The club may take the long term view that Lomax and Wheeler need to be given first team action on a regular basis in order to reach their full potential.
If we take it that Wheeler and Shenton cover the two centres.
Then that would mean Lomax has to play elsewhere. Wello has just signed for 2 years, so thats fullback pretty much off limits for Lomax, except if Wello is injured.
Wing is an option but Jamie Foster looks cemented in one wing sport and Meli has just signed for two years. That seems to indicate he has the other wing spot.
All the smoke re Gardner , seems to indicate he knows he hasnt got a guaranteed spot next year, hence he is looking to move on.
Suspect the club will regard Tom Armstrong as the backup winger to Foster and Meli if either get injured. Hence him signing for one more year.
Where then do we play Lomax. The club may therefore take a punt on releasing Pryce and using Lomax as standoff.
Alternatively Wheeler could be put at standoff and Lomax played at centre as he was in the grand final.
People need to bare in mind that Pryce will be 30 years old at the back end of next season. Therefore he is at that age were the club and player will be reviewing their long term options.
At best I think Pryce will see out 2011 as a Saint. I dont think he will be with us after that though. We have too many good youngsters biting at his heels.