I also think signing a 33 year old winger is very different from a 33 year old forward and a 33 year old now is very different from a 33 year old 20 years ago with the advancements in sport science.

Look at Ryan Hall still killing it at what is he, 36?

If Saints get Murphy in addition to Feldt, then that will go a long way to fixing those wing problems. Tough to say how Murphy has come back from that bad injury last year, with him not playing first grade but he looked a real talent.

Appreciate the thought you've given to this.

I'm not denying that they've been put in an difficult position by all these opportunist claims for damages (I'm not sure when these court cases will actually be heard, but it's certainly dragging on). But when it comes to punishment afterwards, they really need to start discerning between accidental contact and deliberate.

Just parking the Tommy Makinson example as there seem to be wildly differing views on that one, we're all in agreement that there have been a number of ridiculously OTT suspensions passed this season. And that's a real danger in a high-speed, heavy collision sport like ours. If they continue with this, the very nature of our game is under threat, which, given that it apparently isn't in Australia, could see the UK finishing up with a sport that is rugby league in name only.

One thing that is within our power is to sort out this sentencing process. Some referees are behaving as if red cards are a new toy, but if we can't do anything about that because the insurance people demand it, we can at least adopt a more measured approach when it comes to further action. The mere fact that no one's suggesting players get suspended for accidental head clashes indicates an awareness that accidents happen.

If nothing else, they need to take a far less cavalier approach to red card incidents, and go through the video thoroughly afterwards to ensure that that the head contact was, firstly, real, and secondly, intentional. I genuinely don't believe they're doing that at present.

Agree with this mate. The problem lies in the inconsistencies. I've just watched the Paul Wellens post match presser and his views on the Makinson tackle are almost identical to the ones I've expressed here: don't particularly like it but it's the way the game is and we have to deal with it. However it's too inconsistent.

I think there's very much a 'trying to discourage serial offenders' element to this. It's a bit of a cack-handed approach that they're taking but it's working to some degree. They're not accepting the 'I can't do anything about it' defence which is fair enough. As I said, Mata'utia and Sironen have managed to adjust their style adequately for example.

I'm willing to bet that any one of us could go through every team and quite easily pick out the players most likely to put in a headshot. There's a reason Harvard rarely, if ever hits high, but, say, Ellis or Byrne regularly do. Same with Wardle as opposed to Keighran in the backs. I don't think Wardle or Harvard play a lesser version of the game as is being made out regarding all these cards and bans. Tommy wouldn't be playing a lesser version of the game by not staying bolt upright and jumping into the tackle.

I don't think the new rules need to be the death knell for the sport. We just need players who are seemingly unable to get the message to adapt and for the game to police it properly. That's surely not too much to ask, is it?

Highly doubt the “insurance companies” have insisted on a disciplinary panel at all, you’ve just made that up.

They will have just said that we need to change the rules and cut down on head contacts, how that’s done is up to the RFL

Nah, they would just increase the premiums proportionally to cover the risk and probably increase the excess too.

I found the "Only Bans" page, Saints are currently joint 3rd with Catalans on 15 accumulated matches but they will be clear 3rd if Makinson loses his appeal, Wigan and Hull are joint top on 20.
HKR were joint bottom with Leigh on 3 and will remain there but it goes up to 4 for both clubs after last weekends fixtures.
Wire are in 8th spot with 6 matches

I can't make something up that I never even said.

A big difference. Either Wigan, Saints and Hull are being refereed differently and being judged more harshly by the MRP, or the likes of HKR and Leigh are squeaky clean.

Like for like in my view.

I think we are getting a slight upgrade. His try scoring record this season is superb and there's not one NQ fan happy to see him leave. Judging by their comments on our social media they are gutted.

Not just saying this because he's leaving but Makinson has been less effective this season, not as good in backfield and on exit sets.

You've regularly said that pace is your main issue Stu. Given that was the case this year with Makinson and Feldt is equally slow, if not slower, how does this signing help solve those issues? Surely it compounds them in that Makinson's place was available for a speedy back and now no longer is.

You need a mixture of pace, strength and finishing ability. Feldt isn't slow, he's just not rapid and has two of the three attributes not to mention how he will help the young lads develop

I don't think our recruitment is finished with yet and Murphy is a real option. Sailor and Welsby will provide enough zip and pace in the backline and that's without any more signings.

Sailor isn't particularly fast and definitely not as quick as Ritson (although Ritson isn't good enough so that's irrelevant). What I'm saying is that, future signings aside for now as we don't know what they are or if there are any, your backline is exactly as lacking in pace next year as it was this. If it was a problem this year, don't you agree it will still be a problem next year?

I'm not looking to dampen your enthusiasm over your new signing(s) but I genuinely can't see what has supposedly changed?