Saints drafting IMO has actually been pretty good, with the exception of the rucks (just poor luck) and lack of outside running types which the club is trying to address.
Paddy, Goddad, Dunstan, Acres, Billings are all first rounders and have all suffered substantial injuries in their first few years. (Freeman was also in the Billings draft) I suspect if you were to cripple 5/6 top picks from two consecutive draft intakes at any club for a year or two each, then you would see an identical result in the group development.
Saints are a year or two behind the 2020 projection, and the club and coach are well aware of it, although lack the gumpshun to state it publicly coz they would be panned in the media. I think this is why they gave Richo an otherwise unjustifiable 2 year extension. If you cast ahead 2 years we will lose, Gilbert, Brown, Armo, Geary from our normal best 22. They will be replaced by Clark, Coffield, 2018 R1 and 2019 R1 picks plus any FA that they can bribe to come over. Not a bad set of ins and outs IMO. Saints supporters just have to suck it up for another couple of years. Biggest problem going forward is getting a proper set of coaches to adderss our deplorable skills, lack of coherent game strategy and lethargic performances. Richo is our rebuild manager, he won't likely survive past 2020.
Paddy, Goddad, Dunstan, Acres, Billings are all first rounders and have all suffered substantial injuries in their first few years. (Freeman was also in the Billings draft) I suspect if you were to cripple 5/6 top picks from two consecutive draft intakes at any club for a year or two each, then you would see an identical result in the group development.
Saints are a year or two behind the 2020 projection, and the club and coach are well aware of it, although lack the gumpshun to state it publicly coz they would be panned in the media. I think this is why they gave Richo an otherwise unjustifiable 2 year extension. If you cast ahead 2 years we will lose, Gilbert, Brown, Armo, Geary from our normal best 22. They will be replaced by Clark, Coffield, 2018 R1 and 2019 R1 picks plus any FA that they can bribe to come over. Not a bad set of ins and outs IMO. Saints supporters just have to suck it up for another couple of years. Biggest problem going forward is getting a proper set of coaches to adderss our deplorable skills, lack of coherent game strategy and lethargic performances. Richo is our rebuild manager, he won't likely survive past 2020.