TRISTAN SAILOR believes supporters’ prayers will be answered by new St Helens coach Paul Rowley.
After three seasons under the charge of club legend Paul Wellens, Saints enter the new year with renewed hope of being back in the hunt for silverware.
Rowley has promised to add some of the attacking flair and endeavour that characterised Salford Red Devils in his previous role to Saints’ traditional defensive steel.
And after completing the first block of pre-season training, former Brisbane Broncos star Sailor reckons that will be delivered.
Despite struggling to nail down a role in an oft-changing spine, Sailor scored 15 tries and assisted a further 25 – only Mikey Lewis (47), Jai Field and Lachlan Lam (both 45) had more Super League try contributions – in his first season at the club.
But Saints’ lack of bite in big games saw their wait for a domestic trophy extend to three seasons and resulted in a significant change of direction.
Sailor said: “Fans should be really excited – they have been screaming out for attack and I think if Rowls is going to bring anything to this team, it’s attack.
“We’re definitely going to be brave and it won’t come off all the time, but it’ll come off a lot more than last year.
“We’ve got some clarity in nailing down our combinations and where we fit in. The beauty of our attack is everyone is everywhere. We all work as one big organism and it’s working effectively.
“He (Rowley) is creating an environment where we can connect not only on the field but off the field.
“We have a lot of common interests, and we’re fostering that connection between the boys.
“We’re working a lot on those combinations in attack and just bringing some excitement and expression.
“He’s really big on players expressing themselves individually, and that allows them to be more confident and brave on the field.”
The first glimpse of a Rowley-led side – albeit made up of younger first-team members alongside reserves and academy players – will come next Sunday (January 11) when Saints play Swinton Lions at Heywood Road.