Last bit's right. Even if we only stop that big f***er Walmsley trampling all over us it'll be a start. We must give him the easiest run out of any of the SL sides

As per another thread I posted on on the Leeds recently, Saints 1-13 “injury rate” last year was 68% - Leeds was 61%. Last year we had long term injuries to Lomax, Fages, Bentley and Knowles with Fages and Bentley missing the vast majority of the season, including the business end. Dodd and Batchelor stood up.

What makes you think the pack is closing in? (Genuine question) to me, our recruitment has been excellent. I consider Naiqama and Hopoate a like for like swap, Lussick is a really exciting addition as we can stop managing Robys time and let him play his full game for 20 minutes like the old days for one last hurrah and Batchelor has already effectively replaced Bentley. Sironen will be hard pressed to be more underwhelming than Thompson, and Bell gives us cover for Knowles which we struggled with this year. Coote will be a loss but the SL young player of the year, and Saints player of the year is hardly a bad replacement, and I’m really excited to see Welsby play a permanent role next year as hell only improve for it. Hurrell is a wildcard but if it doesn’t pay off we don’t lose anything and if it does it gives us another dimension again. Whose recruitment do you rate higher?

We aren't near saints.
Still need a big prop that can make meters and bust a tackle.

We are looking better than last year or two tho.

Saints have three players that must be heading towArds their last season. Will be interesting to see if they do better at replacements than we did.

Calm down, calm down! You're a very sensitive bunch of fans for a team who has just won the competition three times on the bounce. Wouldn't want to be in Woolfe's shoes if you lose two in a row. Nothing wrong with your recruitment, it's top draw. I also said you have the best bunch of players in the northern hemisphere. I'd call that a compliment. I don't doubt your injury spreadsheet algorithms are top draw, but only a fool would attempt to draw a parallel between the injury impact the two clubs experienced last season. My point is, success isn't always as simple as having the best squad of players. Luck, good or bad plays it's part, and Leeds are due a bit. The gap should close a bit next year, odds would suggest not enough to topple Saints, but you never know. I remember thinking Leeds were nailed on for a 4th title in 2010, but Peacock and McGuire got injured when it mattered most. That's the beauty of sport.

Funny how it’s easier to recruit into a side that’s already dominant isn’t it? Players want to win trophies and are more likely to go where they can do that.

Several sides look better for 2022.

Saints won’t be top for ever, it’s a question of when not if.

Oledzki, Gannon and Holroyd are three reasons Saints should be nervous. Maybe not in 2022 but in a couple of year's time, alongside Bentley, we will have the best young pack in the league.

I’m not not calm? I apologise if I came across as sensitive (though I do admit I’m bored of the narrative Saints have been “lucky” over the last 3 years - though that comes mostly from over the hill in Wigan

)

Yeah, there definitely were people calling for Woolf to go 5 games in, with 2 losses in that - but that’s a different story.

There’s absolutely a difference between the impact of an injury, and the volume of injuries a team gets. Volumes of injuries is, in part down to luck sure (though obviously strength and conditioning is a factor as well) but I don’t think Saints or Leeds are outside normal parameters of that luck and that’s what the numbers show, the difference being players like Dodd and Batchelor being able to step into the roles needed due to those injuries, minimising Saints impact.

Yes, absolutely anything can happen - and have also experienced a coulda shoulda woulda if not for injuries 2005 was nailed on until Wigan took out half our teams with spiteful play a week before the playoffs…) but we have a deeper squad this year, and a really clear plan with reserves and juniors for cover, and see our own rate of improvement as a squad as equal to or better than anyone else’s.

Fair enough. For what it's worth I think this Saints team stands favourable comparison with any that came before it. Would love to see you have a crack at Penrith. Is that on the cards or kiboshed because of Covid?

Saints have always been at the top never missed a playoff????????????????? Been in more finals than anyone and won more hubcaps?

Being in play-offs makes you top six or at times 8.

I think the issues with Leeds injuries were that they always seemed to be grouped. We would have our first four choices at half back missing at one time or our first four choice props missing. It would then have a knock on effect whereby our best hooker would move to half back meaning we were then without our best hooker and half backs etc.

Oledzki is so overrated it’s funny.

The other 2 are squad fillers.

Saints may not win SL next season or the season after but there is no chance that Leeds will.

I doubt that there are many fans or coaches who think Oledzki is overrated.

Someone is bitter is 2022 Wire's year just like the last one?

Like a wire fan knows what squad it takes to win the league. They haven't had one for the last 66 years, or 24275 days as I prefer to think of it. https://mobile.twitter.com/since_1955_

Like a wire fan knows what squad it takes to win the league. They haven't had one for the last 66 years, or 24275 days as I prefer to think of it. https://mobile.twitter.com/since_1955_

Don't be fooled, that user isn't a Warrington fan, they support Saints. Don't you Stef?

This really tickled me, thanks for giving me a good laugh

I'm pretty sure it's Lebron James/Steph Curry Saints fan who keeps getting banned

Does anyone know when Fus is due to land? Usual Visa processing thing and he has to organise a big move with family too I assume.

We could do with him being involved in pre-season with us though.

Let's just hope he doesnt arrive in the same shape the last 2 Tongan imports have.

Very rare that any overseas players are involved until late in pre-season really these days

Has taken the number 2 shirt from Briscoe

Sort of surprised Walker keeps the #1 jersey as I thought Myler deserved it after last season.

He is one of the fastest person to score 50 tries in the NRL with a total of 61 in 108 matches for New Zealand Warriors. Its going to be exciting to see how he does.

Big Dave needs to stay away from the other Tongan SL players or he might end up in Maccie D's every weekend!!