The Big Read with Harry Robertson

One of the brightest young talents in the Super League talks about continuing to learn lessons away from the field and our desire for a strong second half of the season!

In July, it will have been a year since Harry Robertson made his memorable debut for the Saints at fullback in The Derby, away against Wigan. The then 18-year-old proved himself more than comfortable in that spot, but this season has had a change which has allowed him to regularly play for the First Team

Robertson’s easy-going manner has seen him take to the centre spot like a duck to water, and in last week’s Saints & Proud BIG READ, Harry discusses how he found himself on the edge, his personal targets, and the team’s aim for positive consistency.

The move to the centre spot for ‘Robbo’ appears to have unlocked a strong try scorer. With 12 appearances so far in the year, Harry has scored nine times already, including two against Salford Red Devils last time out.

Robertson reveals that the decision to play in the three-quarters was made in 2024: “The talks with Wello [Paul Wellens] were at the end of last year, obviously I’d played half-back through the Academy and then made my debut at full-back, but being realistic, I knew that I probably wasn’t going to get in regularly at half or full-back.

“Wello said he wanted me to do Pre-Season at centre and see how it goes, and I really enjoyed it. It was tough, you know, learning a new position, but it was enjoyable, and it seemed to go well, and I got to start there in Round One. I think I’ve been going okay at centre.”

Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

Going “okay” is kind of downplaying it Harry… the start to the season he had was very impressive, with his partnership alongside Kyle Feldt proving to be influential too. With a world-renowned finisher to learn from, Robertson was delighted to pick the brains of the former North Queensland Cowboy.

“Feldty [Kyle Feldt] and I have got to spend some time on and off the field because we both got injured around the same time. He has been helping me massively in games, but he was helping me when we were both out. He has had a great career and has looked after his body really well, and I want to have a long career too, so I was listening to what he had to say, to make sure I’m looking after myself.

“It was my first injury since coming to the First Team, and it taught me some valuable lessons about prehab and rehab, looking after my body, so I took a lot away from it to be honest.”

Feldt’s joy is clear to see whenever anyone scores, but when his centre partner has gone over you can see the extra delight on his face. For Harry, getting that brace at Salford felt extra special following injury, and finishing both in front of our travelling army.

“Yeah, it gives you confidence scoring in front of the fans. You can’t get any more confidence from anything else, so to get two last weekend was lovely.”

Harry also got to see long-time teammate and fellow Academy graduate Owen Dagnall get over for his first Saints try on his first St.Helens start against Salford. The latest of our young contingent of players who have come through our system and is looking to make his mark in the First Team.

“I was happy scoring like… but I’d say I was happier to see Owen score. I know how hard he has been working and to get a chance and take it like that – dead happy for him.

Picture by John Clifton/SWpix.com

“Me and George have played together since we were 14, and I’ve played with Owen since it was probably 10 or 11! Then we’ve had Delaney [George] and Noah [Stephens], who we played with in the Academy as well. It is a bit of a weird experience when we all had a game against Salford together, a surreal feeling.”

When asked if he remembered if he had a target for the number of games or tries, he would score in 2025 at the beginning of the season, he could not remember but does have a different kind of target now.

“Truthfully, I didn’t think I’d have played this much at this point in the season, but I’m glad. I would really like to push for Young Player of the Year at the Club’s End of Season Awards, or maybe the Super League one too. Honestly, I just want to keep playing, keep trying to score and set up tries, and getting wins with the team. That is all I am bothered about.”

Consistency is the key word being used by the team at the minute, which is what the team are aiming for as Harry details.

“We’ve had a talk about it after a few of the games where we have turned up well, and how we want to feel and get back to winning those games against the top five or so in the league. We want that winning feeling after the big games in and around the teams around us in the table, so in the second half of the season, that is our aim.”

After hosting the Rhinos on Friday night, Saints are again at home this Sunday against the Red Devils. For Robertson, home comforts are a boost.

“I always love playing at home, I don’t think fans realise how big of an advantage playing at home is when you’re surrounded by your own fans and the confidence that it gives you. If I could, I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.”

Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

Robertson is determined for a strong back half of the year, not only for himself and his teammates, and not only for the loyal supporters; he wants it for his coaches too.

“Freddy [Eamon O’Carroll] and Briersy [Lee Briers] have been massive, I feel like where we are sat in the table does not represent how far we have come as a team from last year. The things that Briersy is teaching us in attack, and Freddy in defence, they go hand in hand. 

“Wello gave me a chance last year, and he has only ever been supportive of me, so I would love to support him back and give him something to be happy about. I’m sure towards the back end of the season, we will start winning those bigger games that we should be. We know we can.”

You can purchase tickets to join us at home on Sunday afternoon against Salford Red Devils at the Totally Wicked Stadium: Eticketing.co.uk/Saintsrlfc

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