Saints trade blunders

[saynta]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ ... 715163be80

:Trades can go pear-shaped in a number of ways, a fact St Kilda knows only too well. Swapping a first-round pick for a star who played zero games is exhibit A, but it isn’t the Saints’ only trade regret.

October 10, 2019 9:45am


Normally you can at least wait a year or two before realising a trade hasn’t gone the way you hoped.

In the case of St Kilda’s Andrew Lovett move, barely three months had passed between the star recruit arriving and being sacked — and he played no games in between.

Lovett is the worst-case scenario, but he isn’t the only Saints trade that went pear-shaped.

Every club has skeletons in the trade closet, and it is sometimes a fine line between recruiting genius and trade disaster.

With the benefit of hindsight, here are four trades the Saints might like to take back if they had the chance.
ANDREW LOVETT FOR PICK 16

Lovett seemed the perfect fit when he was traded from Essendon in exchange for a first-round pick in 2009. The Saints had just fallen short in a Grand Final and Lovett promised an injection of pace and classy ball use after showing flashes of brilliance in 88 games for the Bombers.

St Kilda beat Geelong, Brisbane and Port Adelaide to Lovett’s signature, but the move ran off the rails when he was charged by police with rape in February the next year. He was sacked by the Saints and later acquitted but never played an AFL game and his life spiralled out of control, ending with alcohol and gambling addictions and an assault conviction last year.

The draft pick ended up at Port Adelaide which used it on Jasper Pittard, while the Bombers netted Jake Carlisle in the deal.

TOM LEE FOR PICK 12

The Saints were in rebuild mode in 2012 and they parted with their first pick in a deal with GWS to secure mature-aged WA forward Tom Lee, who had previously been listed by the Crows. Lee was supposed to ease St Kilda’s reliance on Nick Riewoldt, but he played 17 games in four years, kicking 18 goals.


The Saints will argue they also landed picks 24 and 45 in the deal, but unfortunately they didn’t make great use of them, recruiting Nathan Wright (35 games) with the first pick and sending the second one to the Eagles along with Jamie Cripps in exchange for draft picks they used to recruit Brodie Murdoch (22 games) and Josh Saunders (22 games).


BARRY BROOKS FOR PICKS 6 AND 31

You can still find a fan thread on BigFooty from 2002 in which outraged Port Adelaide fans declare the Power’s decision to send young ruckman Barry Brooks to the Saints as “the most baffling trade I’ve ever seen”.

Brooks had been recruited by Port with pick 15 in the previous year’s draft and spent his first season in the SANFL, but St Kilda saw enough to cough up two draft picks to get him to Moorabbin, including one the Saints had acquired in a deal with Hawthorn for Peter Everitt.

Brooks played 10 games in four years at the Saints and was delisted at the end of 2007.

Port Adelaide used one of picks to recruit Steven Salopek (121 games) and the other as part of a package to snare Kangaroos gun Byron Pickett, who won the Norm Smith Medal in the Power’s 2004 premiership.
TOM LYNCH FOR PICK 37

St Kilda used pick 13 in the 2008 draft on young forward Tom Lynch, but he was gone three years later after playing just six senior games, with pick 37 coming back from the Crows (a pick Adelaide netted by trading ruckman Ivan Maric to Richmond).

Lynch has since developed into one of the AFL’s best medium-sized forwards, kicking 180 goals in 128 games. The deal wasn’t a total disaster for the Saints, who used the selection on Jack Newnes, who has played 155 handy games.
r.
BEN MCEVOY FOR SHANE SAVAGE AND PICK 17

This is harsh on Savage and Luke Dunstan, who was recruited with that pick, but it wasn’t the game-changing move the Saints were hoping for.

In full rebuild mode they offloaded their popular ruckman in a bid to regenerate the side, but Savage has been solid rather than a star while McEvoy played in two premierships and finished second in the Hawks’ 2017 best-and-fairest — all while the Saints struggled to figure out who their No.1 ruckman was.

Dunstan and Savage finished eighth and 10th in this year’s Saints B&F (Savage’s first top-10 finish) and, at age 24 and 28, have a few years to turn the deal into a big win.

FERGUS WATTS FOR PICK 17

The Saints liked what they saw in the 14th pick in the 2003 draft in his five senior games for Adelaide, handing over a first-round pick two years later for the young forward, who also happened to be the son of the Saints’ CEO at the time.

He played in Round 1 the next year but was then dropped, suffered a broken ankle in the VFL and never added to his AFL games tally. He has had much more success in business as founder and managing director of marketing firm Bastion Collective.

Fortunately, the Crows didn’t make St Kilda pay, using the pick on Darren Pfeiffer who was delisted without playing a game."

[Bowey Boy]

Tom Lee could actually play a bit, but nobody else was beating down at his door - why not use pick 1000 instead of 12. In 2010 we could have drafted Ben Cousins but took moral high ground and let him go. One more point would have been useful in first Grand Final. Jody Arnol was a high pick - again nobody else cared, why not use low pick? Did well with Luke Ball getting Zip. Not picking Judd in 2001 cost us around 4 flags, bleet bleet bleet.

[barneyboyz]

And you still pay for this rag? The Lovett issue was all that is wrong with the AFL, and Essendon

[saynta]

And you still pay for this rag? The Lovett issue was all that is wrong with the AFL, and Essendon

What, does someone telling the truth offend your sensibilities?

