That’s one way of looking at it. I personally think that with a more experienced half who could manage a game we would have been in at least one of those finals last year. It’s a bit different now that we have Coote, mind - it means Richardson would have some more help on the field, which could make all the difference.
I’m not writing him off - I think he’s got tons of potential - but he’s yet to win me over in terms of his credentials as Saints’ first choice half back in the immediate future.