I remember that dummy spit well (and criticised him at the time for it), but can you provide a link to his excuses for the Grand Final defeat?

looking at the number of youngsters coming through this year at knowsley road, wilkin will be one of the more experienced members of the squad.

not sure if he'll get as much game time as he'd probably like but being at saints he'll still make the squad for the 4 nations.

For me the fact he brought it up on his grand final article says that he is using it as an excuse but thats my opinion.

i fail to see the connection.

does seem a bit rich not wanting media intrusions and doing a national column at the same time.

correct, and it is something that he needs to sort out for himself - does he want a media career or does he want to go on to develop and become a great player.



It wasnt used as an excuse for the defeat though.

maybe he's sorting out his post-rugby career early

i think he probably is - and to a certain extent you cannot blame him. Personally, I think he should spend a bit less time on the media stuff and more time trying to improve his playing career. He definately needs to up his game this year.

as a wigan fan id suggest the rest of the saints squad follow gis lead. the more off field distractions the better.

any chance of long and gidley doing a duet on newsround?

He was also a bit cheesed off because the Leeds players 'whooped' as they tackled the Saints players.



It's so unfair.

Its Jon Wilkin.....he has to take anything he can get!





I mean look at what happened to him when he actually had to face quality opposition at the World Cup. Has anyone ever been more anonymous on a football field in history?