I think that is the key point. Bringing him in to help coach would be a good idea BUT if he was to take up ANY of your playing contract i would be dissappointed if i was a Wigan fan.

Deacs is a very smart bloke isn't he? Straights As at school, would have gone on to uni but for debuting in SL in '98. I'd have thought he would be an asset to have round the club.

Not really - given that beyond the two first choice half-backs (Tommy and Sam) there is no one ready to step up in the event of either being un-available, any young players are by all accounts not ready to make that step up. So having someone of Deacon's experieince available as a cover would be a sensible option - especially as it sounds like his primary role would be coaching the younger players to make the step up after him.

I can't really see a downside - Wigan have cover in most positions or at least have younger players looking to make that next step, half-back is the exception.

I still think i'd prefer Orford.

But if we are unable to move on any of our current players I suppose he provides cover, but where has this coaching thing come from? What are his credentials? I hope they are more than just being a Wiganer.

Why tho?

It's not like we are signing him to be one of the starting HB’s is it? We’ve already got two of the best young HB’s in SL cemented in as a pairing for us.

We've got Mellor in the reserves who is supposed to be a very good player but I’d be cautious about the possibility of throwing both him and Sam in as HB pairing next year if Tommy get injured.

What’s the difference in us singing a 31 year old BACK UP HB and Hudds signing Gilmour to START for them? Deacon is nothing more than cover and depth for the first team.

if he was from down under there wouldnt be many moaning

Don't be daft, this place is borderline BNP towards aussies, see Roberts & Riddell for further details.

I think it's a good call, hopefully he'll do a lot of work on our kicking game, he kicked us to death in many a game.

So did Danny Orr, but he turned out to be useless.

Dont think deacon would be a good signing, take his kicking away and he is pot, however his kicking is very good, and we arnt very good at it.

Orr was decent, he was hamstrung by having a clown like Millward as coach and Denis Moran as his halfback partner.

Danny Orr didn't coach us, and wasn't exactly surrounded by class when he played.


Then only have him coach kicking, to be fair that's the main thing our halfbacks need coaching in.

Agree with the millward thing, but Orr was poor before that.

With regards, to Moran yes he was pants, but what do you expect asking someone who scores 30 tries a season, to start leading a team around the field. Danny Orr should have been doing that as he did at Cas, and Moran running the channels, as he did at london.

So its a combo of terrible players and a worse coach, but they were equally as bad under betts

I think you should read the piece on Bradford's bid for Orford AJ. Apparently they have tabled a "big offer". That being the case I wouldn't want him. Our immediate future in the halves is in our young players and paying big money for a 32 year old is not the way to go.

Finance wise, I understand why Orford is probably a bad idea, but it doesnt mean I wouldnt like to see him in place @ 7 with Tommy @ 9.

Was not sure at first but have warmed to the idea.... Wigan lad, lives in the area and was a capable player.... More importantly he fits the new ethos...

Which is?

Local lad??

He played for Hindley.

Not an aussie looking for a pension.... is Hindley technically Wigan?..... hehehehe...

Too bloody right it is!!!!!

My great grandfather was from there... But we don't talk of it...

So with his age, injury record, the fact that he isnt that good, is ok as he is topping his pension up but he is from wigan?

despite my comments of the signing thread i did not see this thread and the full implication of the signing as basically a coach who could potentially play when required, if that is the case good idea.

If it's a coaching and back up player role I think it's a good idea.

However, as far as the salary cap goes, I would be surprised if the RFL lets us pay him x amount for coaching and y amount for playing. Surely if he's playing then all his wages would count on the cap.

I'm sure the RFL will look for any opportunity they can to impose their 'spirit of the cap' crap again. But having a player-coach is not unusual in sport, so I guess it's either something they've already ruled on capwise or something they'll have to rule on (sensibly) pretty quickly. Either way, I'm guessing Wigan will have sorted it out beforehand ... that's assuming they do go for Deacon. Thus far, of course, it's all conjecture.

Rumour suggests he will be purely backup and coaching.... Not a starting option... He would be on no-way near the money Orford would demand.. your point is.. ?