2025 Draft Thread

[Dr Spaceman]

There's worse depth players to have than Byrnes. As long as he's not getting many (hopefully, any) games in the 1's I'm fine with it.

 

[SainterinSydney]

I mean, Byrnes is so far back on the depth chart im not fussed either way. And bitta AFL experience in the VFL team

Mate, if Byrnes is in the team due to injuries, we are in a world of hurt

 

[saintscott]

We are chips in for a tilt. Ronnie is afl standard and can play a role to cover injuries. Runs his guts out. Much rather call on him for injury cover when we are aiming for finals than a speculative 18 yo that gives inconsistent performance. We have plenty of developing youth, our time is now

 

[MrFoster]

We weren’t expecting that many good players will be left this late in the draft. So have committed to Ronnie and Said. Just think we could have got a tall like Luderwyke as well. The club prioritised drafting another mid (Banfield) which I’m fine with.

 

[stavro#4]

Brynes played 17 games last year.

I think people are overestimating our depth acting as if there are dozen of other options sitting on the list.

Byrnes will be 25 next year and is a wildly inconsistent player who in the same passage of play can do something great and poor.

At this point of our build he has to be the 35th+ guy in line for selection otherwise we have had something go seriously wrong with player development or significant injuries that has led him to playing significant amount of games again. Both outcomes mean we miss the finals in my opinion.

Now, I have nothing against Monty. I think he has done fantastically well to playa s many games as he has for where he was taken. But we know what he is on a fully fit list and that’s at the bottom of it near Dow and Said.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with seeing a few highly rated kids throughout the year still on the draft board and thinking it makes sense to have a flyer at one of them instead.

Anyway, is what it is. Plenty to be excited for and really is negligible arguing pick 50 something v Monty.

 

[gringo2011]

Nothing wrong with retaining Ronnie. Has had quite a few decent games for us. There was a game against the Swans where he was excellent. Good depth player, great courage

We are going for finals and a solid body is worth more than a gamble at this point.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

I just had a read of the WCE board crikey they are salty about not drafting Banfield, which I think if we had a father son with his potential we would be the same. Will put a lot of pressure on their list manager Matt Clarke the locals are not fans.

 

[Sarcoidevo]

I like his endeavor and he doesnt die wondering but Ronnie is easily exposed when head to head against players who are strong overhead and drag him deep into defense ... he was exposed badly by Dempsey against Cats this year .... he is your classic old school rover and is better used in the midfield but we have better players in there now and also have better options to play wing

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Feel like us not taking a defensive medium defender shows our faith in O’Connell/Hastie to fill the Webster void. Glad we are backing in a couple of really promising kids in a period where we are trying to go for the ultimate success

Fincher played mostly as a defender, moved into the midfield late.
From what I've seen of him, he can attack & defend in equal measure.

 

[LH7]

21/11/25

Here are Dalrymple's bold draft picks at St Kilda so far, where he has chosen a player he likes over a higher ranked player externally. Time will tell if he was right or wrong with each, this is a long-term record to give him credit or hold him accountable when we are ready to make a call.

I have added my personal thoughts at this time but in no way do I consider myself a draft expert so don't hate on me if I get anything wrong!

2024
Travaglia over Murphy Reid. Current thoughts: not too worried that Reid had a much better first year, but TT has not shown a lot YET. Guessing that Reid will have more ups and downs over his career and TT will be more of a consistent, solid player over a long career.

Barrat over Jack Whitlock. Current thoughts: neither has impressed yet. On the surface, Whitlock's 200cm frame appeals more than Barrat as a 194cm KPP, but this decision will take years to really judge.

2025
Banfield (WA) over Archie Ludowyke. current thoughts: not too fussed - pick 41 in a seemingly weak draft and Ludowyke was not picked up until 50, so clearly the clubs did not rate him highly. But on the surface, as a key forward with apparently a high ceiling and a local boy (plus a saints fan), I'm very surprised we did not pick Ludowyke, who was expected to be picked in the 20s. From the little I have seen of Banfield's clips, he does not excite me - hope I'm wrong.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

I like his endeavor and he doesnt die wondering but Ronnie is easily exposed when head to head against players who are strong overhead and drag him deep into defense ... he was exposed badly by Dempsey against Cats this year .... he is your classic old school rover and is better used in the midfield but we have better players in there now and also have better options to play wing

Byrnes is one of those players that supporters get tunnel vision on what he cant do and that taints opinions on what he does well. He is far from perfect but gees he gives 110% every time he runs out, he is courageous, versatile and covers plenty of ground all things that our coach values. He is far from the worst players on our list, I would rate him him ahead of a number of players.

