List Management

[Kildonan]

Andrew Thompson said on SEN that the list management has been given to Jason Cripps and Matt Rendell and they will continue on with the process until the new coach is appointed.

The process to appoint a new coach will take up to 6 weeks which could bring the appointment pretty close to trade week and draft time.

As reported before Thompson wants to continue and has indicated so to the club but has to wait and see if the new coach wants to keep him or not.

 

[Kildonan]

The St Kilda list in age order at beginning of 2006 season:

   Name              Games Age Date of Birth Height Weight Origin Position  
  Harvey, Robert (V+)   317 34 21 Aug 1971 181cm 84kg Seaford Midfield  
  [COLOR="Red"]Peckett, Justin (V+)  235 33 05 Oct 1972 182cm 84kg Karingal Utility[/COLOR]  
  Thompson, Andrew      194 33 21 Oct 1972 180cm 81kg Old Melburnians Midfield  
  Gehrig, Fraser        213 29 03 Mar 1976 195cm 104kg Murray Bushrangers Forward  
  Hudghton, Max         173 29 02 Sep 1976 191cm 92kg Northern Knights Defender  
  [COLOR="red"]Powell, Stephen       132 29 07 Sep 1976 181cm 84kg Western Jets Midfield[/COLOR]   
  Hamill, Aaron         181 28 20 Aug 1977 184cm 94kg Tuggeranong Forward  
  Voss, Brett           136 27 22 Feb 1978 181cm 84kg Morningside Defender   
  Hayes, Lenny          140 26 14 Jan 1980 186cm 85kg Pennant Hills Midfield  
  Milne, Stephen         97 25 08 Mar 1980 176cm 80kg Dandenong Stingrays Forward  
  Baker, Steven         114 25 22 May 1980 179cm 83kg Geelong Falcons Midfield  
  Michael Rix             0 25 08 Jan 1981 200cm 100kg Coburg Ruck
  Blake, Jason           74 24 15 Mar 1981 189cm 87kg Beaumaris Ruck Utility  
  Fiora, Aaron           91 24 19 Apr 1981 186cm 80kg Port Adelaide Winger/Flanker  
  Schwarze, Troy         60 24 23 Dec 1981 190cm 89kg Dingley Defender  
  Ackland, Cain          34 23 16 Mar 1982 196cm 96kg Port Adelaide Ruck  
  Murray, Allan          12 23 20 May 1982 180cm 83kg Murray Bushrangers Forward  
  Fisher, Sam            28 23 10 Jul 1982 191cm 88kg West Adelaide Defender  
  Koschitzke, Justin     71 23 20 Sep 1982 197cm 96kg Murray Bushrangers Ruck KPP  
  Riewoldt, Nick         91 23 17 Oct 1982 193cm 95kg Southport Forward    
  Clarke, Xavier         66 22 28 Sep 1983 181cm 80kg St Marys Forward  
  Montagna, Leigh        30 22 02 Nov 1983 178cm 76kg Northern Knights Midfield  
  Brooks, Barry           7 22 24 Dec 1983 198cm 95kg Grassy Ruck  
  Dal Santo, Nick        75 21 22 Feb 1984 185cm 83kg Bendigo Pioneers Midfield  
  Fisher, Leigh          10 21 19 Apr 1984 184cm 90kg Mentone Grammar Midfield  
  Gram, Jason             9 21 27 Apr 1984 186cm 84kg Gippsland Power Defender  
  Ball, Luke             65 21 25 May 1984 183cm 84kg Sandringham Dragons Midfield  
  Maguire, Matthew       67 21 30 May 1984 190cm 96kg Geelong Falcons Defender  
  McGough, Mark          46 21 22 Jun 1984 188cm 88kg Murray Bushrangers Midfield  
  Ferguson, Matthew       8 21 01 Oct 1984 187cm 87kg Heyfield Forward  
  [COLOR="lime"]Pfitzner, Dylan (R)     0 20 13 Apr 1985 196cm 82kg Central District Forward[/COLOR]  
  Goddard, Brendon       61 20 20 May 1985 189cm 96kg Traralgon Utility 
  Watts, Fergus           5 20 21 Sep 1985 195cm 95kg Sandringham Dragons Forward
  Clarke, Raphael        17 20 24 Sep 1985 188cm 82kg St Mary's Defender  
  McQualter, Andrew       7 19 09 Jun 1986 179cm 79kg Gippsland Power Midfield  
  Gwilt, James            3 19 11 Aug 1986 188cm 88kg Noble Park Utility  
  Gilbert, Sam            0 19 19 Aug 1986 194cm 82kg Southport Defender
  [COLOR="lime"]McDonnell, Edward (R)   0 19 30 Dec 1986 192cm 87kg Western Magpies Utility[/COLOR]
  Raymond, Phillip        0 18 24 Jun 1987 186cm 69kg Glenelg Forward
  [COLOR="Lime"]Corr, Cathal (R)        0 18 01 Nov 1987 182cm 82kg Northern Knights Utility[/COLOR]
  Sweeney, Justin         0 18 25 Dec 1987 186cm 87kg Tyabb Forward

