Ryan O'Keefe

[Zainta]

2 years too late. Now too old, not as fast as he was. WOuld rather we ignore him and draft a young one.

That's true, I would much rather get the next O'Keefe than the current one.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

If he is out of contract why don't we just offer him a bag of money to close the deal, and if Sydney want something in return , give them Fiora and L Fisher.

 

[CHBench]

- He's 28. He hasn't missed a game through injury in 5 years. This says he could go on for another 5-6 years.
- Made the 40 man squad for AA
- Averaging 20 disposals
- Hard nut we've been looking for
- Medium forward we've been looking for
- Sydney connection could make us an attractive option
- We have multiple options in the trade (Pick 13 must not be traded)

I say go for it. He'll slot in perfectly.

 

[Kildonan]

All clubs are developing a different strategy to recruiting over the next few years. Those with insufficient youth now would be wise to hang on to every draft pick they can for this draft as the talent pool will not run so deep with Gold Coast and (later) West Sydney draining it of the elite over the next half a decade. We also have an opportunity to pick the best of the Casey players to top up as depth players. Silvagni, and Wall have been mentioned already, any others? Many clubs are looking at mature age recruits from non-traditional sources.

 

[Modra93]

At 28, only worth a 2nd rounder!
Absolute gun though, would love to get him!

Agree completly.. cant believe the talk of Carlton giving up #6 for him

 

[IllBeTheJudge]

We also have an opportunity to pick the best of the Casey players to top up as depth players. Silvagni, and Wall have been mentioned already, any others? Many clubs are looking at mature age recruits from non-traditional sources.

We can still do that even though we'll be aligned with the Zebras next season?

 

[Squizz]

All clubs are developing a different strategy to recruiting over the next few years. Those with insufficient youth now would be wise to hang on to every draft pick they can for this draft as the talent pool will not run so deep with Gold Coast and (later) West Sydney draining it of the elite over the next half a decade. We also have an opportunity to pick the best of the Casey players to top up as depth players. Silvagni, and Wall have been mentioned already, any others? Many clubs are looking at mature age recruits from non-traditional sources.

Agree. Big call for the Saints to chase a 28 year old (even an O'Keefe). Note our second round pick ranks behind alot of other teams (many of whom are sniffing around O'Keefe). King was a different proposition (fell into our lap), and Dempster/Schneider were 23.

We now have to look at replacing King and Max in the short term, and noting Blake, Lenny, Bakes and Milne who are all basically 28 and won't play much past 30 (the first 3 have many battle scars to carry).

Will Gardi play on? If not, what are we going to do in the ruck with Macca still developing and Kosi not impacting (can't expect King to do it all).

Macca is a cornerstone of the club's future. If we went after O'Keefe, and retained Kosi, what does this mean for Macca's development? He is learning the ruck caper but is very much a forward option for us. Kosi, Roo and O'Keefe leaves no room for Macca.

Do we really expect any of Woody, Howard and Connors to impact next year or are we effectively carrying them for another season?

Leigh Fisher, Fergie, Fiora, Birss, Chucky, Rix - all gone or will have limited impact next year? Birss has been incredibly unlucky but he will be 26 by the time the season starts and Ross doesn't seem to rate him.

Dempster will be out of action until June. Will Attard, Ball and Goose get back to full fitness?

If we draft for the future (and with GC17 in mind), will we pay a price next year? Where do we think our list is at - are we are a realistic contender with this list (notwithstanding a great finish to the year)? Riewoldt cannot play any better - ditto Sam Fisher, BJ, Max and Lenny.

Will Gilbo, Raph, Armo, Jack, and Gears step up as much as we need them to in one year?

Next week should be interesting. Whilst the club has stated our first 2 picks are off the table this may change or possibly we will be ruthless with player trades. The indication is that we will be active.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Agree. Big call for the Saints to chase a 28 year old (even an O'Keefe). Note our second round pick ranks behind alot of other teams (many of whom are sniffing around O'Keefe). King was a different proposition (fell into our lap), and Dempster/Schneider were 23.
But if he is out of contract there is a lot more choice given to the player, remember how the Saints had to take Fiora for Black.

We now have to look at replacing King and Max in the short term, and noting Blake, Lenny, Bakes and Milne who are all basically 28 and won't play much past 30 (the first 3 have many battle scars to carry).

Will Gardi play on? If not, what are we going to do in the ruck with Macca still developing and Kosi not impacting (can't expect King to do it all).
I would expect one of either Rix or Gardiner to be retained.

