fabian francis was very unlucky...Freo was over the cap and couldn't draft him. From memory he did his knee and was finished. Was actually a handy player and would have got 50-100 games with the Dockers if drafted, funny how timing works sometimes.

I must admit being a Perth boy who has grown up with Cousins shenanigans, I lstill liked the idea of Cuz running around in our colours. Saying that, from Caroline Wilson's article, if what she says is true and that Ross had serious doubts about drafting Ben, then we have made the only decision that ...

With potentially Baker, Ball, X.Clarke, Ray and Cousins added to the mids Maguire and Carroll to the backs...and obviously all gelling,playing like guns etc. lol B. R. Clarke Maxi Baker HB. Goddard Carroll S.Fisher W. Ray Cousins Dal Santo HF. Gilbert Reiwoldt Maguire F. Milne Kosi Schneider C. King...

I'm quite suprised that Leigh Fisher got another gig as althouh he has been OK in the past, his shortcomings are known to all (weak overhead in a contest and slow) . Birss or Gardiner may have offered back-up but were unlikely to feature in a flag winning squad.

Gilbert will make a better forward then backman and you would suspect that he will play more up the ground next year if we have a fit Maguire and (hopefully touch wood) Luke Miles (looked like he could make the grade from what i have seen). Gilbert can kick goals and wil put pressure on inside 50 bu...

From what I've seen of Ray is that he goes in hard (but does get bumped off sometimes) but in the Qualifying final had poor disposal (ala Gilbert vs Geelong) and whether he can improve his skills under pressure is the question. No doubt he adds something to the squad though and is a step up from pla...

We won't use the last pick as we will need a spot on the list for Benny Cousins. Even if we don't snare him (Pies grab him first) we will go into the season one player down!

Good work on getting a gig working with some of the best young kids in the country. Look forward to your return in future years to help spread your knowledge and contribute to the Saints cause.

Well done

Fair assessment but B or B- more accurate rating as 4th and a prelim would have grabbed the Blues or Tigers a similar rating, expectations are irrelevant, results are what you get assessed on. Our high scoring output would have been increased greatly by round 22 (and actually by playing the Bombers ...

This thread is a bit silly as Kosi will not be going anywhere. Seriously guys, sometimes you have to stick to your guns even if it never works out. It was Caeser (thanks Asterix comics) who said 'the die is cast', . Ours was rolled a long time back and we either win a flag with the guys we have or w...

Kosi was the rising star at CHB. I know a different time and all but could he play down back?

You know the more I read this article I think to myself, we should get Nick Davis down to the Saints. If he is going to play forward then he needs a foil as I'm sick of watching him in 3 on 1 contests. Davis slots them from 50 out on a 45 degree angle, exactly what we need to get Defenders 2nd guess...

I would say that the comments about individuals vs the team is accurate if it is actually the culture internally but irrelivent if external. If the media builds up or shoots down individuals it is their prerogative but I can't imagine that Ross Lyon would allow a hero worshiping culture to develop a...

Clearly it is poor administration that has cost the club in previous generations. I think we have come some way to rectifying this which is great. Actually I decided a while back that if I lose confidence in the clubs administration that I would not renew my membership. If I wanted to give to a char...

From what I can see Embley's best footy may be behind him. Still you never know but the Eagles would be wise to trade him (I know his uncle who thinks that he will have a new home next year) as he still has value as a trade but for how much longer? Maybe worth a draft swap (our 1st round for their p...

Spider is finished clearly. Nick Davis and Ben Cousins are both around 30 and can easily go 2 more seasons at a high level. The big risk is attitude and whether they would be taking the club for a ride for an easy pay cheque. I only mentioned the 2 other fowards out of hope but we need to have more ...

And I must say a number of those guys that I mentioned will not require draft picks (at least not first 3 rounds anyway)

I think we should gamble on some risky short term options knowing that it could blow up in our face. Seeing as though we will be unable to secure the top talents for the next 3 years (I'm not convinced we will go to 18 teams) we should gamble on some out of contract players. Ben Cousins is one being...

Gone: Harvey (ret) Gehrig (ret) Delist Fergs (had more then enough time) L.Fisher (have to be harsh as we need to continue to improve the list) We have to see what is on offer before we make any more changes but I'm sure there will be a couple. I agree with Lyon's comments a few weeks back about our...

My mate Gilbert who is often bagged on this forum was supurb today and along with Raph took a number of important marks. This guy is a serious player and if he learns how to kick on his right foot will be awesome. Well done to all our defenders today, made me proud to wear my SAints colours around P...

My strategy if I was coach would be to target Davis and actually smash him hard. Have a designated player to take him out at every stoppage and make him sh!t his dacks. The only reason he is going ok is that opponents are soft on him. Look at last week, the Cats sorted out a few of our boys (see Hun...

Patrick, thats actually a feasible backup option. Whoever goes to Swan must be disciplined as he works hard all day. I would start with Hayes on him first if he is in the middle or Schneider if he goes down back to keep him accountable.

Can't be bothered reading all of this thread but really the Saints have to play the cards they have been dealt, no point in trading the core group in the hope of a miracle cure to the premiership drought. Have to back in the group we have got and build around these guys.

For me this is an enigma of a game as I pride myself on being pragmatic and as rational as possible. In ordinary circumstances I would say my head is with the pies and my heart with the Saints but this week it is not the case. I honestly feel that despite our recent record against the pies we should...

Sorry to break up the argument but I must but in with my 2 cents worth (all its worth really). Birss would not have added anything to our side against the CAts as he is neither Strong nor Quick. Saying that I am interested in skills and decision making under pressure. This is what Ross Lyon should b...