Just catching up on this post - some very good points , and some very good comedy p8ssed posts too - all very entertaining.
Re Welsby. Top player. Top 5. Standout best in league - no , unless you're a Saints fan. His competitiveness and willingness to chase lost causes is one of his main advantages over many. Doesn't have the stand out brilliance of French or Field but has a knack all good players have of seeming to be involved at key moments.
Field v Welsby comparison is a good one. On many counts Field has gone under the radar a little Hamstring injury ruled him out for 2 months. Took almost 2 more months to look comfortable stretching his legs. He hasn't scored many of the spectacular tries he did last season, but his assists are high and very consistent, he plays a very selfless role to make space for others even when he doesn't touch the ball, something I don't think Welsby has anywhere near same type of impact. There's no way of including this in any stats, but take a look at Faz or Wardle scoring out wide and Field is almost always an option at the back causing a misread. Only downside to Field - and the reason he's not back in the NRL is his lack of size.
In terms of Saints GF hopes - they are still the team to beat, but primarily that's down to their line speed in the opposition half (ability to not get penalised for offside..
and commitment to aggressive defence. Much will depend on the fitness of respective forward packs over the next month...........
