I think it’s fair to say Dufty has some decent attributes but probably isn’t showing them regularly enough. When there’s a talent like Thewlis who’s come through the academy, and looks the real deal, whose preferred position is full back it’s easy to see why there’s a clamour to get him in there, so signing a proven quality winger (oh I don’t know, like Charnley maybe?) would make sense.

I don’t have a problem with pairing Williams with a half back who can just do the simple things really well, move the ball quickly and accurately with a kicking game that gets us in the right places on the pitch, a foil for a halfback partner with more flair and creativity. On paper that’s what Drinkwater should provide, in reality, like Dufty I don’t think we’re seeing his talent translate into performances on the pitch. Again with Dean and Hayes you’d really like to see them given an opportunity to see if they’ve got the talent to make it.

With Dudson, I’m not as apposed to him as many seem on here, but, I don’t think he makes the 18 when we’re at full strength, and that being the case, when we do need cover I think we’d all rather it be a prospect getting experience as apposed to a diminishing journeyman. I thought Thomas went well early on in the season when he had a bit of game time, ran hard and didn’t take a backward step…

I’d have no issue if Mautautia brought forward his retirement a few months, no issues at all…

This.  He could be an excellent asset.  Yes, he looks out of shape currently when you see how he used to be.  Hopefully that can return.  as LTS says, his hands are excellent for a forward.  Just watch his passing from dummy in our last match against Cats.  Despite him being unfit he still played the full 80 at second row against us.  He made double the metres of Stone and also Fitz, with less errors and only a smidge less tackles.  

Byrne looks like a defensive prop as I've seen him make good tackles but never really go on any rampaging runs.


Hopefully Sam gets TPJ back in shape and we have an excellent forward on our hands.

Keeping Vaughan is the key.  If TPJ is being viewed as a replacement its a backwards step I think.  

Yep, i think that why Matty Peet has been starting him for Wigan as he's defensively solid and like you said, he aint going to bust through tackles and run 40m

One of the things i personally think he's struggled with at Wigan has been the ability to  make an impact when he's started off the bench. When we had Thompson and Havard starting last season, Bryne at times seemed a bit anonymous when he came on, but thats me being really harsh as he wasnt the only one. Now when he's started we have seen a different player in terms of intensity IMO

Yeah, as said above, if we can manage to keep Vaughan, and add TPJ in to the mix then i genuinely think we're gonna be a problem next year. IF we get a good replacement for Williams (not Dodd).
Byrne i still think adds a lot in attack, he puts it in and runs full speed, i'd be very happy with him starting with Vaughan.
Hopefully Fitz can find some form again as i think he's been pretty quiet for awhile, Sam Stone i like, he's quietly going about his business and doing a hard graft, he's got good hands as well, his offload whilst being tackled allowed Williams to keep moving for Thewlis to score. If he hadn't offloaded it in very difficult conditions with players on him that attack would have stopped dead.
I wouldn't mind keeping him next year, but would like to see more from him in attack, same with Fitz he's been off the boil for a long time, and he's a grub, i won't miss him when he's gone to be honest.

https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/news/sam-burgess-paul-vaughans-future-1275382

https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/news/sam-burgess-paul-vaughans-future-1275382