I always feel it’s better to wait a few days after a game before posting and let the emotion die down. After the game Thursday I said it was look increasingly difficult to see us pulling a Grand Final win out the bag but after this weekends results there is no reason why can’t raise ourselves to get through two games. There isn’t a team in the league who scares the life out of you other then ‘at times’ this Saints side. If we got to an 80 minute shoot out with them at Old Trafford our experience would put us in a strong position and I only need to think back to Good Friday to see that they’re not unbeatable even at full strength. We should’ve beat them that day minus our most creative player in Tomkins and we would be playing with a lot of emotion. You also don’t know what shape a Saints side would be in come that point, after what you’d imagine will be a Cup Final appearance.



We need a change of luck on the injury front and we’ll need to build some momentum at some point but I’ve seem far bigger shocks in sport.

Like the way that the BBC describe it as a ‘big win’ and not the absolute thrashing that it was.

Hull brough Shaul, Sneyd, Talanoa and Westerman back today

You just wonder if they brought those players back a week or so too soon. If so it's backfired big style as now it looks like the top four is sorted already, which can't be good for the "Super 8's competition as a whole. It's something Ian Lenagan and Eamonn McManus were very critical of.

Over to you Mr. Hetherington.

Do you still think a top 4 place is up for grabs?

I agree with most of what you say, but lets be honest here Manfredi may be fit, maybe,but he will be nowhere near the form we know he's capable of possibly till next season.

I agree 100% mate but he MAY give us another option in the three quarters and after his 2 year absence, his return to fitness is nothing but positive for the club. That was why I included him.

Whether Manfredi is 100% fit or not he is now 4th choice Wing with Burgess in 3rd, Davies and Marshall have done more than enough to keep their places in the first team

Marshall and Davies have been excellent but to say they’re better wingers that Burgess is way off. Before his injury he was coming into some great form and if he’s fit will quite rightly be a 1st choice winger next season. It’ll be between the others to fight for the other wing spot.

There's a reserve game at Orrell this weekend v Halifax. I wouldn't be surprised to see Manfredi play. Kick off is 12 noon.

Burgess in his first stint was great but on his return he hasn't been, Burgess has used the club as a safety net after failing in the NRL and is using the club as a stepping stone back to the NRL, for these reasons alone he is 3rd place, Davies and Marshall actually want to play for the club unlike Burgess who has before left us at the first chance he got, He will do so again, as for Manfredi the Injuries and length of time out have put him into 4th, the only way either get back into the 17 is through injury

Hopefully one day we’ll have all four fit and then somebody will have a decision to make. To rank them at the moment is pretty meaningless because only two are available. I think we’ve seen enough of all four to judge them at their best and on that basis I’d go-



1-Burgess (during his first stint with an extra half yard of pace. I’ve not given up on him regaining that zip and he looked on his way prior to this injury. I’d have him above the others due to his decision making in space)

2-Manfredi (Davies and Marshall have been excellent so far but Manfredi was on another level when he picked up that injury)

3-Davies (not as skilful as Marshall but his work rate is incredible)

4-Marshall (that’s some 4th choice)

I think we can all agree that wing is one position the club is well sorted for. Fully fit, I think all four would walk into most SL sides. If only that was true all over!