Tommy Makinson
Tommy Makinson (born 10 October 1991) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a er for St Helens in the Betfred Super League and England at international level. Earlier in his career Makinson also played as a and . Makinson has played his entire Super League career to date for Saints, with whom he won the 2014, 2019 Super League Grand Final and the 2020 Super League Grand Final. He spent time on loan from St Helens at the Rochdale Hornets in Championship 1 and Whitehaven in the Championship. Background. Makinson was born in Ince-in -Makerfield, Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. Career. Makinson signed for the St Helens club from Wigan amateur side Wigan St Judes, after previously playing for Hindley before playing for Horton Hornets. He played in the 2011 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford. St Helens reached the 2014 Super League Grand Final, and Makinson was selected to play on the wing, scoring a try in their 14–6 victory over the Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford. He played in the 2019 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium. He played in the 2019  Super League Grand Final victory over the Salford Red Devils at Old Trafford slotting a stunning drop goal in the process. On 16 August 2020, Makinson was charged by the RFL and was given a Grade F "other contrary behaviour", (the most serious grade on the disciplinary panel, which carries a minimum of 8 games suspension.) for an alleged low grab on Castleford Tigers Liam Watts during which, the incident was placed on report by referee Liam Moore. He appeared before a disciplinary hearing on 17 August 2020, to find out the length of his suspension. Makinson contested the decision  of his grade, and the tribunal accepted his challenge, and decided that due to his previous disciplinary record, his Grade was downgraded to a Grade E, and he was given a 5 match suspension, and fined £500. He was unavailable for selection until early October. Makinson played in the club's 8-4 2020 Super League Grand Final victory over Wigan at the Kingston Communications Stadium in Hull, with his 80th minute drop-goal attempt rebounding off the goal sticks that led to the winning try. Makinson played for St. Helens in their 2021 Challenge Cup Final victory over  Castleford, scoring a try in a 26-12 triumph. In round 19 of the 2021 Super League season, Makinson was sent off during St Helens shock 20-10 loss against Castleford. Makinson played for St Helens in their 2021 Super League Grand Final victory over Catalans Dragons. In the second half, Makinson was sent to the sin bin and in doing so became the first player to be sin binned in a Super League Grand Final. International career. Makinson enjoyed a stellar 2018 season, being included in the Super League Dream Team and playing a starring role in England's  2–1 series victory over New Zealand. This included a hat-trick in the second Test at Anfield. In November 2018 he won the Rugby League World Golden Boot Award over James Tedesco, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Elliot Whitehead.