Barry Brooks

[USAEagle]

Hey Sainters, here is a player I think you guys should be excited about for the future. I was at the game yesterday in MAndurah, and he presented well, marked everything that came his way and kicked two. I wish we had a ff that would do that. It's probably hard to get excited about quality forwards when you have Gehrig and Reiwoldt, but imo you can't have too many good forwards.

 

[JeffDunne]

After Barry's game against Port last season Saints fans will probably remain skeptical until he does it in a home and away game.

His form in the VFL especially up forward has been very good at times but unfortunately for him his last game at senior level was a shocker.

This year is probably his last chance to crack a senior berth and it would be a shame and a waste of talent if he doesn't. I'm not holding my breath though.

 

[panthers]

Hey Sainters, here is a player I think you guys should be excited about for the future. I was at the game yesterday in MAndurah, and he presented well, marked everything that came his way and kicked two. I wish we had a ff that would do that. It's probably hard to get excited about quality forwards when you have Gehrig and Reiwoldt, but imo you can't have too many good forwards.

Obviously USAEagle you havent seen much of Brooks, he has had numerous chances and has let himself and the team down. I will more than happy if he "comes good" this year and rises to meet the challenge

 

[Kildonan]

After Barry's game against Port last season Saints fans will probably remain skeptical until he does it in a home and away game.

His form in the VFL especially up forward has been very good at times but unfortunately for him his last game at senior level was a shocker.

He was played out of position though.
There is a focus on versatility throughout our team, but Barry just isn't a backman yet.
Barry Brooks was recruited as a forward (who could ruck) by Port Adelaide.
He has shown that he can fill the FF position quite well, in fact he may be required in that position in just two short years. He cost us plenty (almost all that we got for the Everitt trade) and I think that is why we Saints fans hold a high standard for him to fulfill. He is still quite young, most ruckman haven't hit their full potential at his age, and we have invested several seasons into him. I think we would do ourselves an injustice if we got rid of him.

This year is probably his last chance to crack a senior berth and it would be a shame and a waste of talent if he doesn't. I'm not holding my breath though.

I'm hoping we hang onto him and see how much further improvement is left in him. (3 more years)

 

[ChrisL#12]

Summed up perfectly StKildonan. Brooks has talent to burn, no doubt about it, but he still needs time to develop. He has shown glimpses in VFL games and in practice matches but is yet to show anything in a Home/Away game.

Its not worth all the time and effort we spent to get him to throw him away just yet. One day he will seize his opportunity and run with it as most high profile youngsters do.

He needs time to prove himself and one day he will, otherwise it is a huge blunder by St Kilda wasting the resources we had to gain his services.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Obviously USAEagle you havent seen much of Brooks, he has had numerous chances and has let himself and the team down. I will more than happy if he "comes good" this year and rises to meet the challenge

I wouldn't say he's had "numerous chances."

He was going along well in 2003 before he did his knee, then struggled for all of 2004, not playing a single senior game.

Last year he was excellent for Springvale, and was given a senior game. Unfortunately he played about 25 minutes in a FP for the entire game, did nothing, and was dropped.

Then we played him in a back pocket for five minutes per quarter against Port. That is not was we've got him for. He is now mainly (as Stkildonan said) a FF who can ruck, not a fill-in back pocket.

I'm confident, that if given some decent game time in the seniors he can become a regular contributer. IMO we should play him in round one. He did well against the Eagles in the practice match, and in the absence of Kosi, he could be a handy ruck/forward. Blake is too short to go aginst Cox/Seaby, so we definately need one of Brooks or Rix to step up, and if the practice match was anything to go by, it is Brooks.

 

[panthers]

AFL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SPRINGVALE. ets just say that when you shepherd your team mates out so your exteammates can mark uncontested its time you got out of the AFL. IMHO barry has had ample opportunities...Read it IMHO....you have yours I have mine

 

[sainter]

I saw him play most weeks for the Scorpions last year and while he was impressive as a leading full forward I don't hold any great hopes for him. In that role I don't see him making it at AFL level.

As a ruckman I just don't think he is good enough. With Eames leaving the Scoprions Barry might get more of a run in the ruck which is what he needs. We've invested a lot in him so I'm glad that he's been retained for another season but if he goes on to be an important contributor for St Kilda I'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[USAEagle]

Sounds a bit like McDougal. Showed a lot two years ago, got injured and hasn't come back to it yet.

 

[m.diddy]

He was played out of position though.
There is a focus on versatility throughout our team, but Barry just isn't a backman yet.
Barry Brooks was recruited as a forward (who could ruck) by Port Adelaide.
He has shown that he can fill the FF position quite well, in fact he may be required in that position in just two short years. He cost us plenty (almost all that we got for the Everitt trade) and I think that is why we Saints fans hold a high standard for him to fulfill. He is still quite young, most ruckman haven't hit their full potential at his age, and we have invested several seasons into him. I think we would do ourselves an injustice if we got rid of him.



I'm hoping we hang onto him and see how much further improvement is left in him. (3 more years)

3 more years?!?!?!?!?!?!!

surely you jest?

make or break year, has to do something.

 

[luckysaint48]

doubt that he'll face the axe this year md. there will be too many retirements at the end of the year anyway, i doubt they will add to that.

 

[Kildonan]

3 more years?!?!?!?!?!?!!

surely you jest?

make or break year, has to do something.

My thoughts are that he may be a viable replacement for the retiring Fraser Gehrig (2 years time) and we will need to give him a year to prove himself - hence 3 years.

I may be overly optimistic, but I have seen big fellas look ordinary before, but come good once they hit 24/25 yo. Look at Cox from WCE !!

Sometimes you just have to be patient.

(Would help if Brooks shows something in the meantime)

 

[m.diddy]

doubt that he'll face the axe this year md. there will be too many retirements at the end of the year anyway, i doubt they will add to that.

retirees or no retirees if he gives us doughnuts he'll be shown the door.