Offload Xavier

[R Man]

Guys, I know this'll be a touchie subject for most avid Saints fans, as I am one myself, but I think getting something for Xavier is something we need to think about. What do others think? His year was not great, and he was dropped to Springvale a few times. I saw those games for Springvale too.. and he was just prancing around. It's time he either sharpened up or shipped out..

 

[Caj]

I doubt the saints would be willing to trade him this October, but he may become expendable at the end of 2005 if there is a salary cap squeeze

 

[Lisha]

We will not get rid of him. He will progress nicely, and with his brother at the club now he might start to lead from the front. We wouldnt want reaph clarke leaving aswell to be with his brother. Raph Clarke was meant to be a top 3 pick. Melbourne were going to get him as were other clubs but he made it clear he wanted to play with his brother for the saints. They also have a younger brother Maurice (i think his name is) and he is meant to be better than both of them. He also wants to come to St.Kilda. I think he is 16 now. Go Saints.

 

[ChrisL]

i have mentioned this idea in another thread but i agree, i think that it is a good idea to get rid of him too.
1) because he will attract interest from other clubs
2) because he doesn't fit in to the side at st kilda

 

[Sloane]

I must admit I haven't been impressed with X this year, but I think he still has too much potential upside for us to get rid of at this point. I'd like to see him get at least one more year to prove himself...

 

[garth p]

i have mentioned this idea in another thread but i agree, i think that it is a good idea to get rid of him too.
1) because he will attract interest from other clubs
2) because he doesn't fit in to the side at st kilda

WHAT DO YOU MEAN. HE DOESN'T FIT IN. YOU ARE A MORON. caps intended.

 

[riccardo]

Give the kid a break, he is only very young and still finding his feet in the AFL. I know he didn't have a fantastic year, but since when was that grounds for a delisting or trading?

Remember, every player in the side dosen't have to be a champion, and Xavier may not be the next Brownlow medalist, but he is a fine young player who will give us years of quality service.

Lay off, OK?

 

[Grimfang]

What we see here is a classic case of the "Gumby" effect. Some of it's more recent victims at the club have been Justin Peckett and Troy Schwarze. As criticism of them has backed off during the course of the year, Xavier appears to have become the new target.

 

[sainter]

Give the kid a break, he is only very young and still finding his feet in the AFL. I know he didn't have a fantastic year, but since when was that grounds for a delisting or trading?

Remember, every player in the side dosen't have to be a champion, and Xavier may not be the next Brownlow medalist, but he is a fine young player who will give us years of quality service.

Lay off, OK?

I don't think we are at the level here where we need to talk up every single player in a red, white and jumper. It's refreshing for people to disagree on saints related issues provided it doesn't turn into a slanging match.

For what it's worth I agree with you that X is worth persisting with. He seems to lack the intensity of some of his teammates and needs to work hard on the defensive side of his game but he's got as much natural talent as anyone at the club. With Black's imminent depature he has an ideal opportunity to step up and consolidate himself in our best team.

 

[Winmar]

I'm a fan of Xavier's, but he really didn't progress enough this year. He'll need to do a lot more in 2005. Looking forward to seeing Raph come through....

 

[Kildonan]

Xavier hasn't been able to play his natural game, and it may be that the pace and intensity of the elite level may never permit him to.

He needs to play his risky play on at all costs dodge and weave style game and be successful at it for him to gain enough confidence to really star.

He is a confidence player and as such can and probably will tear them apart at some time in the near future. Once his confidence is up he will go for inspirational runs, take speccies and generally be brilliant.

When his confidence is not up, he still tries but he can make a few basic mistakes - competing with/spoiling team mates, indecisive target selection, hurried disposal etc.

I cannot fault his defensive intensity though, he just loses concentration sometimes when we attack and finds himself out of position. Will learn.

 

[justin_krem]

Xavier needs to lift and Raphael needs to follow