Canberra Raiders sign Wigan Warriors half George Williams on three year deal

[julian87]

From what I’ve seen he reminds me a bit of pre break out Luke Keary. Plays down that left hand corridor and is solid without being special.

[Woodgers]

Sorry to be a kill joy but the signing makes absolutely no sense to me considering what we're doing with Wighton currently. If Jack achieves the 2019 plan to stiffen the front line defence whilst also adding to the attack in 6, do we then shuffle him again next year to shoehorn in a running half who isn't a proven NRL player and may not do a better job than the bloke occupying the spot this season? I know I lay the boot into the club for our recruitment woes but jeez, a little bit of strategic thinking wouldn't go astray. It looks like they've identified an available half and then hit the panic button because Warriors are also interested.

[FuiFui BradBrad]

I've never been sold on wighton at 6 even if he looked good in the trials, his passing and kicking is too clunky and hit n miss.

Wouldn't surprise me if we lose a leilua or rapa in the next year or so either

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I was thinking this too, maybe Wighton to replace BJ in the centres.

Maybe, just maybe, Wighton is the one to leave the club?

[Damoni]

I've never been sold on wighton at 6 even if he looked good in the trials, his passing and kicking is too clunky and hit n miss.

Wouldn't surprise me if we lose a leilua or rapa in the next year or so either

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I was thinking this too, maybe Wighton to replace BJ in the centres.

Maybe, just maybe, Wighton is the one to leave the club?

That wouldn’t surprise, correct me if I’m wrong but that article regarding Wighton to Newcastle was actually his management approaching Newcastle as he wanted to play centre and try and make rep teams.

He’s still not playing centre

[simo]

Sorry to be a kill joy but the signing makes absolutely no sense to me considering what we're doing with Wighton currently. If Jack achieves the 2019 plan to stiffen the front line defence whilst also adding to the attack in 6, do we then shuffle him again next year to shoehorn in a running half who isn't a proven NRL player and may not do a better job than the bloke occupying the spot this season? I know I lay the boot into the club for our recruitment woes but jeez, a little bit of strategic thinking wouldn't go astray. It looks like they've identified an available half and then hit the panic button because Warriors are also interested.

Its a whole year away. Id say we see how they all play this year and then make our selections and hope its a positive headache (it very likely will be an easy call)

[simo]

I've never been sold on wighton at 6 even if he looked good in the trials, his passing and kicking is too clunky and hit n miss.

Wouldn't surprise me if we lose a leilua or rapa in the next year or so either

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

I was thinking this too, maybe Wighton to replace BJ in the centres.

Maybe, just maybe, Wighton is the one to leave the club?

That wouldn’t surprise, correct me if I’m wrong but that article regarding Wighton to Newcastle was actually his management approaching Newcastle as he wanted to play centre and try and make rep teams.

He’s still not playing centre

Playing centre at club level negatively effects your chances of being selected at centre for rep games

[edwahu]

I've never been sold on wighton at 6 even if he looked good in the trials, his passing and kicking is too clunky and hit n miss.

Wouldn't surprise me if we lose a leilua or rapa in the next year or so either

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

I was thinking this too, maybe Wighton to replace BJ in the centres.

Maybe, just maybe, Wighton is the one to leave the club?

Not while Sticky is coach.

[Sid]

think I would've been happier with signing Chad Townsend tbh

[zim]

This signing should have zero impact on what we do with Wighton or anyone else in the side for this year. Worry about 2020 in 2020's pre-season (or once this season is beyond reach). Pick the strongest side available each round this year to try and get yourself back in the 8.

[nachopants]

“These reports are wildly inaccurate."

“George Williams has not signed a contract with the Canberra Raiders for this season or next.”

[Brewdle]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/news/canbe ... af0e4e11b3


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[greeneyed]

Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

The Canberra Raiders say they are yet to finalise a deal with George Williams amid reports the English halfback has signed a three-year deal with the club.

Raiders chief Don Furner says nothing is set in stone with Williams still contracted to the Wigan Warriors for the 2020 season.

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/ ... 513gn.html

[edwahu]

Sounds like a done deal to me.

[Beejay]

Good player hopefully signed for reasonable money. Good defender is a great start. Passing and kicking game and a strong runner. Can’t be disappointed in this signing.
If we got him now you’d obviously put Wighton straight to fullback.
But if it’s 2020, then let’s just see how it plays out. Sezer might fail to live up to his spot again and we trade him.

[LimeGreenMachine]

Normal viewing
Rumour we sign a player
Club comes out and refutes the rumour.


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[simo]

Can’t be disappointed in this signing.

