Just going back to the Leeds game at LP earlier this season. I think Walsh's absence played a big part in Hohaia's performance against Leeds. I know Lomax played more of a half-back role that night but Hohaia was the only recognised 'half' in the side. I often think he's guilty of relying on players around him at times to do bits of his work for him, but that day he didn't have that really. He stepped up, organised well, kicked well and lead us around the field in the way I think we'd all like to see. Just because Walsh's on the team sheet doesn't mean he needs to go back into his shell.

Turner at 6. In my opinion, we rely almost too heavily on Walsh as it is. Pretty much everything goes through him. What would we gain by putting a centre in there who has no kicking game no organisational qualities? Granted we haven't seen him play there on a regular basis, but either way I suspect we'd be relying even more on Walsh than we already do. Imagine Turner and Percival defending down the left edge together as well? Not sure about that really.

Hohaia and Walsh are our first choice halves IMO. Injury permitting, keep them there together and let them develop as a partnership.

I don't think so, no. I'm (obviously) no expert but from watching Saints this season so far it would seem at this stage anyway that both Walsh and Lomax are free ranging, popping up all over the place, and that flexibility and fluidity may be lost to Lomax if he moved into a six role as such. I'd still go with Hohaia at six because he can offer another running and kicking option should the opposition aim to close down Walsh, linking in with Lomax as he did so spectacularly against Leeds at LP for example.

We badly need to have our spine retained week on week so that all its parts can get used to playing together. Messing around with Hohaia will do nobody any favours.

Apropos of nothing whatsoever, I liked the way Hohaia and Walsh celebrated Hohaia's try on Thursday night. Maybe those two would also work together very well if just allowed to get on with it by our tinkering coach.

I agree fully lance should be left to work with Walsh for the remainder of the season. Rumour was that this is lances last season. With the rules on concussion now in the NRL is value increased exponentially. So looking to the future, it's either bringing someone in or someone moving position (turner, as was the original point of the thread, or lomax) and it was a suggestion for 2015 and beyond.

With Wilkin (or turner) in the middle of the field playing lock, moving the ball from one side to the other, we can afford for our halves to play a little, and not be tied into a structure necessarily. Lomax wouldn't have to change the game he's playing, just the number on his back, and we can bring in a fullback who can specialise in being on the shoulder of the ball carrier every other tackle, and solid defensively. Lomaxs lack of a kicking game is a draw back, but with the pivots we currently have in the team, were stifling our 6 into occasional 1 off plays whoever it is. We've all called for wheeler, hohaia and whoever else has played there to get more involved than just a few good plays a game, moving lomax back frees up our fullback role for something different.

Sorry, I didn't realise you were looking to next season. I assumed you were talking about this season. But that's probably because I'm having enough difficulty dealing with this season at the moment to think about the next one!


It's a possibility but just now I'd like to see how things develop with the same pivots each week, assuming we ever even get to that stage! At the moment, Lomax and Walsh as they are placed are looking very good and unless something goes wrong with that then I can't see the point in changing it but if as you suggest Hohaia wont be with us next year, even though he is contracted to be, then maybe things will be looked at again at that point. At this stage I'm happy as things are between Lomax and Walsh as they are working very well together but I may feel differently by season's end.

Walsh and lomax have been exceptional together and have a really good understanding but I'd leave lomax where he is.

The free role really benefits lomax, he can pop up where and when he wants and it's near impossible for a team to take him out the game.

It's just a shame we can't find a stand off. The spine of lomax, new 6, Walsh, Roby would be very very good.

I was sceptical at first with lomax at fullback but he was struggling in the halves, he become to predictable with his step and dummy, he also didn't let the ball go enough. He's basically playing as a extra pivot now and he's massively important for us.

This for me although I would be tempted to give Roby a break and use Lance at 9 as he's not too terrible there. Turner has looked beyond terrible every time I've seen him play 6.