 

[samm]

that about says it all. what improvements have their been for the ages 18-20 year olds

appears very little!!

one problem that had not been looked into

another problem recruits in the the last 2 years

 

[Kildonan]

St Kilda has deliberately targetted bringing together as many recruits from around the 2001 - 2003 drafts and developed them together to form a closely knit group of players around the same age.

Last year they returned to the youth policy, but like many of the previous years, have tried to minimalise the player turnover. Stability of the playing group seems to have been paramount - giving the players a greater sense of security and increasing their sense of team.

In order to do this we have sacrificed somewhat the influx of youth, but not dangerously so. This is because the team is quite skewed in age towards youth. We lack the numbers of 25 - 28 year olds that most teams have - which forms the core players around which a premiership tilt is predicated.

Team Changes 2005 - Copied from a post of mine early this year

Trades:

Fergus Watts (Adelaide) St Kilda Traded for pick #17

Retirements:

Jones, Austinn - 226 29 28-Sep-76 176cm 82kg
Penny, Luke - 80 24 08-Feb-81 193cm 94kg
Mullins, Luke (R) - 3 20 24-Dec-84 187cm 82kg

Delistings:

Stone, Nick - 20 24 01-Oct-81 196cm 97kg
Guerra, Brent - 96 23 29-May-82 181cm 97kg
Pfitzner, Dylan - 0 20 13-Apr-85 196cm 82kg

National Draft:

#33 St Kilda Sam Gilbert 19-08-1986 193.7 81.8 SOUTHPORT Defender
#49 St Kilda Michael Rix 08-01-1981 199 95 COBURG Ruck
#63 St Kilda Phillip Raymond 24-06-1987 185.6 69.25 GLENELG Forward
#71 St Kilda Justin Sweeney 25-12-1987 TYABB Forward

Rookie Draft:

#14 St Kilda Corr, Cathal 01-Nov-87 182cm 82kg Northern Knights Utility
#30 St Kilda Pfitzner, Dylan 0 20 13-Apr-85 196cm 82kg St Kilda Forward

Our 21yo and under group (as at 01/01/06):

