Just catching up on this post - some very good points , and some very good comedy p8ssed posts too - all very entertaining.
Re Welsby. Top player. Top 5. Standout best in league - no , unless you're a Saints fan. His competitiveness and willingness to chase lost causes is one of his main advantages over many. Doesn't have the stand out brilliance of French or Field but has a knack all good players have of seeming to be involved at key moments.
Field v Welsby comparison is a good one. On many counts Field has gone under the radar a little Hamstring injury ruled him out for 2 months. Took almost 2 more months to look comfortable stretching his legs. He hasn't scored many of the spectacular tries he did last season, but his assists are high and very consistent, he plays a very selfless role to make space for others even when he doesn't touch the ball, something I don't think Welsby has anywhere near same type of impact. There's no way of including this in any stats, but take a look at Faz or Wardle scoring out wide and Field is almost always an option at the back causing a misread. Only downside to Field - and the reason he's not back in the NRL is his lack of size.
In terms of Saints GF hopes - they are still the team to beat, but primarily that's down to their line speed in the opposition half (ability to not get penalised for offside..
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and commitment to aggressive defence. Much will depend on the fitness of respective forward packs over the next month...........