Where to for Rhys?

[Sainternist]

In another thread people were suggesting we could get a trade for him. Someone seemed adamant Hawthorn would want him because he'd be the perfect replacement for David Hale.

Supposing Hawthorn isn't the least bit interested, then we're going to have to persist with him. Regardless of how well (or badly) he has performed over the course of the season, he is an integral part of the team. I think he possesses plenty of skill, but his problem seems to be more psychological than any thing else. He needs to be tougher mentally. Sounds easier said than done. But if this can be done, I reckon his game could improve out of sight.

Maybe a pre-season at a boot camp (e.g. Puckapunyal) and some time in the boxing ring is in order for the Rhys?

[St Chris]

I'm worried that Roo is the biggest hinderance to Rhys and his development. It's no coincedence that Stanley's best game was when he played the furthest away from the skipper.

I think I saw a stat in another thread a few weeks ago, that for the amount of times we kick to Rhys when going inside 50, his conversion into scores is a lot higher than Roo's. Now there are mitigating factors, mostly that Rhys's opponents are almost always of less quality than Roo's, but our midfields tunnel vision must be frustrating for our other forwards.

I have no doubt that we will be surprised with our young forwards once the post-Roo era starts, whoever they end up being. We should absolutely persevere with Stanley, and Lee, and Sipposs, and Spencer.

[bergholt]

Maybe a pre-season at a boot camp (e.g. Puckapunyal) and some time in the boxing ring is in order for the Rhys?

Saints haven't been to Pucka for a long time! I remember going over there and picking up autographs as a young tacker. Must have been 92 or 93 because Plugger and Davey Grant were still there. I also remember that Stewie was a massive man. I watched them do a shedload of running in the blistering sun, must have been mid-30s that day.

Good times.

[Sobraz]

Do not undertand the argument often made that Roo is a hindrance to Rhys...

The biggest issue with Rhys is that he is not a very good footballer.. Yes, he has improved, and will continue to, but he is a 4-5 good games a year player... With or without Roo 4-5 good games a year is all we will get, and as he improves it might scale up to 5-7 good games... 1-2 games a year that he really tears it up... That is his level, which is fine, but do not expect anything more...

He isn't half the player Hale is, who had kicked a bag of 8(or was it 9) as a kangaroo... Rhys isn't near that level...

It's like saying Loewe would have been better if Lockett never played for us... Rubbish...

[dragit]

Do not undertand the argument often made that Roo is a hindrance to Rhys...

The biggest issue with Rhys is that he is not a very good footballer.. Yes, he has improved, and will continue to, but he is a 4-5 good games a year player... With or without Roo 4-5 good games a year is all we will get, and as he improves it might scale up to 5-7 good games... 1-2 games a year that he really tears it up... That is his level, which is fine, but do not expect anything more...

He isn't half the player Hale is, who had kicked a bag of 8(or was it 9) as a kangaroo... Rhys isn't near that level...

It's like saying Loewe would have been better if Lockett never played for us... Rubbish...

Not a very fair cherry pluck there mate.

Hale kicked 8 goals… in his 99th game.

He kick 25 goals in his first 50 games.

Rhys now has 39 from 57 games.

This year Rhys has comfortably matched Hale, even playing in a rubbish side.



He's no world beater, but he is still improving, so until we have a couple better ruck/fwds on the list we would be mad to get rid of him, unless someone paid overs… - with a pick under 25.

[saintsRrising]

IMO those that want to trade away Stanley are bonkers.

Now yes in theory virtually all players are tradeable if the deal is right. But I would doubt that we would get overs like we did with Big Ben.

He is a good age
He is a ruck forward and our best option for that. He could well be a pure big forward.


We do not need to trade away a Stanley, what we need our more mids and half backs that can actually pass the ball.

The very few games this year that our passing has been ok, surprise surprise the big forwards have been ok.

[bigcarl]

He could well be a pure big forward

I'd be surprised. He lacks the football nous, IMO.

I must admit he surprised me in the Fremantle game, but there are still far too many games where he looks all at sea and runs around like a headless chook. Prefer natural forwards close to goal.

[Con Gorozidis]

I would trade him if we get overs.
Thats kind of the definition of 'overs'.

For me overs would be a top 20 + a player like the Big Mac trade.

If that isnt on the table - we just keep going with him as normal.
He will make a respectable 3rd fwd/ruck who will have the odd big game. Might get his 150 games and 100 goals. Thats an above average career.

[Bunk_Moreland]

It's like saying Loewe would have been better if Lockett never played for us... Rubbish...

Season after Lockett left, Loewe kicked 90 goals.

Anyway Rhys.. where to? Seaford weight room, and a full preseason for mine.

