Following the conclusion of St.Helens' 2024 Betfred Super League season, the Club would like to pay tribute and wish well our players who are moving on from the Saints.
To all who are setting forth on their next chapter, we thank you, wish you good luck, and remind you that ‘Once A Saint, Always A Saint’.
Tommy Makinson – Saint #1187
Since coming through the Saints Academy and making his debut for the First Team back in 2011, Tommy has gone on to establish himself as one of the greatest finishers in modern rugby league, and he has provided countless brilliant memories for St.Helens supporters around the world.
Across 14 seasons and 336 matches in the Red V, Makinson scored a mammoth 207 tries, 280 goals, plus one drop-goal in a Grand Final victory to take his club points tally to a whopping 1,389.
His list of achievements as a Saints is equally impressive, collecting; three Dream Team appearances, a World Club Challenge and Challenge Cup trophy, four League Leaders’ Shields, and five Super League titles. Further honours have come on the international stage with Tommy representing England on ten occasions, he also earned the Golden Boot award in 2018 as the International Player of the Year.
As shared by our Club Chairman, Tommy will be remembered as one of the all-time greatest Saints wingers, and we wish him and his family success and happiness in the next stage of their lives.
Lewis Dodd – Saint #1253
A proud graduate of the Saints youth system having come through both our Scholarship and Academy, Dodd made his debut senior St.Helens appearance in the 2020 season. His real breakthrough came in 2021 making the half-back spot his own, earning the coveted #7 Saints shirt from the following season.
After suffering an Achilles injury on Good Friday 2022, he missed the majority of that season but made his return in unforgettable fashion in the 2023 World Club Challenge, in Australia against Penrith Panthers. With the scores level after regular time, Dodd called for the ball in Golden Point Extra Time to slot the game-winning drop-goal for arguably St.Helens’ biggest win. It would secure our Club’s third world title, and a first English team winning the World title in the summer era of our sport.
Dodd made 88 appearances for St.Helens, scoring 30 tries, kicking 13 goals and two drop-goals; one of which will be remembered forever at our club. Lewis played his part in the Saints securing: three Super League titles, a League Leader’s Shield, and a Challenge Cup trophy.
From the 2025 season Lewis joins NRL club South Sydney Rabbitohs, and we wish him the best in Australia.
Sione Mata’utia – Saint #1260
Versatile, powerful, and freakishly athletic, Mata’utia joined the Saints ahead of the 2021 season from NRL side Newcastle Knights and quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite for his efforts.
Comfortable playing as a back-rower, a centre or even a prop, Sione embodied a ‘team first’ mentality, being part of the side that earned the 2021 Challenge Cup, even though he himself did not play in the final. At the end of his first season with St.Helens Sione started at back-row in the Grand Final for his first Super League title, and earned his second championship the following year coming off the bench in the 2022 showpiece.
2023 began with arguably St.Helens’ most famous victory, winning the World Club Challenge against Penrith Panthers at their home stadium. Mata’utia started at back-row and showcased why he can be considered one of the best in that position in world rugby league.
Before suffering a neck injury in June this year, ‘Cee’ was playing outstanding for the Saints, again in a number of positions in what has turned out to be his final season in the Red V. With a young family away from home, the Mata’utias will return home to Australia and do so with our best wishes and thanks.
Sam Royle – Saint #1265
One of the most beloved members of our First Team, Sam is a standard-setter with a strong work ethic, and a proud graduate of the Saints Academy.
The forward made his official St.Helens debut away against Salford in September 2021, and has made 28 appearances for the Club, scoring two tries.
A leader, Sam made the unique honour of being a captain for all of our teams (Scholarship, Academy, Reserves and First Team). It was during the 2022 Super League season when he skippered a young First Team Saints side away at Castleford.
Royle has frequently been named as the Red V’s 18th-man in the past couple of seasons, whilst continuing to be captain of the Saints Reserves. In September this year he led the team that won Reserves Championship with a Grand Final win over Wigan Warriors. It was a special moment for all involved with our Reserves setup, but especially for Royle who has served St.Helens with distinction and got to lift up the trophy.
The Saints would like to say thanks to Sam for all his tremendous efforts over the years, and wish him good luck in his next adventure.
Waqa Blake – Saint #1284
Joining the Saints in January 2024, Blake had spent the previous four and half seasons with NRL club Parramatta Eels and came to take on the challenge of Super League with St.Helens.
The Fijian international has played at both centre and winger for the the Red V, making 24 appearances this season and scoring eleven tries, including a hat-trick away at The Jungle against Castleford.
St.Helens thanks Waqa for his efforts in 2024, and say good luck to him for the future.
Ben Lane – Saint #1279
Ben joined the Saints youth system from community club Halton Farnworth Hornets and played in the halves, at fullback or on the wing in our Scholarship, Academy and Reserves teams.
‘Laney’ made his senior debut for the Club during the 2022 season against Wakefield, and he held onto his spot for the trip to Toulouse the week after.
In 2023 and 2024 he has been a regular for the Saints Reserves, and appeared on loan for North Wales Crusaders on twelve occasions scoring six tries and kicking 26 goals for the Welsh side. In September this year he played brilliantly in the Reserves Grand Final victory over Wigan Warriors.
Best of luck to Ben, and thank you for your hard work at the Saints.
McKenzie Buckley – Saint #1277
A hometown player and former Thatto Heath Crusaders junior, Buckley progressed through the St.Helens youth system with our Scholarship and Academy, and then into our Reserves side where he impressed enough to make his senior debut in 2022.
In 2023 and 2024 ‘Bucko’ went out on loan playing for North Wales Crusaders six times, and once for Whitehaven.
Ending his time with the Red V on a high, McKenzie played strongly against Wigan Warriors in the Reserves Grand Final as Saints became Reserves Champions for 2024.
Thank you McKenzie for your time with the Club, go well with what comes next.
