Not really - given that beyond the two first choice half-backs (Tommy and Sam) there is no one ready to step up in the event of either being un-available, any young players are by all accounts not ready to make that step up. So having someone of Deacon's experieince available as a cover would be a sensible option - especially as it sounds like his primary role would be coaching the younger players to make the step up after him.



I can't really see a downside - Wigan have cover in most positions or at least have younger players looking to make that next step, half-back is the exception.

I still think i'd prefer Orford.



But if we are unable to move on any of our current players I suppose he provides cover, but where has this coaching thing come from? What are his credentials? I hope they are more than just being a Wiganer.

Why tho?



It's not like we are signing him to be one of the starting HB’s is it? We’ve already got two of the best young HB’s in SL cemented in as a pairing for us.



We've got Mellor in the reserves who is supposed to be a very good player but I’d be cautious about the possibility of throwing both him and Sam in as HB pairing next year if Tommy get injured.



What’s the difference in us singing a 31 year old BACK UP HB and Hudds signing Gilmour to START for them? Deacon is nothing more than cover and depth for the first team.

if he was from down under there wouldnt be many moaning

Don't be daft, this place is borderline BNP towards aussies, see Roberts & Riddell for further details.

I think it's a good call, hopefully he'll do a lot of work on our kicking game, he kicked us to death in many a game.

So did Danny Orr, but he turned out to be useless.



Dont think deacon would be a good signing, take his kicking away and he is pot, however his kicking is very good, and we arnt very good at it.

Orr was decent, he was hamstrung by having a clown like Millward as coach and Denis Moran as his halfback partner.

Danny Orr didn't coach us, and wasn't exactly surrounded by class when he played.





Then only have him coach kicking, to be fair that's the main thing our halfbacks need coaching in.

Agree with the millward thing, but Orr was poor before that.



With regards, to Moran yes he was pants, but what do you expect asking someone who scores 30 tries a season, to start leading a team around the field. Danny Orr should have been doing that as he did at Cas, and Moran running the channels, as he did at london.



So its a combo of terrible players and a worse coach, but they were equally as bad under betts

I think you should read the piece on Bradford's bid for Orford AJ. Apparently they have tabled a "big offer". That being the case I wouldn't want him. Our immediate future in the halves is in our young players and paying big money for a 32 year old is not the way to go.

Finance wise, I understand why Orford is probably a bad idea, but it doesnt mean I wouldnt like to see him in place @ 7 with Tommy @ 9.