You've been reading the same thread I have.

I can't say I'm bothered if true.

Hopefully Carmont will stay on. To lose both first choice centre's in the space of a year, when they were both as good they as they were, would be tough on any side. We were always going to struggle to replace Carmont, because of the lack of centre's off contract, and the soon to rise NRL salary cap. If true we'll have an extra year to look at his longterm replacement.

I wonder whether Wane could have a word with Hoffman, and see he if he can persuade Ryan to stay.

if we re-sign carmont and sign matt king, we wont need the hoff

I'll be chuffed to bits if George stays for another year. Easily my favourite Wigan player of the last decade and has been pretty much since he arrived. Pure class - the way he ripped St George to shreds was awesome. Quiet, understated and does his talking on the pitch.

The amount of organization he does for the team, both in defense and from dummy half, tirelessly runs the ball out back; makes breaks, scores tries (that was his 50th for Wigan on Sunday). I think that Pat might want him to stay too - it's no coincidence that when George plays well, Richards scores tries! The best centre in SL at the moment and would potentially be a huge loss if he retires.

For me, Richards and Carmont are Wigan's best centre wing partnership of the SL era

will jizz myself if this is true

Yes, well dementia is a terrible illness. Distorts the rational thought process.

Better than Inga & Robinson

or

Renouf & Robinson

or

Renouf & Carney

Big call

Were renouf and Carney ever a partnership? I thought it was Renouf and Dallas. Renouf and Robinson the best attacking partnership for my money. They are two very special players.

Renouf was a truly great player. Carmount, despite his stand out performances, is not in the same league (I refer mainly to their time in Australia as opposed for Wigan).

As good as Renouf was.. both on our shores and down under - was he ever as good as Carmont has been for us? Maybe I might be being blinkered now because Richards is class and he and George are awesome down that wing.

Renouf was top notch though and having he and Carmont at the same stage would have been beyond world class

An absolute class player and as much as i would love him to stay another year i think its clear to see that his body has had enough. I think another year would be to much for him, lets just hope if he doesn't stay that he goes out with a bang.

I'm not sure his body is saying it's the end though. He gets the odd niggle but then he's had them since he come and every player will get some. He looks fitter, faster and stronger then he's ever looked this season IMO and he doesn't look like acguy that couldn't do another season.

You obviously don't want to play on too long but your a long time retired and Carmont only made his pro breakthrough late.

I agree. If George wanted to play on, I'd snatch his hand off.

If memory serves, he was one of Ian Lenagan's first signings for us, and must still be regarded as one of the best. In all his time at Wigan, I can only recall one or two matches where I felt he didn't give his best. But his second-best was usually enough to impress.

A great buy who literally seemed to come out of nowhere. Didn't IL sign him after going to watch some odd fixture like Samoa v Lebanon?

Lenagan and Lydon watched him for Samoa and said they pretty much signed him on the spot after hearing he'd been released by Newcastle.

He came as a last minute bargain buy and will leave as one of our best imports. He's been sensational and whether he goes at the end of 2011 or 2012 he's going to be sorely missed.

Over the last 15 years we have been very lucky to watch some great imports (Renouf, Barrett, Craig Smith, Pat Richards, Breatt Dallas, Lam etc) Carmont for me has been as good as almost all of them only 1 i would have ahead of him is Lam. He came here on the cheap a player we all thought was a journeyman looking for one last pay cheque. Lets hope he has 1 more season of them as on his performances this season he is one of the best centres in SL.

True but based purely on their time at Wigan i would say that Carmont gives the most value....by a long chalk too.

Carmont-what a fantastic signing. Not as good as Lam Barratt or Renouf, bit arugably a better servant to our club.

The fact that Waney has pursuaded him to stay suggests our new coach for 2012 is working his magic already.

Is this a fact though?

Really hope so mate.

He told my brothers mate who had him in his taxi. the reason hes retiring was his body was taking 2-3 days recover from a game now.

maybe they have talked him round.

I agree, but I am afraid I dont have any insider knowledge on the new coach. I was just thinking that if SW has pursuaded George to stay it suggests SW is either happy as number 2 for 2012 or (as seems more likely) he is saying I am the new coach and want you to stay.

Either scenario seems good to me as I would hate to lose Waney from the senior coaching setup.

I have to admitt I'm not 100% fully paid into Madge's theory of playing his strongest side possible in every game we play.

For me we could easily sign Carmont for next season and reduce his game time significantly from what we've seen this season. Does he really need to play every week of the league and cup?

Carmont also told me the same thing about recovery from knocks and games getting harder, and it was unlikely he would do another year, but he would wait until the end of the season to see how things were. He told me this at the last supporters club meeting.

Along with Gleeson he is in the top two centres in SL(apparently) So i'm guessing he's a very important cog in the Wigan machine.

He's no Matty Blythe is he.

I agree. Also if younger players dont get games at centre they arent going to be in any better position to take over next year then they would have been this year.