St Helens had a poor season by their standards in 2024, and have completed some smart deals for next year.
NRL talent has been the focus for Saints so far, and here’s the low-down on them.
St Helens recruitment analysed in bid to return to former glory
Tristan Sailor
Credit: Matt King/Getty Images
The 26-year-old full-back was behind Reece Walsh in the pecking order at Brisbane Broncos, so it’s clear to see why he didn’t get too many NRL opportunities.
However, he made an appearance in 12 NRL games in 2024, making the most of the times that Walsh was unavailable (through both injury and State of Origin), and he should be able to replace some of Lewis Dodd’s creativity, with the Englishman heading to South Sydney Rabbitohs.
His signing could move Jack Welsby into the halves, a position that Saints struggled with last year, so it could be that the club’s hierarchy sees the future of St Helens as having Welsby alongside Lomax.
Lewis Murphy
Credit: Paul Currie/SWpix.com
With the loss of Tommy Makinson to Catalans Dragons, they needed to go big in the bid for a replacement winger, and they’ve done that.
Murphy broke through in 2022, scoring 19 tries in just 21 games for Wakefield Trinity in his debut season, even scoring four tries against his future club in one game.
His exploits were noticed Down Under as well with Sydney Roosters coming knocking to sign Murphy on a two-year deal contracted through 2025, however, he has been let go after only making seven appearances for the Roosters’ reserve-grade NSW Cup side.
With St Helens, he has signed a two-year deal and will look to regain the electric form that earned him a move to one of the biggest clubs in Australia.
Kyle Feldt
Credit: PhotoSportNZ/SWpix.com
The North Queensland Cowboys’ all-time top scorer has been with the side for his entire professional career, playing over 200 games.
A former Queensland State of Origin representative, the winger has been chosen in the Prime Minister’s XIII.
In 2015, he was part of the Premiership-winning side and in 2016, won the World Club Challenge.
This year, he has had an impressive campaign again – breaking Matt Bowen’s club record for tries and notably scoring a hattrick in a victory over Cronulla Sharks.
With no more Makinson, there was no elite winger left in the side, with just Tee Ritson and Jon Bennison there – but Makinson has been replaced by two excellent talents.
Feldt has also shown that he isn’t slowing down at all, so seems to be an unbelievable signing for a club that wants to be the very best.
