards his best

Even on his return to RL in mid 2018 he scored 2 trys every 3 games and was, and still is imo a very good winger
He would have had another 40 plus tries to his name imo without his saunter into RU
I'm not sure I agree with Cruncher regarding his value/worth and RU miscalculating it

If he was a 150k a year player in RL for example and he was offered 250k in RU, then that's not far off a parallel in terms of RUs ability to spend money
At that time and for a few years before we'd seen union have the ability to risk, spend more than RL on players and a RL player, if he wanted to, and if a RU club/England wanted him, could easily double the amount he was paid

But in relative terms that was only the same type of % of their budget that the RL club would pay.

Bazdev says he can't remember weaknesses and he was the best we had
I wouldn't 100% agree with that either
I dont think his commitment in his latter years was as good as it was 11to13, he did get a bit distracted (that happens a lot to younger players who "make it" early in their career). And Imo Manfredi was probably the best we had (but the injuries curtailed that), Davies/Budgie/Marshall all had qualities within their game that Charnely didnt have, and certain parts of their game that were better than Charnley, but overall putting all the parts of the jigsaw together he was still their equal, 2016 and when he returned from RU

But at his best (2011-14 & 2016) he was right up there with the best in SL

I thought Charnley ended his Wigan career in the right way. and was excellent in that 2016 season. The thing with Charnley to me was that he always needed to be challenged. When things became comfortable, it seemed like he did. When he first came in to the team he was awesome and then when he was first choice it felt like he eased off but once others started to come through and he lost his place, he again seemed to focus and found his best in that 2016 season. It was the same at Wire, were he was excellent in his first season or two but then seemed to take his foot off the gas and looked to be coasting. It'll be interesting to see if he can break that sort of pattern with Leigh this season. I think he may well do that because he looks like a guy that realises he's not got long left in his career and he wants to make the most of what he sees as a last chance.

All in all, I'm a huge Charnley fan and I think he rightfully goes down as a fantastic winger for Wigan. He's produced some moment we can all look back on.

Did he not get quite badly injured in 2014 in a CC game away at one of the lower division sides. I seem to recall him rattling into the fencing around the ground in front of us, and was out for a bit. He then came back very tentative and seemed to have put some weight on

There's no surprised that Burgess' career spiralled - been questions for some time about professionalism off the field, not just him but others around that circle of lads who came through together. All have since departed. Clubs better off

Is it true that the Anus of Wigan (JT) is back at the club coaching the youngsters?, If ever there was evidence of the jobs for the boys culture then this is it, if true.

We stand on the cusp of maybe a small era of success having won a challenge cup, league leaders and Grand final in the last two seasons with a job for the boys culture firmly in place. We seem to be attractive to players who want to renew contracts and new talent who want to get on board. While some new blood can be good the job for the boys is to a degree is a non starter when it comes to something bad. Tommy for example played under five coaches at Wigan alone, he had NRL experience won a world cup from a pivot position and played in many international set ups. Briers was great and if we get another opportunity of his like I'm sure we will take it. I think he was pretty happy in our job for the boys set up while he was mainly a one team player and also with limited success. Peet's earned his position and I think you would struggle to say it's been anything but the right one? Lockers often refared to by better judges than me who have played with and against, and coached with and against him as one of the best how could you let that asset slip the net without trying it? Joel may have crossed a line but he's served a punishment for it again he's been away from the club in RU at club international level, he's also been in other SL clubs systems so it's hardly like he's no different experience of what works and what doesn't. Pretty easy to throw that tag around when things look poor but when almost every other club would swap us places going into this season it looks daft.

Nobody ever questioned his professionalism when it came to training and around the club. That incident was foolish but if you filmed every single rugby player out on the drink then Joel's misdemeanour would be very low down the list of seriousness. Just unfortunate it was put all over social media. Sure he was embarrassed as anyone

Just wait till Sam Powell comes back as assistant coach in a few years time.

Don't wind him up!

Surprised to see Tomkins back at the club if I’m honest

And I see Owen Farrell has signed for union side racing 92 this ending the saga of will he won’t he ever join Wigan,he was never going to sign was he I mean come on he just wasn’t

Neither here nor there to us really.

Would have been a fun signing, but mainly for the tailspin it would have sent RU into.

For the kind of money OF would have wanted, we could get someone younger, probably at least as good and more battle-hardened to the rigours of RL.

OF was NEVER signing for Wigan despite what other users may claim

There were discussions
From a playing point of view, bit of a risk
From a commercial, talking point, headline point of view, would have been amazing

I think the general feeling was that the playing side would be a huge risk but the headlines it would gain might make it worth it but it always felt unlikely. To come here he would’ve needed to give up a lot of money and the romantic in me says if a move to Wigan meant enough to him he’d do that but these guys use their heads.

One thing I would say is that this move he’s made confirms he’s been unsettled at Saracens and just adds weight to the noises that he did have talks with Wigan.

He definitely had talks with Wigan and was still doing pretty recently too, there was a possibility of a short term contract at the end of the Saracens season

Misogyny and threatening women isn’t that serious?

Lmao! Spoken like a true wiganer. I’m surprised you have the strength to pick your knuckles up off the floor to type on here

I love the lack of self awareness here.

First he takes the moral high ground - misogyny and threatening women etc. Something most would agree is bad.

Then suddenly it's "spoken like a true Wiganer".

Mate, you're a chimp. I suspect you don't even now the meaning of misogyny, just have some vague idea that it's bad and so provides you with a useful stick to again beat a bunch of people, none of whom you actually know.

I'd say take your head for a poop, but I doubt there's even any brown stuff in there.

Is this the same soft St Helens sod who PMs people on here asking for a fight. Utter gimp

Thats the one,just because I wouldnt adopt the little man.