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

All the news on the Canberra Raiders NRL team, all in one place

Moderator: GH Moderators

edwahu

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by edwahu »

luke wrote: April 4, 2019, 9:05 am If our halves are G Williams and Wighton, who does the organising?
Hodgo I guess. I don't think Williams is totally incapable of it either.
User avatar
simo
Ricky Stuart
Posts: 9574
Joined: March 12, 2013, 7:50 pm
Favourite Player: Keghead

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by simo »

luke wrote: April 4, 2019, 9:05 am If our halves are G Williams and Wighton, who does the organising?
Same as now. Josh hodgson
Dont delete this GE
User avatar
PabloKang2620
Alan Tongue
Posts: 629
Joined: February 27, 2008, 5:37 pm
Location: Queanbeyan

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by PabloKang2620 »

I can see Sezer being released to the Dogs before 30 June.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Just because I rock doesn't mean I'm made of stone
User avatar
-PJ-
Mal Meninga
Posts: 24719
Joined: May 8, 2010, 1:58 pm
Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
Location: 416.9 km from GIO Stadium

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by -PJ- »

If Sezer...IF he ends up at Canterbury I feel it will only be a stop gap thing.

Dean Pay on NRL360 the other night said the Dogs are basically screwed until 2021 salary cap wise.

They could pick up Sezer mid season cheap yes but I reckon he'd only be warming the seat for a better option after 2020.

Dean Pay even said" a Kayln Ponga type player would attract other players to our club".

Foran is busted..so forget about him. They have Lachy Lewis and they're keeping the powder dry for a quality playmaker. Sezer ain't that player.
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank :shock:
User avatar
Dusty
Ruben Wiki
Posts: 5501
Joined: December 21, 2009, 12:25 pm
Favourite Player: Past:Daley
Present: Hodgson

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Dusty »

Lewis is bog average in my opinion. I think Cogger has a greater ceiling out of the two of them.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
2020: 1. Nicol-Klokstad 2. Cotric 3. Croker (c) 4 Leilua 5. Scott 6. Wighton 7. G. Williams 8. Papalii 9. Hodgson (c) 10. Sutton 11. J. Bateman 12. Whitehead 13. Tapine ----
14. Simmonson 15. Soliola 16. Guler 17. Horsburgh
The Nickman
Mal Meninga
Posts: 51011
Joined: June 25, 2012, 9:53 am
Favourite Player: Hodgo
Location: Rockhampton, Central Queensland

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by The Nickman »

Timbo wrote: April 4, 2019, 8:43 am I am slightly concerned if we're punting Sezer and bringing him in to partner Wighton, that Williams hasn't worn the #7 for almost five years in professional football.
My concern too. Everyone who seems to know anything about G. Williams says he's a running half, so I'm really not sure how he solves our current Sezer/Williams conundrum in the slightest.
User avatar
-PJ-
Mal Meninga
Posts: 24719
Joined: May 8, 2010, 1:58 pm
Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
Location: 416.9 km from GIO Stadium

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by -PJ- »

Dusty wrote: April 4, 2019, 11:14 am Lewis is bog average in my opinion. I think Cogger has a greater ceiling out of the two of them.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
Yeah, I have little interest in what Canterbury are doing.

There's no truth(today) of rumours ref the future of Aidan Sezer.

Apparently G Williams is coming, how does he fit in ?

Is Jack moving back to #1 ? Is Sezer leaving ? Are we going to have both Williams as halves ?

I don't know..
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank :shock:
luke
John Ferguson
Posts: 2339
Joined: February 7, 2010, 5:32 pm
Favourite Player: Brett Mullins

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by luke »

-PJ- wrote: April 4, 2019, 11:32 am
Dusty wrote: April 4, 2019, 11:14 am Lewis is bog average in my opinion. I think Cogger has a greater ceiling out of the two of them.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
Yeah, I have little interest in what Canterbury are doing.

There's no truth(today) of rumours ref the future of Aidan Sezer.

Apparently G Williams is coming, how does he fit in ?

Is Jack moving back to #1 ? Is Sezer leaving ? Are we going to have both Williams as halves ?

