2023 Season Review: St Helens

15 Nov 2023

St Helens' trophy-laden era completed the full set of silverware when Lewis Dodd calmly slotted the golden point drop goal in February's thrilling World Club Challenge win over Penrith Panthers.

In what was Paul Wellens' first match in charge as coach, Saints travelled to the other side of the world to beat the overwhelming pre-match favourites and write another chapter in the club's remarkable recent history.

On an unforgettable night, early tries to Konrad Hurrell and Jack Welsby gave Wellens' side a commanding lead in the driving rain.

But the Panthers gradually fought their way back into a gripping contest before Brian To'o sent the game to extra time in the closing stages.

That was when Dodd stepped forward to defeat the NRL champions on their own ground.

What a moment and what a game ?#C4League | #WorldClubChallenge pic.twitter.com/jWqCIjvfVT
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) February 18, 2023

"The belief in the camp has always been there," Dodd said after his match-winning heroics. "We came here to prove a point, win, lose or draw, to show how good we are and I think we did that."

It was a fairytale start for Wellens, but almost immediately questions were asked about the impact that travelling 12,000 miles in what was effectively pre-season would have on their Betfred Super League campaign.

Early defeats against Leeds and Leigh briefly had Saints down in 10th - having played a game fewer than most - and they had another short spell outside the top six after a May loss to Catalans in France.

But then a run of eight wins from nine put them firmly back among the front runners, only to hit an unexpected road block in the Betfred Challenge Cup semi-finals, when the Leopards earned a hard-fought 12-10 win at Warrington to end hopes of another treble.

"At this moment in time, I'm devastated," Wellens said immediately afterwards. "It's obviously a huge prize at stake today and the opportunity to go and play at Wembley does not get much bigger.

"We have had numerous good times and celebrated together. It's probably even more important when you are disappointed that you remain together."

Again questions were raised in some circles about Saints' title credentials - not least because props Alex Walmsley and Agnatius Paasi sustained serious knee injuries in that game.

But again they were answered emphatically.

Wellens' side won their last nine league matches to finish third and book a home play-offs clash, showing some of the defensive steel that has trademarked their ability to win edge matches in recent years.

The 2023 season was also notable for another major milestone in the club's history - the last of skipper James Roby.

The veteran hooker continued to defy his advancing years with another outstanding campaign, leading his side from the front in both attack and defence to write a fitting final chapter on one of Super League's greatest careers.

James Roby ?

In the words of his closest allies & fiercest opponents ??

First up, former @Saints1890 teammate, James Graham ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/WdIRaZaHof
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 5, 2023

Elsewhere in the side fullback Welsby continued his emergence as one of the team's next leaders, combining being among the competition's most creative players with a steely will to win that shines through in his last line of defence. Welsby was Saints' sole representative in the Dream Team.

Walmsley lived up to his status as a devastating runner before his injury, and when he and Paasi were forced out of action, rising prop George Delaney - the latest player off the club's remarkable production line - sprang to the fore alongside the maturing Matty Lees.

Pillars of the recent era of dominance Tommy Makinson, Jonny Lomax and Mark Percival were among other key figures, while Joe Batchelor and James Bell excelled in the back row.

Scrum-half Dodd also backed up his World Club Challenge heroics by being an ever present and steering the side around the field.

It all contributed to what was undoubtedly an eventful first campaign for club legend Wellens, and one that, despite Roby's retirement, points to further success in coming seasons.

Key man

Jack Welsby's status as one of the world's best Rugby League players has been cemented in 2023 with another superb campaign for Saints.

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Jack Welsby has been named in the 2023 @SuperLeague Dream Team, his third successive inclusion in the annual 'best of' squad selection!@jackwelsby_ ?#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 24, 2023

The England international continued to provide crucial contributions both with ball in hand and in defence, where his reading of the game often saved tries for Paul Wellens' side. Welsby's relentless competitiveness adds another dimension to his game and complements his leadership role in the team.

Rising star

When Alex Walmsley and Agnatius Paasi suffered season-ending injuries, some might have feared that St Helens' Super League challenge would peter out. Instead, the Saints conveyer belt of talent provided another to step up in impressive front rower George Delaney, who enjoyed a break-out campaign. The flame-haired forward prompted comparisons to a certain James Graham - but looks ready to write his own story in coming years.

Season highlight

When Lewis Dodd held his nerve to slot the winning golden point drop goal in the World Club Challenge in Penrith, St Helens were back on top of the world as the sport's premier club team. To head Down Under and beat a Panthers side that had won back-to-back Grand Finals in the NRL is undoubtedly one of the biggest achievements of the summer era and added a thrilling new chapter to the club's trophy-laden recent history.