People are wondering why we have signed so many props,, the week we go into a playoff game down our 3 of our best props.


Exciting time to be a Wigan fan at the minute.

Hope Thompson is given time and hope he kills it for us.

He wanted to much money if you get the Thompson who played for Saints he'll be a great signing if you get the Bulldogs version!!
Plus he left Saints on very bad terms refused to take a pay cut to during covid

How much did he want? So what you are saying is that Saints have the money but were not willing to spend it on Thompson as they thought he wasn’t value for money? If true, it will be interesting to see how they choose to spend it.

As for the falling out, that is water under the bridge. Why cut your nose off to spite your face?

It’s not finished yet.

We are likely to see a number of teams (especially the big players) complete signings as they attempt to close the gap on Saints. The big elephant in the room though is, can Saints maintain their previous standards? A large chunk of their team will need to be replaced over the next few seasons (Makinson, Percival, Lomax, Walmsley and Clark who are all federation trained) are all coming towards the end of their careers and it is not going to be easy to replace them with the same quality. Thompson, who would have counted £50k against the salary cap was an obvious choice. They are going to have to make Welsby a marquee player otherwise he will be off. Some tough decisions ahead for our neighbours.

Some of those lads will be gone in the next one/two years, it is all about building for the medium/long term. Some Saints fans on Redvee have stated that they should be sniffing around Nsembe and Hill but they are unaware that Junior has signed a new contract and that Harvie will seen be offered an extended deal. We don’t want to burn these lads out hence retaining players with more experience for next season. Lads, like Delaney, will be playing more regularly but that is a needs must decision and one that could impact on the lad’s long term potential. Rotating our pack seems a sensible way forward.

Same as Wigan are alledgly paying him.
As for the falling out lets just say it still rankles with some Saints players

How much is that then? Which Saints players?

Well firstly I was laughed at for saying a while ago if Thompson came back to SL it would be to Wigan but hey ho..

Secondly it doesn't matter whether Thompson counts £50k or £1 towards the salary cap, he will still be earning a fortune. Saints can't compete with that and if they are going to pay a wage like Thompson will be on then they'll need to put that towards Welsby or he'll be off to the NRL.

He also left on bad terms hence him leaving mid-season after being the only player unwilling to take a pay cut during Covid. The Covid repayment loans have now kicked in and Saints along with Leeds were the worst affected club.

There's no doubt that we will see some transition now and maybe a few trophyless years potentially but with what we've won recently its not like we've too much to complain about.

I don't for one minute think our Recruitment is finished either. 11 players are leaving/retiring at the end of the season. Whitley will be announced soon and I think there will be more to come. We have some outstanding Academy kids who undoubtedly will be playing first team in a couple of years. Stephens already has a squad number for next season and the one we are all excited about is Vaughan- Lancashire and England Academy captain and will be playing first team sooner rather than later. He is a back rower too. Delaney coming through is a huge bonus, the sky is the limit for him and I can see given his age why the comparisons with Thompson are being made.

I said on Redvee that this could now be a golden few years for Wigan. Smart recruitment, huge investment from a wealthy owner and still bringing talented lads through.

Thats sport, its cyclical. At some point Leeds are going to challenge again, then we have Warrington and maybe the Hull clubs can challenge too.

Thats next year

I can’t see this for awhile. The club looks in chaos. The recruitment has been questionable at times. I don’t see Smith being the right man for the job especially being in charge of a rebuild.

It does appear you’re at the end of a cycle. A very good cycle admittedly. I think the players you’ll loose Roby, Makinson, lomax will be near on impossible to replace. I think you’ll enter a different difficult period now and going forward we’re your youngsters will be off to the NRL. I think Welsby will go. I don’t rate Dodd but he might be gone too

Won't let me quote WWste above but I agree.

I think Welsby should go and test himself, I've said that for a while and I'd love to see him kill it over there. Fortunately two of our better Academy players are halves so one would be a direct replacement for Dodd if he did go.

We definitely have some rebuilding to do no question.

I think Welsby would find it tough in the NRL but would have a chance of making the grade.

I don’t think Dodd is anywhere near NRL standard to be honest.

The crying on twitter from opposition fans is funny, surely a coping mechanism…

Making up salaries that he’s on

“Oh they’ll be letting X player go to Catalans/Canberra”

“How are they under the cap”

“What about their academy lads”

The only one with a credence is referring the injuries.


People thinking the academy lads won’t keep rolling into the first team under Matty Peet are deluded.

Old Magic Super Beetle on Red Vee is talking about targeting Nsemba because he is competing with 9 props next year and worried that we are not producing Academy players.

Given his intimate knowledge of our development pathways you would think he may know Nsemba is a secondrow.

We are still promoting players and continue to do so, we just do it in a planned and managed way to enhance their careers.

With Isa, Cooper and most likely Mago departing next year and fringe players like Cust, Thornley and possibly others (Powell & Shorrocks) there is plenty of room for our youngsters this year and next to progress.

Junior is a ready made replacement for ISA who is expected to retire in twelve months time. He will be a first teamer for years for us, assuming he doesn't want to test himself in the NRL.

Agree. I think Junior, Walters and Faz will be out secondrow rotation next year with cameo appearances from Isa when one of them needs a rest or is injured.

Nsemba is a special talent and is getting noticed by other clubs, I'm sure that Peet recognises this. Granted, Junior is at the "potential" stage of his career but its a massive potential. Same applies to Forber.

Your guess is as good as mine as for the players i'm not naming them

Do you think we'll carry one on the bench, or go with an extra prop knowing they can cover 13 too?

I think it will depend on who we are playing.

Funny stuff to read that. A long list of players noted who are going to hold back Nsemba, all of which were props, when Nsemba plays second row



The pathways for them all will be in place I'm sure. As you say it is extremely likely Cooper and Isa will retire/leave at the end of 2024 and I doubt we'll look externally to replace them. There is also a chance Mago then goes and we don't take the years option and who knows what the future may hold regards other exits. I think a season long loan for Harvie Hill would be really positive and then he comes back as a replacement. The opportunities for Nsemba will be there in 2024. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being a starting second rower at some point in the year.

No it doesnt. When he was home for the grand final last year he was in the changing room with them and then out on the ale with them afterwards. He was also home earlier this year and out with the Saints players including all the senior ones

Do you think he'll sign for Wigan though?

why is it that no British players stays in Australia

Dont worry, he's still here