GRAND Final match-winner Jack Welsby earned the praise of Saints boss Kristian Woolf after scoring a try and producing a sound defensive effort in last night's 25-0 win over Hull KR.

Welsby has slotted into the place of absent Lachlan Coote for the opening two rounds of Super League - and Woolf expects him to get more game time there and in the left centre during the remainder of the long season.

His best position going forward still remains up in the air - but that will inevitably take its course naturally.

But the 20-year-old did plenty to impress the coach as full back last night's encounter.

Woolf said: “I thought he was really good in round one and I thought he was better again in round two. The more he plays there, the better he’s going to be.

“What his best position is is still a little bit up in the air. It could be full-back or it could be left centre. He will get an opportunity at both at some stage through the year

“I just like the presence he has got on the field, the way he’s improving wherever we put him.

"Jordan Abdul is a terrific kicker of the footy and he challenged him with some of those kicks and he handled that really well and he’s growing more and more confident with how he combines with both (half-backs) Theo (Fages) and Jonny (Lomax).

“As a group they’re growing each week.

"I have sung his praises plenty of times – he is a very good footballer.”