I remember that in 1996 Saints swept all before them and then won the cup the following year. Sean Long was given a chance in that season (97) and looked sharp, fast but far from the finished article.

However, Saints stuck with Long and, although 1998 wasn't the best season for you guys, by 1999 you were back winning trophies and Long was to be the linchpin of the side from then on.

I can see so many similar signs with Eastmond. I also think the club is in far better shape than it was then. The circumstances, however, appear to be very similar to that earlier period.

Nice comparison, and a fair one.

There won't be a [isensible[/i Saints' fan who doesn't accept we have to step back to move forward, and it is the next two years that will be the making of Potter's reign.

I back him to shut a few people up.

here's hoping!

Nah, although i think Eastmond will eventually be an even better player than Long i believe Long had better players around him such as Joynt,Newlove,Martyn,Sullivan, Cunningham in his early days then came along Sculthorpe an even better Cunningham,Fairleigh,Iro, then after that the likes of Jamie Lyon, Pryce.

I don't believe Eastmond will have quite as much to work with as Long had because to get up to the sort of standard that them teams were you would probably have to break the bank and the salary cap these days, however i think if Saints can keep developing young talent as they did with Graham,Roby,Eastmond etc they will have a strong base to go forward.

Who`s gonna be the new Bryan Henare and Paul Davidson

Bryn Hargreaves and Nick Fozzard

Both seem to be going backwards sadly

Saints are in a far better position allround now to bring youth players into the side and being able to give them time to bed in. We have produced some great players over the last 15 years like Cunningham, Roby, Wellens, Graham and so on. This famous Rugby League Club may well take a couple of years to get back to our former glories but i am for one exicted at the prospect of seeing Eastmond, Wheeler, Moore, Clough, Lomax, Frodsham and so on stamp there mark on the first team and carry on the legacy of our club since 1996.

Team for 2010

Wellens
Gardner
Gidley
Soliola
Meli
Pryce
Eastmond
Fozzard
Cunningham (capt)
Graham
Wilkin
Flannery
Roby

Bench

Moore
Clough
Puletua
Fa'asavalu


Thats not a bad side at all really now is it??? Admittley its going to take Kyle Eastmond a few months to settle in at Scrum Half but having said that the guy has a huge amount of potential and Im sure he will become a star for us for years to come.

I was very critical of Mick Potter a couple of weeks or so ago and maybe now on reflection I was too harsh. I just hope we go away from this dour up the middle style and go back to the way we play best, keeping the ball alive and having the never say die attitude that won us so many trophies over the last decade and more.

The last 3 Grand Finals have hurt there's no question about that. But I am sure its hurt the players even more and come 2010 I am sure they will strive to put everything right to regain our Super League Crown. When an animal is wounded it comes back fighting just remember that thought.

I'd totally agree with the above side although I'd swap Puletua and Fozzard

So you dont totally agree then

It was 8:33am! Leave me alone I'm not at my grammatical best that early in the day