I don't know..
CNK being actually really good further complicates things
nemesis
Brett Mullins
Posts: 1176
Joined: December 6, 2007, 11:27 am

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by nemesis »

Sid wrote: April 4, 2019, 8:37 am I'm still not convinced George Williams is going to be too crash hot..
i recall people saying that on here about bateman too EDIT
Last edited by greeneyed on April 4, 2019, 5:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Inappropriate comment, please follow the forum guidelines
raider 4 life
LastRaider
John Ferguson
Posts: 2383
Joined: March 31, 2018, 9:30 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by LastRaider »

luke wrote:
-PJ- wrote: April 4, 2019, 11:32 am
Dusty wrote: April 4, 2019, 11:14 am Lewis is bog average in my opinion. I think Cogger has a greater ceiling out of the two of them.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
Yeah, I have little interest in what Canterbury are doing.

There's no truth(today) of rumours ref the future of Aidan Sezer.

Apparently G Williams is coming, how does he fit in ?

Is Jack moving back to #1 ? Is Sezer leaving ? Are we going to have both Williams as halves ?

I don't know..
CNK being actually really good further complicates things
Just move Wighton on. If CNK is a gun and we have better options at 6 and 7 then Wighton goes. We can’t hang on to players because we like them and there good club people anymore is we want to win.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
User avatar
PabloKang2620
Alan Tongue
Posts: 629
Joined: February 27, 2008, 5:37 pm
Location: Queanbeyan

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by PabloKang2620 »

LastRaider wrote:
luke wrote:
-PJ- wrote: April 4, 2019, 11:32 am
Dusty wrote: April 4, 2019, 11:14 am Lewis is bog average in my opinion. I think Cogger has a greater ceiling out of the two of them.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
Yeah, I have little interest in what Canterbury are doing.

There's no truth(today) of rumours ref the future of Aidan Sezer.

Apparently G Williams is coming, how does he fit in ?

Is Jack moving back to #1 ? Is Sezer leaving ? Are we going to have both Williams as halves ?

I don't know..
CNK being actually really good further complicates things
Just move Wighton on. If CNK is a gun and we have better options at 6 and 7 then Wighton goes. We can’t hang on to players because we like them and there good club people anymore is we want to win.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
I would still love to see Wighton eventually move to centre permanently, once we have the required talent in the spine

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Just because I rock doesn't mean I'm made of stone
The Nickman
Mal Meninga
Posts: 51011
Joined: June 25, 2012, 9:53 am
Favourite Player: Hodgo
Location: Rockhampton, Central Queensland

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by The Nickman »

nemesis wrote: April 4, 2019, 3:02 pm
Sid wrote: April 4, 2019, 8:37 am I'm still not convinced George Williams is going to be too crash hot..
i recall people saying that on here about bateman too EDIT
That's funny, I don't remember anyone saying that... well, the first part anyway.
User avatar
FuiFui BradBrad
Bradley Clyde
Posts: 8651
Joined: May 3, 2008, 10:23 pm
Favourite Player: Phil Graham
Location: Marsden Park

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by FuiFui BradBrad »

PabloKang2620 wrote:
LastRaider wrote:
luke wrote:
-PJ- wrote: April 4, 2019, 11:32 am
Dusty wrote: April 4, 2019, 11:14 am Lewis is bog average in my opinion. I think Cogger has a greater ceiling out of the two of them.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
Yeah, I have little interest in what Canterbury are doing.

There's no truth(today) of rumours ref the future of Aidan Sezer.

Apparently G Williams is coming, how does he fit in ?

Is Jack moving back to #1 ? Is Sezer leaving ? Are we going to have both Williams as halves ?

I don't know..
CNK being actually really good further complicates things
Just move Wighton on. If CNK is a gun and we have better options at 6 and 7 then Wighton goes. We can’t hang on to players because we like them and there good club people anymore is we want to win.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
I would still love to see Wighton eventually move to centre permanently, once we have the required talent in the spine

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
This. Move BJ on, move Wighton to Centre
Feel free to call me RickyRicky StickStick if you like. I will also accept Super Fui, King Brad, Kid Dynamite, Chocolate-Thunda... or Brad.