  Dal Santo, Nick        75 21 22 Feb 1984 185cm 83kg Bendigo Pioneers Midfield  
  Fisher, Leigh          10 21 19 Apr 1984 184cm 90kg Mentone Grammar Midfield  
  Gram, Jason             9 21 27 Apr 1984 186cm 84kg Gippsland Power Defender  
  Ball, Luke             65 21 25 May 1984 183cm 84kg Sandringham Dragons Midfield  
  Maguire, Matthew       67 21 30 May 1984 190cm 96kg Geelong Falcons Defender  
  McGough, Mark          46 21 22 Jun 1984 188cm 88kg Murray Bushrangers Midfield  
  Ferguson, Matthew       8 21 01 Oct 1984 187cm 87kg Heyfield Forward  
  Pfitzner, Dylan (R)     0 20 13 Apr 1985 196cm 82kg Central District Forward  
  Goddard, Brendon       61 20 20 May 1985 189cm 96kg Traralgon Utility 
  Watts, Fergus           5 20 21 Sep 1985 195cm 95kg Sandringham Dragons Forward
  Clarke, Raphael        17 20 24 Sep 1985 188cm 82kg St Mary's Defender  
  McQualter, Andrew       7 19 09 Jun 1986 179cm 79kg Gippsland Power Midfield  
  Gwilt, James            3 19 11 Aug 1986 188cm 88kg Noble Park Utility  
  Sam Gilbert             0 19 19 Aug 1986 194cm 82kg Southport Defender
  McDonnell, Edward (R)   0 18 30 Dec 1986 192cm 87kg Western Magpies Utility
  Raymond, Phillip        0 18 24 Jun 1987 186cm 69kg Glenelg Forward
  Corr, Cathal (R)        0 18 01 Nov 1987 182cm 82kg Northern Knights Utility
  Justin Sweeney          0 18 25 Dec 1987 186cm 87kg Tyabb Forward

This group contains established players; Nick Dal Santo, Luke Ball, Matthew Maguire, Brendan Goddard.
Fringe players like Leigh Fisher, Jason Gram, Matthew Ferguson, Raph Clarke, Andrew McQualter, Jimmy Gwilt and a number of highly promising developing players.

Our middle tier age group 22 to 24 years age group:

  Michael Rix             0 24 08 Jan 1981 200cm 100kg Coburg Ruck
  Blake, Jason           74 24 15 Mar 1981 189cm 87kg Beaumaris Ruck Utility  
  Fiora, Aaron           91 24 19 Apr 1981 186cm 80kg Port Adelaide Winger/Flanker  
  Schwarze, Troy         60 23 23 Dec 1981 190cm 89kg Dingley Defender  
  Ackland, Cain          34 23 16 Mar 1982 196cm 96kg Port Adelaide Ruck  
  Murray, Allan          12 23 20 May 1982 180cm 83kg Murray Bushrangers Forward  
  Fisher, Sam            28 23 10 Jul 1982 191cm 88kg West Adelaide Defender  
  Koschitzke, Justin     71 23 20 Sep 1982 197cm 96kg Murray Bushrangers Ruck KPP  
  Riewoldt, Nick         91 23 17 Oct 1982 193cm 95kg Southport Forward    
  Clarke, Xavier         66 22 28 Sep 1983 181cm 80kg St Marys Forward  
  Montagna, Leigh        30 22 02 Nov 1983 178cm 76kg Northern Knights Midfield  
  Brooks, Barry           7 21 24 Dec 1983 198cm 95kg Grassy Ruck

This group contains most of our rucking stocks in: Michael Rix, Blake, Ackland, Kosi, and Brooks. Around this age most ruckmen start to hit their straps. Rix and Brooks have yet to establish themselves at AFL level. All of the remaining players (with the exceptions of Murray and Schwarze) have established themselves as regular players. The standouts are Nick and Kosi.

Our players at peak performance years 25 - 27yo

  Voss, Brett           136 27 22 Feb 1978 181cm 84kg Morningside Defender   
  Hayes, Lenny          140 25 14 Jan 1980 186cm 85kg Pennant Hills Midfield  
  Milne, Stephen         97 25 08 Mar 1980 176cm 80kg Dandenong Stingrays Forward  
  Baker, Steven         114 25 22 May 1980 179cm 83kg Geelong Falcons Midfield

All players are established as "best 22" but there's not many of them.
All would probably walk in to any other team of the league.

