Latest player to commit to Saints until 2022.
Latest player to commit to Saints until 2022.
Pleased that he’s re-signed but I do question the length of the contract. Really can’t see why we’d hand a 4 year deal to someone who’s never going to leave out of choice and will be 32 at the end of this deal? Anyway, Thompson next hopefully.
There are some people who would whinge if they won the lottery.
There’s nothing more likely to upset a player and force his departure than undervaluing him because of perceived loyalty to you. With players now having been full time professionals throughout their careers and able to live a lifestyle conducive to longevity, the ability to play well into their thirties has become more prevalent. In addition, he’s a current international able to provide quality input at either half back or fullback in an era short of such players in the UK hence why Wakefield and Wigan were prepared to sign Brough and Sammut and Castleford tried various players last year to overcome the loss of Hardaker and Gale.
Super League history has shown that Saints’ unwillingness to give older players extended contracts only resulted in the loss of the likes of Gilmour, Long and Pryce before they reached the end of their shelf life so I am pleased that they appear to have learned that lesson.
Just be grateful that Saints haven’t done anything to push Lomax out and instead rely solely on Richardson to fill one of the half back berths!
Good news and very happy for Lomax.
I don't think there is a more dedicated player at the club. He's the current version of Paul Wellens, he would give abything for this club. He's had some terrible injuries and proved pretty much every doubter wrong. Great versatility and providing he continues to stay injury free, he'll be a great asset for us. 1st choice 6 and a very good full back too, what's not to like?
Originally Posted by Despondent Dave
One of the unrecognised form players in his position and in the competition in 2018, he’s stayed injury free for a few years now and he’s a key player to the squad.
I have to say that I was slightly disappointed when I saw the “check your inbox” message. I think disappointed is the wrong word because I am very happy we’ve tied down Lomax but I was really hoping we’d get Luke Thompson or Justin Holbrook tied down to a new deal.
Hopefully we can win some more silverware for the proper Saints lads like Lomax and Roby, who’ve given their all for the club but at the end of the day, are one of us and if not gifted Rugby League players, they’d be on the West Terrace.
St Helens Rugby League Football Club
Great news. Best 6 in the league last year & Saints through and through.
The club is nailing this. If I had sat down a month ago to write a list of the players that we need to get signed up to new deals, I probably would have come up with the guys that have recently signed up plus Thompson. Let’s hope we can get that one over the line too.
I think that the majority of peoples concerns voiced here are the current contracts are a little on the longer side. Lomax however has probably shown in recent years that he deserves it. Someone sighted Gilmour, Pryce and Long earlier and how we had given up on them before they were finished in the game. With due respect to those players they were picking up a lot of injuries at the back end of their careers at Saints.
That being said sometimes we do have to question the clubs future planning when it comes to key positions as it has taken us a while to get anything like a number 7 to replace Long and you could argue there has been no one since him who has really made that shirt their own.
Sean Long - was an exceptionally rare talent - it was never going to be easy to replace him.
How many Super League clubs can you say have an established, recognised & long term scrum half? Just about every team is on a quest to find those long term players who can make up the spine of the team (1, 6, 7 & 9)
I would say now Barba's gone Lomax is the only player we have not got a ready replacement for. Any injury would be disastrous. We have not got anyone else with the ability to play close to the line and bring the outside backs into the game.