Toast Welcome Matthew Parker

[sammm]

I see Tony Brown at every training I've been to, I see him around the club when nothings on, he's at the ground sitting with the VFL guys and always out chatting to fans. He works pretty hard what ever he does, he's earning his pay packet. Murray set up a charity while he was still playing and used to be pretty good at doing club charity work. He was the first to volunteer for everything outside the club. Not sure what they are like at work but they aren't just getting work for being ex players.

thanks for that.

I don't get to the club so I would not know these these things.

 

[Quixote]

Yep he's quick but he doesn't seem to be a particularly stand out footballer. Ahmed Saad and Terry Milera were both much better performed at state level than Parker and Young

Whilst excited by the additions of some junkyard dogs, I share this concern. Can they football? Here's hoping because if they can, it's a masterstroke.

 

[st_trav_ofWA]

Whilst excited by the additions of some junkyard dogs, I share this concern. Can they football? Here's hoping because if they can, it's a masterstroke.

ill agree Parkers WAFL form was below that of a Saad or Milera in the VFL/SANFL when we picked them up but for the most part we picked those guys at their ceilng they were solid lower level players who could make the step up to the AFL but were at the top of where they were going to get to ... the thing with Parker is two years ago he was playing suburban footy every other week training when he felt like it with a bunch of volunteer coaches and training staff directing him .. he clearly dominated so he was convinced to try WAFL , under the professionalism of WAFL he improved ten fold... the theory is in an AFL situation with focused and specialist professional training and support around him he could improve again tenfold and become a very special player for us .. on his current form he was not far off AFL quality with the improved professionalism i think he will be a huge improver ... hopefully this time next year we are all celebrating the fact we jagged a real player and fan favourite

 

[stavro#4]

ill agree Parkers WAFL form was below that of a Saad or Milera in the VFL/SANFL when we picked them up but for the most part we picked those guys at their ceilng they were solid lower level players who could make the step up to the AFL but were at the top of where they were going to get to ... the thing with Parker is two years ago he was playing suburban footy every other week training when he felt like it with a bunch of volunteer coaches and training staff directing him .. he clearly dominated so he was convinced to try WAFL , under the professionalism of WAFL he improved ten fold... the theory is in an AFL situation with focused and specialist professional training and support around him he could improve again tenfold and become a very special player for us .. on his current form he was not far off AFL quality with the improved professionalism i think he will be a huge improver ... hopefully this time next year we are all celebrating the fact we jagged a real player and fan favourite

He was really impressive the other day. His speed puts some fear on the ground ball.

 

[CaptainRisky]

ill agree Parkers WAFL form was below that of a Saad or Milera in the VFL/SANFL when we picked them up but for the most part we picked those guys at their ceilng they were solid lower level players who could make the step up to the AFL but were at the top of where they were going to get to ... the thing with Parker is two years ago he was playing suburban footy every other week training when he felt like it with a bunch of volunteer coaches and training staff directing him .. he clearly dominated so he was convinced to try WAFL , under the professionalism of WAFL he improved ten fold... the theory is in an AFL situation with focused and specialist professional training and support around him he could improve again tenfold and become a very special player for us .. on his current form he was not far off AFL quality with the improved professionalism i think he will be a huge improver ... hopefully this time next year we are all celebrating the fact we jagged a real player and fan favourite

I think your right Trav , he could have a lot of upside and he seems so keen to do well , i love his attitude

 

[CaptainRisky]

He was really impressive the other day. His speed puts some fear on the ground ball.

We have been crying out for some speed and with his hardness its a a bonus , not to mention the campaigner in him , gotta love that

 

[Tommy Wigs]

He was really impressive the other day. His speed puts some fear on the ground ball.

Stav - By other day - do you mean at the club?

 

[st_trav_ofWA]

he is also pretty big for a "small" player he has a bit of a stoop about him but when he stands up tall it makes a huge differance height wise so i would imagine he would be more than capable contesting in the air ...
the other thing i have heard is he is genuinely excited to be at St Kilda .. i mean most guys are really happy to be drafted and get their shot but this years draftee's in my opinion are especially excited about not just being at an AFL club but being at St Kilda ... that to me is a real positive and i hope that the positive energy these new blokes bring to the club can flow through the rest of the list

 

[borderbarry]

I am hoping a full pre-season will develop Matthew in the right direction. We can certainly do with some devil in the team. By the look of him his aboriginal heritage is a fair way back in his ancestory. A bit like Gresh.