Our aging stars 28+yo

  Harvey, Robert (V+)   317 34 21 Aug 1971 181cm 84kg Seaford Midfield  
  [COLOR="Red"]Peckett, Justin (V+)  235 33 05 Oct 1972 182cm 84kg Karingal Utility[/COLOR]  
  Thompson, Andrew      194 33 21 Oct 1972 180cm 81kg Old Melburnians Midfield  
  Gehrig, Fraser        213 29 03 Mar 1976 195cm 104kg Murray Bushrangers Forward  
  Hudghton, Max         173 29 02 Sep 1976 191cm 92kg Northern Knights Defender  
  [COLOR="red"]Powell, Stephen       132 29 07 Sep 1976 181cm 84kg Western Jets Midfield[/COLOR]   
  Hamill, Aaron         181 28 20 Aug 1977 184cm 94kg Tuggeranong Forward

This aging group contains a number of our midfielders; Harvey, Peckett, Thompson, and Powell as well as a key forward and a key defender.
Harvey, Peckett and Thompson are amongst the oldest players in the league, yet for different reasons, all are capable of playing a significant role in a premiership tilt. Aaron Hamill is still at the lower age end of this group and is likely to continue with his peak age performance (that we saw glimpses of in 2005).

 

[samm]

what about your 18 - 21 year olds little there.

aaron hammill is constantly injured.

the 2 clarks are constantly injured.

then kate out powell, poeckett and thompson should retire but will have to be pushed. not much is left with the midfiled.

the saints dangeroully let thingsslide with their rookie list and young playerws.

no namb rising stars in the last 2 years either.

look at adelaide, west coast, freemantle. much better at recruiting rookies, much better at turning over their list mor regulary.

 

[The Punter]

I would think most our of delistings this season, if there are to be large changes, would be from the 22-24 group. The older guys all held their own this season, except for Hamill who was obviously injured.

No NAB nominations in two years. Well, Raphael Clarke was nominated last year, and remember these things are judged. Both Dal Santo and Maguire missed out on being nominated when both fully deserved to. This year McQualter should have been nominated but wasn't. For some reason we don't get guys nominated, but it isn't for lack of talent. The Doggies didn't have a nominee this year either. (Am willing to be corrected on that)

Remember that we should be able to produce a team like this next year, fitness willing and without adding anyone from another club

B: L Fisher Hudghton S Fisher
HB: Goddard Maguire Gram
C: X Clarke Harvey Dal Santo
HF: Hamill Riewoldt Montagna
F: Milne Gehrig Watts
Foll: Koschitzke Ball Hayes
Int: Baker Voss Brooks Thompson
Em: Blake R Clarke McQualter

Now I like Blake, R Clarke & McQualter, yet I couldn't get them in. OK, I have Brooks as the second ruckman and Thommo playing on, but still that is a very good side. Maybe we should just keep our draft picks unless we get an offer we cannot refuse (did see The Godfather for the first time last night) and develop some youngsters.

 

[SpInNeR]

y is Leigh Fisher always an automatic 22 selection????


it seems you dont have to earn your spot these days?

 

[nicko016]

y is Leigh Fisher always an automatic 22 selection????


it seems you dont have to earn your spot these days?

Leigh Fisher warrants an automatic selection. He provides run and can also take players out of the game. He is only going to improve after a very good year considering he was coming back from two years off.

 

[Kildonan]

What about your 18 - 21 year olds? (There appears to be) little there.

Aaron Hamill is constantly injured.

The 2 Clarkes are constantly injured.

Then take out Powell, Peckett and Thompson (He should retire but will have to be pushed). (There is) not much is left in the midfield.

The Saints let things slide dangerously with their rookie list and young players.

No rising stars nominations in the last 2 years either.

Look at Adelaide, West Coast, Fremantle. (They appear to be) much better at recruiting rookies (and) much better at turning over their list more regularly.

Where you asking questions or just having a rant?

