Very wise post all to easy to blame a coach, who lets be fair about it has a track record at turning clubs round this problem with Hal was there when Radford was coach they won a trophy or two but they always looked second best in the bread and butter games of super league so this is a problem that's been allowed to fester for years and after a couple of coaches haven't made any difference it Smiths turn, can he turn them?honestly that club to me looking in needs a total and utter overhaul and stop signing those same sort of players Radford was so fond of,sauasge butte bound monsters who can run for 5 mins then are gassed, its almost like a fetish the club has..bigger the better, or not in this case.

Given time I still think Smith will set them on the right path but will he get that time?

Okunbor is rubbish. I've followed his career from the start. First he was a not-very-good winger, then converted into a not-very-good back-rower. Never looked NRL class, and wouldn't improve many SL teams.

Seems a strange signing.

Likewise, it was sad seeing Hull fans trying to get excited about his signing.

Big Wigan news to be announced by Jenna Brooks on Sky Sports News in the next five mins or so.

If it’s the Big One 9 I’ll be deflated!

**Update** Seven year deals for Peet, Lockers and Leuluai. That’s some long term commitment!

Seven year deals for Peet, O'Loughlin and Leuluai. Its good news but seems a bit strange to me - hasn't Peet just signed a four year deal?

We lost Briers to the NRL ... and that was before we beat Penrith in the WCC.

Perhaps this is a 'safety first' move.

Maybe so,i do feel the NRL will come for Peet at some point,Tommy too but wether they decide to go of course is another matter

I’m not 100% sure they will come for Peet not many British coaches go over there. Briers and Agar last two to go

He’d have to take an assistants job because there is no way their arrogance would allow them to appoint an English head coach, with no history in the NRL.

Agree, think Brian McDermott still assistant with Newcastle too and he’d achieved quite a bit over here.

Seem to recall Wane saying he’d like a crack too but it’s never happened.

Can’t see any reason they would view Peet any differently.

I've always thought Shaun Wane would have had a real dig and he'd make a real impression over there with how forthright he is.

He’s got a young family, there’s no way he would go down under.

Aye, I wouldn't have thought so, especially with a seven year deal in the bag. Just pointing out they'd never give him a head coaches job anyway and if you've got that here, at one of the biggest clubs in the sport, that is your hometown club and looks well set up for success, why would you go and be a right hand man for somebody else? Not at this stage anyway.

Here's to him continuing his great work at the club for the next seven years or however long he is here.

I’d have loved to have seen it too.

Carney referenced French being off contract this year.

Sam Tomkins seemed confident Wigans unlimited finances would be enough to keep him.

Hope Sam is right!

I saw a Saints fan on social media saying him and his pals got speaking to Tomkins post game and he said that everyone should beware of Danson because he’s given free reign to spend whatever it takes to keep Wigan at the top. Now I do take it with a pinch of salt because Sam likes to pull peoples leg, especially if they’re from St Helens but it does make you wonder.

That’s true NK, Rads was given an open cheque book when he went to Australia.

The open cheque book is great but only for the 3 marquees.

We do need to remember that there is a salary cap in place.

If we've clever with our use of marquee exemptions, we can maybe secure a couple of star signings at some point, but ultimately there are limits to what we can spend.

Just to be able to use any dispensations is a huge plus. Tempting the best junior talent to the club is another huge bonus if you can offer better terms. That would offer a real legacy for an owner.

Do you know what the SC rules are around academy, juniors etc...(if there are any)?

One way Danson could ensure the future of the club is to continously target the best juniors (which im sure the club do already) but if there is money to spend then spend it

I don’t and was wondering the same. It would definitely be the route that will leave a legacy for somebody like Danson. I don’t know the reasons behind it but the academy hasn’t been quite as dominant this past few seasons, so maybe it’s an area of improvement. Ultimately though, the results at that level don’t really matter, as long as you’re bringing players through.

I always wonder about the marquee player rule.

Nathan Clery is on about $1.4mil a year. Reece Walsh has just signed a deal averaging $1.1mil for the next few years. A lot of very very good players are on about $800k - $1mil


800k Aussie = £415k ish
1.1mil = £568k
1.4mil = £723k

I’ve not a clue but I’d guess French/GWilliams are on about £350k+

I’m surprised Simon Moran hasnt got Take That to do a few gigs and offered for example Cleary £1mil a season for 2 years.

Maybe it still wouldn’t be enough to tempt when you account for life style, playing in the top league, they get $35k per origin game etc

Or perhaps it’s the risk of alienating the rest of the playing squad by having a player so highly paid (although I’m guessing Bevan French is on about 3/4 times the salary of ONeill).

Or the risk of injury.

Who knows but for me that would be the dream for Super League, each club getting a truly great player in their prime.