 

[borderbarry]

Then again Barry Cable was of very fair skin. I hope Matthew can be as good as Barry was.

 

[Tommy Wigs]

he is also pretty big for a "small" player he has a bit of a stoop about him but when he stands up tall it makes a huge differance height wise so i would imagine he would be more than capable contesting in the air ...
the other thing i have heard is he is genuinely excited to be at St Kilda .. i mean most guys are really happy to be drafted and get their shot but this years draftee's in my opinion are especially excited about not just being at an AFL club but being at St Kilda ... that to me is a real positive and i hope that the positive energy these new blokes bring to the club can flow through the rest of the list

To be honest, Longy looks a better and better pick by the day. Could become an important leader more broadly, but also in support of these and any of the younger kids.

 

[austinnn]

To be honest, Longy looks a better and better pick by the day. Could become an important leader more broadly, but also in support of these and any of the younger kids.

I agree although Matt Parker is a few months older than Ben Long so let's say "less experienced". The most experienced is the youngest and our very own David King's Conundrum, Jade Gresham.

Oldest to youngest:

Robbie Young
179cm, 75kg, DOB: 02/03/1995, 0 AFL games, North Adelaide/Port Adelaide

Matt Parker
187cm, 79kg, DOB: 25/01/1996, 0 AFL games, South Fremantle/Melville

Ben Long
182cm, 74kg DOB:21/08/1997, 14 AFL games, St Marys (NT)/NT Thunder (NEAFL)/Melb Grammar (Vic)

Jade Gresham
177cm, 79kg, DOB:24/08/1997, 62 AFL games, South Morang (Vic)/Parade Coll (Vic)/Northern U18

Longy is a whole 3 days older than Gresh, they might as well be twins!
All 4 guys have Aboriginal heritage, each from a different state - SA, WA, NT and VIC.
What's more, long, young, jade, and matt are all adjectives. The bizarro world versions of these players would be called Short, Old, Dark-Pink and Shiny. (I'm sure some of the fellas here might have those words ringing in their ears from the last blind date they went on.)

But...



...Never mind that, let's just hope they all become great Saints!

 

[Strahany]

The more footage I see on Parker, the more I wonder why he wasn’t drafted earlier. Physical attribute appear excellent and should only improve once in a full-time AFL environment; likewise, his skills, albeit they’re not as big a standout IMO. I’m guessing that other clubs may not have as much confidence in his rapid progression from amateurs to the WAFL to the AFL continuing at the same rate (or at all)? The only other reason I can think of would be questions around his character; he’s alluded to some issues in his past, but genuinely seems to have that completely behind him based on all interviews post-draft (so can only assume he interviewed just as well with teams pre-draft, hence why I can’t see this being a reason).

King, Bytel, and Parker could all turn out to be players of a much higher quality than what their draft selections suggest (even considering King being taken at 4). Parker, in particular, could be a selection similar to Steven; taking a player who has shown promise a year earlier than perhaps they “deserve” in the hope that you’ve secured them at a discount.

 

[Coconut_twirl]

Can we bring in Marlion the same way the Tigers are getting Stack? Isn’t there a new rule where you can rookie players until March? I thought we had two rookie spots left?

Can we pick Gibbons too?

 

[Coconut_twirl]

To be honest, Longy looks a better and better pick by the day. Could become an important leader more broadly, but also in support of these and any of the younger kids.

Absolutely. During his first season he looked to be a bit of a dud at Pick 23, but in 2018 he improved out of sight. We need to give all of these mature recruits 24 months in the system before we cast full judgement. Hind probably looks the most likely to start R1 next year.

 

[Keg on legs]

Can we bring in Marlion the same way the Tigers are getting Stack? Isn’t there a new rule where you can rookie players until March? I thought we had two rookie spots left?

Seems a no brainer really if we have the spots available.

 

[majortinkle]

Seems a no brainer really if we have the spots available.

