My very reliable source tells me Brett Finch is a done deal for next season on a massive 3 year deal!!!

I pray to god this is right!!!!

Why? He's not that good a player. He looks alright at Wigan because they're a well drilled side and they have attacking moves. He's not outstanding and not worth an overseas spot IMO.

I would also question the 'done deal' part, especially when Manu was a done deal up till today when it's now said we've pulled our offer.

If there is mutual interest regarding Finch, it'll be to do with leveraging a better deal from Wigan IMO.

I don't get this. Finch is an ok half back, nothing more. If we have engineered a quota spot from thin air, then I wouldn't waste it on him, for 3 years. There have to be better ways to use what is an increasingly valuable quota spot than this. Having said that, I have no problems with saints putting in an eBay like shill bid to push up the amount that Wigan have to pay for him

I've got to disagree! Not that good of a player ? But twice already this season he has took us apart with ease. He is one of the best half backs over here at the moment and a lot better than what we already have. I'd like it to be true but with no available quota spots it depends at who's expense.

He'd make a big difference here imo, the amount of time we spent in Wigan's 20 metres but had no idea of what to do next are evidence of this.

Any Saints fan saying that he isn't that good is very very biased. The bloke is quality and is exactly what we need. A proper half-back who takes the ball to the line and picks the right pass 90% of the time.

I would dance a little naked jig in front of Keiron's statue if we were to sign him.

However, in order for us to do that we would have to ship out presumably either Perry or Hohaia, and at this point who would take either of those?
And also, Finch would have to reject an offer from Wigan, and I just cant see him doing that.

It's good in theory, but I cant see it happening. I hope I'm wrong.

He's on fire for us but you've got to bear in mind our lads have had time to get used to him. He's a player that lives by what his runners do and it took time to build up that understanding with guys other then his mate Hoffman.

His try on Saturday was out of the blue and he's not the type of player to produce that over and again. He keeps the side moving around the field and is a terrific leader but at a new club he'd need a good settling in period.

I honestly don't know what will happen with him but I'd be suprised if hes not at Wigan next year.

it would have to be Hohaia that is being canned if this story is true. FWIW I can see Lance quietly heading back to NZ Warriors at the end of this year, regardless of whether we have signed Finch or anyone else.

I hope you are right mate. As harsh it sounds, he is waste of money, simple as that. I just hope we don't revert back to Gaskell and Lomax as our first choice next year. We HAVE to sign a proper half-back for next year.

Hohaia would be good for any superleague side playing at hooker? he's probably better than Mcillurum(sp) wigan could do a swap?

Hohaia is just not a half back what Saints need?

Where did this come from?

Can we even sign Finch anyway? We've got Perry, Laffranchi, Hohaia and Soliola, so the quota spaces are full.

It was in the RL papers yesterday that we've withdrawn our offer to Manu on Brown's instruction.

Finch would be ideal for us. An organising, leading half back is just what we need. It seems highly unlikely to me, though.

where does that leave Manu now, Hull will no doubt think he has nowhere to go so wont have to break the bank to keep him........mmmmmmm

also What 2nd rowers are out of contract at Hudds that Brown might want to bring with him..??

Laffranchi holds an Italian passport and is not on quota according to his player profile on Saints website.

Laffranchi is a non-federation trained player. We have five such players and can't sign another one unless one of the current crop, all of whom are contracted into next year, leaves early.

Finch and his agent were both seen up at Langtree. He was also seen in the Griffin Pub. Rumours also heard is that Perry, Meli and Shenton are on their way out.

Meli's out of contract and Shenton looks to be being offered around Super League at the moment. But who would we replace Josh Perry with? We couldn't sign Finch (Not that I think we will, he's just trying to get more money out of Wigan) AND a new prop.

Finch/Manu/Turner would be pretty close to the ideal signings.

A class organising half, a line breaking back row and a powerful/speedy centre are EXACTLY what our squad needs.

If we could ship out Perry for a top class prop, we'd be there.

Then again, I doubt this rumour is true.

Where are we going to get this top class prop from exactly? We couldn't do that AND sign Finch.

Even if we did somehow do as you mention the squad still wouldn't be good enough to win Super League.

No thanks

He did say if we could. Surely even you with your negative views on everything Saints can see that with the 3 rumoured signings plus a quality prop that we would be a quality team?

If Brown has canned the Manu deal he gets +10 intelligence.

Stupid idea signing a 33-yo.