SAINTS’ powerhouse packman Sia Soliola was pretty emotional when, with his son Israel upon his shoulders, he took the ovation from the west stand after his final appearance at Langtree Park.

Rarely has the roof been raised so visibly for a departing player, but the response shows just how much the big-hitting Samoan has been taken to the hearts of St Helens folk.

Soliola made it clear the feeling is mutual and explained that had it been purely a rugby decision he would still be wearing the red vee next season.

The 28-year-old Samoan World Cup skipper, who joins Canberra Raiders next term, said: “The crowd’s tribute was really touching. It's a nice feeling because it shows that they believe I have done my best for the club.

“The club told me that people were crying up there at the end, but I was trying to fight back the tears too, because St Helens is a club that I hold special to my heart.

“My decision to leave is purely a family one. My dad was a bit crook the last couple of years and although it was a tough decision to make but I think it was the right one. There are some things more important than rugby and that is family, and so although I'll leave with real regrets about leaving there would be bigger regrets if something happened back home and I didn't go back.”

Signed from Sydney Roosters as a centre ahead of the 2010 campaign, Soliola’s career at what was then Knowsley Road did not get off to the best of starts when he ruptured his patella tendon in training and missed virtually the entire campaign before returning in time to play in the Grand Final.

But he soon made up for lost time, with his fearless crash tackling becoming an instant hit with the fans as well as the opponents’ rib cages.

Soliola said: “You can pretty much scratch off the first year. When you come over to a new club you want to show what you are made of and showcase what you have got.

“Not being able to do that in the first year was pretty tough but it gave me a lot of time to reflect and gave me chance to get a feel of the place as well. The years went by and I played better and better so I guess it was a bit of a blessing in disguise really.”

He was under no illusions when he arrived at Saints what the high expectations were, but his four seasons at the club have seen a genuine transition and the lifting of the League Leaders’ Shield and returning to the Grand Final after missing two seasons shows that fortunes are on the up again.

“When you come to come to a club and the James Grahams, Sean Longs and Scullys are all gone or going you try to keep to the high standard they have set down. It has been a difficult four years for the club, but I really feel that the club is in a good state now. I'm happy to see the club coming out of that, especially with the League Leaders’ Shield and the opportunity in the Grand Final.

"It is nice to leave on that note because the future of the club going forward,” he said.

But now Soliola has the chance to put the icing on the cake and go home with a Super League Grand Final winners’ ring – something nobody outside the group of players would have thought remotely possible when injuries struck out three key players in the middle of summer.

It remains a burning ambition for Soliola, who appeared in the losing finals of 2010 and the heart-breaker of 2011.

“At the end of the day that's the ultimate prize, starting pre season in November, the year then comes down to 80 minutes.

“Yeah it will be nice to have something for all that hard work.

“You could say we have come from the grave - you could call it Project Lazarus - I think for us if you could sum it up you'd describe it as a full team contribution.

“Without Walshy, Jonny and Wilko everyone has had to step up a gear, you can't put it all on one individual.

“I'm really proud of the way the whole team has come together and sacrificed traditional roles for the greater good and put us where we are at.

“But for these last 80 minutes it would be so nice to win it for all the hard work we have put in it and to show everyone else that this is a stubborn club, with a history and culture, that does not want to fall down for no one,” he said.