Nickman's love of NSW
  • NSW has done a superb job - 18/12/2020
  • NSW has been world-class with their approach to date, that's a fact. - 04/02/2021
edwahu

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by edwahu »

I know it wouldn't happen nor do I think it should, but I reckon Jack would be an awesome bench utility.
User avatar
Sid
Ricky Stuart
Posts: 9937
Joined: May 15, 2015, 8:47 pm
Favourite Player: Shannon Boyd
Location: Darwin, N.T.

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Sid »

nemesis wrote: April 4, 2019, 3:02 pm
Sid wrote: April 4, 2019, 8:37 am I'm still not convinced George Williams is going to be too crash hot..
i recall people saying that on here about bateman too EDIT
I wanted to *EDIT* before it was cool
Would have won Boogs - 2016, 2017, 2018

1 part green, 1 part machine
Wiki Special
Brett Mullins
Posts: 1526
Joined: August 11, 2016, 8:16 am
Favourite Player: Ruben Wiki

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Wiki Special »

I've only seen a highlights package of him (would obviously need to see the low lights also to get a true picture) but he looks very classy. Outstanding right to left short or long ball. Takes the line on. Engages the defenders very well. Good runner of the football. High effort player.

Looking forward to seeing him if he comes. If Wighton were to be his future partner I'd move Wighton to the right now, Williams looks out and out left hand player. The move might straighten Wighton up with his running game too.
Last edited by Wiki Special on April 4, 2019, 3:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
nemesis
Brett Mullins
Posts: 1176
Joined: December 6, 2007, 11:27 am

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by nemesis »

The Rickman wrote: April 4, 2019, 3:16 pm
nemesis wrote: April 4, 2019, 3:02 pm
Sid wrote: April 4, 2019, 8:37 am I'm still not convinced George Williams is going to be too crash hot..
i recall people saying that on here about bateman too know everyone wants to suck his dick
That's funny, I don't remember anyone saying that... well, the first part anyway.
plenty on here were doubting he could bring it to the nrl
raider 4 life
User avatar
LimeGreenMachine
Brett Mullins
Posts: 1401
Joined: January 5, 2019, 10:09 am
Favourite Player: Josh Hodgson

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by LimeGreenMachine »

Ask the Lurker
Jason Lockwood: What will get the much hyped up Wigan halfback, George Williams? The fat cash cheque from the NZ Warriors or joining his fellow Englishmen in Canberra?

The Lurker: GW will be taking a tour of The Mint, The Lodge and frequenting Mooseheads every weekend next year. He's a Raider. Only final paperwork needs to be signed off on.

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/ ... iwmckrtc/7
Green eyed Mick
Laurie Daley
Posts: 13407
Joined: February 26, 2010, 6:01 pm
Favourite Player: Brett Mullins
Location: Canberra :(

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Green eyed Mick »

nemesis wrote: April 4, 2019, 3:02 pm
Sid wrote: April 4, 2019, 8:37 am I'm still not convinced George Williams is going to be too crash hot..
i recall people saying that on here about bateman too EDIT
It wasn't just here. The media pundits didn't have him in our best 13 either.

If Hodgo, Whitehead and Bateman want him here he's worth signing. They know him the best and they'll be playing with him.

They raved about Bateman and couldn't have been closer to the mark with their summation of what he would provide.
nemesis
Brett Mullins
Posts: 1176
Joined: December 6, 2007, 11:27 am

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by nemesis »

Green eyed Mick wrote: April 4, 2019, 4:49 pm
nemesis wrote: April 4, 2019, 3:02 pm
Sid wrote: April 4, 2019, 8:37 am I'm still not convinced George Williams is going to be too crash hot..
i recall people saying that on here about bateman too EDIT
It wasn't just here. The media pundits didn't have him in our best 13 either.

If Hodgo, Whitehead and Bateman want him here he's worth signing. They know him the best and they'll be playing with him.

They raved about Bateman and couldn't have been closer to the mark with their summation of what he would provide.
exactly
raider 4 life
User avatar
RTW
David Furner
Posts: 3762
Joined: July 29, 2008, 7:05 pm
Favourite Player: Laurie Daley
Location: Brisbane

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by RTW »

Fuifui Bradbrad wrote:
PabloKang2620 wrote:
LastRaider wrote:
luke wrote:
-PJ- wrote: April 4, 2019, 11:32 am Yeah, I have little interest in what Canterbury are doing.