Macca is a cornerstone of the club's future. If we went after O'Keefe, and retained Kosi, what does this mean for Macca's development? He is learning the ruck caper but is very much a forward option for us. Kosi, Roo and O'Keefe leaves no room for Macca.
[I]Kosi can play as a rucking midfielder. He has not been effective as a forward.[/I]

Do we really expect any of Woody, Howard and Connors to impact next year or are we effectively carrying them for another season? No! It is important that they get games for their development, but they won't be the game winners.

Leigh Fisher, Fergie, Fiora, Birss, Chucky, Rix - all gone or will have limited impact next year? Birss has been incredibly unlucky but he will be 26 by the time the season starts and Ross doesn't seem to rate him.

Dempster will be out of action until June. Will Attard, Ball and Goose get back to full fitness? Surely they will! Ball was only a week away, and Attard should be very close already. Not sure about Goose, hopefully he will be training in the preseason. I would hope that Goose and Attard play in the NAB cup next year.

If we draft for the future (and with GC17 in mind), will we pay a price next year? Where do we think our list is at - are we are a realistic contender with this list (notwithstanding a great finish to the year)? Riewoldt cannot play any better - ditto Sam Fisher, BJ, Max and Lenny. I would expect a fit Baker and Maguire could add to the team. BJ is still young and may still have something else to add ( would make him a superstar ).

Will Gilbo, Raph, Armo, Jack, and Gears step up as much as we need them to in one year? Million dollar question - if the answer is yes the answer to the previous question is no. I don't expect all of them to go great but I hope that some of them do.

Next week should be interesting. Whilst the club has stated our first 2 picks are off the table this may change or possibly we will be ruthless with player trades. The indication is that we will be active.

IMO all the cards are in the hands of our young generation of players. They have the potential to lift or sink the whole team.

 

[Squizz]

O'Keefe wants a 4 year deal. Can't see the Saints going for both that and parting with their first rounder (sounds as though a pick between 15-25 is the going market).

 

[Kildonan]

Will Gardi play on? If not, what are we going to do in the ruck with Macca still developing and Kosi not impacting (can't expect King to do it all).

Michael Gardiner has already announced his retirement (before the prelim).

I expect that we will be looking at potential replacements in the ruck to support King.

...and the question has to be asked - how long can King hold up the first ruck position? He is a great tap ruckman with a great natural instinct for the game, he oozes leadership and he offers a great deal of knowledge and tactical nous. BUT... he is as slow as treacle, he has little success up forward and is getting injuries more frequently than at any other time of his career....

Kosi has shown that he loves playing in the ruck, but he is less successful than King despite a great deal more athleticism, he has a fantastic contested mark but is only a moderately reliable kick in front of goal.

If I was helping determine St Kilda's future, I would be targetting a mature ruckman, a key defender and forwards who can kick.

O'Keefe would still be high on my list but a 200+cm mature ruckman would be higher.

 

[tim_saints]

jsut to let ya no we actually do have a ruckman on the rookie list Luke Van Rheehan, now i no he isnt what u said as in a experienced ruckman but he is 201cms tall and woodnt tha saints b looking to develop him?? im just putting this out there not saying ur wrong at all.

 

[CHBench]

Near certanty that he won't be a Saint.
Demanding 600k a year, 4 year contract.
Can't afford him and even if we could. No way.

Another Sydney-to-Saints deal - this time involving Ryan O'Keefe - was unlikely. "I think he's (O'Keefe) looking for a four-year deal. He's 28 this year; we don't have a good history of doing long-term deals," Fraser said.
"We don't even know if he wants to stay in Sydney yet, so I'd have to say no, I can't see us . . . we won't be giving away our early pick and they would want an early pick."

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24433496-23211,00.html

 

[IllBeTheJudge]

Near certanty that he won't be a Saint.
Demanding 600k a year, 4 year contract.
Can't afford him and even if we could. No way.

Agreed. Not worth anything near that. Tell him he's dreaming
There goes my "he wants a club near success, money is secondary" theory

If those reports are true (and I'm sceptical about a lot of journalism, especially at this time of year) then it really looks like he's pimping himself to see who will take the bait, and if all else fails stick with the Sydney offer ... assuming they don't retract it. They need him though so can't see the deal being pulled unless they nab another top line forward

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Agreed. Not worth anything near that. Tell him he's dreaming
There goes my "he wants a club near success, money is secondary" theory

If those reports are true (and I'm sceptical about a lot of journalism, especially at this time of year) then it really looks like he's pimping himself to see who will take the bait, and if all else fails stick with the Sydney offer ... assuming they don't retract it. They need him though so can't see the deal being pulled unless they nab another top line forward

I think you are right , he is trying to get a payrise out of Sydney.

