News 2015 Saints Media Thread (please use player threads for player-specific news/articles)

[Sir Skid]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...uring-off-season/story-fni5f9q3-1227171355137

ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson has explained what were considered two of the club’s more controversial decisions of the AFL trade period.

Some pundits have questioned the Saints decision not to trade its No. 1 draft pick for picks 4 and 7, while others queried why the club would exchange Rhys Stanley for pick 21, just as the 24-year-old forward looks poised to reach the prime period of his career.

Richardson said the Saints needed to make tough calls as part of a longer-term strategy of rebuilding their list.

“(Trading Stanley to Geelong) was a bloody difficult decision,’’ Richardson said, “but if you rate the draft and back your guys in list management, you sometimes have to make challenging decisions — and from the outside potentially surprising decisions — depending on what draft pick you can get back.

He also said that because the Saints rated the top three teenagers in this year’s draft so highly (Paddy McCartin, Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw) they were not prepared to exchange pick 1 for picks 4 and 7.

 

[Tommy Wigs]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...uring-off-season/story-fni5f9q3-1227171355137

ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson has explained what were considered two of the club’s more controversial decisions of the AFL trade period.

Some pundits have questioned the Saints decision not to trade its No. 1 draft pick for picks 4 and 7, while others queried why the club would exchange Rhys Stanley for pick 21, just as the 24-year-old forward looks poised to reach the prime period of his career.

Richardson said the Saints needed to make tough calls as part of a longer-term strategy of rebuilding their list.

“(Trading Stanley to Geelong) was a bloody difficult decision,’’ Richardson said, “but if you rate the draft and back your guys in list management, you sometimes have to make challenging decisions — and from the outside potentially surprising decisions — depending on what draft pick you can get back.

He also said that because the Saints rated the top three teenagers in this year’s draft so highly (Paddy McCartin, Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw) they were not prepared to exchange pick 1 for picks 4 and 7.

Has 4 and 7 actually been confirmed? I agree with that decision even if it was, though the proof will be in the pudding. I think we got our 7 at 21 anyway, and 22 could just be pretty special too

 

[TN25]

Has 4 and 7 actually been confirmed? I agree with that decision even if it was, though the proof will be in the pudding. I think we got our 7 at 21 anyway, and 22 will just be pretty special too

EFA

 

[BrianSpeaking]

My great mate ARR started the 2014 thread, so here we go with the 2015 thread, may it all be positive news for the Sainters

Let's start with this, which involves discussion around the non trade of picks 4 and 7, with Richo making it quite clear that in our opinion there were only three lads who we considered were A graders, thus we weren't prepared to basically trade Big Patty out for a couple of B graders.

He also makes it clear trading Stanley was difficult but we rated players potentially at available at that pick with a higher ceiling that we thought Stanley may ever (or never achieve). As it turns out, he is super stoked (and I believe over the moon) that Goddard was available at that traded pick.

Finally, he makes it clear, as we are well aware, that Pelican was moved on because his role had been filled by a couple of guns.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...uring-off-season/story-fni5f9q3-1227171355137

 

[aussierulesrules]

Here's to lots of good news in 2015!

 

[goodie23]

Who exactly regarded 4 and 7 for 1 and 21 as controversial? Are these the same drongos that keep telling us that we traded pick 12 for Tom Lee?

 

[Saintos The ITK]

http://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/saint-prepares-for-big-season/2499418/
an article on David Armitage

Well in their poll at the end of the article 36% of readers think the Saints can make the finals. Must be a bit of support down there.

 

[Keg on legs]

Well in their poll at the end of the article 36% of readers think the Saints can make the finals. Must be a bit of support down there.

Or a bit too much alcohol down there....

 

[BrianSpeaking]

I reckon we may surprise a few from what I'm hearing.

 

[Ads734]

I reckon we may surprise a few from what I'm hearing.

What are you hereing

 

[Life Of Brian]

I'm hearing a lot of the kids are starting to understand what Richo's been drumming into them and we won't be a side which leaks at the back end.

