I'd move heaven & earth to keep him especially so with Lulu going.

+1

I'm not sure. Obviously this question comes while he's in top form but for my money he's short of a big performance against a top club (alright he played well against Leeds last week but they were way off form). I would wait until after easter before putting anything on paper.

He's quality. You dont get to SOO for nothing do ya.

Definitely, unless we have an experienced half-back lined up for 2013 already. I like the idea of bringing one of Powell and Russell through but not both at the same time. Given the choice I'd have rather kept Leuluai than Finch but that choice isn't available to us, and an old head in the halves is very important IMO. Saints dropped on last year with Gaskell and Lomax playing so well but injuries forced them into playing the two youngsters together. Plus they still brought Hohaia in to play in the halves this season

Souths being heavily linked with a move for Cooper Cronk for 2013. Madge is also expecting big things from a young half called Reynolds (I think) according to the Aussie press.

Oh I hope so!! I don't want to go back to the days of a different half back pairing every other week. Replacing Tommy is going to be bad enough but Finch as well? Noooo thank ya very much.

A seasoned pro with experience at the highest level I would sign him up for a further 2 years a player of his ability is a key asset to our squad it will be great to have his maturity around the younger players looking to take lulu's spot and eventually his in the future.

With Tommy confirmed to be leaving we NEED to keep him.

Stability is essential in his position. Keep him.

I cant see Finch staying for another year tbh as he has never struck me as being particularly fond of life in this country. I would certainly like Lenagan to see how he performs over the next few months before making any rash decisions.

Yes.

Really came to light at the end of last year and I've got big hopes for him this year

Top class player and the way he plays he could go on for another 2 years at least. He does not rely on pace or power he is a general and guides us round the field, I would have no issue with another 2 year deal, although a 1 with an option is the moe likely scenario.

Regardless it is very important to keep him given we are losing Tommy.

It would be a good move to have Finch alongside the younger half backs fo a season

I'd like to keep Finch another year. Money shouldn't be a problem with Tommy L, George Carmont and probably Amos Roberts going it'll free up a lot of cap space. Then there's also Stuart Fielden but I guess we'll have to wait and see how he goes once he is back to fitness.

Without question!!! He controls most of our games imo.

Yes definatly losing 1 HB is going to be bad enough i think losing 2 could be a disaster. Get someone off the cuff with him and let Finchy pull the strings

Totally agree we must keep him but the type of player I'd target to replace Tommy would be different. We have an off the cuff player at fullback and the best in the league in that. I think we need a player that can kick us around the place. I'd love them to have a running game as well. The man I'd consider giving a shot would be Matty smith. He's been at a big club and done pretty well and I think his games matured over the past year or two.

To have a superstar like Tomkins at fullback, a play maker with fantastic hands at 6 and a kicker that can go through gaps at 7 would bring great balance IMO.

We'd also having rafts of options with Tomkins being able to shift in to the halfs, Smith in to 9 as well as loads of top class kids backing them up.

ATM I'd have to agree with NickyKiss's comment on the first page in that at present we can't afford to lose both him and Leulaui in the same season. A new HB pairing would take time to gel and to adjust.

Having said that, should a world class HB become available - ie. Benji Marshall/Johnathan Thurston, then I wouldn't be too fussed. Seeing as there's more chance of Dwain Chambers getting another gig in SL than that happening - Sign on for more Finchy

Tommys kicking game is awful so i think replacing him with a prop wouldnt hamper our kicking game. Id like to see another HB who can attack the line and who scores more tries than Tommy and Finch.

In an ideal world we can find somebody who can offer both a running and kicking game. A player that will offer some threat with the ball himself and score a few trys but also a player that will more often then not pin the opposition back with a good kick.

Guys like Brough, Briers, Dobson etc are guys in superleague that do that and we need somebody similar imo.

They're not easy to find though.

I like Matty Smith and thought Saints screwed up by letting him go and keeping Scott Moore. He'd definitely be worth a shot, but Sam Powell is very much in the Tommy L mould and will be given a go some time this season.

Cooper Cronk

I'll say it oneday and it will happen

I really hope one of Mellor, Powell or Logan Tomkins stands up this year and take some of the worry over Tommy leaving away.

Even if one does though I still feel we need to sign another halfback/hooker and Smith would be my choice. He'd be reasonably priced, he's coming to a really good age, he's hungry and he's english. I think he ticks a lot of boxes.

I'd settle for this line up next year-

1- Tomkins
6-Finch
7- Smith
9- McIlorum

Back up- Mellor, Powell, L Tomkins, Russell.

He's no Dennis Moran



Feel sorry for Australia only having him to step in for Lockyer! In all seriousness as good as Lockyer was I think Cronks a better player now then Lockyer was in the last couple of seasons of his career so they may be gaining something.

Scary.