Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Mar 07, 2020 10:11 am  

MadDogg wrote:

Leeds got rid of Watkins in 2019, signed by Gold Coast who now want rid of him before 2020 has started?

Doesn't sound a good deal to me.

That last season with Leeds he was a shadow of his former self. Yes he had been injured but his confidence was also shot. He was still capable of making a break but could not finish them off. By going to Aus his monetary value, according to his agent, will have probably gone up when we all know that he has not been able to show anything like his former ability for several seasons. Taking a punt on him would be risky unless his former demands have been reduced or if he could show some form in the Aussie reserves.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Mar 07, 2020 11:07 am  

Levrier wrote:

That last season with Leeds he was a shadow of his former self. Yes he had been injured but his confidence was also shot. He was still capable of making a break but could not finish them off. By going to Aus his monetary value, according to his agent, will have probably gone up when we all know that he has not been able to show anything like his former ability for several seasons. Taking a punt on him would be risky unless his former demands have been reduced or if he could show some form in the Aussie reserves.

He still seemed to be struggling with his knee to me when he came back. He’s had a great pre season in Australia by the looks of things and is meant to be looking very fit. I think we’d probably get him for less money in 2021 then we would’ve done last year, especially if it’s a case of him wanting to come home and the Gold Coast needing him off the cap.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Mar 07, 2020 11:15 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

He still seemed to be struggling with his knee to me when he came back. He’s had a great pre season in Australia by the looks of things and is meant to be looking very fit. I think we’d probably get him for less money in 2021 then we would’ve done last year, especially if it’s a case of him wanting to come home and the Gold Coast needing him off the cap.

If that is the case he could be worth the punt but would he be willing to change his Yorkshire passport for a Lancashire one?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Mar 07, 2020 12:16 pm  

Levrier wrote:

If that is the case he could be worth the punt but would he be willing to change his Yorkshire passport for a Lancashire one?

He’s from this side of the Pennines anyway so I don’t think that would be an issue.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Mar 07, 2020 1:21 pm  

Hardaker is doing ok at centre. Bibby isn't doing it for me and Hankinson offers more in size and ability both with defence and attack. Bibby is easily dominated in the tackle, Hankinson never is. Hanks went well v Hudds so should retain his place.
As for Watkins, more a Salford player than Wigan, he comes from Gorton anyway.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Mar 07, 2020 2:30 pm  

Never thought that much of Watkins un his heyday, and his heyday has long gone. I'm no massive fan of Bibby and Hank, but I'm not convinced that Watkins, current edition, offers more than either of them. He was poor in his limited chances in the NRL.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Mar 07, 2020 3:40 pm  

If the club are looking for a centre then I do hope they've seen what Jake Wardle at Hudds has to offer.
He was their best back v us and apparently was excellent again last night v Saints scoring Hudds winning try.

[Pemps]

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Mar 07, 2020 4:14 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

If the club are looking for a centre then I do hope they've seen what Jake Wardle at Hudds has to offer.
He was their best back v us and apparently was excellent again last night v Saints scoring Hudds winning try.

I saw somewhere that Melbourne Storm were showing some interest in him.

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Mar 08, 2020 1:53 pm  

Why do people keep saying Watkins could be a replacement for Gildart? Watkins is a right centre and we haven't had a specialist one there for almost a decade..

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Mar 08, 2020 2:08 pm  

Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy wrote:

Why do people keep saying Watkins could be a replacement for Gildart? Watkins is a right centre and we haven't had a specialist one there for almost a decade..

Bibby is a left sider and I’m not sure which side is Hardakers best as a centre. He did a lot of damage for Cas down the left channel from memory, so maybe the club would feel he would be better served down that side. I also felt Hankinson looked really comfortable on the left last week, so that is another factor but you can’t tell much on one game.

End of the day the link looks to have come from one Leeds fan, so nothing looks concrete at this point.