Hi all new to this forum and not been posting for long.
I feel that as a team we are short of winning honours but not far off.
Backs - we lack that bit if x factor ( I know thus has been discussed in other threads ) but with a few changes we could go from been good to great.
Lomax - full back for me would be fantastic there but he has the talent to be fantastic in whatever position he plays. I think that as a club we need a long term strategy for player recruitment to decide his best position so we can leave him there to let him truly develop into the world class player he has the potential to be. Then recruit what we need and where so he isn't shoved from pillar to post.
Makinson and Gaskell - both have shown they could be more than good enough for saints and for a long time to come. Think they could both do with a dual reg contract to let them develop both as players and physically. Makinson for me is a future centre with pace which is something we haven't had for a while. Gaskell could easily develop as a classy 6.
Wheeler - if he could stay fit I would not be too worried about weather pryce leaves or not as he is probably the most naturally talent player we have but his doctors notes must resemble 10 years worth of casualty scripts and this is a worry now as it has been going on for too long. Granted his last injury was a bit controversial to say the least but yet again he has been injured for too long. Next year must really be make or break for him at the club
Foster - long term winger for me. Yes he isn't the fastest winger but he is young and a points machine. Wello never had pace from day one but he used to beat the first defender on kick returns regular until recently so pace is important but points are more so.
Shenton - classy player but needs more service. If he had a real flier outside him then that would give us dangerous flanks to attack from that offer different threats allowing us to vary our attacking options instead of being a bit predictable.
Pryce - if he stays great if not we need to know and get an adequate replacement ASAP. I cannot think of who tho. Ratchford would have been my choice but he is wire bound now.
Hohoia - until he arrives no one knows how he will go but his support play is good from what I have seen. He is also a regular of NZ and is versatile so he can't be that bad and he is pacey.
Meli - been a revelation at centre and if needed can always go back on the wing but only if we were desperate.
Gardener- been a good servant but I think makinson has already overtaken him and should be released. We need a winger with pace some one like briscoe, broughton, or Watkins. If anyone can think of someone else then fair enough.
Wello- time to be replaced with lomax IMO. However this should be done gradually because there will be times were the games will be tight and his defence positioning and experience will be vital.
Forwards - j know this has been done to death but we need another prop griffin for me.
Flannery- even tho he has signed a new deal I would only play him when others need a rest. Just cos he is an Aussie doesn't make him a world beater. For me he is an over rated version of ashurst/ Dixon.
Ashurst / Dixon- play them regular or dual reg them as this season has done them no favours at all. Could be great could be gash but without regular game time we will never know.
Wilkin - class. This years has been his best in a long time just needs to keep it up.
Tp/ Roby- class no need to comment further.
Soliola- exceeded my expectations just needs to pick his big hits better to avoid missing the tackle.
Lms - good first season and hope he keeps it going.
Perry- really needs to show his true class. But don't think he fully recovered for his injury at the end of last season.
Laffranchi- think he will go well for us but time will tell.
Flannagan- think he will prove to be our best signing tbh. He is young and has played well for wests (not so much this year) and is a tackling machine. Takes flannery's place for me.
Magennis - lots of potential but his first full year really so will improve for it.
Moore - awaiting outcome of his court case. I would like to keep him as is aggressive and plays at a good tempo. Wait and see.
Clough- keeps getting better every year. Defo should move up to prop IMO.
2012 for me:
Lomax
Winger
Shenton
Meli
Foster
Pryce ( wheeler if pryce goes)
Hohoia
Perry
Roby
Lms
Soliola
Wilkin
Tp
Laffranchi
Flanagan
Clough
Wello
That leaves Any other new signings plus every one else to fight it out for a place In the 17