I'd like to see Norman developing and maturing like Batchelor has - then we'll have a another good player on our hands. My only concern on Norman is he has seemed to lack a little aggression as a prop - and wonder if that's in his game. He seems clever though and maybe could be more of big minute than an impact prop... let's see how he himself and the coaching staff bring him on this year. This year could be a make or break season for him.
Paasi definitely had a stand out year with Big Al missing chunks of the year and a bit below par by his high standards. I think Lees had a stellar year too - especially as the season went on and maybe goes more unnoticed than the likes of Paasi. A Lees type player brings a good balance to the prop rotation - and i wouldn't mind if Norman and the likes of Wingfield / Delaney turning out like a Lees (long minute prop) or a Paasi (impact prop).
Whilst it would be great given his relatives support of Saints and his being a former Wigan player, I've seen absolutely nothing from him to suggest he's good enough to play for us. Good place for him to go though Huddersfield, they seem like they will be strong next season. If he gets decent game time we'll see what he's got.
Following up my comments regarding the centre position, Bruines is listed on the Saints website as a centre. I was under the impression he was a Fullback/Winger type player but maybe this is a hint that they see him and Ben Davies as our backup centres next year?
I could agree with you but then we would both be wrong.
Cheers.
I would point to Jamie Peacock as an example of a modern prop who lasted well into his 30s. Alex was also not a full time pro until he was into his 20s, obviously the counter argument is his neck that he broke a couple of years back. We will just have to see and trust the clubs medical staff will look after him.
I could agree with you but then we would both be wrong.
Definitely make or break for Norman with his contract up at the end of the year. He needs some decent game time to prove whether he can take LMS’s spot, pressure coming from below with Baxter and Delaney too.
Seemed to be half at winger and half at centre for Rabbitohs U20 last year. There was a piece doing the rounds a couple of days ago about him. Spoke extremely highly of how the club and Mike Rush have looked after him and he’s sharing a house with Tee Ritson.
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
Not many, maybe three or four. They didn't roll him out that much did they. I'm not discounting him, he certainly didn't do anything to suggest he's a bad player either, just didn't stand out when I saw him. He's got a good move to Huddersfield, although the competition will be as fierce there as at Wigan. If he establishes himself there he'll have done well.
https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2023/01/1...p-club-barrow/
Have to say thats unexpected. Given the lack of depth we have at halfback, I was expecting him to get a few games next year.
Sounds like a combination of personal circumstances (commuting from Barrow) and opportunity for regular first team rugby (more likely at Barrow - less opportunities at Saints) that has brought this about. Could be a good opportunity for the player to get some experience for a year or two and maybe a return to a SL club after that? Depending on how the relationship is between player and club - maybe we could get him back in a few years... he's still young.
There’s not much the club can do if he wants to move on and get more guaranteed game time, i can also understand not being willing to make the commute any longer, it cant be easy spending 4 hours a day each time trainings on in a car and if he didnt want to move closer to Saints then you only get 1 conclusion.
Yeah, I'm pretty surprised at that too given what everyone has said about him. I thought one of them would be coming through this year, that was the line a few on here took when we didn't promote someone this year when Dodd got injured. Who is left? Moss? Is there anyone else coming through that could be pushing harder than Archer, which means we've allowed him to go?
None that I can see. Going through Saints team, after Lomax, Dodd and Moss, there’s Will Roberts who I know nothing about and that seems to be it. Either it’s a calculated risk as there are some scholarship superstars whom are going to rush through the system, we seem to be very short. Maybe it’s a calculated risk knowing we’re looking at someone like Mason Lino who can play in the halves or at hooker and we think we can just make it through the year hoping that in a crisis Davies will cover again?
The club seem to have been doing a bit of media this evening, but interesting to read Walmsley is motivated for the 2025 World Cup, given the recent conversation on here. Clearly he’s thinking there’s a good 3-4 years left in him; https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/...-cup-ambition/
Won't the club simply push Welsby in to the halves if they need to fill a gap at 6 or 7 this year? Because the squad is relatively stacked now with options for full back, wing and centre...club clearly have faith in Bennison and have brought in Ritson to compete for a wing spot and there's the other young player signed. Davies is there as you say. Hurrell re-signed, plus Hopoate still in the mix.
Think Lino is a good player but be surprised if Saints are looking to sign him for 2024 at least.
*Not to be confused with Mike Stephenson, MBE
Which was the plan this year, but still needed us to play Lomax with one arm for half the year. Most thought we were short last year and wanted to sign another halfback, even with the Welsby/ Hopoate plan, but that could be mitigated with the next off the conveyor belt, however one of those has now walked out of the door (reasonably enough) and we’re back at square one, except all of us are dreading the possibility of Ben Davies in the halves. That’s before facing the possibility Welsby could get injured as well. Realistically with Archer and Moss we could Rotate between the two if we had a long term injury.
We have shown with Hopoate we are happy to consider players who play split roles, and whilst I don’t think Saints would or should be interested in Lino, he’s a good example of “spine” player who can cover the halves whilst help fill the Roby gap.
We signed 2 players to scholarship/academy that pretty much every team in SL wanted. One was a fullback, Harry Robertson and the other was a halfback, but for the life of me I cant remember his name but he is supposed to be absolutely quality with even NRL clubs wanting him already.
George Whitby was at Sale aswell but has picked Rugby League. Great kicking game and passing. Not so much of a runner.
Robertson is the opposite. Great elusive runner of the ball
Yeah I see what you're saying and I was one of those who said the club were short for cover in the halves ahead of the 2022 season.
I also said before recruitment was finalised ahead of this season, I would've explored the possibility of sending Lussick on loan for the year and using the spot to bring in a half/hooker for the interchange. Let's see how Lussick goes this season, but I still think it will be Roby starting most of the games. And if that's the case, Saints will have a decision to make as to whether they feel he will be lead hooker for 2024.
Here's some players I'd be looking at/monitoring to fill the said Roby gap from the off contract lists:
SL:
Andy Ackers
Joe Lovodua
Daryl Clark
Brad Dwyer
NRL:
Connor Watson
Jayden Nikorima
Jacob Liddle
Jake Turpin
No particular order. Some are lead hookers, others for the interchange.
Looking at Saints' off contract list, I do think there will be at least one quota spot to play with if needed.
*Not to be confused with Mike Stephenson, MBE