 

[The Punter]

Midfield depth

Nas
Windy
Macrae
Flanders
Garcia
Wilson
Hall
Hill
Boxshall
Henry
Pou
Wood

So at the bottom of that list the question is Byrnes or player yet to be drafted (the alternative with that pick is a player who was not drafted last night). In what was a weak draft. It's fine.

 

[akaifu]

Fincher played mostly as a defender, moved into the midfield late.
From what I've seen of him, he can attack & defend in equal measure.

As a rebounder, yes

As a Webster replacement (lockdown), not in my opinion

I do find it interesting we described him as a mid-fwd - could he have a Jordan De Goey type impact…?

 

[SaintsofSteel]

21/11/25

Here are Dalrymple's bold draft picks at St Kilda so far, where he has chosen a player he likes over a higher ranked player externally. Time will tell if he was right or wrong with each, this is a long-term record to give him credit or hold him accountable when we are ready to make a call.

I have added my personal thoughts at this time but in no way do I consider myself a draft expert so don't hate on me if I get anything wrong!

2024
Travaglia over Murphy Reid. Current thoughts: not too worried that Reid had a much better first year, but TT has not shown a lot YET. Guessing that Reid will have more ups and downs over his career and TT will be more of a consistent, solid player over a long career.

Barrat over Jack Whitlock. Current thoughts: neither has impressed yet. On the surface, Whitlock's 200cm frame appeals more than Barrat as a 194cm KPP, but this decision will take years to really judge.

2025
Banfield (WA) over Archie Ludowyke. current thoughts: not too fussed - pick 41 in a seemingly weak draft and Ludowyke was not picked up until 50, so clearly the clubs did not rate him highly. But on the surface, as a key forward with apparently a high ceiling and a local boy (plus a saints fan), I'm very surprised we did not pick Ludowyke, who was expected to be picked in the 20s. From the little I have seen of Banfield's clips, he does not excite me - hope I'm wrong.

Its all subjective but you can plainly see what Dalrymple values and I think his specialties will be those picks from #40 onwards. All the new recruits can run and they are all strong contested marks, which is something as a collective list we have needed to improve.

For what its worth I would have taken Noah Mraz 198cms over Barrat, but I read that Tauru has grown to 195cms so perhaps we have the talls covered. The club recruited Barrat to play as a key defender, but most of his junior career he was a forward - I would love to see him given an opportunity forward during the VFL season. Time will tell Barrat might end up making it as a very good key defender.

Lyon wants to play Caminiti forward again, but it may be in the future he returns to full back at some stage.

 

[jh38]

Its all subjective but you can plainly see what Dalrymple values and I think his specialties will be those picks from #40 onwards. All the new recuits can run and they are all strong contested marks, which is something as a collective list we have needed to improve.

For what its worth I would have taken Noah Mraz 198cms over Barrat, but I read that Tauru has grown to 195cms so perhaps we have the talls covered. The club recruited Barrat to play as a key defender, but most of his junior career he was a forward - I would love to see him given an opportunity forward during the VFL season. Time will tell Barrat might end up making it as a very good key defender.

Lyon wants to play Caminiti forward again, but it may be in the future he returns to full back at some stage.

I love the notion of playing natural forwards as key backs, they read the play so well and can tell where the ball is going. Harris Andrews was a forward who moved back in his draft year.

 

[SainterinSydney]

Its all subjective but you can plainly see what Dalrymple values and I think his specialties will be those picks from #40 onwards. All the new recuits can run and they are all strong contested marks, which is something as a collective list we have needed to improve.

For what its worth I would have taken Noah Mraz 198cms over Barrat, but I read that Tauru has grown to 195cms so perhaps we have the talls covered. The club recruited Barrat to play as a key defender, but most of his junior career he was a forward - I would love to see him given an opportunity forward during the VFL season. Time will tell Barrat might end up making it as a very good key defender.

