With all the young players coming through and a few players on their last legs, in 3-4 years time what would our team look like ?
From the players that I can think of that would still be here :

1. Lomax
2. Gardner
3. Wheeler
4. Tyrer
5. Foster
6. Eastmond
7. M. Smith
8. Graham
9. Roby
10. Hargreaves
11. Dixon
12. Clough
13. Wilkin

14. Moore
15. Frodsham
16. Magennis
17. Emmitt
Leaving Ashurst, Armstrong, Ellis and Dean. All that without signings and possibly more of the current squad.
Thoughts ?

Unfortunately, due to the salary cap, as Leeds have found, keeping them all together is highly unlikely

I know its a hypothetical question mind. Although the salary cap is hypothetical that side of the hills isn't it, so you might keep them all

I think we've seen the last of Tyrer, and we could do with a bit more size in the pack.
I dont think Matty Smith will be back but he has more chance than tyrer. I'd have Wheeler at 6, Eastmond at 7 and Lyon at 3

Add Jamie Lyon, Israel Falou and a big Apollo style prop and we're set for 10 years of success.

Matty Smith proved he can hack it in SL last season with some great performances. I'm sure St. Conroy will agree.

SL is not St Helens though. Eastmond hasn't proved anything in any position, he looks quick and has decent skills, but it's not like he's forced his way in yet.

Yes please



Never going to happen though



Lyon will come back, and i agree we need a prop like Baloo. "Have you slimmed down at Saints Paul?" "Yeah i'm down to 19st now"

Of course i do.

Dave Taylor (Brisbane)
Glenn Hall (Manly)
Josh Cordoba (Parramatta)
Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta)
Petero Civoniceva (Penrith)
Justin Poore (St George)
Nate Myles (Sydney)
Steve Price (NZ Warriors)
David Kidwell (South Sydney)
Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney)
Todd Payten (Wests)
Luke Stuart (South Sydney)
All big forwards out of contract at the end of 2009. Also believe Andy Lynch is too.

Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook also off contract this season.

Yer avin a giraffe wit these three intcha?

News item on Fox Sports the Roosters are willing to release Willie Mason at the end of this season.

No he's not

2010

bit slow arn't you.

Big forwards aren't a priority. Good ones are.

The pie-eaters are forever working themselves into a creamy lather over Moimoi. But five years of them telling us new signing (X) / youngster (Y) is/will be the greatest SL player in his position proves they can't tell a good player from a goat. I watched him playing for Parra and it was the usual mixed bag. The thought of him and Feka in the same team gives me a chuckle and the manager of Robin Park Fatty Arbuckle's an orgasm.

Fitzgibbon is past it. If Price were human he would be, too. Civoniceva has a lot of hard miles on the clock.

I'm not against bringing in a player who's close to the end of his career. But it has to be the right player. First and foremost he must have ability. That goes without saying. But, IMO, he must also have been successful (at some point). The best players are the ones who retain the hunger for success even if events (often beyond their control) have left him shy of more of it. Some players - once they have achieved the major prizes - almost appear to lose interest. Been there - done that etc. Wage demands ought to help weed the former from the latter. Players hungry for success are less likely to price themselves out of the market. Look for players who make a point of wanting [ito prove a point[/i. Guys who have been written off by the media or their clubs for reasons that are obviously unsound. Even the best players can have a bad season. A niggling injury that hampers training (including pre-season) but isn't serious enough to prevent playing with injections or such can often result in weeks, months or a full season of average performances. Media hacks generally don't bother thinking too much when the form of a player age 30 or above hits the buffers. He MUST be past it. When the same guy returns (after the proper treatment and rehabilitation period) back to his best they claim they never doubted him.

It's a tricky business - knowing which players at the end of their careers are worth investing in and which aren't. But it's not impossible. Indeed, Saints have been better than most at scouting Aussie props. Darren Britt and David Fairleigh weren't over here for long, but their performances mean they can hold their heads high in the company of ANY St. Helens props of the last fifty years.

Age + high wage demands = definite no no.

Thats pretty much spot on, IMO. There is no point signing a massive prop forward if he has no ability at all. I'd much rather sign a smaller prop with lots of ability, than a massive prop that is pretty much useless, leave that to Brian Noble.

Also, you forgot Darren Smith.

From that list Moimoi, Price and Taylor are the best, only thing is Price is getting on a bit. The other two are young and are both big lads with a great future ahead of them.

You've missed out Ashall, Baines, Lucas and Yates from your list where do you see them in the future

And Foster...

Smith and Tyrer will not be Saints players next season.

Cue st conroy with the tissues..........

forgot Ellis as well