www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/4903

www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/4903

Looking at the bigger picture its a decent signing. The money Lomax is on means we could never sign another top class full back you just cant do it with todays salary cap. He will proably move to the wing if Johnny is fit next year.



Hopefully it allows us sign another top class forward and centre.

It's an underwhelming signing to be honest. I was in support of him to the end of the season, but not sure what he's going to add next year. The rumours we were in for him at the start of the year but wouldn't meet his wage demands and have since gone back with an improved offer doesn't sound good to me. I hope we've not been bent over a barrell on this one. He's Super League level, but he's not a signing that will improve our side.

1. McDonnell, 2.Makinson



is stronger than



1. Makinson, 2. Fleming/Bailey/Dawson



It IS a signing that will improve us, despite it being an underwhelming signing as you say. It's a signing out of necessity. It will also take the pressure off Lomax getting fit for round 1 next year and possibly coming back unfit.

It's a sensible, if unspectacular, signing.

That depends on how much we're paying him. I just hope this isn't a sign of McManus returning to his old ways after the Grand Final success last season. We need to make a couple of big signings at the end of the season to keep pace with the other top sides.

Happy enough with this, I wanted to sign him last year so better late than never! Covers the backs very well and should be more reliable than Lomax. Of course as with every signing it's hard to know how good it is without knowing the full details, but I think this will work out. Not a superstar but also i don't think takes all the cap space we have ,,,



Bare in mind "his demands were too high"'could easily of meant that he wanted another year as opposed more money than we were willing to offer -now Lomax is questionable as well it's a far easier compromise to meet

Very good point. Look at the positives, it's better than today.

i thought he did well in the games he played. Bit of pace and good support play.

Technically competent. Good speed. Good footwork. Covers a ton of positions and - importantly - he's in his prime (and cheap).



Although, I hope Saints don't keep bumping him from wing to full-back each week. Give the lad a chance to build up some games in one position.

I think its alright. I don't expect him to be a star, but I expect him to be pretty good for us (from what we saw last year).



He's pacey and IIRC in the less fashionable mould of sniping around the ruck areas looking for offloads from the big guys. I think that's okay for us, given the size of our first choice pack.

Without being uncharitable to Hohaia - McDonnell backed up more plays from the full-back position in ONE GAME than Lance did in his entire Saints career.



Support play really wasn't Lance's forte. Which leads me to believe some injury or a succession of such took a lot out of him in the NRL. If you watch him playing aged 17/18 for the Kiwis he backed up everything. And he was Rapid.

Does he go into the squad for Friday?

Yes, in place of Roby apparently.

No, he's injured.

I knew we was working on this so it's mo surprise. I can see the reason behind it but I thought he was pretty poor when was here last season (I know he grabbed few tries but that don't make you good player). His kick returns was worse than Wello with a broken hip and his last man defence wasn't up to quality either.



We do need a fullback and he's cheap, let's hope he gets some form and has good season. Best part of the deal, is its only to end of the season.

I thought it was next season?

Before I went away it was for this season. If it's for next season then we have well and truely lost the plot and give in to a avg players demands.

Yes Super Shannon is here for next year as well

That's unreal!!!!

That's what I said.

I can understand for this year but next year is a joke of a signing.

That's harsh mate. He will be there to provide back up essentially next year.

We're accumulating backup, Wigan are signing Sam Tomkins. We can't fall back into the malaise we did post KC's retirement where we over relied on the youth system and made some really average 'sensible' signings.

How are we accumulating backup? He is our first signing for next year. We are likely to clear the decks of a few fringe players during the off-season. There'll be other signings to come.



I think you are moaning before there is actually anything to moan about mate.