We may not kick cricket scores in 2015, but we will be hard to score against.

That's a good start in my view (if it comes to pass).

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I'm hearing a lot of the kids are starting to understand what Richo's been drumming into them and we won't be a side which leaks at the back end.

We may not kick cricket scores in 2015, but we will be hard to score against.

That's a good start in my view (if it comes to pass).

Just having Fisher Gilbert and Roberton fit for the year will pretty much achieve that.

 

[Life Of Brian]

Just having Fisher Gilbert and Roberton fit for the year will pretty much achieve that.

Agreed - but hopefully we are harder to penetrate through the midfield on the turnover.

We should have plenty of players capable of running down the opposition when they have the footy - thus leaving those three key defenders to breathe easy!

 

[joop]

I'm hearing all 18 clubs are absolutely flying at the moment.

 

[sammm]

It was mentioned on fox sports news that BBL, and other sports such as the Tests and a little soccer has taken away any footy news. So its really good that the saints have been in the newspapers over summer for the right reasons.

 

[gringo2011]

Just having Fisher Gilbert and Roberton fit for the year will pretty much achieve that.

Geary is underrated too. As a unit with Ray, Delaney, Dempster, Wright , Newnes and Webster they are pretty sorted against most .....except teams like Geelong who have the height to stretch a shorter defence. Defence probably needs Roberton or Bruce to take the second tall like like Tippett or Mitch Clarke otherwise the defence is probably our most sorted area short term.

Overall it really only the midfield that looks like we need a big improvement from to be competitive with most.

 

[Rough_Edges]

Nothing like the off season to instill optimism into every clubs fans.

 

[Periphery]

http://www.saints.com.au/news/2015-01-19/leaders-get-social

SENIOR Coach Alan Richardson and CEO Matt Finnis have joined the growing number of club officials and players on Twitter.

PLAYERS ON TWITTER:

Tim Membrey: @TimMembrey

Joe Baker-Thomas: @jbt_46

Blake Acres: @AcresBlake

Brenton Payne: @PayneBrenton

Shane Savage: @ShaneSavage05

Nathan Wright: @nathwright123

Spencer White: @Spenwhite23

Brodie Murdoch: @murds9

Farren Ray: @farrenray1

Jack Billings: @jack_billings

Josh Saunders: @joshsaunders12

Hugh Goddard: hughgoddard23

Lewis Pierce: @lewis_pierce

Jimmy Webster: @jwebb_29

Tom Curren: @tcurren26

Eli Templeton: @eli_templeton

Tom Simpkin: @TomSimpkin

Josh Bruce: @JoshuaBruce

Jack Sinclair: @JSinclair3

Arryn Siposs: @Sippa02

Luke Dunstan: @lukedunstan2

Sam Gilbert: Gilbo19

David Armitage: @armo_20

Paddy McCartin: Paddymccartin11

Jack Lonie: @jacklonie_9

Sam Fisher: SamFisher25

Seb Ross: @sebjross

Ahmed Saad: @ahmedsaad23

Tom Hickey: @hickey_t

Jason Holmes: @J_holmes45

Maverick Weller: @Maverickweller

Billy Longer: @BillyLonger

Daniel Markworth: @DanielMarkworth


COACHES & STAFF ON TWITTER:

Alan Richardson: @AlanRichardson

Matt Finnis: @Matt_Finnis

Lindsay Gilbee: @LindsayGilbee

Aaron Hamill: @AaronHamill

Danny Frawley: @SpudSays

Jamie Cox: @jamiecox1969

Ameet Bains: @Ameet_Bains

E: Some of those twitter names accidentally tagged Bigfooty users. One of them was a user with the name "paddymcartin11" who joined Jul 2, 2012 and has the birthday of 4/4/1996. They made 1 post on the day they signed up and were never seen again. Could it be the real McCartin? The DOB is 12 days early but putting the wrong birthday down when signing up to s**t on the internet isn't exactly unusual. We may never know.

