agree with this on the basis that they dont s*** on their current club

KPP was the last to leave Wigan when we knew in advance, and he handled himself ideally for the situation. He has aspirations, let the club know, signed for Newcastle, turned up week in, week out whilst still wearing the cherry and white, and left on good terms. As fans, thats all we can ask if someone is leaving for a different challenge. Give their all for the club, and the fans will back them

I have no issue with it providing 1) they give the club that trained and developed them some good service at 1st team level first (5 years as a ballpark figure) and 2) they don't break a contract or kick up a fuss if the club doesn't allow it.

The salaries on offer in PNG will be staggering given they are tax free. If I was a British player my CV would be in the post.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... e-30574633 This could lend some weight to the Brierley rumour, not sure it is a good move for him though as he would surely only assume the position of Hampshire and be seen as back up. Not a clue how we would be fitting him under the Salary cap also.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... e-30574633 This could lend some weight to the Brierley rumour, not sure it is a good move for him though as he would surely only assume the position of Hampshire and be seen as back up. Not a clue how we would be fitting him under the Salary cap also.

Thought when I saw the first mention of rumours regarding Brierley that we might sign him for a fee and immediately loan him back to Salford. No doubt we'd have to pay a fee and a part of his salary with Salford paying a lesser part than now.
If we got an injury to Field then Brierley is a quality and experienced replacement.
It always seems to be sods law that if a player in a position gets an injury someone playing a similar position will get an injury or suspension. Obviously a team only has one full back but if, say, Eckersley starts playing for a injured back then another three-quarter will be missing games for some reason.
If Brierley's signing did go ahead then the club are covering themselves with experienced and reserve team players. A very good place to be.

Completely disagree.

If Field gets injured French or Eckersley goes to 1.

If French goes then Farrimond gets a start in the halves.

If Eckerskey goes he gets game time in SL.

We don’t need Brierley he doesn’t improve our squad in any way.

Would be a poor signing and a rumour I see no truth in.

Farrimond and Smith together in my opinion won’t work. Both are a number 7 and won’t complement each other as they both play the same game. I don’t think currently we have an alternative to French at 6 in the squad other than a relatively unproven Keighran. Having Brierley in the squad would allow Field as another alternative.
Eckersley for a prolonged period at 1 seriously???? I like Eckersley but he isn’t the fleet footed roaming FB that we’ve become accustomed to in last few years and he would reduce our attacking options compared to Field or French. Obviously Brierley isn’t a French or a Field but he does play a similar style of play and has a decent level of pace over the initial 15 or 20 yards.
Brierley replacing Hampshire isn’t an improvement??
I don’t think the Brierley rumour is true due primarily to SC so to a large degree it's probably irrelevant but if it was possible then he’d be a decent signing. I wouldn’t lose any sleep if we didn’t sign him however, if we could fit him within the SC then I’d consider him an astute signing with our current first team squad.

I hope not. The asset strippers are circling Salford and it is not a good look.

Eckersley and Farrimond are all quality and the future of our club.

I thought the same initially re Farrimond and Smith but was comfortable in admitting i was wrong last year when it happened.

For me a spine of

1. French/Field
6. Farrimond
7. Smith

Is a better backup than

1. Brierley
6. French
7. Smith

Plus it means Farrimond is getting what he needs which is games as first back up.

Would be a pointless and short sighted signing for mine.

As I said Jon SC makes the signing of Brierley a bit of a it’s never going to happen. It will be interesting to see how Farrimond develops as currently I think both French and Smith are on long term contracts. Something at some point within the next two years will have to give or Farrimond will probably feel that he has to move on as for me he is an organising 7. It’s a nice position to be in and I’ve just got a feeling that Farrimond may just be one of those players who come along once in a generation. Currently for me Smith is the glue of the team and he could actually kick on and even improve his his all round game even further. Interesting times and I’m just going to enjoy the ride.

Have you seen much of Drachenberg? I’ve only seen him once and he looks a lad with lots of raw potential and hopefully could kick on as a future FB for us. He seems to be under the radar at the moment.

When Farrimond first played in the first team, everyone said, he's a 7 really, but he was actually played in a 'running 6' role, and wasn't too dusty about it. That said, I think Brierley is a decent player (and better than Hampshire), and would be happy to see him in the squad if we could fit him in.

Wakefield apparently after Makin. Didn’t see anything of him last year. Wonder if we’ll let him go

[quote="WWste":14yzcdtp]Wakefield apparently after Makin. Didn’t see anything of him last year. Wonder if we’ll let him go[/quote:14yzcdtp] Matthew Shaw reckons it's a loan arrangement, got no issues with that.

[quote="CM Punk":36pxz8ks]Matthew Shaw reckons it's a loan arrangement, got no issues with that.[/quote:36pxz8ks] I agree, I think that is a good result for all concerned.

