I posted this on the Ritson channel; He may be paid a decent wage from Saints, but I think from a cap perspective, all that counts on the cap is his existing, part time, contract with Barrow, as its a loan this year, which may well have been bus fare.
I dont think were totally up to the cap, so there may be some wiggle room when negotiating extensions with the players off contract this year.
I've said plenty of times I'll be made up if he does well. If it's what is best for the club I'm happy, there's no agenda here, it's just my opinion that he isn't Super League standard currently. Something the club share by the way they have structured the deal, it's good business.
I've not given any opposition whatsoever to the way the club have signed Ritson no matter how much you want to believe I have.
The word 'if' there is the key thing, I wasn't saying he was or he wasn't. If he was worthy of a spot, we could have just given him a 12 month deal, not every signing has to be a multiyear lock in. He was a top tier Union player who had a Super League deal, so it wasn't like he was a wild option.
I haven't consistently slagged Bennison off either. I've said he's played well at fullback and has a lot of promise there. But what I wrote about him on the wing is also true. He's a young lad in his first season in pro rugby in a foreign position and yet people were willing to have him exposed to a full season as a starter in what would have been a very exposed backline given Hopoate and Percival and their injury status.
I think we're looking at the same thing from two different perspectives. You were of the opinion that Bennison was fine and we should wait until something came up, I was of the opinion he wasn't a great option, we were short on depth anyway and we should find someone as there is always availability for players. I was never suggesting we did a Cunningham and signed Russell or Clare. We've now got that depth and there's a plan B, C and D if Bennison or Ritson struggle.
Ive just quoted exactly what you said about Bennison, referring to him as physically weak, very hesitant, bot threatening with the ball and weak defensively makes him sound like he shouldnt be playing rugby in the slightest, not just not on the wing. As for Kyle Evans, in no way is he a top tier former Union player, a simple look at his career would tell you that, so in actuality it was a wild option.
How many players have come out of our academy playing in 1 position and moved to another to play first team rugby, in this current team you can count Welsby, Makinson, Lomax, Roby and Knowles, whats to say Bennison will stay in the position hes played in the academy?
I am of the opinion Bennison hasn’t let us down on the wing when he came in and grew in to the team, he more than deserves the first chance to make the position his, signing a substandard journeyman would have stunted his development and probably limited our potential down 1 side, i have seen people suggesting signing 1 of these substandard players or mentioning NFT players we currently cannot sign, yourself included, the club in my eyes have been smart and waited to be able to get a good look at Ritson and Bruines rather than rushing in getting someone crap.
Wes is a gamble, but a low risk one IMO
Last edited by The Chief; 11th November 2022 at 09:58.
Watching Bruines run around he looks like a decent bet. Big and athletic with a bit of a step. Someone that could be developed into a decent player.
When you then add Makinson/Bennison as the starters, a good young set of backups in Sambou/Lane/Hill and an exciting project in Tee Ritson. We suddenly have a number of good options on the wing.
I could agree with you but then we would both be wrong.
I certainly wouldnt risk Dodd in the World Club Challenge, he needs easing back from his injury, as for Lomax unless he is 100% fit then he doesnt play either, id go so far to say that Percy shouldnt be risked in it either given he missed most of last year with a bone bruise that can take a long time to heal.
I'd rather risk Dodd than Hopoate which is the other choice. If you dont play players for the risk of getting injured you might as well pack up and not bother.
The WCC is an accolade which only one member of our team has won, and the chance to do it in Aus and be the first SL team in the SL era to win over there would be huge. We were a couple of key injuries and video ref decisions from pulling it off against Roosters in 2020, and would throw everything at it again. I would rather win the WCC and finish 5th next season (because what does it matter as long as were in the playoffs) than suffer another 38-0 and cruise top again.
As long as the medical staff say they are Ok both Lomax and Dodd should play. I want to see us with a full team against Penrith, whether they pick a full team or not. If we have a strong side I don't see them not treating it seriously. A big loss at their home would be too much of an embarrassment.
True we had some good debates on what was our strongest team last year. We never got an answer because we never had every player available. We may not get an answer this year either. I guess the lesson for us to learn is that knowing our strongest team is irrelevant as it is the strongest squad that matters.
I could agree with you but then we would both be wrong.
Yes, that is the truth.....
That's the Saints way...
I thought Jonny just had to play with his injury and it couldn't actually be fixed?
Learned comment from The Don
Yes, that was the "club party line". I should imagine how well he played with one ineffective arm Wane must have asked the question can he play on for the World Cup. Did sound like a club v country scenario with the decision in the players welfare and the opportunity went to another player in Jack Welsby.
All the lads are back in training in a couple of weeks will be interesting to see what Lomax will be doing in his recovery phase.
Back to the original thread of Wesley Bruines and the training saints videos, he doesn't look like a player settling for the reserves, do you reckon he will be challenging for a first team spot.
It was on the video on Saints TV yesterday Roby was saying they're back after Christmas. It's mentioned here too:
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/...y-hand-injury/
NEVER WRITE OFF THE SAINTS