 

[pol06]

B: L Fisher Hudghton S Fisher
HB: Goddard Maguire Gram
C: X Clarke Harvey Dal Santo
HF: Hamill Riewoldt Montagna
F: Milne Gehrig Watts
Foll: Koschitzke Ball Hayes
Int: Baker Voss Brooks Thompson
Em: Blake R Clarke McQualter

Your kidding if you rate raph clarke hgiher than aaron fiora at this point in his career. raph has showed nothing. fiora can add spark. we need to turn fiora into a star because a player like him is what we are missing

 

[Bourky23]

Your kidding if you rate raph clarke hgiher than aaron fiora at this point in his career. raph has showed nothing. fiora can add spark. we need to turn fiora into a star because a player like him is what we are missing

exactly pol!! fiora is a potential star if the new coach shows faith in him and plays him more than grant did then fiora has massive potential he just needs to know the playing group and coach have confidence in him and then he will become confident himself

 

[The Punter]

On R Clarke over Fiora: Missing Fiora was a genuine case of oversight. I just didn't remember him. He was stiff to get dropped when he did.

However Clarke does have a future. He played little this season and it showed. He played most of 2005 and was rewarded with two finals and a NAB Rising Star nomination in Round 22.

The criticism of Raph has made me think of some St Kilda supporters, and you know who you are, who are continuously overcritical and often vitriolic in their comments about certain players. Both Raphael Clarke and Aaron Fiora fall into the category, along with Stephen Milne, Troy Schwarze, Matt McGough, Brendan Goddard, Xavier Clarke, and now evidently Leigh Fisher.

Leigh Fisher is an automatic selection - he played one bad game all year in Perth against the Dockers, and I thought played pretty well in the final against Melbourne.

 

[Bourky23]

On R Clarke over Fiora: Missing Fiora was a genuine case of oversight. I just didn't remember him. He was stiff to get dropped when he did.

However Clarke does have a future. He played little this season and it showed. He played most of 2005 and was rewarded with two finals and a NAB Rising Star nomination in Round 22.

The criticism of Raph has made me think of some St Kilda supporters, and you know who you are, who are continuously overcritical and often vitriolic in their comments about certain players. Both Raphael Clarke and Aaron Fiora fall into the category, along with Stephen Milne, Troy Schwarze, Matt McGough, Brendan Goddard, Xavier Clarke, and now evidently Leigh Fisher.

Leigh Fisher is an automatic selection - he played one bad game all year in Perth against the Dockers, and I thought played pretty well in the final against Melbourne.

you obviously don't have much time for him either

 

[The Punter]

I was happy with McGough coming to St Kilda, but my Collingwood mate said to me "Good luck getting the fat s..t to run".

McGough's problem is not inability to run, it is a inability to chase or do anything defensive, coupled with inaccuracy of disposal. In a team where Peckett & Powell are already gone, and possibly Thompson will follow, how McGough is in a position to be delisted is entirely his fault.

However, I do feel that many St Kilda supporters gave up on him too early. He was even getting bagged when collecting 20 disposals in 58 minutes against the Kangaroos, where very few Saints were hitting targets regularly.

 

[SpInNeR]

I was happy with McGough coming to St Kilda, but my Collingwood mate said to me "Good luck getting the fat s..t to run".

McGough's problem is not inability to run, it is a inability to chase or do any defensive, coupled with inaccuracy of disposal. In a team where Peckett & Powell are already gone, and possibly Thompson will follow, how McGough is in a position to be delisted is entirely his fault.

However, I do feel that many St Kilda supporters gave up on him too early. He was even getting bagged when collecting 20 disposals in 58 minutes against the Kangaroos, where very few Saints were hitting targets regularly.

#1 - Players like milne, shwarze, and mcgough should be delisted this year. The game has gone past milne and the other two are hacks. Mcgough is a footballer missing athletisum and shwarze is an athlete with no sense of football ability.

#2 - L Fisher should not be regarded as an automatic 22 selection after playing 7 or so games prior to this year. This was the opinion of Stkilda and from a full season he has failed to set my world on fire....i still cringe when he goes for cheast marks.....(this dosnt mean he wont be in the future)

#3 Raph clarke is the same.

#4....mcgough cant run.

 

[The Punter]

#1 - Players like milne, shwarze, and mcgough should be delisted this year. The game has gone past milne and the other two are hacks. Mcgough is a footballer missing athletisum and shwarze is an athlete with no sense of football ability.

