It’s just my opinion. The stats you raise re Field are interesting. Just for balance though, Miski has as many tries as Makinson this season with more tackle busts.

However if I had to choose one of them for my team in a Grand Final it would be Makinson all day long.

To highlight I'm trying to be as neutral as possible, I'd pick Makinson as well and would pick him ahead of any winger in Superleague because I think he's the best around but by the same token, I wouldn't take Welsby over Field or French, regardless of stats. The naked eye tells me Makinson is the best winger in the league but the naked eye doesn't say to me that Welsby is the best player in the league and stats just back that view up. He's one of the best (top 5 IMO) and that is playing at fullback, which I think is his second best position and he's younger than the other guys I'd have in that bracket, so his ceiling is probably higher but I think it's a bit media driven this line of 'Welsby is the best in the league'. If you're not as good in attack or defence as another fullback in the league, I'm stumped how anybody could give a concrete opinion of him being the leagues best player.

It’s not a concrete opinion though is it? It’s just mine which you disagree with and that’s fine.

I did say very early on in many ways it’s a pointless debate.

All different players, all high quality players.

I think Welsby is the best all round player of the three but there is no doubt that Field and French are tremendous attacking weapons and in particular I think French is a superb player.

I'd like to see how Welsby would go if Saints could bring in a player with genuine pace (like a Field or French) as he is currently the only player across the spine with any pace at all which makes it a bit easier to try to manage him out of the game as the only genuine running threat.

Aye but it's better than doing some work

Final word I'd give on it would be to say I think Welsby could become the best in the league if he moves to stand off but not at fullback. A couple of weaknesses are being exposed in that position that wouldn't be at stand off and a move to 6 would play to his strengths.

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.. and commitment to aggressive defence. Much will depend on the fitness of respective forward packs over the next month...........

It's just a newer version of the same arguments we've always had. Who's better KFC or Newton, Faz or Scully, Radders or Wellens.

Just to confirm, all three Wigan players were better.

As much as I loved Tez I think KFC was probably just ahead of him.

2 out of 3 ain’t bad though.

When a Wigan fan says “just ahead” you can be sure KC was a country mile ahead

Which he quite obviously was. Other two are genuine discussions, KC Vs Newton isn’t even a debate.

Just like Renouf was no Percival.

I’m aware that Welsby isn’t the best defensive fullback, but I must have missed Field becoming one? Pretty much every time I’ve watched him he’s been pretty abysmal in defence on the whole