Lyon wants to play Caminiti forward again, but it may be in the future he returns to full back at some stage.

Where did you hear Viking is 195cm?

 

[MrFoster]

We are going for finals and a solid body is worth more than a gamble at this point.

We also have mature bodies like Carrol and Clark who can play roles if required. Anyway, a pick 50 will more than likely than not delisted in 2 years, so probably a moot point.

 

[MrFoster]

Where did you hear Viking is 195cm?

Not surprising at all, has a November birthday and listed at 193cm when drafted. May not be done at 195cm

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Where did you hear Viking is 195cm?

A poster on SS was speaking to him and his mother at training, when he told him he has grown. Its a shame club/AFL records dont get updated after they are initially recruited.

 

[Saintos The ITK]

Where did you hear Viking is 195cm?

With or without his Viking hat?

 

[SainterinSydney]

A poster on SS was speaking to him and his mother at training, when he told him he has grown. Its a shame club/AFL records dont get updated after they are initially recruited.

His mum is a great lady. I spoke to her at training after the Dees game and my dad bumped into her at the Giant's away game last round. Viking wasn't having the best game and she told my dad that, "Alix needs to play better in the second half" . She is a real character.

 

[MrFoster]

Its all subjective but you can plainly see what Dalrymple values and I think his specialties will be those picks from #40 onwards. All the new recruits can run and they are all strong contested marks, which is something as a collective list we have needed to improve.

For what its worth I would have taken Noah Mraz 198cms over Barrat, but I read that Tauru has grown to 195cms so perhaps we have the talls covered. The club recruited Barrat to play as a key defender, but most of his junior career he was a forward - I would love to see him given an opportunity forward during the VFL season. Time will tell Barrat might end up making it as a very good key defender.

Lyon wants to play Caminiti forward again, but it may be in the future he returns to full back at some stage.

Mratz is slow more like a ruck. Where as Barrat is agile, can play as a key forward/back and even play in the midfield.. On top of that, Barrat is high impact and very resilient.(lost a parent and had overcome injuries). Think we got it right. Barrat should also grow from 194 to 196/197 being a November baby.

 

[True Believer]

His mum is a great lady. I spoke to her at training after the Dees game and my dad bumped into her at the Giant's away game last round. Viking wasn't having the best game and she told my dad that, "Alix needs to play better in the second half" . She is a real character.

Her and my wife have known each other for years, we ran into her in the bar at Crown before the B&F..........

 

[Nutsngum]

I believe we have 2 rookie spots remaining now.

Hall and Oconnell I believe are the two on the "CatA" rookie list and I think we are now allowed two Cat B Irish rookie according to an AFL article from earlier in the year which would be Armstrong and the new kid Kobe McDonald.

I cant find definitive ruling on this though as searching for any info across AFL articles is a pain in the ass.

If thats true I can see us drafting one player and leaving a spot open for a SSP or midseason selection.

 

[thekizzler]

21/11/25

Here are Dalrymple's bold draft picks at St Kilda so far, where he has chosen a player he likes over a higher ranked player externally. Time will tell if he was right or wrong with each, this is a long-term record to give him credit or hold him accountable when we are ready to make a call.

I have added my personal thoughts at this time but in no way do I consider myself a draft expert so don't hate on me if I get anything wrong!

2024
Travaglia over Murphy Reid. Current thoughts: not too worried that Reid had a much better first year, but TT has not shown a lot YET. Guessing that Reid will have more ups and downs over his career and TT will be more of a consistent, solid player over a long career.

Barrat over Jack Whitlock. Current thoughts: neither has impressed yet. On the surface, Whitlock's 200cm frame appeals more than Barrat as a 194cm KPP, but this decision will take years to really judge.

2025
Banfield (WA) over Archie Ludowyke. current thoughts: not too fussed - pick 41 in a seemingly weak draft and Ludowyke was not picked up until 50, so clearly the clubs did not rate him highly. But on the surface, as a key forward with apparently a high ceiling and a local boy (plus a saints fan), I'm very surprised we did not pick Ludowyke, who was expected to be picked in the 20s. From the little I have seen of Banfield's clips, he does not excite me - hope I'm wrong.

Wasn't Travaglia ranked higher externally than Reid prior to last year's draft?