 

[Nutsngum]

http://www.saints.com.au/news/2015-01-19/leaders-get-social
E: Some of those twitter names accidentally tagged Bigfooty users. One of them was a user with the name "paddymcartin11" who joined Jul 2, 2012 and has the birthday of 4/4/1996. They made 1 post on the day they signed up and were never seen again. Could it be the real McCartin? The DOB is 12 days early but putting the wrong birthday down when signing up to s**t on the internet isn't exactly unusual. We may never know.

I wouldnt be surprised at all otherwise its a pretty big coincidence. Hes also listed as a Geelong supporter which I think fits.

 

[Periphery]

I wouldnt be surprised at all otherwise its a pretty big coincidence. Hes also listed as a Geelong supporter which I think fits.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised at all if it was him - it's just too much of a coincidence.

 

[Sunshine Saint]

Posted this on the DARE Sponsorship thread, but it also belongs here in the Saints Media Thread:

DARE I say it, its been a media triumph by the club today for the launch of the DARE Sponsorship:

Media so far:

The Age and The Herald Sun both reported on the partnership in this morning’s papers.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/buoyant-st-kilda-dare-to-dream-big-20150119-12tire.html

Saints.com.au has two news stories/numerous videos and examples of our extensive social media coverage:

http://www.saints.com.au/news/2015-01-20/st-kilda-dares-to-believe-with-new-principal-partner

http://www.saints.com.au/news/2015-01-20/richo-wont-rush-draftees

Joey on Triple M:

listen to this on Audioboo

AFL.com.au:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-01-20/saints-on-a-dare

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-01-20/saints-spending-spree

And the AFL video (which also gives great exposure for Dare Iced Coffee):

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-01-20/saints-dare-to-dream

Twitter promotion from SEN:



But wait, there’s more …

Tonight it is expected there will be TV news coverage on every station and more in the newspapers tomorrow.

You would have to see this as another huge plus in driving further membership growth. Club is showing the best light of all parts of it, in so many ways. Well done to the corporate and media areas for the sponsorship and then selling and promoting it so well.

 

[Jack Stevens]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...he-took-steroids/story-fni5f9q3-1227190471459

AHMED Saad “freaked out” St Kilda’s club doctor by telling him he took steroids during his drug ban — only to reveal he was being secretly filmed for a club prank.

All of St Kilda’s recruits were initiated by performing a skit or joke to impress a judging panel of senior players — Montagna, Nick Riewoldt, Sam Fisher and Sean Dempster.

If the players don’t laugh penalties include washing the coach’s car or catching public transport to Seaford for training.

Montagna told SEN radio that Saad’s prank had the players in stitches.

“He set up the club doctor, put up a hidden camera in the doctor’s office, gone into the doc and said, ‘During my holidays, Doc, I just took some steroids’,” Montagna said.

“You should’ve seen the Doc.”

The doctor suspected he was being had but Saad insisted he was telling the truth, saying

“I just thought because I was suspended, I could.”

Montagna said when the video was played it got a great reaction.

“It was hilarious. The poor doc, he didn’t know what to do. But when Saady said, ‘Nah, just kidding’, he got a very big round of applause. The doc was a bit coy about showing it, because he was freaking out. But it was very funny.”

 

[goodie23]

Gotta admire the way Ahmed's able to laugh at the whole situation

 

[Persevering Saint]

Gotta admire the way Ahmed's able to laugh at the whole situation

Absolutely. It shows his strength of identity and security in who he is. A fine young man. Seriously, many, many men put in his situation would play the victim card - "How come I get my life ruined for having a milkshake that any other day would be fine, while Essendon, etc, etc...". There is none of that in what we're seeing. He's a great bloke.

Given the LTI, I want him playing Round 1, categorically.

 

[sammm]

The headline in one of the newspapers on line was certainly not complementary to either Saad or the saints. I should try and find it