There will be a huge void left by Tommy Makinson’s decision to depart the Saints at the end of the season after 14 years in the red jersey.
The winger has contributed significantly to Saints’ success with his diligent work in the yard as well as his striking one-handed finishes.
The Wiganer is among the important set-starters who have laid the groundwork for Saints’ successful play under a string of coaches, along with centre Mark Percival.
Additionally, coach Paul Wellens acknowledges that it will be very difficult to replace him and the contributions he makes.
“Thomas Makinson is still one of the best wingers in Super League and in some ways it becomes almost impossible to replace him,” Wellens stated, acknowledging that the market is competitive.
“The club has some really exciting, young outside backs who will no doubt be eager to compete for that position, and we will definitely give them the chance to do so,” the statement reads.
But in order to find a place to fill that gap, we’ll also be looking outside. Although those discussions are already ongoing, it is not simple to replace a player of Tommy’s calibre.
In addition to looking for a new winger, Makinson’s announcement was made soon after scrum half Lewis Dodd’s.
Saints will need to find two important players to cover big holes in the roster, whether they are filled internally or externally.
“Every decision has an impact on the next, and we have to factor all that in,” Wellens stated. Although I haven’t been a head coach in a while, I’ve been working with Mike Rush and Eamonn McManus, two incredibly seasoned coaches who have been preparing this team for success for a very long time.
“It is evident that I rely heavily on them, and when we all work together, we can make some excellent decisions about how to advance this team and pursue ongoing success.
“Thomas is a fantastic player and a wonderful person who has devoted a great deal of time to this club; he should be allowed to depart on his own terms.”
Wellens clarified that although he and Makinson had been in communication for several months and that the seasoned international winger was still part of the team’s plans, they respected Makinson’s decision to move on to new opportunities.
“Tommy has been absolutely phenomenal—a brilliant rugby player as well as a wonderful person,” Wellens said.
“He and I have talked a lot in the past few months about his future; he is a player that we would have loved to have stayed with us, no doubt.
“Those discussions have been extremely courteous and understanding of Tommy’s unique situation more than anything, and it’s unfortunate that 2024 will mark Tommy’s final season with the team.
However, we are confident that he is fully committed to making this year successful for us.
“So, while this is unfortunate news, we have no animosity towards Tommy at all.”
Paul Sculthorpe, a former captain of the Saints, called Makinson the best winger of the rugby league’s Super League era in his St Helens Star column this week.
It’s difficult to disagree with that assessment, Wellens agreed.
“I think Tommy was a bit of a trailblazer with that and he was doing it more than anybody going back a good few years now, looking at the kinds of fantastic finishes that so many wingers do now.
But Tommy’s willingness to run the ball as hard as he can, two metres off his own line and into a fierce defensive line, is what this playing group adores about him.
He is exceptionally courageous. He enjoys challenging things, so when he has the chance to finish on the other side, it’s because he’s earned it through hard work.”