Youve been on here long enough to know that this isnt true

[Woodgers]

Sorry to be a kill joy but the signing makes absolutely no sense to me considering what we're doing with Wighton currently. If Jack achieves the 2019 plan to stiffen the front line defence whilst also adding to the attack in 6, do we then shuffle him again next year to shoehorn in a running half who isn't a proven NRL player and may not do a better job than the bloke occupying the spot this season? I know I lay the boot into the club for our recruitment woes but jeez, a little bit of strategic thinking wouldn't go astray. It looks like they've identified an available half and then hit the panic button because Warriors are also interested.

Its a whole year away. Id say we see how they all play this year and then make our selections and hope its a positive headache (it very likely will be an easy call)

Yeah fair enough point and ideally it works out that way. It would just be nice if the club had some kind of recruitment plan. From what I can tell we are just reactive to anyone who is available and agreeable to come here. Regardless of whether they fit into the positions or structure of the team that we require the most improvement in.

[The Nickman]

I know hes lined up mainly in the 6 jersey but from the looks of it hes just a left edge half. Happy to have wighton and sezer in the halves this year duking it out for right edge or wiggton adding some strings to his bow before returning to fullback

Yeah that's a decent counter argument to moving Wighton back to fullback now. His first stint in the halves, i think at least, helped his playmaking as a fullback a lot, and that's primarily his strength at the position. So another refresher course this year could be OK.

Honestly, I'm happy to defer to whatever our coach decides on this one... he's the expert!

#instickwetrust

[The Nickman]

Sorry to be a kill joy but the signing makes absolutely no sense to me considering what we're doing with Wighton currently. If Jack achieves the 2019 plan to stiffen the front line defence whilst also adding to the attack in 6, do we then shuffle him again next year to shoehorn in a running half who isn't a proven NRL player and may not do a better job than the bloke occupying the spot this season? I know I lay the boot into the club for our recruitment woes but jeez, a little bit of strategic thinking wouldn't go astray. It looks like they've identified an available half and then hit the panic button because Warriors are also interested.

I'm relatively certain this is a shot over Sezer's bow, not Jack's.

[Woodgers]

That'll be the confidence boost he needs going into a new season . He's already under extreme pressure judging by his comments over the offseason.

[greeneyed]

Canberra Raiders slam ‘inaccurate’ reports confirming capture of England ace George Williams

The Canberra Raiders have rubbished ‘inaccurate’ reports which state the club has signed England international George Williams. Raiders recruitment guru Peter Mullholland rubbished the reports.

“These reports are wildly inaccurate. George Williams has not signed a contract with the Canberra Raiders for this season or next.”

Read more: https://www.foxsports.com.au/news/canbe ... af0e4e11b3

[greeneyed]

Ricky Stuart reported to be angered by the reports, given he’s blooding a new halves combination.

[The Nickman]

That'll be the confidence boost he needs going into a new season . He's already under extreme pressure judging by his comments over the offseason.

Well Frankly, he should be, really. All of the key players from the last two years should be under pressure.

I've always been confident in Sezer's ability, however, and I genuinely think he'll shine this season without Blake Austin hogging the ball and stinking it up on the other side of the field.

[greeneyed]

George Williams' hefty transfer fee cools Canberra Raiders interest

George Williams' sizeable transfer fee imposed by English club Wigan shapes as a significant hurdle to Canberra's interest in bringing the Test half to the NRL. It's believed Wigan initially put a transfer fee north of $AU 450,000 on Williams' head, though Canberra are hopeful that could drop if negotiations continue.

Read more: https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/03/12/geo ... -interest/

[The Nickman]

I just don't see how we could justify paying a transfer like that if it counts under our cap. It's ludicrous!

[simo]

I just don't see how we could justify paying a transfer like that if it counts under our cap. It's ludicrous!

The club sets up a shelf company solely for the purposes of paying transfer fees. Its apparently ok to cheat in this way.

[greeneyed]

The Mole standing by the story.

@9_Moley

U can believe Moley.
Deal done.
@RaidersCanberra denied when I wrote they had signed Bateman a couple of years ago and then POOF... he was signed.

[greeneyed]

I presume he's meaning they denied it last year...

[The Nickman]

I really don't think Mole would double down on this unless he's pretty sure

[SeeBee101]

I hope this comes through. He has averaged over 20 try assists a season for the past 4 years. I'm hoping he replaces Sezer....

[-TW-]

Reports: sky is blue
Raiders: no it's not

[The Nickman]

Reports: sky is blue
Raiders: no it's not

Narrator: the sky was indeed blue

[Beejay]

Give them Sam Williams and Brad Abbey

[simo]

Give them Sam Williams and Brad Abbey

Dont burn bridges

[Beejay]

Yeah don't mean to be too harsh..