Interesting point - if we'd been quicker off the mark and gone for Holbrook when he was available, would we have won SL last year?

We might have been able to pick up Barba too.

I'm happy with SP. I don't like Holbrook and certainly wouldn't have wanted Barba.

I’m working on a 3 year cycle. Look at Saints last year, their main attacking ploy was the Barba move out of the back. They have moved on significantly since then.

why would we of wanted to pick up barba?? and what have saints won with holbrook??

Who would you say had the better squad last year? The answer to that would probably indicate which coach we should have had. If Saints were stronger but didn’t make either final then do you have to look at what the coach did?

LLS

I didn't say anything about it being easy.

Their right side is where the majority of the attack goes.
Even when they look to go left in attack...it's still a foil as they almost always switch it back to the right just trying to create a little more room.

Tommy Makinson - 8 Tries
Kevin Naiqama - 9 Tries

Mark Percival - 5 Tries
Regan Grace - 12 Tries

An equal number of tries from the left & right.

Pfft how do you know that percival n grace didn't score theirs on the right

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tT5OtbUkhc Against Castleford the attack went to the left for most of their tries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tT5OtbUkhc Against Castleford the attack went to the left for most of their tries.

I completely agree with you that Saints have benefited by having Holbrook for longer.

I remember when they signed Holbrook (who was a very highly respected up and coming coach in the Aus coaching system at the time) we had people on here saying to stick with Smith because "who else is available".

However I don't believe the differences in the two sides can be put down to just that 4 or 5 months longer they have had their new coach. I believe their squad is stronger.

Their centres trounce ours (Naiqama and Percival) and I believe their pack is more effective too. Lachlan Coote is a good player also.

It was a real shame that we failed in out attempt to get Naiqama in the season before Saints got him. I was excited by that prospect. Saints certainly have the edge on us in terms of the 3/4 line up effectiveness. We have good wingers but very average centres that lack pace, as outlined in the stats in my previous posts on assists.