There's no truth(today) of rumours ref the future of Aidan Sezer.

Apparently G Williams is coming, how does he fit in ?

Is Jack moving back to #1 ? Is Sezer leaving ? Are we going to have both Williams as halves ?

I don't know..
CNK being actually really good further complicates things
Just move Wighton on. If CNK is a gun and we have better options at 6 and 7 then Wighton goes. We can’t hang on to players because we like them and there good club people anymore is we want to win.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
I would still love to see Wighton eventually move to centre permanently, once we have the required talent in the spine

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
This. Move BJ on, move Wighton to Centre
The problem with moving Wighton to the centres is that he is on spine money. If he stays and plays centres he would need to take a big financial hit.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
User avatar
zim
Laurie Daley
Posts: 10639
Joined: July 8, 2015, 3:38 pm
Favourite Player: NRL: Joseph Tapine
NRLW: Grace Kemp
Location: Sydney

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by zim »

Sid wrote: April 4, 2019, 8:37 am I'm still not convinced George Williams is going to be too crash hot..
Me either, but if I remember correctly you werent that enthused about CNK and I was doubtful on Horsburgh. Club seems to be nailing it lately so I'll be waiting to see how he is after 4 rounds.
User avatar
zim
Laurie Daley
Posts: 10639
Joined: July 8, 2015, 3:38 pm
Favourite Player: NRL: Joseph Tapine
NRLW: Grace Kemp
Location: Sydney

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by zim »

RTW wrote: April 4, 2019, 6:54 pm
Fuifui Bradbrad wrote:
PabloKang2620 wrote:
LastRaider wrote:
luke wrote:
CNK being actually really good further complicates things
Just move Wighton on. If CNK is a gun and we have better options at 6 and 7 then Wighton goes. We can’t hang on to players because we like them and there good club people anymore is we want to win.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
I would still love to see Wighton eventually move to centre permanently, once we have the required talent in the spine

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
This. Move BJ on, move Wighton to Centre
The problem with moving Wighton to the centres is that he is on spine money. If he stays and plays centres he would need to take a big financial hit.


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
IMO he will never play a non-spine position again.
Some club will be willing to pay for him to play at 5/8 or fullback if for some reason we decide to let him go.
User avatar
Raiders_Pat
John Ferguson
Posts: 2049
Joined: July 24, 2016, 8:11 am
Favourite Player: Josh Papalii

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Raiders_Pat »

I don't think it would be a great plan to move Wighton to the centres so we can have the two Williams in the halves... I know Sam Williams had a good game the other night but he's not the answer long term. I've said this many times before but he's a great back up half - you don't want him there week in week out though. As for George Williams and Wighton in the halves... I gotta say that the Williams signing is a strange one following the call to shift Wighton to 5/8. It could work though as long as Williams has a reliable kicking game, I think that's where we're lacking in our current set up. The game management side of things is also a worrying factor.
User avatar
Sid
Ricky Stuart
Posts: 9937
Joined: May 15, 2015, 8:47 pm
Favourite Player: Shannon Boyd
Location: Darwin, N.T.

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Sid »

zim wrote: April 4, 2019, 10:28 pm
Sid wrote: April 4, 2019, 8:37 am I'm still not convinced George Williams is going to be too crash hot..
Me either, but if I remember correctly you werent that enthused about CNK and I was doubtful on Horsburgh. Club seems to be nailing it lately so I'll be waiting to see how he is after 4 rounds.
Correct, the only new recruit I was excited about was J Bateman. Horsburgh won me over in the trials.
Would have won Boogs - 2016, 2017, 2018

1 part green, 1 part machine
User avatar
greeneyed
Don Furner
Posts: 145097
Joined: January 7, 2005, 4:21 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by greeneyed »

Horsburgh was with the club last year.
Image
User avatar
Brew
Steve Walters
Posts: 7183
Joined: June 4, 2005, 11:35 am
Favourite Player: Blake Austin
Location: Bondi Junction

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Brew »

BJ isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I’d take him over Jack any day at centre.



Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse
In Ricky We Trust
User avatar
Sezer's Palace
Peter Jackson
Posts: 284
Joined: July 20, 2013, 7:40 pm
Favourite Player: Aidan Sezer

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Sezer's Palace »

Agreed.