#2 - L Fisher should not be regarded as an automatic 22 selection after playing 7 or so games prior to this year. This was the opinion of Stkilda and from a full season he has failed to set my world on fire....i still cringe when he goes for cheast marks.....(this dosnt mean he wont be in the future)

#3 Raph clarke is the same.

#4....mcgough cant run.

To deal with your points in order:

1. The game certainly hasn't passed Milne by. While many may see him as only a crumbing small forward, who are indeed a dying race, I think he has more capabilties than that. For starters he is one of the best 3 or 4 kicks to a lead on the team, and the way we play that is very important. I disagree with your assessment of Schwarze having no football ability, he is one of the best kicks on the team. McGough is a lost case.

2. While Leigh Fisher does drop too many chestmarks (one is too many), he consistenty finds the ball, making is forward opponent accountable, he is tough, solid at 90kg, and will only improve.

3. Clarke is a talent who rarely panics, something you need in the backline. Sometimes he is so calm it hurts him. He looks slow but isn't (like Dal Santo), and his height (188cm?) gives him an extra dimension.

4. McGough will run to get the footy - he won't run to get his man.

 

[samm]

Where you asking questions or just having a rant?

thank you for correcting my spelling i really needed that. you must have spare time on your hands to do so.

as to asking questions. they were comments, not questions and not a rant.

so next time you decide that someones spelling is not good enough for you, don't read the message! As you would have no idea whether the person for example had no time to correct their spelling, cannot spell, or any other reason.

 

[SpInNeR]

thank you for correcting my spelling i really needed that. you must have spare time on your hands to do so.

as to asking questions. they were comments, not questions and not a rant.

so next time you decide that someones spelling is not good enough for you, don't read the message! As you would have no idea whether the person for example had no time to correct their spelling, cannot spell, or any other reason.

how does one decide that your spelling is not good enough without first reading it....

....so on light of this - why dont you take some time into ur post so that they correctly reflect your opinion....

...its called good communication....we dont read minds here

Edited to remove personal abuse

 

[SpInNeR]

To deal with your points in order:

1. The game certainly hasn't passed Milne by. While many may see him as only a crumbing small forward, who are indeed a dying race, I think he has more capabilties than that.

2.

3. Clarke is a talent who rarely panics, something you need in the backline. Sometimes he is so calm it hurts him.

4. McGough will run to get the footy - he won't run to get his man.

1) i think with milne playing up the ground really detriorates our gameplan.
Football head - yes ability - no.
his positioning is second to none.....yet he is too small and not strong enough to win 90% of contests in a position that is vital in one on one

2) you cant base fisher on 7 games......just because he looked tough.

3) raphs calmness dosnt hurt him...it hurts us.....it is just me or does he get unlimited chances to make mistakes....he needs to be treated like everyone else.

4) mcgough cant run.

 

[Cudaman]

I thought I heard the reason for getting rid of Thomas was because he didn't get enough out the best list of the AFL.

Now we want to change him and the list!!!

I really can't see many changes needed - besides not realy much time for a new coach to make a difference , so they will stick to the choices already made by the recruitment department who I think have done pretty well until now - considering it is the best list?!?!

Murray has to be gone - bad luck, bad choice - Fiora is a receiver (new terminology a go-to-player or a wide option) maybe lucky, Peckett, Powell, & (probably) Thompsen retired, maybe Raymond or Sweeney, etc have not stepped up - otherwise not too much jiggling.

Why would you change the best list if the goal is to win a premiership in the next couple of years - the Swans haven't blooded (pun intentional) in 2 years, and they look pretty good.

Changing lists willy nilly breaks down the confidence of the players where every one feels vunerable - surely we want to continue to build a solid club where everyone feels the same feeling of success...

Don't want to end up a rabble like Carlton where even the young players are looking for an out

 

[The Punter]

First of all - all players drafted in the National Draft get automatic two year contracts, so despite the incredible lack of patience and possible stupidity of some people, we cannot delist Raymond or Sweeney. Maybe we should delist someone we haven't even drafted yet. Hmpff.

