Another massive year for the Saints.
Last year we brought 11 players into the club. The year before we brought in 10, in 2011 it was 12. Similar numbers expected this time around. By the start of next season we'll have 35+ players on the list who are new since our last finals "campaign"/meek exit.
Retirements
Lenny Hayes (though there wasn't much publicity so you might have missed it)
Beau Maister
Delistings
Trent Dennis-Lane
Sam Dunell
James Gwilt
Clinton Jones
Wants Back to SA
Terry Milera (has a contract but he'll probably walk away if he doesn't get a trade)
Chopping Block
Dylan Roberton
Adam Schneider (fair chance to retire)
Tom Simpkin
Arryn Siposs
Potential Trades
Leigh Montagna
a young ruckman (we have too many in the same age bracket)
Picks
1, 21, 39, 58 (at it stands, before compensation etc)
Petracca or McCartin?
Saints fans are split. Personally I think our future midfield is lacking in star power so Petracca is a no-brainer. But we don't want to end up like the Dogs 08-10 with a strong midfield and no-one to kick it to - and we all know big guys take longer. My plan would be to stack the midfield in the next few years and grab a star KPF as FA when we're building again. Patton, Cameron, the good Tom Lynch, etc.
Trade Pick 1?
That said, I don't think we're in love with pick 1. Chris Pelchen loves to do a deal so something like 1 for Jaksch+O'Rourke+3 has been mooted. Sounds pretty heavily in our favour. I think that would only happen if GWS really loved Petracca or were desperate for a top mid rather than a tall, with Petracca and Brayshaw a chance for 1 and 2 leaving GWS with more KPFs to pick from. If Melbourne get pick 3 for Frawley that makes the "no more top mids" scenario much more likely.
I don't know much about Jaksch and O'Rourke, I'd actually prefer pick 1 for something like 7+16+GC player. Have to be pretty good steak knives to make that deal workable though.
Trade Joey Montagna?
He's 31 in a couple of months and getting tagged every week isn't helping his legacy. If someone offers us a late first-round pick this is a no-brainer - but I can't really see it happening. No-one should pay that price for a 31 year old, and a pick post 30 isn't enough for us to let him go. Maybe North's pick 12 for Joey and our pick 21, at a stretch? If they really think they're contenders (I don't) then they might do it.
Bottom line: we're at rock bottom and will be for a while. Make us an offer!
Last year we brought 11 players into the club. The year before we brought in 10, in 2011 it was 12. Similar numbers expected this time around. By the start of next season we'll have 35+ players on the list who are new since our last finals "campaign"/meek exit.
Retirements
Lenny Hayes (though there wasn't much publicity so you might have missed it)
Beau Maister
Delistings
Trent Dennis-Lane
Sam Dunell
James Gwilt
Clinton Jones
Wants Back to SA
Terry Milera (has a contract but he'll probably walk away if he doesn't get a trade)
Chopping Block
Dylan Roberton
Adam Schneider (fair chance to retire)
Tom Simpkin
Arryn Siposs
Potential Trades
Leigh Montagna
a young ruckman (we have too many in the same age bracket)
Picks
1, 21, 39, 58 (at it stands, before compensation etc)
Petracca or McCartin?
Saints fans are split. Personally I think our future midfield is lacking in star power so Petracca is a no-brainer. But we don't want to end up like the Dogs 08-10 with a strong midfield and no-one to kick it to - and we all know big guys take longer. My plan would be to stack the midfield in the next few years and grab a star KPF as FA when we're building again. Patton, Cameron, the good Tom Lynch, etc.
Trade Pick 1?
That said, I don't think we're in love with pick 1. Chris Pelchen loves to do a deal so something like 1 for Jaksch+O'Rourke+3 has been mooted. Sounds pretty heavily in our favour. I think that would only happen if GWS really loved Petracca or were desperate for a top mid rather than a tall, with Petracca and Brayshaw a chance for 1 and 2 leaving GWS with more KPFs to pick from. If Melbourne get pick 3 for Frawley that makes the "no more top mids" scenario much more likely.
I don't know much about Jaksch and O'Rourke, I'd actually prefer pick 1 for something like 7+16+GC player. Have to be pretty good steak knives to make that deal workable though.
Trade Joey Montagna?
He's 31 in a couple of months and getting tagged every week isn't helping his legacy. If someone offers us a late first-round pick this is a no-brainer - but I can't really see it happening. No-one should pay that price for a 31 year old, and a pick post 30 isn't enough for us to let him go. Maybe North's pick 12 for Joey and our pick 21, at a stretch? If they really think they're contenders (I don't) then they might do it.
Bottom line: we're at rock bottom and will be for a while. Make us an offer!