It is easy to quote anonymous sources and make simple and well documented propositions weeks/months after the event and you can imagine whatever you like about the future but that doesn't change the fact that your post was boring, pointless and far fetched.Drake Huggins wrote:Excuse me if I'm Sir Eric Pearce with the late news, but I was sent an undated article by a colleague that suggested the Saints' management had made a firm offer to Rory Sloane in May this year. It is said to be 1.2 million x 4 years, with additional performance bonuses built in. A handy superannuation package for the Sloaney Pony, if he takes it up. He will turn 29 by the time he takes up the offer (if he does), but given the way he presents and prepares himself, I don't think that would be a problem. There's plenty of elite level footy left in him. If we could land Gaff at the same time, our midfield would suddenly be projected to the elite level. One of the reasons I was disappointed in our efforts to get lesser options in this trade period was that by acquiring Rockliff, Motflop and Saad, we would've given ourselves a very strong chance of making the eight in 2018. Even though they are handy, rather than top shelf, you only have to see the difference Nankervis, Prestia and Caddy made to Richmond this year.
That brings me to my next point. In order to attract players, we have to have the cash and SC room, which we have. It also needs the promise of short-term success. The money alone is not enough anymore. There has to be a realistic chance of ultimate success, and quickly. Melbourne and Essendon definitely look more attractive than we do after this year. FFS, even Carlscum is being reported as going past us, although I doubt that in reality. A lot of clubs now have SC room and are paying below the required TPP. We had positioned ourselves well, but the extra room afforded to all clubs is going to work against our prudent approach of the past five years. Typical of the Saints' luck over the years. The upside of not settling for the lesser talents on offer this year is that we've saved more cash to splash on the elites. If that has been Ameet's strategy, then well done.
The other exciting development comes from an itk from Norf. He's a close friend of Phil Kelly and he tells me that the father says the son will not be going to Norf. He added that he will be coming back to Victoria in 2020. The bad news is, that we were the frontrunners to get him on his return until the dopers and Carlscum entered the race. They are now being considered seriously. Still, imagine if we get Gaff and Sloane in 2019 and Kelly in 2020? We can afford them, but we need a reasonably successful 2018 to show them we can help fulfill their ambitions. Plan "A" has failed. I wouldn't call this plan "B". More like plan "A-". If we bring this off, the premiership window will not open, it will be blown out of the frame. Throw in the natural improvement of our current list and the hope that this year's picks 7 & 8 live up to expectations by 2020 (3 preseasons by then), then we are well placed.
At the sound of the final siren of the 2010 GF replay, I had seen my saints fail to salute in 5 GFs. At the time I gave up all hope of ever seeing a premiership. Now, I'm starting to believe again. A fine servant, but cruel master is hope.
By the way, if you are going to use the nickname 'Saints' try using a capital you hack.
I hope you dont write for a living but seeings you have dropped a number of clues to give your boring posts a false sense of informed credibility, Im frightfully certain that you do. Good luck with that. The amount if time you spend writing, rereading and reviewing your post here may be spent better doing some real work.