Play-offs, League Leaders, James Bell and the 'Away' end

1. Saints v Toulouse.

It was tough going at first, but Saints eventually signed off style against already relegated Toulouse. It was a scratchy start, a stop-start first half. It was a much better second half once Saints got their heads in the game.

And that was part of the difficulty in a game that had nothing riding on it.

The armchair coaches were split between playing the kids to avoid injury or suspension or going all out to get the machine ticking over again after a couple of losses.

Although Saints came out with one injury concern, Dan Norman will have an X-ray on a cheekbone after coming off for an HIA, they came through otherwise unscathed which is a bonus given this year’s luck on that front.

Not only did the second half performance help this click and go into the play-offs on the front foot, it also helped tee up the League Leaders Shield celebrations and send the fans away with a smile on their faces.

2. League Leaders Shield.

Saints lifted the shield for the first time under Kristian Woolf. The achievement was rightly celebrated by a presentation to the whole squad – although the club physio may be doing overtime on Eamonn McManus after he responded to Konrad Hurrell’s deadlift in kind by picking up the huge Tongan.

Each year we have the same debate that more should be made of finishing top other than a shield and cash prize.

The fact that Sky cameras on Monday and Saturday were covering the battle for sixth instead of top-place probably gives an indication of where winning this trophy sits.

Finishing top, whether we like it or not, was downgraded from 1998 as soon as the title of champions was decided by play-off rather than the whole season.

In that respect, under this system, the final league table from 27 rounds is a mere starting grid and all that counts is the last three weeks.

3. Play-offs.

Play-offs and the Grand Final are here to stay whether we like it or not. And I very much doubt that IMG would even put that on the table given that the Grand Final at Old Trafford is such a centre piece of the season.

Plenty argue that the champions should be determined by the table (sticking my hand up there) and what needed to happen was to carry on building the Premiership Trophy as the last chance saloon for success.

But that is probably the format we are stuck with.

However, one thing that should happen is a reversion to the old top 5 system.

The reason that system was better was that it genuinely rewarded the league table. Week one got a week off and then a second bite at the cherry to make it to Old Trafford.

Not just that there was a clear benefit of finishing second ahead of third, third ahead of fourth etcetera.

Widening it out to six may have kept interest alive for longer, but it has done so at the expense of the integrity of the 27 regular rounds.

4. Loop fixtures.

In my book, the season has meandered ever since July after Saints came through that tough spell of Leeds, Catalans, Wigan and Huddersfield to secure a top two finish.

Apart from the jockeying for sixth – which again focuses attention on mid-table than the top – the season has been done for weeks.

Anyone wanting to make a case against loop fixtures will just have to look at the flatness and quality of the last few rounds – compounded by injuries and depleted teams.

Clubs obviously vote for extra income but nobody is going to persuade me that the last five rounds have been good for the players, fans or even broadcasters. Now that is something IMG can punch into their analysis.

5. Double JB.

Injuries have created opportunities this year – and a couple of lads with JB on the tracksuits have taken them with both hands.

James Bell was not an automatic starter when he joined from Leigh in the off season. But starting with the Good Friday game and continuing up to last Saturday the Scottish international has brought energy and enthusiasm every time he takes the field. He also hits hard for a smaller forward, as Harrison Hansen will no doubt still be testifying.

Going into the play-offs, even if all those injured players do return, Bell will have certainly given coach Woolf food for thought as a creative middle forward who can make things happen with his energy, aggression and skill.

Jon Bennison, on the other hand, has matured and grown in confidence with every game. With the backline decimated this term, Bennison has been a godsend.

And what a way to sign off the regular season with that Precky-esque combination of quick feet and determination setting up a late try for Jack Welsby.

6. The Away End.

How good was it to see the East Stand full?

As part of the deal with Home Bargains the club’s principal partners have twice taken 3,000 tickets for their workforce.

It presented a much better back drop after weeks of seeing that end empty or sparsely attended. The atmosphere was better as a result.

Now this is a tricky balancing act for the club, but it is clear that the days of big numbers of away fans travelling have gone.

And given the squeeze on incomes it is not going to get any easier next term.

As such, the East Stand – apart from the visits of say Wigan, Warrington, Leigh and maybe Leeds – should cease to be classed as an away end. With travelling numbers ranging between 70-300 this last year it will be better for the away section to be housed in the end of the North Stand like against Wakefield.

But is there a possibility of being more creative with selling to home fans into the East Stand without robbing Peter to pay Paul?

Clubs can’t follow the model that has led to ruination at some clubs by giving tickets away and undermining the core ticket buyers. But are there areas outside town that could be enticed with offers, maybe occupations that could be rewarded or junior incentive schemes.

Or maybe selling that end as a series of five-game season tickets (excluding Wigan, Warrington etc) – where you see five games for the price of four. It is not easy – and it is easy rattling off schemes without researching the possible impact on the core sale.

But 2023 will be a tough sell for a lot of clubs next year and all initiatives and incentives will have to be considered.