It's not an awful pack. Combined with the backs and the halves, it's certainly a play off team. Does it make the GF? Time will tell...

It's exactly that, balance.

If we could get a Luke Thompson quality forward, with Cooper and the rest as interchange that would be one thing. I guess we can hope Bullock turns into a top player.

Isn't the point that we have lofty ambitions though? KP tells us we want to be the best, but that pack is far from it.

If I look at the Saints starting 17 I feel we are weaker in 10+ so positions in comparison, in truth it's a mismatch. In F1 terms its Mcaren vs Mercedes. Good for the odd win and podium perhaps but over a season no real threat.

Totally agree with you Wires71. When I looked at the Saints team trotting out a the GF we all have to admit they have the best squad in SL. That does not mean we cannot beat 'em on a one-off and we definitely can beat Cat Dragons but we still are not up to them yet.

Saints have a great 17 for sure. I looked into their squad and a lot of players I have not seen play.

One challenge we have is that it is easier for Saints to tempt the top talent than Warrington based on their record and I suspect they can pay less in doing so too. I think the same for Wigan and Leeds. It's a real chicken and egg situation.

For all their new signings, and their deserved GF wins, Saints success is still largely built on Walmsley. He lifts that pack several levels during his stints.

I actually think the signing of Hurrell weakens Saints, but they will undoubtedly be the team to beat again.

I could’ve sworn I replied to this last night!
The upshot of which was, we are weaker without Hill, and a big shame about Harrison’s injury. The youngsters however have more experience. We do look unbalanced BUT I’m hoping for a Teuchel style transformation from Powell.
Saints actually look stronger for next season. I’d be surprised if we make the GF but that would make it so much sweeter!

Can I ask why a squad signing weakens us?if he plays like 2021 he’s struggling to get into our reserves team (over Simm and Martyn), if he captures his 2020 form he will be decent back up to Percival if he’s still made of biscuit and if he refinds his 2019 form where he got into the dream team, he’s putting serious pressure on Hopoate, Sironen and Batchelor to perform, I just don’t really see a downside?

Don’t understand the suggestion of Hurrell weakening Saints. He is essentially the equivalent to Mamo when we signed him, lost his way slightly but still a talented player.

I do agree with the point about Walmsley though, he makes such an impact when he is on the pitch, the momentum he creates is so difficult to control. Even if you do hold on when he is on, the energy he drains takes a toll.

Saints are obviously the team to beat, but with Catalan rumoured to have Mitchell Pearce on the way in, in addition to another prop and an outside back as Chan has recently stated, they could close the gap on them even further.

How on earth do Saints fit them all under the Salary Cap?





Have they signed our accountant?

I think that Hurrell will be used as an impact forward in a similar role that BMM played at Wire and will be difficult to defend against if used that way.

He'll be easy to attack against as well. A liability in defence.

Might be worth you all googling Billy Magoulias