Quote: The Yellow Giraffe "We've signed Lewis Murphy to play on the other wing.
We will have 1 quota space free if we release Hurrell but none left if he stays on for another year, which is looking likely.
So if we replace Matautia it would have to be someone who isn't non-fed trained.'"
If Murphy regains his fitness I think he will be a good signing. Feldt has always been a class winger however, for me, the jury is out on Sailor. I know he has not played many games in the NRL and given he is 26 years old that is a surprise but on the few times I have seen him he has blown hot and cold. Offensively he seems fine but defensively, and under the high ball, he has been vulnerable. Whether Saints can push for silverware depends on how their forwards perform. Will they recover from injury and find their previous form or will age be against them. Certainly, as proved in the playoff match at Wire they are capable of competing with the best in a one off match but can that form be sustained over the season? It would appear to me that, Saints have taken their eye off the ball when it comes to forward planning. They need a centre and that can only be Hurrell or a non-federation player as there is no one available in SL who fits the bill. That means, unless more non-federation players are released then they will have to find some home grown talent to replace Matautia who, in my view, was outstanding for Saints. Maybe there will be swan songs for Lomax, Paasi, Walmsley & Co. But given their injury records, form and age it may be too much of an ask. Briers and O’Carroll will definitely bring something different to the party and that will be of benefit to some of the young players coming through the ranks. I’ve a funny feeling that they may well be relying on Robertson, Whitby, Stephens and Vaughan to step up. Regarding player investment I expect that Saints will spend up to the salary cap (circa £2.1m) but it will be interesting to see how far beyond that amount they are willing to go. It looks, from an outsider looking in, that they may be trying to cut their cloth. 2025 promises to be an interesting year for our friends over Billinge Hill.