Penrith Panthers halfback Luke Walsh could find himself playing for Super League club St Helens as early as this season.
News that the St George/Illawarra Dragons may be willing to release half Jamie Soward early from his contract to join the Penrith Panthers this season could open the door for Walsh to also leave early. Walsh has found some decent form in recent weeks but would surely be the odd man out at Penrith if the Panthers were successful in negotiating a release for Soward.
The fantastic form of Issac John has no doubt helped Walsh find form again, however it has also made him expendable. If the Panthers are able to get Jamie Soward this season they could force Walsh to honour his contract and play with the clubs feeder team, the Windsor Wolves, but I find that unlikely.
Walsh would be a very welcome addition to St Helens who have struggled this season with a number of different halves combinations. Coach Nathan Brown has come under fire for the number of different players he has played in the halves for St Helens but to be fair, he hasn’t got much to work with at the moment.
Luke Walsh would instantly give St Helens the best kicking game in Super League and I have a feeling the poor defensive lines he will have in Super League will do wonders for his running game.
I said that it would take something dramatic to happen for Walsh to join St Helens this season. The Panthers getting Jamie Soward six months early might just be dramatic enough to set the wheels in motion for Walsh to move as well.
While St Helens have a number of issues this season with under performing players, Luke Walsh might just be enough of an addition to give the Saints a fighting chance of winning the Super league Grand Final this season.
