Or is it not just rumours and signings for anyone?

Finch isn't much of an organiser I gather from people who have seen him play, he is a workhorse and never stops all game.

The type of player which would be superb is Monaghan, can cover 7 and 9 and play really well in both positions.

Nathan Fien anyone?

Fien could play 7 with tommy at 9, just like they did for NZ

It's a mute point now as we've signed Finch but i always worried if he's the type of player that we needed. Yes he's been good for the Storm but Cronk is, and always has been, the general in that side. He's the guy who keeps them ticking over and applies the pressure at crucial times.

For me i would have signed Dobbo and kept Sam at #6 but again in Madge we trust and he's obviously got a plan for next season.

I just hope that those plans didn't include Piggy. If you look at our squad for next season compared to our main rivals in Saints, Leeds and Dire then we are, imo, pretty evenly matched apart from at the number #9 spot.

LEEDS: Buderus & Diskin
SAINTS: Roby and Moore
WIRE: Monaghan, Higham and Clarke

IL needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat on this one as it could potentially ruin any improvements we've made with Finch, Lima and Hoffman.

Anyone know if there are any 9s off contract this time around? Home or NRL?

I'd be amazed to see anything happen with the Ennis rumour now that he's been added to the Aus training squad.

I dont think that matters. IL has shown he will pay a fee if needed, the question is, is there going to be any 9's made available.

www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... _1_1542734 More on Gaz Hock to the NRL

www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... _1_1542734 More on Gaz Hock to the NRL

The WEP struggling to fill column inches again. Nice to know that Phil reads these message boards, though.

Sporting Life report Penrith admit showing an interest in Hock. Maybe that poster wasn't far off the mark the other week!

Showing an interest in somebody and actually signing somebody are a million miles apart.

Pulled this from an NRL board. It's a list of NRL players off contract in 2010. Any Piggy replacements on here?

*Broncos*

Joel Clinton
PJ Marsh
Ashton Sims
Gerard Beale
Josh Hoffman
Ben Hunt
Andrew McCullough
Josh McGuire
Jharal Yow Yeh


*Bulldogs*

Ben Barba
Yileen Gorden
Jarrad Hickey
Michael Hodgson
Brett Kimmorley
Lee Te Maari
David Stagg
Tim Winitana

*Raiders*

Glen Buttriss
Marc Herbert
Daniel Joyce
Brett Kelly
Josh McCrone
Joel Monaghan
Troy Thompson
Trevor Thurling
Dane Tilse
Alan Tongue

*Sharks*

Trent Barrett
Karl Filiga
Ben Pomeroy
John Mannah

*Titans*

Josh Graham
Ashley Harrison
Mark Minichiello
Mat Rogers
Sam Tagataese
Shannon Walker

*Manly*

Jason King
Jamie Lyon
Steve Matai
Josh Perry
Glenn Stewart
Anthony Watmough


*Storm*

Aiden Tolman
James Woolford
Matthew Cross


*Cowboys*

Jared Kahu
Luke O'Donnell
Johnathan Thurston
Carl Webb
John Williams
Clint Amos
Mitchell Achurch
James Tamou

*Eels*

Luke Burt
Nathan Cayless
Eric Grothe
Weller Hauraki
Jarryd Hayne
Krisnan Inu
Kris Keating
Feleti Mateo
Brendan Oake

*Penrith*

Michael Gordon
Frank Pritchard
Jarrod Sammut
Brad Tighe
Greg Waddell

*Rabbitohs*

Colin Best
Rhys Wesser
Luke Capewell
Garret Crossman
Ben Lowe
Issac Luke
Shannon McPherson
Chris McQueen
Eddy Pettybourne
Fetuli Talanoa

*Dragons*

Ben Hornby
Luke Priddis
Jarrod Saffy
Jamie Soward
Michael Weyman
Dean Young
Neville Costigan


*Roosters*

Lopini Paea

*Wariors*

Jacob Lillyman
Micheal Luck
Ben Matulino
Mataupu Poching
Brent Tate

*Tigers*

Beau Ryan
Taniela Tuiaki

If I had the choice to pick one... then I would go for Issac Luke

He'd be the best 9 in SL but I'm sure he's re-signed for Souths. Most of the players on that list have either signed for new clubs or re-signed for their current teams already

Agreed but as you say also most of them have already signed up with clubs already.

1 player who stands out for me is Luke Priddis, he may not be the youngest but we need an experienced 9 who can lead us round the park, and I am sure he could be tempted by a 1 year deal with an option for a second, if there are no other quality 9's available. Even at 32 he has shown he still has much to offer this year at St George.


There have been some cracking players off contract. Ben Pommelroy (sp) is a player I would love at Wigan as a realistic target, he is a cracking player.

I would still like to see TL and MM given the role full time next year.

TL has not been aided this year by constantly being shifted from 1 position to another and MM has not had much continuity due to injury.

Reference Priddis.

only seen snippets of him over the years, so i cant really formulate an opinion of him as a player. What i will say though is that the entire SL would go into meltdown if we signed a 32 year old aussie in place of young wiganer (MM).

It would not be in place of it would be to aid his development.

Who better to learn from than an ex Australian International, currently playing top rugby in the dominant side in the NRL.

I agree that learning your trade from a seasoned pro and ex international is good practise. The problem i have with this is that come game day, either TL or MM would have to make way for Priddis to play (or we drop Priddis).

I still feel that both our lads could blossom "IF" they are getting stacks of experiance and stability in the role of hooker.

Another option would be to sign a specialist Hooking coach, this would probably be much cheaper and obviously would not count on the cap / quota.

tbh i dont really rate priddis on that list andrew mcculloough has been good with the broncos this season but doubtful to come over, i however do agree on the need of a specialist hooker if we are to progress

Priddis is ooc and talking about retiring.
I would imagine with his Canberra background Madge will know all there is to know about him.
Always thought Priddis was very good though and I'd be happy to see him come for one maybe two years.
Might be hard for him now in the NRL but with SL he should do ok.

My shout weeks ago. One of the better 9s and one of the most entertaining players to watch in action.

Of that NRL list, Ben Barba stands out. He looks clas when I've seen him for the 'dogs. Not a hooker, but a fine prospect all the same.

Priddis would be excellent for a one year deal while we look around for other options. It would be similar to the kind of deal we brought Millard over from Leeds on.

I'd be very happy and confident if this deal went through.

Are Karl Pryce and Cameron Phelps leaving you lot?

More than likely yes