Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
Does the club need cover in the backs though? There's already Jon Bennison, Ben Davies, Hurrell/Hopoate, dependant on whom is deemed first choice centre for 2023 and the player Saints signed as a development player from Widnes, Danny Hill. Apparently he can play full back, wing and centre. I'm sure there's a couple others that could be added to the list as well from the academy.
For 2023 a first choice winger is a must and I don't think this player fits the bill for that spot.
I've spoken about players I'd be keeping tabs on for full back, wing and centre before... so just to say, if it turns out the other way around and Welsby wants to stays at 1 and Saints need a half, two I'd be monitoring from SL are Brodie Croft and Mikey Lewis.
*Not to be confused with Mike Stephenson, MBE
Leeds look like favourites so might not be worth worrying about.
However he might be being looked at for the original role for Hopoate ie FB/ Centre.
Given question marks over Hopaote Percival and that Dodd will take time to ease in.
Makinson being the only remaining winger for 2023 means a winger is a must.Hooley is not a winger.
I'd be looking to find a new club for Hopoate, especially after re-signing Hurrell. Then by all means, if the club feel they need more depth or a development player then that's fine. *Providing non-quota. Hopoate leaving frees up one quota spot. I've been clear on letting Bell go too, so would give the club two quota spots to play with.
That would give more flexibility in terms of bringing in a first choice strike winger and then other areas to look at such as dynamic 14/half/2nd hooker.
We share the concerns on wing Gerry...
Wigan's back 3: Field, Marshall, French* if he re-signs
Warrington back 3: Dufty, Ashton, Wrench/Thewlis
Catalan back 3: Tomkins, Davies, Yaha/ Johnstone
Saints: Welsby, Makinson, ?
Last edited by Mike Stephenson; 2nd August 2022 at 00:12.
*Not to be confused with Mike Stephenson, MBE
We can watch of him on Sunday. Halifax v Batley 18.30 on Premier Sports 1.
Last edited by Two Wheeled Saint; 2nd August 2022 at 12:16.
https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/exclu...n-smith-56976/
Rumoured to be Leeds.
Looks decent from those clips - though hard to tell without watching him week in week out and against better opposition.
Would seem like a good project player with potential though - who might break through as a 1st team regular as have a few other players in recent times at Saints.
Last player I can remember that we signed from Batley did okay ; )
On that basis... sign him up!
Joe Bachelor came into us around this age and look how he turned out? Only thing is Joe took a good few years to get upto speed were we need a winger next season who can kick goals.
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
If this story materialises and French is leaving Wigan, it is a big loss for them as you say Wee Waa.
The knock-on effect could very well be that Saints and Wigan will both be in the market for a winger for next year and you'd think will be looking at the same players. Will be an interesting one to follow!
*Not to be confused with Mike Stephenson, MBE
Davies back to Wigan must be odds on now. They love bringing back former players.
I wouldn't be surprised if the French to the NRL rumour was just his agent trying to scare Wigan into matching what they're asking for. It's been clear for several months that French's expectations aren't being met by Wigan's offer. They've used links to Hull to drive the offer up and now the NRL.
Spoken to Josh Mansour apparantly
Not a player I'd go for.
His agent is probably offering him to SL clubs I'd imagine- he's available and off contract at the end of the year. Don't think Souths will offer him a new one. Hardly played since moving from Penrith at the start of last season. That has mainly been due to selection preferences rather than injury too as far as I gather. And whilst I've said that if it is a player from the NRL Saints go for, they'll be in a similar boat to Mansour in struggling to command a starting spot, there's others I'd be talking to.
Just looking at the off contract list over there... Taane Milne and Jaxson Paulo still on it, both at Souths and can (and have) played wing for them this year as well as centre. Milne has shown up well in the games I've seen of him this season.
Last edited by Mike Stephenson; 8th August 2022 at 00:10.
*Not to be confused with Mike Stephenson, MBE