Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 08, 2017 9:27 pm  

Somebody on twitter has mentioned Hock on a pay as you play deal. He asked Phil Wilkinson who said he'd spoke to him last week and wouldn't say if Wigan were one of the three clubs who'd made offers.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 09, 2017 7:57 am  

IF this is true then it really does show the lack of the clubs ambition, it really is scraping the bottom of the barrel

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 09, 2017 8:06 am  

Grimmy wrote:

Not too worried about the size of our 20 year old reserve prop, particularly as some of the biggest props I've seen have been some of the worst.

You're not worried about the size of a prop, as some big props have been poor. Yeah that's good logic.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:00 am  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

You're not worried about the size of a prop, as some big props have been poor. Yeah that's good logic.

Our smallest first choice prop (Flower) is probably our best as well. I'm not saying there is no correlation between size and being a good prop, but it's not strong enough to worry me. I think the position has changed massively as well, whether we like it or not, they need to be fit and mobile or they get exploited defensively. You have also sidestepped the fact he's a 20 year old reserve as well, probably 3-5 years off being expected to be first choice, and 8-10 years off his peak. That is plenty time for him to bulk up.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:33 am  

Grimmy wrote:

Our smallest first choice prop (Flower) is probably our best as well. I'm not saying there is no correlation between size and being a good prop, but it's not strong enough to worry me. I think the position has changed massively as well, whether we like it or not, they need to be fit and mobile or they get exploited defensively. You have also sidestepped the fact he's a 20 year old reserve as well, probably 3-5 years off being expected to be first choice, and 8-10 years off his peak. That is plenty time for him to bulk up.

The best props are both big and mobile, this is a given, look at the size of the top props in the NRL, size does matter for a prop, its like saying speed doesn't matter for a winger.

Do you honestly think he's come over here to play in our reserve team when he was already in Souths feeder team looking to crack the NRL? No, not at all. He's come over here as it's a step up from the feeders, will be a nice level for him to develop before heading back to the NRL. He'll be in and around our 17.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 09, 2017 10:19 am  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

The best props are both big and mobile, this is a given, look at the size of the top props in the NRL, size does matter for a prop, its like saying speed doesn't matter for a winger.

Do you honestly think he's come over here to play in our reserve team when he was already in Souths feeder team looking to crack the NRL? No, not at all. He's come over here as it's a step up from the feeders, will be a nice level for him to develop before heading back to the NRL. He'll be in and around our 17.

I personally think looking at his style of play he will play at 13 when Lockers has his inevitable patches on the sideline, with a view to having a look at him as his successor.

He looks to have decent hands, good feet aggressive defence and late pass at the line.

I would be stunned if we had brought him over here to play Prop regularly.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 09, 2017 10:55 am  

jonh wrote:

I personally think looking at his style of play he will play at 13 when Lockers has his inevitable patches on the sideline, with a view to having a look at him as his successor.

He looks to have decent hands, good feet aggressive defence and late pass at the line.

I would be stunned if we had brought him over here to play Prop regularly.

I agree, I think Jack Wells will be the one who is slowly developed into the prop position, he's a naturally big lad who will continue to grow and appears to have a very good attitude.

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 09, 2017 1:41 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Somebody on twitter has mentioned Hock on a pay as you play deal. He asked Phil Wilkinson who said he'd spoke to him last week and wouldn't say if Wigan were one of the three clubs who'd made offers.

Unless they've changed the salary cap rules, a "pay as you play deal" isn't in Wigan's interests. Each player has a salary cap value for the season at the start, so if the rumour was true Wigan would have to use up cap space as if Hock played every game. No club would do a pay as you play deal.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 09, 2017 1:57 pm  

I'd be quite happy with Hock on a 1 year deal.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 09, 2017 3:09 pm  

Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy wrote:

Unless they've changed the salary cap rules, a "pay as you play deal" isn't in Wigan's interests. Each player has a salary cap value for the season at the start, so if the rumour was true Wigan would have to use up cap space as if Hock played every game. No club would do a pay as you play deal.

Doubtful then but then it was only a twitter rumour. It just pricked my interest because if there's nothing at all in rumours Phil Wilkinson seems to just bat them away with a 'can't see it' but with this one he just seemed to indicate Hock was keeping things close to his chest.

I'd stay clear even if he is cheap.