I believe Leigh Fisher played 16 games this year, plus 5 in each of 2003 & 2004, equalling 26 games. I don't know why Spinner keeps saying 7 games. I also don't know which 7 games he is referring to.

Good teams need to be together for long periods. Most of Brisbane's core group was together for 5+ years, same at Essendon in 2000, Port Adelaide in 2004 and Sydney now (about to go back-to-back). While some players are clearly not up to AFL standard (Murray, McGough, Ferguson), we shouldn't be making wholesale changes. With Peckett & Powell already retiring, if we delisted only the above three players, I wouldn't be too unhappy. Five new players into the club, either through trades or the draft. If we trade a player for a player that is player number neutral.

 

[pol06]

I thought I heard the reason for getting rid of Thomas was because he didn't get enough out the best list of the AFL.

Now we want to change him and the list!!!

I really can't see many changes needed - besides not realy much time for a new coach to make a difference , so they will stick to the choices already made by the recruitment department who I think have done pretty well until now - considering it is the best list?!?!

Murray has to be gone - bad luck, bad choice - Fiora is a receiver (new terminology a go-to-player or a wide option) maybe lucky, Peckett, Powell, & (probably) Thompsen retired, maybe Raymond or Sweeney, etc have not stepped up - otherwise not too much jiggling.

Why would you change the best list if the goal is to win a premiership in the next couple of years - the Swans haven't blooded (pun intentional) in 2 years, and they look pretty good.

Changing lists willy nilly breaks down the confidence of the players where every one feels vunerable - surely we want to continue to build a solid club where everyone feels the same feeling of success...

Don't want to end up a rabble like Carlton where even the young players are looking for an out

that is the most immature comment i have ever heard. how is an 18 yr old taken mid to late in the draft meant to "step it up" in there first year. being realistic its unlikely these guys will have an extended stay and become regular players at stkilda, even though i hope they do. by all reports these two have come along way this season and for them to be geting senior selection within the next few years would be unlikely. u have no idea wat your talking about

 

[puddles]

Sweeney easily won the goalkicking for Casey this season, despite only playing 13 games as an 18 year old medium forward fresh from local footy, bit early to be calling for his head. Raymond is 15kgs from senior footy but has time on his side, and obviously some ability to be drafted at his curent size.

 

[nicko016]

Sweeney easily won the goalkicking for Casey this season, despite only playing 13 games as an 18 year old medium forward fresh from local footy, bit early to be calling for his head. Raymond is 15kgs from senior footy but has time on his side, and obviously some ability to be drafted at his curent size.

Agree with you here. How you can consider delisting an 18 or 19 year old after 1 season is beyond me. And from all reports Sweeney was making good progress, consistently kicking 2 or 3 goals in Casey seniors.

 

[Kildonan]

Just a few comments:

1)

thank you for correcting my spelling...

Apologies.

I sometimes can't help myself. (Maybe it's an obsessive / compulsive trait just surfacing).

I'm old school. Names should have capital letters - is the way I was brought up ... and to skip this gives me the impression of disrespect for that person.

2) Re: Leigh Fisher being an automatic selection.

We are about to sign a new coach. To him nobody is an automatic selection. It is back to earning your spot for everyone. For most of our top players this shouldn't be too hard, but there should be no givens.

3) Mark McGough - I think he has real talent. 20 years ago he would have been a star of the game. He is a ball magnet because he has a football brain, unfortunately he is slow. His lack of speed means that he is under pressure almost immediately upon getting the ball. His disposal suffers from the pressure. He is rarely successful chasing a player down (also because of his speed) and this sometimes results in his failure to try - something that needs to be addressed because referred pressure is often enough to reduce the effectiveness of the opposition's disposal.

What do you do with a player like that? He could be great. As he is, he still gets his hands on the pill more than enough to earn his keep, but his disposal lets him down, lets the team down. Can he learn, like Powell did, to find other ways to be effective? McGough is a lovely size for a midfielder, a similar height to Lenny Hayes. Maybe if he could build his body up to Lenny's size he could use strength where speed fails him. I don't know, I suppose it's up to the new coach.