They've just won the nines competition which carries a $370,000 winners prize.

i dont doubt they could afford it but the whole concept of getting a team to pay a transfer for Lance is "interesting"

£200,000, I'd take that! Hell, I'd personally fly him there!

Can't knock his credentials...

There's a few question in itself to be able to answer this - primarily, would saints be willing to use some or all of the £300k "windfall" bonus from the new sky deal on a transfer fee? - in recent years the answer would of been a resounding no - has Amor become an indicator for a more liberal approach?

If not, then the only Aussies available this time of year are going to be those in disgrace and ruin ... Blake ferguson anyone?



IF the answer is yes to the above then we're dealing with around half a million Aussie dollars (or half a burgess depending on how you want to think

) - coupled with ~100-150k of salary cap space all but the very top are off limits.

On the other hand, lance leaving leaves us short on cover in a few key positions. Whilst I'm fine with bringing the kids in most of the time, wasn't our hooker against Whitehaven a kid who usually plays second row? We would 100% need another hooker IF lance goes. It might be better to leave it and bring in cover if injuries occur to lomax/ Walsh/ Roby

If he's just cover for Roby, then let him Leave. Robes has had one injury hit season in 10! plus if the worst did happen we could always pick up a 9 as good as Lance from the championship for buttons

I present you Stuart Howarth as evidence on the contrary

- I certainly wouldn't stop him going - just advocating caution in reallocating the money! We could always bring in one for buttons as you say and still afford the best that's available? - who would we go for if we decided to spend right away?

The fact we got Howarth in instead of using Lance there tells its own story of Browns faith in Lance at 9.
He's just like Perry, great in the NRL, utter garbage here

True, lance and perry deserve there own special section in the bad signings category! For whatever reason they just didn't work out, which is a shame as they were likeable enough.

Unfortunately it's more likely saints will be paying the transfer fee for someone to take him off our hands rather than the other way round

Only happy with this if we have a replacement lined up. We finally have a squad with options. We can play Lance to give Lomax, Wheeler or Walsh a rest. Lets run with the squad we have if. Blake Ferguson would a dream signing for 1 or 2 years, he could be used as a running stand off.

Cheap option could be Ryan Brierly from Leigh to cover Gary Wheeler. Loves a try this bloke.

with no promotion this year, Leigh might go for it if we compensate them.

Cracking news this. Hope it's true. If he does go we need to use the money to bring in a back up hooker. Clarke at Cas would be nice but he seems to be off to the wolfs.

Things appear to be going too well at saints atm!

@RLW_Mole: For those asking, yes former @NZWarriors Lance Hohaia a chance to replace Lachlan Coote @nthqldcowboys

Would definitely go for Clarke at cas, just the type we need for Roby to train, like Kieran did him. Warrington have a lad (Dwyer I think) whom they all seem to rate as their successor, so if we got in quick there's a chance.

With regard Blake ferguson - I don't know if he was ever found guilty or how that would impact visa applications? Would obviously be an incredible signing and cover arguably our 2 weakest positions (centre and stand off) but we don't usually go for "disruptive" types - that said a 10 month play your way back deal would probably work out well for all!

This season just gets better
Transfer fee for lance would be a dream come true.
If saints could get a quality hooker to spell robes.
Bring Higham back (I know that won't happen)

For those jumping with glee at the thought of Hohaia moving on (and I would agree that things haven't worked out with him although I can't help feeling sorry for the bloke as he has had to put up with all kinds of rubbish partnerships when operating at halfback), when Wheeler gets his inevitable season ending injury, who then replaces him?

If he stays I hope it's not him.

Lance has has plenty of opportunities at 6 and its just not worked out. He's a 1 or maybe an interchange 9 but his lack of ability/desire to take on the line and having no recognisable kicking game doesnt really help him

Charnock if he's ready, try and poach someone from the championship (Ryan Millard had a good World Cup at 6, and we have ties to Rochdale), buy gob (I reckon wire would sell him for 25k), take someone on loan similar to last year, Wilkin or saddened.

All of the above options are preferable to lance at 6 (and in that order)

(I also feel sorry for him in a way of I want it to work out ... But I felt the same about perry - but that doesn't make him a stand off)

Can cover 1, 6 and 9 in case of an injury or resting a star, therefore unless we have a ready replacement or get a fee we would be crazy to let him go for the sake of it.

Been talking to a few people on the other hemisphere. By the sounds of it, cowboys are hoping to sign josh Hoffman from the broncos as their replacement full back, but lance is seen as the best option if they can't convince broncos for a release.

Bulldogs have been pestering broncos to release Hoffman the entire off season, so I can't see why cowboys will have more luck.

yes, but terribly!

Had Brisbane been able to get Anthony Milford for 2014 and not 2015 then I could see Hoffman going, but as it is I think Brisbane will want to keep hold of him.