If Bennison is thought of as back up, I think he's going to get a better deal from Saints fans. The fact Saints have needed starting wingers haven't helped him. If he is first reserve to Murphy and Feldt next season that should suit his talent more and help ease the pressure put on him.

I've got no contacts whatsoever but rumours that we've signed Karapani from Brisbane from next year as well, a centre. Really will be a new look back line

I’m not being funny mate but who is he?

Not seen him play myself but he’s a young lad (22) and looks big and athletic with good hands. Coming on the recommendation of Briers apparently

Comfortable win for Saints today

Red card though. My word. The game is completely finished.

It's just becoming a chore to watch now. I'd love to know what percentage of games in SL this year have seen at least 1 card. Will be way over 50% in my estimation. They're whats deciding half of these games, completely change momentum etc. Its ruining the integrity of the comp at this point

Fwiw whilst I thought Vaughans last night was probably correct by the letter of the current rules (even though I don't like it), this one I'm not even sure you can say that. The ref says its a direct shoulder to the head but it doesn't look like that to me, looks like he's got him with the arm

Fair enough.

So looks like Saints will get in the playoffs as its hard to see them losing to Cas at home twice.

Wigan still have to win a couple of games to guarantee finishing in the top 2 but what stands out at this time of year is the lack of advantage for the top 2 clubs whoever they end up being. No second chance like in the previous top 6 system (which was my preference) and also no guarantee that finishing 1st over finishing 2nd will lead to an easier fixture. but Frankly if it was a choice between Wigan finishing 2nd and playing Warrington or Wigan finishing 1st and playing Leigh or St Helens, I'd probably prefer the Warrington fixture.

Literally no club has anything to fear with us.

If indeed we do make the top 6 we go out week 1. Just want this season to be over with already.

I’m going to Warrington next week fearing a hiding similar to the HKR game.

Better result than Utd though. Who gets sacked first Wellens or ETH?

I think that Saints may need to win two games to make the six.

From what I can see that would only be the case if Catalans beat Salford and Salford then beat us in the final week. One win would definitely see them above Leeds.

The Leigh v Saints game will likely determine which of the two teams finish higher.

Spot on.

The only bright spot is that by the Cas game and judging by the injury timelines we’ll have Dodd, Clark, Sironen, Percival and maybe Welsby back plus Makinson will have served his ban

Although with the way this season is going with injuries we’ll probably have picked up another 5 before then.

That’s the logical outcome but mathematically not factual. Catalans will finish on 32 points if they beat Salford, Hull and London. Salford can accumulate 34 points with three wins. Leigh can finish on 33 points and Leeds 32. I agree it is a tall order to expect all those things to happen. I think that Saints will definitely need two wins to get a home tie which necessitates winning at Leigh and as I said they ‘may’ need to win two to make the six. If they play like yesterday then they are doomed.

How can all those things happen? Salford can't beat Catalans at the same time as Catalans beat Salford?

One win should enough bearing in mind all the permutations

Copied and pasted from RedVee and this is the best explanation for me......

*************************************************************************************************************************
Been going through the fixtures to work out all the possibilities.

Current table:
Saints 28
Salford 28
Leigh 27
Catalans 26
Leeds 26

Fixtures: (my lousy predictions in brackets)

SAINTS
Wire A (L)
Cas H (W)
Leigh A (L)

SALFORD
Catalans H (W)
Hull FC A (W)
Wigan A (L)

LEIGH
Cas A (W)
Hull KR H (L)
Saints H (W)

CATALANS
Salford A (L)
London H (W)
Hull FC A (W)

LEEDS
Hull FC H (W)
Wigan A (L)
Hull KR A (L)

Would leave the final table:

Salford 32
Leigh 31
Saints 30
Catalans 30
Leeds 28

Boldly assuming a win against Cas, it would be very unlikely that we miss the playoffs given Leeds' run-in and Catalans inferior points difference.

Leigh away a huge game for them as a defeat could well see them drop out. A win for us would put us in 4th and give us another home game, and a loss would mean Warrington away first up.

Completely agree with all of that. The biggest doubt is Salford v Catalans - Cats looks decent in the first half against Wigan. If they're able to take a risk on Tomkins, Mcilorum, Abdul etc then this is the game to do it.

I'm just desperate for us to continue our proud record of being the only team to make the play offs every season in SL. I have zero expectations on us getting past Week 1 but at least we can preserve a record.

It's not just a tall order - it's impossible as Salford play Catalans this week.

Saints will win it from 6th scoring a grand total off 11 points in the process

You cannot really know that for sure without factoring in the final results and what the score was when the card was issued.

There are plenty of games were the cards don't make a difference to the final result.

That’s not really the point though. Yes, the team losing a player may have lost even with 13, or the team losing a player may overcome and win anyway. What’s undeniable in every single case though is it completely changes the dynamic and momentum of the game

For what it is worth I think Saints will make the top 6 but my point still stands that mathematically one win doesn’t guarantee Saints a playoff spot. If your predictions are correct then a Saints trip to Warrington would be very tasty. Also, I wouldn’t put it past Wigan or HKR to falter next week as this Friday’s fixture is akin to a GF game and it can be extremely challenging to perform the week after such a big game.

Murphy confirmed now on a 2 year deal

Well Well Well RobRiches- its almost like I do have sources after all....posted this before the media started to, check the date d**k head