How Jammer encouraged Tristan Sailor to sign for St Helens

Sailor also displays plenty of knowledge about the team he is joining and a thirst to learn even more about the club and its history.

And he had special words of praise for young full back Harry Robertson who broke into the team last year.

(Image: SWpix.com)

 MC: Once you signed did you watch a lot more St Helens games on television – and what did you pick up?

TS: As I was going through decision making process, I watched the games here and there where I could and I definitely noticed the slower play the balls and physicality, but with Saints in particular I picked up the forward pack being so good.

I started watching at the time when we had a lot of injuries, so I couldn't get a full view. But even to see all the young boys -  Johnny Vaughan, Harry Robertson, they were fantastic when they stepped up.

So it's really good to see the depth of the squad as well and how someone can just slot in and go really well.

It's a very direct style of footy, which I like because it then allows us to play off the back of it.

So you're sort of going to have a two-headed beast there.

We have got our awesome pack coming through the middle and then, we've still got some great edges. I guess Tommy Makinson is a loss, but Kyle (Feldt) comes in to sort of fill that void.

And I feel like we're going to have lots of facets of our attack, which is going to help that way.

And then the defence will be as it has been - just really physical and effort based.

(Image: SWpix.com)

MC: Harry Robertson was a real find last year. He has got that knack of ghosting through space with his unconventional style and playing things he can see. For a young kid breaking in at a tough time that was phenomenal really.

TS: For sure and I think he bought a lot of spark to the team. Obviously we had at least eight of the starting team out at one stage. He was that little point of difference, and while we weren't winning it was awesome to see him getting that experience and stepping up to the plate.

And again he does play unconventional. I guess there's certain types of fullbacks and he's just one type that almost like Tommy Turbo (Tom Trbojevic) or someone like that. They're a bit more lanky and they just make things happen. It was really cool to watch.

MC: You mentioned James Graham before and you obviously played with him at St George-Illawarra. Have you spoken to Jammer since you've signed?

TS: Through the process, Jammer was actually working with my Dad at the time. So he was always saying to Dad ‘tell him to come, tell him to come’.

I haven't spoken to him since I've signed but

And then through him speaking to Dad a lot, that was again a factor of me coming here.

Obviously I've played with him and know what type of person he is and being a legend of the club that just translates to the culture here and I guess the passion that he displayed.

And it was nice to know that I was wanted by not only the club now but also the past players who I've played with.

Again I was excited for the culture because I knew what type of player he is and he's someone that's inspirational to play with and again he was raised in this culture and why I was really excited to come.

(Image: SWpix.com)

MC: Your Dad (Wendell Sailor) will have mixed memories of St Helens because he will have been in the team that gave Saints a hiding in Brisbane in 1997, but was on the losing side in that World Club Challenge game in 2001.

TS: He did say that versed Wello in the World Club Challenge, and we were laughing about that when I told him I was coming.

He straight away mentioned that Wello was a good bloke and that he had played against him. I've only heard great things about Wello so I'm very excited to get to work with him.

MC: If you ever you see pictures from that game you will see Wello played more or less the whole game with a fractured cheekbone – but no way was he coming off.

TS: Oh, did he? I've started reading some of the Saints history books and there's one with a lot of images and there's a few of Wello getting head-high tackled and being gotten into on the ground.

So that's been really cool to sort of learn about how far back the history dates back at this club, I think is really cool seeing all the old black and white photos of people in in old jerseys and playing.

MC: As you walked up the stairs you will have seen the big image of Mal Meninga on the landing - you're walking in the footsteps of a lot of great players who come from Australia and made their mark – Meninga, Matt Gidley, Jamie Lyon and so on. There is a two-way affection for players when it works out - do you pick up on that?

TS: I've met former Saint Sia Soliola once or twice and he is working for the RLPA now. They had a talk at Broncos when I was there - this was after I'd signed for Saints - and he came up to me and just could not stop speaking highly about the club.

He said how good a club it is and how much he absolutely loved it over here.

There's been some great players here, and I think again, it's such a good legacy to be a part of.

Being an Australian player, coming over and then hopefully helping the team win silverware.

Obviously that's the first goal - getting us back to the form of a couple of years ago. There's obviously been a transition period and now hopefully we can start a new little dynasty of our own, which would be good.

READ: Part II: Tristan Sailor on Lee Briers' input and Saints' attack>

MC: What are you hoping to get from the first two seasons at St Helens?

TS: I really want to use this pre season as a springboard to learn the game and acclimatise myself to here. But then straight away I want to make as much impact as I can.

I guess that's complementing the guys and we definitely want to aim for League Leaders and Super League and I am excited for the Challenge Cup because it's so historical and such a cool thing to do, which is again something I've never had before.

To go well on any of those would be a great start. And then I guess that would just progress into the second year to try and to go even better. I guess it's always about improving.

Straight up, I just want to get to get to know all the boys as well as I can and find where I fit in and ways to complement other people.

And then play some fun footy. That's what I'm really excited for – just to play footy.