It depends whether Joyce is a b list or not. Some sites have us at 3+2 and some at 4+1

From memory Connellan was our Irish b and so Joyce was an a - is he allowed to be a b once he’s been an a?

 

[Keg on legs]

It depends whether Joyce is a b list or not. Some sites have us at 3+2 and some at 4+1

From memory Connellan was our Irish b and so Joyce was an a - is he allowed to be a b once he’s been an a?

No idea how it all sits tbh

 

[Verdun66]

42. MATTHEW PARKER
Forward, 187cm, 80kg, South Fremantle

Buckenara says: Parker is a very exciting medium-sized forward with x-factor and has AFL qualities with his speed and ability to kick goals. He’s turned his career around after finding inspiration in fellow draft hopeful Marlion Pickett and Geelong star Tim Kelly to not give up on his AFL dream and that has translated into good form for South Fremantle, where he booted 27 goals from 20 games this year. He’s a talent but he will require a club to invest in his life and put in place support mechanisms to assist him in his transition into AFL life. On pure talent alone, he has the ability to become a very exciting AFL player but he will need to grab the opportunity and take ownership of what’s in front of him if he is picked up. I believe there will be some clubs willing to back in their culture and environment to get the best out of him.

Plays like: A taller Liam Ryan (West Coast)

Apologies if someone else has posted this. Just reading Buckenara's Top 50 before the second round of the draft. Interesting he had Bytel at 29 and Parker at 42. I know Bucky cops some stick about his comments, but good to see that he liked Parker before he got drafted. Didn't seem to be on many people's radar. Parker we must hope settles and gets the best out of himself. Could be an absolute gun. Over to the club!

 

[JG22]

Heard he’s moving in with Paddy, will teach him how to smash a feed.

 

[King_Steele]

Heard he’s moving in with Paddy, will teach him how to smash a feed.

Imagine if Paddy beats Parker in fifa?

Elbow straight to the double chin!

 

[austinnn]

Heard he’s moving in with Paddy, will teach him how to smash a feed.

Not unless he's already had a problem with Dunstan.

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-29/jacks-back-bulged-disc-to-delay-new-saints-preseason

"Parker has come over from Western Australia and is living with onballer Luke Dunstan, South Australian Young is rooming with Hunter Clark, Nick Coffield and rookie Doulton Langlands while Wilkie has joined Jack Billings and Ben Paton."

 

[austinnn]

42. MATTHEW PARKER
Forward, 187cm, 80kg, South Fremantle

Buckenara says: Parker is a very exciting medium-sized forward with x-factor and has AFL qualities with his speed and ability to kick goals. He’s turned his career around after finding inspiration in fellow draft hopeful Marlion Pickett and Geelong star Tim Kelly to not give up on his AFL dream and that has translated into good form for South Fremantle, where he booted 27 goals from 20 games this year. He’s a talent but he will require a club to invest in his life and put in place support mechanisms to assist him in his transition into AFL life. On pure talent alone, he has the ability to become a very exciting AFL player but he will need to grab the opportunity and take ownership of what’s in front of him if he is picked up. I believe there will be some clubs willing to back in their culture and environment to get the best out of him.

Plays like: A taller Liam Ryan (West Coast)

Apologies if someone else has posted this. Just reading Buckenara's Top 50 before the second round of the draft. Interesting he had Bytel at 29 and Parker at 42. I know Bucky cops some stick about his comments, but good to see that he liked Parker before he got drafted. Didn't seem to be on many people's radar. Parker we must hope settles and gets the best out of himself. Could be an absolute gun. Over to the club!

A taller Liam Ryan? Giddy up! A penny for your thoughts, StCicatriz? I really hope we stick by this young fella. He may very well slip up here and there but if we stand by him and make him feel loved and secure I hope we could very well have an excitement machine on our hands! Got a strong feeling about this one.

May he never want to go back.

 

[Saintos The ITK]

Parkie is our next cult figure ala the Train and Lennie.
I think Tom Lee, Brucey, and and Hickey have all tried to fill that vacancy but this blokes a natural. I for one am a convert.

 

[JG22]

Parkie is our next cult figure ala the Train and Lennie.
I think Tom Lee, Brucey, and and Hickey have all tried to fill that vacancy but this blokes a natural. I for one am a convert.

Templeton for a month lol