What a great idea.

Before he got his big break at FB Wello was a specialist halfback I believe (a little like Lomax was/is) which probably helped his game awareness and his ability to read situations. IIRC I think Wello made his debut under Hanley at hooker. You never lose the mental side of things, Wello will always be able to read a game but I think his body is failing him now, it's certainly not helping that our first line of defence seem to be getting worse under Potter so he's getting more work.

Try to not be irritating for a few minutes and give us your opinion on Lomax ! I'm sure as an avid watcher of junior Rugby you have a clue about how he'd go as a fulltime fullback.

Just promoting discussion.



Lomax is a very good young player with a fantastic attitude, plus he's a Billinge lad.


I'm not sure fullback is his best position but he'll do o.k. there.
My only concern for him is his injury record, and will it take a toll in later years? However he has battled through it all, and his attitude is superb. If effort and willingness to work at his game guarantee success then he will go all the way.

Paul Wellens has always lacked pace, although he used to get past that because he was positioned better and worked his socks off getting there. His performances over the past 10 years have been at times inspirational and he has been, alongside Cunningham and Senior, one of the most consistent players in Super League.

BUT as much as I love him, and I do, he is a true club legend, his time as a fullback is now up. He is too slow and isn't producing the kind of inspirational plays he used to. That could perhaps be because the rest of the side is weaker which exposes him more, but he hasn't been the same for 2 years now IMO. I wouldn't go as far as to say he's a liability as he's not, but his contribution to the side is minimal at the moment. He offers absolutely nothing in attack, is making the type of errors he never used to make and isn't 'getting there' to make those last ditch tackles or clear balls from the in goal anymore.

Unless his form turns around considerably he isn't worthy of a new deal. I'd be giving Lomax more than a chance, I'd make him first choice while we are in this 'transition' mood and see if he's up to it. Wello could cover at centre or loose forward or even as a fourth hooker (I bet no one has tried 4, mind you no one is stupid enough to try 3 other than us so perhaps thats not a good idea).

totally agree - you put it much better than I did

Lomax for me. He offers far more from an attacking point of view, and in my opinion fullback is the most attacking-minded position of all. It would inject some pace in our pedestrian backline, and he is only going to get better, whereas Wellens will get progressively worse as he ages. Wellens has served us well but it's time for fresh blood I feel. We would also get more points on the board, as our support play is very poor, and support play is mainly dependent on having a quick fullback.

For anyone who watched the Wigan game tonight, do you think Roberts 2nd try would have been scored by Wellens? Or the try that Gleeson scored about Phelps beat a man or two, do you think Wellens would have set that up? Wellens has been a great servant to the club, but I think it's time for us to move on.

I'm not sure Lomax would have done any better to be fair.

Defensively, Paul Wellens is without a doubt the safest full back in the country. At least the major worry with Wello is if he'll make it past the first offensive player when bringing the ball forward...with the other 13 full backs in the country, the major worry is if he'll receive the ball comfortably before even thinking off attacking with it.

Defense is the main asset of a full back - and we've got the best defensive full back in the country. He's hardly world class in attack, but thats what wingers and centres were designed for. Its not Wellos fault that Saints aren't gifted in that department.

14 votes for Lomax? Seriously? Is that 14 opposition fans trying to bombard our poll?

I think he would have had enough pace to finish off Roberts' try at least. The point I was trying to make (however poorly

) is that Lomax poses far greater an attacking threat IMO.

Oh yeah. But in terms of pace, so do most people when compared to Wello. However, that doesn't make Lomax the better fullback at this point in time. Just a faster potential fullback.

No, it's people who see our failings and hope the club acts on them. Have you not watched much modern rugby league? How many defensive fullbacks do you see in the Champion teams these days? Webb at Leeds, solely about attack. Mr Slater at Melbourne Storm, solely about attack. Do you think Melbourne care if he can tackle? Fullbacks aren't like goalkeepers in football.

The fullback in the modern game is vital to the attacking aspects of the game. A pacy fullback can join the attack at ANY position in the line, we don't have any of that. Sure they have defensive duties too, but they are hardly key to the game. And on the topic of Wello's 'd', it's not that impressive anymore. He makes as many handling mistakes as any fullback in SL too. Look at Hull's tries the other night, Manu ran over him, Briscoe crossed the try line just as Wello managed to turn round.

Wello will only get worse as well, he isn't going to improve. We should be blooding Lomax whilst Wello is still there, not expecting him to replace him next season having had about 3 or 4 appearances this season.

Wello is prob the best option for saints at fullback at moment. I'd love to see pryce moved there but then we lack cover for pryce.

Wheeler could maybe cover the stand off role but IMO it wouldn't be correct to put pressure on wheeler and Kyle.

Wello still does a job but we are in urgent need of a fullback with pace. We never get on the front foot off kicks because wello can't clear his lines from his lack of pace.

I'd like to see saints next year bring a good stand off in and move pryce to fullback but for now wello is best option.

They could do, but I've yet to see Wheeler show any kind of control over a game at SL level myself.

He's talented, has ability, has taken to SL perfectly fine, bar possibly the physical side with the number of injuries he's had. I've not seen him direct regular first teamers round though, possibly a confidence problem? One of the things that struck me most about Eastmond's debut was that he wasn't afraid to tell more senior players where to go and what to do. Tomkins has been the same at Wigan. Maybe it's because he's not been in the position to do so, a winger or centre will have less chance than a full back for example, but Eastmond imposed himself on games more than Wheeler has done IMO.

Like I said, he's talented and I'd have him at centre no problems at this moment in time, but I'm not sure them both in such key positions whilst the team is low on confidence and out of form is the best idea. I'm more open to the idea of pairing them in the cup if we get lower league opposition.

Wellens has to play FB this year as i dont think Lomax is ready.

The injury to Ade could however be a blessing in disguise if it gives Lomax the chance for an extended run on the wing.

The modern winger comes under a lot of pressure from kicks, and does a lot of work returning the ball, so it would give the player and fans a chance to see how he handles SL intensity on a consistent basis.

Would you extend Wello's contract?

Spot on. I hope Potter uses Lomax on the wing and Wheeler at centre to cover for Soliola. That way two of our up and comings would get more valuable game time and we would get the chance to see how two of our up and comings are progressing. Doing this would also inject some much needed pace into our backline, on both sides.

and thats the main point i think, personally, i'd offer him a 1 year deal like long and see what he says

As much as I like wello and he's been great for saints but I wouldn't offer him a new deal if we could get a replacment in for next year.

I'd like to see pryce move there next year and a ball playing stand off coming in.

wellens is still first choice, but if he isnt regularly rested this season so lomax can get some sl experience,then the club will feel the repercussions the following season

i would play lomax at fb this season in 6 or 7 games at least,we could pick the relevant games to play him and this would also freshen wello up for the following week

I think at the moment it has to be Wellens. He may lack pace but makes up for it with his ability under the high ball and all round experience.

But isn't Pryces contract up the after that? So where would it leave Saints in 2012?

In a brand new stadium that is ours and not a 2nd rate football team.

No being serious we'd just offer him a new contract.

gimme whatever you are drinking fast!

It's the only option for me, plus playing those two gives us balance and pace in the backline which we lack. Soliola will be better in the back row when he returns, which would allow Puletua to play at prop and give us more size up front.