The Club Website carries a statement regarding the player who appears (based on stories & photos in the public domain) to have signed for a club back home in PNG.

There's also a video (again currently in the public domain) of today's press conference announcing Watson as one of two signings for EMK Sepik Pride.

Interesting times, although his non-return can't be a surprise after his earlier statements about the lack of time with family.

Yes seems clear he's signed for a club back home - not sure if we can enforce the registration angle but we'll see.

I think its very very unlikely we'll see him at the Ecopower again.

The club needs to act quickly get some compensation for this and replace him with a marquee signing ASAP especially with the season starting on Sunday.

Boas is getting slated on PNG forums as his housery could effect the pathway of other player coming to the UK.
Hopefully he wont be allowed to play and given the current situation we are better off without him.

I understand the Family aspect I really do, can't be easy when you are that distance from your loved ones. Its a shame if it ends up with some mud slinging, he's been well looked after by the Dons when it comes to time off and the treatment and recovery from his injury. I wish him well, I just would have liked to have seen him a little more often in the blue and gold.
C'est la vie.

Watched the video and he acknowledges he is contracted back in England but has signed anyway.

I guess its with the intention of leaving his contract with the Dons, which would require us to agree to it by mutual consent or a transfer fee.

Looking forward to some of the Gleeclub getting the message...
He aint coming back!

They told me with absolute certainty he was coming back

Would that be your stalker, NB, who assured you Boas was returning?
He used to be my stalker...
As soon as I posted he was there with his creepy, unquestioning snide remarks.
Now he targets you...aided by the other sharks.
Aaaaah! That's better!

Anyone know if the club did eventually receive a fee? I haven’t seen anything but could easily have missed it.

Not seen any announcements. Same applies here, I could have easily missed it. Haven't seen anything on the Dons site.

The fee probably allowed the squad to stay in a best western hotel rather than the university campus at cornwall!

I noticed Watson on a video congratulating Misi on 350 games.

I'm sure the club have not received payment for Watson as he is not registered on Sepik Pride's website and has not played for them, other than in a trial game early in the season.

I think they are yet to win a game ,so why would you have an international half capable of getting results for you and choosing to leave him in the stand if he is eligible to play?

Watson also commented "Come on Dons " on the video ,given the circumstances it does seem strange.

Could he be returning to the club as his facebook account has lots of messages saying safe travels and good journey?

I think it would be wise if Carl cleared the matter up one way or the other.

Hally posted on twitter yesterday evening a screen grab from Manchester arrivals. Make of that what you will, but its looking like WB is back in this country. One of Watsons facebook comments wished him well for the remainder of this season and looking forward to him being back there for 2024.

Best guess is that he is seeing out his contract.

He is back , spotted on Hunt Lane in Bentley last night .

Thanks for the news KLD. Not sure how I feel about this one...

Maybe there's more to it all than we know about?

His name will appear on the squad sheet for the Hunslet game...and some little fat bloke that used to be him will waddle out onto the pitch at the South Leeds Stadium...
10 mins later...he will be dragged off!

From what I could gather, it would appear that he was missing his family ( a big thing in PNG) unlike here any more. His love for his two lads looks amazing and I for one can fully appreciate that, I'm not commenting on his contract hicup thats for the big boys. What I do feel is that the Family tie is huge and I would not criticise a bloke for that. On the playing side of things if he can get up to any where near fitness he is class and that's in short supply in this League. Another body to the ranks and huge cover at half back or hooker IMO.

Feel free to argue against his return but I would sooner he was in our squad than some other teams squad.(not aimed at you DM)

Cheers, Wilf. I suspect most people's first reaction on a human level would be that he let us down and left us in a tricky position. Previously, he's always seemed of good character and a decent guy, which is why I suspect there may be more to it than meets the eye.

I agree that family loyalty is huge - something that does sadly seem to be in decline in this country these days. Surely, if Watson had family issues, the Dons would have viewed the situation compassionately, as they did with Josh Veacock?

The involvement of lawyers and Watson appearing to sign for another club muddies the waters somewhat.

I'm going to respect the club's decision - if he has returned to play for us - as only they know the full facts. I hope the other players are onboard with the decision as well though.

I have mixed feelings over Watson , in one aspect he is a world class half/hooker that when on form can only aid our promotion hopes.
He was outstanding for PNG at the world cup and will provide cover in the squad.
My concern is will his return cause issues within the playing group as RH talks about how close the group are together.

Only time will tell .

I'm hoping he comes back with the right attitude and helps us gain promotion.

https://www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk/ ... o-the-dons It's official

https://www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk/ ... o-the-dons It's official

Nicely polished ...

I'll leave it at that publicly.

We'll have to put this down to one of those things we'll never really know the details of, or even if we should know