 

[IllBeTheJudge]

I think you are right , he is trying to get a payrise out of Sydney.

I read somewhere that Sydney weren't changing their terms though, unless that just meant they weren't extending the length of the offer (ie. keep it at 3 years) and would still consider upping the pay. Guess it depends on what comes out of Melbourne clubs but I can't see anyone agreeing to 600k

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I read somewhere that Sydney weren't changing their terms though, unless that just meant they weren't extending the length of the offer (ie. keep it at 3 years) and would still consider upping the pay. Guess it depends on what comes out of Melbourne clubs but I can't see anyone agreeing to 600k

To me the 600K could be OK, but the four years and the first round pick for a 28YO are the killers.

 

[IllBeTheJudge]

To me the 600K could be OK, but the four years and the first round pick for a 28YO are the killers.

Four years doesn't bother me too much (though I'd normally say three max) but at considerably less than 600k

First round pick is a definite no-no, agree wholeheartedly there!

 

[The Punter]

The entire package is well over the odds. I think he'll struggle to get what he wants, and Sydney as well.

 

[vonn]

im a sydney fan and i got nothin against saints (despite you guys taking schnides and demps), i think ryan o keefe is just what you guys need to link up to the forwards, you guys are taking his age far to much into consideration, if anyone here watched all the sydney games before he got injured this year his racked up 25+ possessions in every game with shots on goal, by far he is one of sydney best and he is in his prime and this season was his best to date. his endurance is unmatchable and that won't change as he gets older. harvey was a champion of the game but he wasnt young and he still served the club, as i believe rhino would do for you.


round pick 2/3+ Nick Dal Santo
fair trade?

and i dont think the connections with roosy is going to have much affect, not many clubs were chasing schneider and roosy isnt going to relinquish the market value of an all australian in his prime.

 

[Expert!!]

How can you even think St Kilda are in contention to secure anyones services, they have nothing to give and who would even contemplate going to this club with seemingly a poor future ahead of them! Premiership is a long time coming. Harsh... but fair.

 

[Squizz]

How can you even think St Kilda are in contention to secure anyones services, they have nothing to give and who would even contemplate going to this club with seemingly a poor future ahead of them! Premiership is a long time coming. Harsh... but fair.

The newbie with the well rationalised thoughts - comments from the "super coach" indeed.

Good luck with the moving goal post (Warnock).

 

[The Punter]

how can you even think st kilda are in contention to secure anyones services, they have nothing to give and who would even contemplate going to this club with seemingly a poor future ahead of them! Premiership is a long time coming. Harsh... But fair.

11-0

 

[SaintsSeptember]

How can you even think St Kilda are in contention to secure anyones services, they have nothing to give and who would even contemplate going to this club with seemingly a poor future ahead of them! Premiership is a long time coming. Harsh... but fair.

So you think that we should tank on purpose and then hope to god our future will be assured after we draft a hot young ruckman and a hyped up midfielder who may or may not be past his best?

If StKilda only beat one team in 2009, rest assured it will be Carlton!

 

[Squizz]

C'mon guys - why wouldn't O'Keefe want to go to a classy outfit like the blues? He could get slapped around by Fev's wanger, or involved in corruption - the possibilities are endless!!!

 

[IllBeTheJudge]

im a sydney fan and i got nothin against saints (despite you guys taking schnides and demps), i think ryan o keefe is just what you guys need to link up to the forwards, you guys are taking his age far to much into consideration, if anyone here watched all the sydney games before he got injured this year his racked up 25+ possessions in every game with shots on goal, by far he is one of sydney best and he is in his prime and this season was his best to date. his endurance is unmatchable and that won't change as he gets older. harvey was a champion of the game but he wasnt young and he still served the club, as i believe rhino would do for you.


round pick 2/3+ Nick Dal Santo
fair trade?

and i dont think the connections with roosy is going to have much affect, not many clubs were chasing schneider and roosy isnt going to relinquish the market value of an all australian in his prime.

I think ROK is a terrific player, but I don't think he's worth 600k a year over 4 years, despite agreeing with pretty well everything else you said

But to pay a new player 600k plus relinquish someone like Dal Santo in that trade would be stupid of us to do, and would look like we're topping up ala Richmond some years back (2001 perhaps?)

Nope, I think O'Keefe has just priced himself out of the market and Sydney will play a bit of hardball as well if they were to lose him. He's not going anywhere

BTW, you offered us Schneider and Dempster (offererd everyone actually), they weren't head-hunted