WATCH: Tommy Makinson talks us through his “instinctive” offload

Josh McAllister
Tommy Makinson St Helens

Tommy Makinson produced a magnificent offload to assist Jack Welsby during St Helens’ 30-18 win over St George-Illawarra Dragons on Saturday in Australia. 

The England international called the assist “instincts” but the offload impressed fans and pundits alike across both sides of the world.

The fixture, labelled battle of the Red V, provided a warm-up for Paul Wellens’ St Helens ahead of their World Club Challenge clash against Penrith Panthers, while also playing a part of the NRL’s pre-season challenge.

Makinson’s assist created St Helens’ second try of the evening, with half-back Lewis Dodd opening the scoring. The 31-year-old winger would go on to score a four-pointer himself, alongside team-mates Joey Lussick and Tee Ritson.

“It was just instinctive,” Makinson said on his offload.

“Doddy (Lewis Dodd) threw it over the top and I knew Jack would be hovering around. We are a team who play with freedom.

“You can do that play one and sometimes it might not come off but Wello (Paul Wellens) lets us play with the freedom that if you feel that someone is there, then just go for it.”

Tommy Makinson on World Club Challenge

St Helens take on NRL champions Penrith next Saturday, live on both Channel 4 and Sky Sports in England. The likes of NRL and international stars Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai and Brian To’o are expected to play, having sacrificed a week of holiday to return to pre-season training early following their World Cup campaigns. 

The clash will ultimately title the best team in the world, with St Helens making history in 2022 by becoming the first-ever Super League side to win four successive Grand Finals. Meanwhile, Penrith made it back-to-back triumphs last season.

Speaking of the challenge, Makinson commented: “It would mean a great deal. We speak about moments in careers, and it would just mean more to me to see the lads I’ve worked so hard with.

“It’s hard to think about because I know how hard a test we’ve got in front of us. But make no doubt about it, we are going to be giving absolutely everything and it’s going to be a colossal encounter with Penrith.

“Let’s hope we can do it.”

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