[gringo]

I think he deserves time as he's still an inexperienced young player. Playing him back and in the ruck would have slowed his forward development and taken him out of the forward meetings and into midfield planning. Seeing Spencer get workshopped on forward technique by Hammil reminded me how much not having a permanent spot can be detrimental to a players learning. I see him as worth more in potential than his trade value. I would hate to see him killing it at another club like Stefen Martin.

[Dr Spaceman]

I think he deserves time as he's still an inexperienced young player. Playing him back and in the ruck would have slowed his forward development and taken him out of the forward meetings and into midfield planning. Seeing Spencer get workshopped on forward technique by Hammil reminded me how much not having a permanent spot can be detrimental to a players learning. I see him as worth more in potential than his trade value. I would hate to see him killing it at another club like Stefen Martin.

Agree gringo (especially the bolded bit)

[Mr Magic]

Since I was the one who floated the idea that Hawthorn might view him as a replacement for Hale I feel I need to clarify my point.
I wasn't suggesting that we trade Rhys at all
Merely pointing out that I believed Hawthorn may view him in that light.

I wouldn't trade him unless we were offered way overs' for him.

[citywest]

Well if Hawthorn did want him then we would want their first pick in return. If they were premiers, and allowing compensation picks and FA picks then it would be around the pick 22 mark. Not too bad if you ask me and worth considering.

[Andreous]

We would need a really good deal to consider trading Rhys. We have so many with potential up forward (Lee, Stanley, Sipposs, White and Bruce who I thought played the 3rd tall very well). i would give them all another year to see who comes through.

[SemperFidelis]

It's like saying Loewe would have been better if Lockett never played for us... Rubbish...

Season after Lockett left, Loewe kicked 90 goals.

Anyway Rhys.. where to? Seaford weight room, and a full preseason for mine.

+1 here too

[Con Gorozidis]

Well I don't think its just the Hawks that would be interested.
Some is going to draft Two Metre Peter - so that will rule one club out. But Id say there might 3 or 4 clubs who would be be interested in Rhys.

[dragit]

Well I don't think its just Hawks that would be interested.
Some is going to draft Two Metre Peter - so that will rule one club out. But Id say there might 3 or 4 clubs who would be be interested in Rhys.

Most clubs would have some interest.
Port would be keen for one, freo, maybe collingwood, hawthorn, carlton.

Decent ruck/forwards aren't that easy to find, hence why Carlton got overs for Hampson who is pretty spud-like.

[Con Gorozidis]

Well I don't think its just Hawks that would be interested.
Some is going to draft Two Metre Peter - so that will rule one club out. But Id say there might 3 or 4 clubs who would be be interested in Rhys.

Most clubs would have some interest.
Port would be keen for one, freo, maybe collingwood, hawthorn, carlton.

Decent ruck/forwards aren't that easy to find, hence why Carlton got overs for Hampson who is pretty spud-like.

Tep. Tigers used a pick 28 on Hampson.

if that is the currency exchange rate then Rhys is worth a top 10 pick.

[SainterK]

Well I don't think its just Hawks that would be interested.
Some is going to draft Two Metre Peter - so that will rule one club out. But Id say there might 3 or 4 clubs who would be be interested in Rhys.

Most clubs would have some interest.
Port would be keen for one, freo, maybe collingwood, hawthorn, carlton.

Decent ruck/forwards aren't that easy to find, hence why Carlton got overs for Hampson who is pretty spud-like.

North rumoured to be into Waite, Carlton may a little more desperate

[Enrico_Misso]

He's got the ability and the body.
Can we transplant in Hamill's brain?

[bergholt]

North rumoured to be into Waite, Carlton may a little more desperate

North are going to sign a 32 year old who already gets injured a lot? What a weird decision. But I'd take Carlton's second round pick (low 20s) for Rhys. In a heartbeat. Sounds like overs though.

[saintspremiers]

So we are to trade Rhys (won't happen - we wouldn't get a decent pick for him), and keep megaspuds Lee and Sippa instead.

Yep, great way to do a Melbourne.

[Dis Believer]

Where to? The forward line, and some short stints in the ruck.

If people cannot see that this bloke can really play then they are blind. The issues that need to be resolved (if they can be) are above the shoulders.....

That resolution may well come with nothing more complex than time........

[saintspremiers]

Where to? The forward line, and some short stints in the ruck.

If people cannot see that this bloke can really play then they are blind. The issues that need to be resolved (if they can be) are above the shoulders.....

That resolution may well come with nothing more complex than time........

It's called belief.

Once he and Spencer both have it we could see something special in 2016 and beyond.

[magnifisaint]

St Kilda would be absolutely bonkers to trade Stanley unless they got a top 15 pick. Why would you after putting 5 years into him and then watching him blossom at another club. Give him another season before making up your minds that he might not make it.