Do we think they'll make it? Are they too fragile? Eastmond and Lomax appear to have bones made out of paper mache.

I think all will make it. I bet eastmond was fit to play against hudds but with longy back didn't risk him.

It's wheeler who worries my because his injurys seem to be muscle injuries.

I reckon Wheeler and Lomax will 'make it'. Wheeler looks the more promising of the two. Bar the run against Castleford I've not seen anything from Lomax to suggest he'll be anything more than a run of the mill kid who'll end up at Salford then Featherstone though.

Eastmond in terms of talent is massively above the rest of them but he's not going to be a regular for Saints if this season is anything to go by. He is so small that he is going to get hurt regularly. Hopefully he can toughen up a bit but it doesn't look likely.

I don't think any of the backrowers in the squad will make it to anything more than the next Mike Bennett or Tim Jonkers. Cheap and reliable. None of them have any star quality.

Its far too early to tell!
Don't forget they're kids making a massive leap in class. They'll match harden over a season or two.

Its been more noticeable because of the amount of that age group coming through,DA had the luxury of bleeding them through slowly whereas Potter hasn't.

They'll come good, this club is in great shape going forward.....although a couple of angry props wouldt go amiss!

I think your spot on about the young backrowers being on same level as bennet and jonkers. I hope we are wrong.

We do need to strenghen that pack for next year without doubt.

wheeler and eastmond will make it, but they definitely need more calcium in their diets, they're made of glass. I've not seen enough of lomax but the early signs are good.

Eastmund can't control the play though.

So playing him alongside pryce will not be a balanced partnership.

Neither are that type of player.

Christ, Joey Johns didn't control play at 19 either. I can't believe that some are judging his ability to move the team around after a handful of games, give the lad a chance!

Carlton can control the play when he sets his mind to it, and Arnold has controlled the play before. It is all about adapting. For everyone. We have had the benefit of a fit Long for a long time.

I was thinking about our #7 for next season. Even tho Kyle is a great individual, I've come to the conclusion that Matty Smith should start & control the team. Eastmond need's to drink some more milk & toughen them bones up


Lomax, He'll be gone within 2 years, not Saints quality.
Wheeler, I think he'll make it, but again, needs more milk

Wheeler is a worry, I do agree. But Wheeler, along with Lomax, both tackle like demons. They appear to be fearless, which makes me really nervous for Lomax given his head plates. Eastmond I'm not sure about. I don't really know whether he is injured or whether the minor injury he took in the semi and Long returning meant that Potter gave him a break.

It's unusual for young players to be playing so often isn't it? Isn't their breakability the reason why young players are usually drip fed into a first grade side?

I'm not too concerned just now. Next season will be the telling one I think.

They are imo being treated with kid gloves somewhat.

Remember this, how many 19 year old world champion boxers have you ever known?

There is a reason for the paucity of World champion teenage boxers, at 19 or 20 they are not physically tough enough to take the rigours of being smacked repeatedly. Same applies to RL.

I personally think Lomax in particular appears fearless.

Wheeler and Lomax don,t come into the side in settled positions, so its difficult for them to stamp there mark on the game. Like to see Lomax and Wheeler have a few games at full back and stand off respectively.
Eastmond has a more settled position so he looks the most promising at the moment. Wheeler does look injury prone just like Tommy Martyn.

I think Wheeler is the biggest talent you've got, followed closely by Eastmond. In my opinion, all 3 of these will be big names in Super League within the next 5 years.

I agree with this. I think he's been overshadowed by the touch of hype around Eastmond.

That's a fair comment, I also think Eastmonds got alot to learn before coming a top half in the league, he needs to become more of a team player aswell as his superb individual efforts ( See Tomkins earlier tonight, superb with individual brilliance but also for the team aswell)

I agree with this too. In the semi final he twice decided to take on the line himself when his winger was unmarked and screaming for the ball. He has done that at other times also so that has been one feature of his game that I feel has let him down.

I don't like Sam Tomkins but I cannot deny his talent and confidence around the park. It would be a crime (in RL terms obviously) if he wasn't chosen for the England team.

All three will make it and I think at least one of them will be a great player.

Lomax as a young player who i have played against was the best.

Eastmond looks most dangerous.

Wheeler is the most consistant.

I think its far too early to judge any of the young players, not just these three based on the limited number of games and consistant ones at that they've had in the first team.

With regards to their proneness to injuries, as someone else has said the gulf in physical intensity between the academy/reserve level and first team is larger than many people realise. It has been well documented that neither Potter nor the players themselves expected to be involved as much as they have this year and though the experience will hopefully benefit them and the team for the next few years, that gulf in physical intensity is bound to take its toll.

Word has it Magennis is the real deal with real pace and tackle bursting abilities. My nephew who played with him at Blackbrook reckons he is the best of the lot of the current bunch of young 'uns.

Isn't he like 16? No matter how good he is we need senior players not little children.

He's had the lengthiest injury absence of them all, hasn't he?

Perfect, give him Scully's shirt.

19, has bulked up too!

So if he wasn't chronically injured he'd be in the side?