As you say, different circumstances this time around but, win or lose, I'd like to think this is the time we put the WCC behind us. We've rested players and obviously that brings challenges to continuity but we need to start building into the rest of the season now. As well as Good Friday there's a tough away assignment at Leigh and a potentially hard CCQF on the way in the coming weeks so we need to consign the WCC to the record books.

I do think we'll be able to lift for Good Friday but we'll be coming from a point that is currently behind where Saints are at this point in the season and, of course, they'll also lift for this game. Hard one to call. Our attack is better but their defense is currently better. It all depends which comes out on top and that will start with dominance in the forwards. Get that and we'll win.

Looking at the list of who is OOC and current 6's, I don't see many teams taking him as a starter. That's not to say he's not good enough, but a lot of sides are pretty covered at 6.

Funnily enough, it's probably the best side (Penrith) who could be one of the very few teams looking for a 6.

Yeah that's what ì meant as in a starting position, without doubt he has a talent to be a squad playing utility back. Whether he's willing to do so? Him being closer to family is a no brainer, wages are a factor but NRL clubs have more cap space, I suppose it just hinges on whether he's willing to wait on the sidelines for his chance (bit like Hampshire with us).

The sad thing is that if he does go back, he'll probably be going back as a bit of a utility and at one of the less glamorous clubs. If the pull of home is strong enough to take an offer like that, then fair enough, it's clearly important to him. On the flip side, if we can convince him to stay, then you never have any worries about his commitment here. He has been superb in every aspect during his time here. The club look after him and he repays them in spades.

James Bell banned for Friday.

Nothing to see here.

Thought Clark might have picked something up for shoving Holyroyd into the ad boards, but I'd assume they decided a yellow was sufficient.

Preparing myself for the next wave of RedVee conspiracy theories though, I'll get the popcorn ready.

What was that for? I didn't notice anything during the match (seem to be saying this a lot so far this season )

Their attack looks far better when Bell is on the field, so that’s a blow for them.

Quote: Phuzzy "What was that for? I didn't notice anything during the match (seem to be saying this a lot so far this season https://x.com/JamesSaintLatic/status/17 ... 12402?s=20 Assume they've classed it as a hip drop. But Bell's feet are on the floor when he makes contact and it's just a coming together of legs. If the Leeds player doesn't stay down and Ackers doesn't wave his arms about I highly doubt anyone would even notice it.

Quote: Phuzzy "What was that for? I didn't notice anything during the match (seem to be saying this a lot so far this season https://x.com/JamesSaintLatic/status/17 ... 12402?s=20 Assume they've classed it as a hip drop. But Bell's feet are on the floor when he makes contact and it's just a coming together of legs. If the Leeds player doesn't stay down and Ackers doesn't wave his arms about I highly doubt anyone would even notice it.

Correct, who needs an ex Leigher when you've got Morgan Knowles

Saints fans last year: Bans shouldn't be dependent on a tackle causing an injury
Saints fans this year: No, not like that!

That's an absolute BS suspension and I'd be livid if it was against us.

I'm pretty sure that between the g!mp referees and the MRP, they don't actually care about spectators, or the spectacle on show. It's all about them and their "mitigating factors", or "processes". No one in their right mind wants players sitting in the stands when they are fit to play, regardless of what they've done.

Fans and Sky deserve better, but sadly all that matters are the refs and the people above them.