One St Helens player has assessed each of the club’s three signings and outlined the internal expectations for the Red Vee in 2025.
February will mark two years since St Helens last lifted silverware with that famous victory over Penrith Panthers but since then the club have failed to make a major final. Meanwhile, rivals Wigan Warriors have snapped up six of the seven available trophies including all four in 2024.
As for Saints, their 2024 campaign almost saw them miss the play-offs, something that has never happened during the Super League era, as they finished in a lowly sixth. In their bid to return to the pinnacle of the sport, the Red Vee have made a trio of NRL signings for 2025.
That’s seen playmaker Tristan Sailor arrive in place of the departing Lewis Dodd whilst wingers Kyle Feldt and Lewis Murphy arrive following Tommy Makinson’s exit. Perhaps more important have been the coaching changes with both Lee Briers and Eamon McManus arriving to support Paul Wellens after Lauren Frayssinous’ exit.
Saints’ utility Moses Mbye has now assessed each of the three recruits and revealed what are both his and the club’s 2025 expectations as the Red Vee aims to bounce back from their under-par 2024.
‘Pass mark is premiership’ – St Helens star outlines lofty goals
Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Speaking on SaintsTV, Mbye highlighted the lofty goals that St Helens hold explaining: “The only thing that is really going to be a pass mark is a premiership, to be honest, and I know it’s a big shop but it’s what the expectations of the club are and the expectations of the players are.”
Mbye would make the case for why St Helens can return to winning silverware, something they did consistently between 2019 and 2022 as they won four consecutive Super League Grand Finals.
He explained: “We’ve got the players, we’ve got the staff, we’ve got the resources, we’ve definitely got the ability to do it. It’s just about executing now but there are 11 other teams in a similar boat but that’s what makes it so good.
“Hopefully, in six, eight, ten months time we’re on the up still and heading into October.”
The additions of Sailor, Feldt and Murphy all add to an attack that often struggled in 2024 and Mbye has explained how each of the new recruits has fared in the early stages of pre-season.
Lewis Murphy is the only one of the trio with Super League experience with Mbye noting:”He’s obviously coming back. He carried an injury last year so is being fed back into the squad.”
As for star signing Sailor, the reviews will excite St Helens fans as Mbye revealed: “Tristan has really hit the ground running I think. For those who watch a bit of NRL, he’s lightning quick and for power to weight ratio is extremely strong.
“On the other hand, Feldty (Kyle Feldt) speaks for himself. He scored 25-odd tries last year and he’s been doing that for the last ten years.
“He’s won comps and won big games and I think he has pretty much got it all.”
Feldt looks like a ready-made replacement for Tommy Makinson whilst Sailor’s addition offers much more speed in the halves and allows Jonny Lomax to take more of a commanding role.