Dally M Centre of the Year in two of the last three years and one of the most important cogs in our attacking machine. His defence is also significantly better when he doesn't have one B. Austin inside him.
Instagram: @sezerspalace
Twitter: @jackkcronin
edwahu

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by edwahu »

With our current side BJ is a must. He basically negates the need for a big middle and is one of the few individuals that trouble the very best defenses.

I just wish he was a bit more coachable.
User avatar
Sezer's Palace
Peter Jackson
Posts: 284
Joined: July 20, 2013, 7:40 pm
Favourite Player: Aidan Sezer

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Sezer's Palace »

I think he's matured a fair bit since he's been in Canberra.

He just needs to get those complete brain explosions like the Glasby elbow out of his game. In terms of general handling errors/discipline I think he's actually a lot better than he was in Newcastle/Sydney.
Instagram: @sezerspalace
Twitter: @jackkcronin
User avatar
Raiders_Pat
John Ferguson
Posts: 2049
Joined: July 24, 2016, 8:11 am
Favourite Player: Josh Papalii

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Raiders_Pat »

Regardless of peoples' opinions on Leilua, I don't think Wighton to centres should even be considered a possibility. He's on spine money. Centres these days are becoming the lowest paid in a starting 13.

Look at the Broncos - they've allocated their cap horribly imo, they're playing Jack Bird at $1m/year in the centres and are struggling despite the talent on their roster. I'm presuming that their original intentions were to play Milford and Bird as their halves pairing, but due to that not working out, they've now got a problem in their halves set up which is difficult to fix without moving either Bird or Milford on (which would come with other problems too).

I don't want to see Leilua on say $350k-ish/year punted for Wighton at centre on $750k/year while we continue to have problems in our halves set up. If he's not in the spine, then he's gotta go. We're much better off with someone on $350-400k (maybe $500k max) in the centres, and allocating the extra $350k or so to a half with a kicking game and some game management. I don't think there's much of a chance of us re-signing Wighton on a $300k/year or so pay cut either as other clubs would likely be willing to pick him up for more.
User avatar
BJ
Steve Walters
Posts: 7689
Joined: February 2, 2007, 12:14 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by BJ »

I think Leluia would be closer to $500k. Which is OK because he’s probably our only X factor player to break down well drilled defences.

Despite his brain fades, BJ offers us quick play the balls and occasional golden play.
User avatar
Raiders_Pat
John Ferguson
Posts: 2049
Joined: July 24, 2016, 8:11 am
Favourite Player: Josh Papalii

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Raiders_Pat »

BJ wrote: April 5, 2019, 5:50 pm I think Leluia would be closer to $500k. Which is OK because he’s probably our only X factor player to break down well drilled defences.

Despite his brain fades, BJ offers us quick play the balls and occasional golden play.
Either way, Leilua at $500k is still better than Wighton at $750k when we're talking centres
User avatar
Travis
David Grant
Posts: 715
Joined: May 5, 2013, 7:53 pm
Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
Location: Capalaba

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by Travis »

A mate of mine, with plenty of Head Coach experience in the UK, thinks that George Williams is a pretty good organisational half who could partner Wighton well. Obviously no one will know until he gets a chance. Pretty much like any promising half.
User avatar
T_R
Don Furner
Posts: 17276
Joined: August 4, 2006, 9:41 am
Location: Noosa

Re: Canberra Raiders say George Williams deal not done

Post by T_R »

Travis wrote:A mate of mine, with plenty of Head Coach experience in the UK, thinks that George Williams is a pretty good organisational half who could partner Wighton well. Obviously no one will know until he gets a chance. Pretty much like any promising half.
I had the same conversation with a former Superleague coach last week. I wonder if we have the same friend?? :D
Image

Son, we live in a world that has forums, and those forums have to be guarded by Mods. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Nickman? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Lucy, and you curse GE. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know -- that GE’s moderation, while tragic, probably saved lives; and my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, keeps threads on track and under the appropriately sized, highlighted green headings.
You want moderation because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that forum -- you need me on that forum. We use words like "stay on topic," "use the appropriate forum," "please delete." We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very moderation that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather that you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you get a green handle and edit a post. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think about moderation.
Post Reply