Looks like all the team are back in training. From what I can see everyone looks in good shape

[quote="WWste":2dfe5pfg]Looks like all the team are back in training. From what I can see everyone looks in good shape[/quote:2dfe5pfg] Luke Thompson in particular looks in phenomenal shape. Dupree seems a little slimmer as well. The strategy of allowing some of the bigger names like French and Field additional time back home has been a really smart one.

Looking around social media these past few weeks, Dupree looks to have been working hard and looks trim. Sam Eseh and Harvie Hill also look in really good nick. Eseh in particular looks far more athletic.

[quote="NickyKiss":241qjqna]Looking around social media these past few weeks, Dupree looks to have been working hard and looks trim. Sam Eseh and Harvie Hill also look in really good nick. Eseh in particular looks far more athletic.[/quote:241qjqna] We really beefed up Eseh in the last off season. He went from being a naturally big athletic lad to a big muscular lad. Must have put at least 10kg on in a short space of time. All probably part of the bigger picture but I think it affected his performances and contributed to his injury. A year getting to grips with his body and s second Wigan off season I’m expecting to see him make an impact this year. I don’t expect him to be playing every week but I think if Mago needs a rest or is injured we will rotate him into that impact off the cuff role.

[quote="NickyKiss":119dpj2g]Looking around social media these past few weeks, Dupree looks to have been working hard and looks trim. Sam Eseh and Harvie Hill also look in really good nick. Eseh in particular looks far more athletic.[/quote:119dpj2g] Hill for me looks to lost a bit of “puppy fat” and looks all the better for it. I’ve got a feeling that he will kick on this season and he could be a gem that a few people have forgotten about. Eseh is the one lad that I really hopes gets some first team rugby for us this season as I think he has bags of potential and I love his aggressive style.

[quote="jonh":nx87ewzf]We really beefed up Eseh in the last off season. He went from being a naturally big athletic lad to a big muscular lad. Must have put at least 10kg on in a short space of time. All probably part of the bigger picture but I think it affected his performances and contributed to his injury. A year getting to grips with his body and s second Wigan off season I’m expecting to see him make an impact this year. I don’t expect him to be playing every week but I think if Mago needs a rest or is injured we will rotate him into that impact off the cuff role.[/quote:nx87ewzf] I think he'll play a handful of times in the lower intensity games but unless there's some longer term injuries in the front row that give him an extended run, I could see him looking for a move for more regular rugby in 2026. We might have this issue with a few other players like Hill, Farrimond, Forber, Douglas- whilst Wigan might love to keep them as it gives us such great squad depth there will come a point when playing a back up role won't be good enough for them.

[quote="Itchy Arsenal":daqsvqvq]Hill for me looks to lost a bit of “puppy fat” and looks all the better for it. I’ve got a feeling that he will kick on this season and he could be a gem that a few people have forgotten about. Eseh is the one lad that I really hopes gets some first team rugby for us this season as I think he has bags of potential and I love his aggressive style.[/quote:daqsvqvq] Hill is the player I probably most want to see kick on in 2025. I think he's a terrific young player but he's in a position that is absolutely stacked and sometimes you need circumstances to just fall your way to get a sniff. He's moved up a spot now with Cooper gone and when a chance comes his way, he'll really need to jump on it. Like you, I have a feeling he will and make himself hard to leave out.

[quote="Itchy Arsenal":8cs5hrd0]Hill for me looks to lost a bit of “puppy fat” and looks all the better for it. I’ve got a feeling that he will kick on this season and he could be a gem that a few people have forgotten about. Eseh is the one lad that I really hopes gets some first team rugby for us this season as I think he has bags of potential and I love his aggressive style.[/quote:8cs5hrd0] Hi I think both lads have the ability to play at the top level. Eseh has size, power and a good offload whilst Hill has got great lateral movement at the line and good hands.

[quote="MadDogg":1r88gpqh]I think he'll play a handful of times in the lower intensity games but unless there's some longer term injuries in the front row that give him an extended run, I could see him looking for a move for more regular rugby in 2026. We might have this issue with a few other players like Hill, Farrimond, Forber, Douglas- whilst Wigan might love to keep them as it gives us such great squad depth there will come a point when playing a back up role won't be good enough for them.[/quote:1r88gpqh] To be honest I see all of those players, and Eckersley, being first team regulars in three years and I think they are aware of that.

[quote="Zig":3mn42q9i]To be honest I see all of those players, and Eckersley, being first team regulars in three years and I think they are aware of that.[/quote:3mn42q9i] They could be but my point is it would require other players to leave and Wigan will likely have some tough decisions to make. Some of the decisions might be made for them if certain players opt for NRL moves. Maybe on some level Kris Radlinski might think it would make things a little easier if some players do make that decision to open up some spots. E.g. Jack Farrimond can't be a first team regular unless one of French or Smith leave. Forber would need O'Neill or Leeming to go. Zach Eckersley will have an eye on what Wigan decide to do with Adam Keighran. Hill or Eseh likewise with the current front rowers. I appreciate its a squad game and opportunities open up throughout the season. But ultimately I think we have a number of players who will soon be too good to be satisfied with being squad players who only play when injuries occur or when the regulars need a rest.