I think he needed a kick up the ar$e tbh

Looking at the footage Eseh, Walters, Hill and Chan are all in too as is our project signing from Oldham.

Dupree volunteered.

Hmm, I'm pretty sure he was given a nudge as well!

Article on George Hirst in Wigan Today, I was under the impression he was going to be loaned back to Oldham next season but according to him he's set his sights on a first team debut in'25.
Good lad, that's the kind of mindset we need.

i think that was the plan when he was signed, however, sounds like he's got the right attitude if he's going to be setting his sights higher and making his 1st team debut

Only getting on for 6 minutes in the Grand Final is a pretty big nudge, even Paddy got longer!

Anyone know what Mago has been doing in terms of off season and pre-season training. I know staying over in previous year really put him back in the frame and helped him play a big part this season - I think he played in every game ?

Interesting to see what shape he comes back this time.

Good to see Dupree having an early start, he did drop off quite significantly as the year progressed and I think shows how the players react positively to the competitive nature of the squad we have, it really keeps them on their toes.

It will be interesting to see how things go with Adam re his contract. He really improved in the latter part of the season, I think missing out on the Challenge Cup probably really motivated him and he significantly improved his defence and he was a great option at 6 together with being a quality kicker.

Obviously Eckersley has looked very capable at centre, FB and wing cover and I would imagine be pushing for a starting spot and lots of game time this year with an eye on et centre spot.

If we assume Eckersley can take on a centre spot next season and Farrimond provides cover for 6&7 with Douglas providing wing cover I can't see how we keep Adam another year on a decent salary much as I would like to. I wonder what his career aspirations are - whether a return to Aus is in his mind. Am I right in thinking he has a young family now ?

He hope he’s come back more determined than ever.

Could be a massive season for him next year.

Also getting anything from Chan or Eseh would be great. They didn’t impress me last year.

Mago has been training quite a lot according to his Instagram stories.

Prop squad no.s
8 Havard
10 Thompson
15 Mago
16 Byrne
19 Dupree
20 Hill
25 Eseh
26 Chan

I think you can add Ellis to that list too as a middle (which most of these lads are and Walters too potentially.

when you look at that list, its good to see the strength in depth, but equally IMO we need to keep Byrne beyond his current contract. IMO he's currently our 3rd prop, and can play big minutes if Havard or Thompson are injured / banned or need a rest

Ellis i agree is still a prop and another option, but we're then lacking a 13 if he does move back to the front row. So we'd be looking at the best alternative, whether prop or 13 to back fill

i'm really hoping Eseh has a big off season, and puts his name forward to be included in our prop rotation. having Hill and Eseh will provide some quality depth, if and when we need them

A thing to Mago's bow is he can do a stint at 13 if Ellis goes off, I'd argue he's got the best hands of all the above listed

Good podcast interview with Keighran on the YouTube channel - “Keegan and company”

He couldn’t be more complimentary about the culture at the club.

On his future he confirms he’s just got this year left at Wigan.

Sounds like his preference would be an NRL gig for family reasons but if not he’d love to stay at Wigan.

Seems a good bloke.

It feels like there might be a mutual parting of the ways and on great terms 'if' he can get an NRL Club. On the balance of things, I think that could be the right call for the club, with Eckersley taking the 3 shirt for 2026. Currently it would feel like we'd then need some backup but hopefully Nathan Lowe can push towards becoming that.

I like the look of Lowe, he has all the attacking attributes to be a class centre he just needs to work on his D. He reminds me of a young Newlove.

Feels like a natural transition for Eckersley to take Keighran's place in 2026 but I think it will depend on how much game time he gets next year and how much he impresses in that time.

In an ideal world I think I’d like Keighran for another couple of years and Eckersley takes Miski’s spot on the wing.

They gave Miski a 4 year contract, which seemed strange at the time to me, but suggests he might be seen as a more long term option than Keighran.

Either way I'm optimistic Eckersley will be pushing for a first team place next year.

Good shout - Miski's lack of pace does stand out from time to time and Eckersley has the pace and physicality to go with it. Depends what he and the coaching staff feel his best position is.

I was talking to Kyle Amor about Eckersley when he was on loan at Widnes. Eckersley had just scored two long rang tries and we were discussing his best position.
I said that I was unsure if he was a fullback, wing or centre,
Kyle said he thought that Eckersley would make a great wide running 2nd row, as he had the size, pace and power for that position.

That’s interesting, wonder if he’s ever played there.

I can understand that but there has been a dearth of quality centres in the British game over the last few years, I’d love him to cement a place in the three quarters.