A lot has been made of dixon's running game and tries last night, but his biggest contribution in the context of the game was his try saver, just before half time when we would have gone in 16-4 down. The outcome of the game may well have been very different had he not done that. It's often the little things like that that make a real top player, not the flashy breaks. Just ask bonnie Anderson.

Would also say that last nights game proved that saints were absolutely correct to keep Dixon and let ashurst go, who was pretty anonymous.

last nights game showed why foster is important. Makinson missed a couple of sitters and his kicking technique looked poor. Had it been a close game those misses could have cost us the game. I certainly wouldn't like to rely on him with a kick to win match. Am sure people will say that he lnoxls them over for fun in the reserves, but kicking on big games is a different matter. Don't underestimate fosters value to the team purely as a goal kicker.

I like Foster - he's possibly the best kicker in Superleague and I don't think is a slouch on the pitch.

But Makinson offers something extra in play and that he isn't as good a kicker doesn't outweigh his overall advantage

It was hard for tommy last night kicking. He's not kicked for long long time and everyone expects him to come in and kick like foster.

He missed the easy kicks (only two) but kicked some good goals.

I think if he took on the kicking duties for whatever reason he'd be a fine kicker.

He does seam to leather them. That first one I thought was nerves but then he did it again later on. I think Foster is safe for the time being, but so is makinson. Ade was good too, so I would expect rotation and competiton for places especially in games where we may be expected to win.

But what happens in the games that will be tough ?

Every point will matter so foster with his high percentage kicking will get the nod IMHO. Unless Makinson gets more chances to prove his kicking.

i have never seen the competition for places in the saints starting line up be so strong, is there only Roby and lomax who you would say is certain to start every time? obviously with all the younger players pushing for a start it will benifit the whole team - the likes of meli and gardner need to raise their game to stay in the team where as i don't feel they had that sort of pressure on them 2-3 years ago. was impressed with wheeler last night, particulary in the 1st half.

Dixon was also Saints best player in last years GF.

He did have a very good grand final.

Would not say lomax is safe at HB with Lance on the big bucks.

so would you put gaskell ahead of lomax? or drop gaskell to fit lance in? either way i think the increase in competition for places can only be a positive as players will now know that they cannot rely on past reputations to get them in the 17, and long may that continue!!