A lot will depend on injuries, as with a full strength squad I can't see us struggling at all. Whilst losing Graham is the biggest blow, I don't think it will be catastrophic if we can keep all of our props fit. If Wheeler could manage to stay fit, that would also make a huge difference in our attacking ability and pace.

A fully fit side such as this

Lomax
Makinson
Shenton
Meli
Foster
Wheeler
Hohaia
Puletua
Roby
Perry
Soliola
Flanaghan
Wilkin

LMS
Laffranchi
Flannery
Clough

With options such as Gaskell, Wellens, Magennis, Ashurst, Dixon, Ashe, Moore and Gardner (if the last 2 are still around) makes us one of the strongest teams in the league. Again, the biggest factors will be injuries and how far the young players develop.

It's all well and good picking sides that we think look dangerous but will the club REALLY move Wellens from fullback? I'm not at all convinced they will as despite his horrific performances over the last year they haven't shown any signs of moving or dropping him.

It will be 1 - Wellens, 6 Lomax and 7 Lance no doubt.

I have heard that Wellens himself wants to move into the pack after an off season of training with the forwards, that could be nonsense but it is what I have been told. Whether that works for him or not remains to be seen, but he has a much larger frame than Scott Moore and he hasn't struggled physically since beefing up.

But even if he was picked at full-back every week, I was just using an example of the options we have, not the squad that will be picked. I believe that it is one of the best squads in the league.

On a similar note, the likes of Andy Platt, Jamie Peacock and Adrian Morley were all props converted from the backrow. I'm not too worried about our front row punch, particularly if we can keep Perry fit.

At the moment we have:

LMS
Perry
Puletua
Laffranchi
Clough

When you list it like that it's enough. But I'd still like to see another added to that list for squad depth. With Saints over the last couple of years we've had probably 2 injured on a consistent basis. We've coped purely because Jammer is a machine and we've often won games with only two genuine props in the 17. That won't happen post Jammer as no one in the squad can even approach his level of work.

Main focus HAS to be signing/introducing a fullback and a prop/big forward.

We have done, t'be sure.

Fine. As I've said, sod playing them in the reserves and dual registering them, get them in against Salford.

I'd get the biggun and Forster on the bench against Solly.

Lance has been injured hence not making the 13 for the Warriors...he had a poor start to the season due to having no real break after the previous season and the 4 nations. Has been playing as hooker/utility of the bench most of the season.

He was 6 when we made the grand final in 02, and looked the goods. He is not a fullback IMO, but played well in that position in the last couple of years. He played at 6 for the Kiwis a couple of years ago in the ANZAC test...he regularly has played at 2nd received when coming off the bench.

He will kill the SL in the halves if he is given a run. His problem at the Warriors is that he was never given an extended run in the halves since 04, and until a couple of years ago we always had a crap pack.

Saints have signed a great player, and he is only 28.

I agree, Lance is a very good signing and I'm not worried about his poor form this year as he's injured and I think he's prob got his eye on next year. I also think he's gone a littl stale and next year will be fresh start for him.

My only worry is the lack of distribution coming from the halves next year. Lomax and lance like to take the line on. I just hope lance can adapt to this.

Laffranchi is another top player and I've been a fan of his for good few years. He's a solid work horse but he likes to play on the edges and being a prop next year will take that away from him.

IMHO saints have made three very good signings in hohaia, laffranchi and Flanagan but my only concern is the change of postion fir them and how they adapt.

Perry is going to be key to saints next year and it's vital he stays fit. He needs to be at his rough and ready best next year as Graham is a massive player to lose.

Jammer will be huge loss. He makes massive amount of meters, tons of defence, 80 mins nearly every week and never takes at backward step, that will be tough to replace!

He should fit in at Saints then with ease!


Now, this can't be right. The oracles on these boards have clearly stated that Lance has never, EVER played at 6 in the whole of his NRL career!

I am really looking forward to seeing him scooting around the place and causing mayhem on our behalf!