Where are Saints getting all of these young half backs from? : Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:30 am  

and what does the future hold for all of them,

Kyle Eastmond, Johnny Lomax, Matty Smith, Gary Wheeler, Scott Moore.

Of all of these who will be the first choice half backs and how good are each of them?

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:47 am  

Scott Moore plays hooker, and Lomax plays full-back doesn't he? And hasn't Matty Smith signed for Celtic Crusaders this season permanently?

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:50 am  

Smith is just on loan and Lomax is actually a half back but we used him at FB for his first game.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:50 am  

Wheeler is from Blackbrook http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/89 Lomax is from Orrell St.James http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/71 Eastwood from Oldham St Annes http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/44 You would imagine that a few years ago Warrington would have probably signed Eastmond (as the spotted Scully and Harris from Oldham) and Lomax would have probably been spotted by Wigan. Given Saints success they have a lot more pulling power than Wire and Wigan at the moment. Therefore are getting the best Juniors. Plus there is the added attraction that they actually player them rather than releasing them to Huddersfield/Salford/Hull KR Oh I would like to add this one. Ben Karalius http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/104 I believe Saints got him from Widnes. He is also likely to become a Superleague quality player.

Wheeler is from Blackbrook http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/89 Lomax is from Orrell St.James http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/71 Eastwood from Oldham St Annes http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/44 You would imagine that a few years ago Warrington would have probably signed Eastmond (as the spotted Scully and Harris from Oldham) and Lomax would have probably been spotted by Wigan. Given Saints success they have a lot more pulling power than Wire and Wigan at the moment. Therefore are getting the best Juniors. Plus there is the added attraction that they actually player them rather than releasing them to Huddersfield/Salford/Hull KR Oh I would like to add this one. Ben Karalius http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/104 I believe Saints got him from Widnes. He is also likely to become a Superleague quality player.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:51 am  

After having Matty Smith on loan at Widnes last year, as decent a player as I think he is, he isn't good enough to be a long term Saints player in my opinion. Wheeler looked a good player in our 2 pre-season friendlies, but every time I see young Eastmond play I can't help being very impressed.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:55 am  

Noel Cleal wrote: Wheeler is from Blackbrook http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/89 Lomax is from Orrell St.James http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/71 Eastwood from Oldham St Annes http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/44 You would imagine that a few years ago Warrington would have probably signed Eastmond (as the spotted Scully and Harris from Oldham) and Lomax would have probably been spotted by Wigan. Given Saints success they have a lot more pulling power than Wire and Wigan at the moment. Therefore are getting the best Juniors. Plus there is the added attraction that they actually player them rather than releasing them to Huddersfield/Salford/Hull KR Oh I would like to add this one. Ben Karalius http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/104 I believe Saints got him from Widnes. He is also likely to become a Superleague quality player. Lee Gaskill is better IMO http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/96

Noel Cleal wrote: Wheeler is from Blackbrook http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/89 Lomax is from Orrell St.James http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/71 Eastwood from Oldham St Annes http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/44 You would imagine that a few years ago Warrington would have probably signed Eastmond (as the spotted Scully and Harris from Oldham) and Lomax would have probably been spotted by Wigan. Given Saints success they have a lot more pulling power than Wire and Wigan at the moment. Therefore are getting the best Juniors. Plus there is the added attraction that they actually player them rather than releasing them to Huddersfield/Salford/Hull KR Oh I would like to add this one. Ben Karalius http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/104 I believe Saints got him from Widnes. He is also likely to become a Superleague quality player. Lee Gaskill is better IMO http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/96

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:09 pm  

Ashmeister wrote: Lee Gaskill is better IMO http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/96 I have not seen him yet. I will keep my eye out for him Ash. He does have a year on Ben.

Ashmeister wrote: Lee Gaskill is better IMO http://www.saintsrlfc.com/player/96 I have not seen him yet. I will keep my eye out for him Ash. He does have a year on Ben.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:17 pm  

Because Saints aren't afraid to give them a chance unlike other clubs..

Re: Where are Saints getting all of these young half backs from? : Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:20 pm  

The Daddy wrote:

and what does the future hold for all of them,

Kyle Eastmond, Johnny Lomax, Matty Smith, Gary Wheeler, Scott Moore.

Of all of these who will be the first choice half backs and how good are each of them?

Eastmond and Wheeler both look very slick indeed. I'd like to think they will form the next generation Saints half-back partnership.

I like Matty Smith, but I don't think he has enough strings to his bow to be a half back for a top 4 side. Has a great long kicking game though. I'll be surprised if he ends up back at Saints.

The jury is still out on Moore, I think. Clearly very talented but with us and with Cas last year he always seemed prone to lapses in concentration, usually leading to a guaranteed couple of wayward passes and daft penalties conceded per match. If he can sort that out though he has the raw ability.

Lomax is thought of very highly at the club. Whether he will get his chance at 6 or 7 with Wheeler and Eastmond around remains to be seen, but the fact that he has been playing full back in the reserves and in his one 1st team appearance since coming back from injury perhaps suggests that he is being groomed to replace Wellens when the time comes.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:27 pm  

Lomax played FB for the acadamy side yesterday. Had a good game too and scored a couple of tries. Seeing as he is still young enough for the Acadamy and has already played in the first team bodes well for the lad.