[barneyboyz]

And you still pay for this rag? The Lovett issue was all that is wrong with the AFL, and Essendon

What, does someone telling the truth offend your sensibilities?

Yep, there's a couple of horrific trades there for sure, and I, like you no doubt have had to live every moment of it, again and again. The subject has been well documented, year after year, after year

I do apologise for my first comment, you have called me out. Although not having had my sensibilities offended as such I normally read all of your grabs from the paper, so can see my hypocricy.

What peeves me though, is why they need to bring this crap up about Lovett all the time? He should have been one of the best trades that year, and came with glowing reports from senior (and at the time respectable) members of a club that should never ever be dealt with, by us again.

At any rate, it sure looks like the Saints aren't walkovers this year Saynta. Fingers crossed

[To the top]

The skill set that Lovett offered was exactly what St Kilda required - noting the likes of McQualter played as a "defensive forward" and noting that we still seek that skill set, hence Hill.

There is then a small word in the commentary.

"Acquitted"

That means the prosecution of him cleared him of the ALLEGATION (noting it is very, very easy to make allegation and that Milne was the subject of allegation, not tested as I recall)

My "contacts" include from Adelaide, and both sides.

Fergus Watts was a required player at Adelaide, being developed in the SANFL where he kicked 10 goals in a Final prior to the trade to St Kilda. Injury then interrupted - and that can happen, unfortunately.

ditto Brooks, who Port Adelaide finally released because of their Ruck resources, Ruck resources which saw them have St Kilda's measure every time we played them, including pushing their Ruckmen forward (so Lade now at St Kilda is ironic). Again injury impacted altho my view was that he could have made it as a forward noting his performance (v Melbourne?) in the final minor round game in a season which you may care to revisit. Brooks was a very talented footballer, as were Lovett and Watts.

Sometimes you just do not luck out - hence every good wish to Mc Cartin.

Lee (and another WAFL player?) I did not understand and Lyon played Lynch on the half back line

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, hey?

[CURLY]

Lovett play 2010 GF we win and it's a masterstoke.

Brooks great trade injury ruined him no idea how the club can be at fault.

Watts see Brooks above.

Lee in the middle of heavily compromised drafts 12 was about 20-30

[BarryGrogan]

I think it's a rubbish article.


We gave up pick 17 for Watts - who broke down. But pick 17 emded up being no good.

Blunder? Really?

The Tom Lee was a blunder. Lee had serious limitations. Taking two later picks to a compromised draft is just futile. To be fair though, pick 12 that year was Kristian Jacks I think, who barely played a game.


Brooks was a big win at the time, but he did his knee and never got over it.

Not exactly a trade blunder. And I don't think anyone lost much sleep over not getting Salopek.


Lovett didn't work, obviously. But again, the trade itself wasn't a blunder as such. It was a good get.

The fact he lost his s*** doesn't really make it a trade blunder does it?


Even if we do declare Lovett a blunder, that's 2 blunders. Is that really article worthy stuff??

I'd even argue that Lynch wouldn't have become what he did if he stayed with us. So although disappointing, more of a development problem than a trading one.

[shanegrambeau]

I still blame Grant Thomas for not picking Brooks in his last game as coach. (And I right about that one?) Left Kosi to Rick. But like Chris Scott getting hammered for not picking another of our ex rucks in Stanley against Collingwood. Who who's what might have happened in 2006 /07 had Brooks played that night.

[B.M]

Some people were against Lovett at the time of his recruiting.

Had a terrible reputation off field. On field, was inconsistent and lazy.

Woeful selection, Essendon were basically giving him the arse!

[saynta]

And you still pay for this rag? The Lovett issue was all that is wrong with the AFL, and Essendon

What, does someone telling the truth offend your sensibilities?

Yep, there's a couple of horrific trades there for sure, and I, like you no doubt have had to live every moment of it, again and again. The subject has been well documented, year after year, after year

I do apologise for my first comment, you have called me out. Although not having had my sensibilities offended as such I normally read all of your grabs from the paper, so can see my hypocricy.

What peeves me though, is why they need to bring this crap up about Lovett all the time? He should have been one of the best trades that year, and came with glowing reports from senior (and at the time respectable) members of a club that should never ever be dealt with, by us again.

At any rate, it sure looks like the Saints aren't walkovers this year Saynta. Fingers crossed

The glowing reports seemed to omit the incident where he imprisoned his girlfriend in a car whilst beating the s*** out of her, which ncident was fairly well published before we signed him.

I only copy grabs from the papers for the benefit of saintsational readers as I have already read the articles myself.

If posters want me to stop they merely have to ask unless it is someone from the list who I usually ignore.

[saynta]

I think it's a rubbish article.


We gave up pick 17 for Watts - who broke down. But pick 17 emded up being no good.

Blunder? Really?

The Tom Lee was a blunder. Lee had serious limitations. Taking two later picks to a compromised draft is just futile. To be fair though, pick 12 that year was Kristian Jacks I think, who barely played a game.


Brooks was a big win at the time, but he did his knee and never got over it.

Not exactly a trade blunder. And I don't think anyone lost much sleep over not getting Salopek.


Lovett didn't work, obviously. But again, the trade itself wasn't a blunder as such. It was a good get.

The fact he lost his s*** doesn't really make it a trade blunder does it?


Even if we do declare Lovett a blunder, that's 2 blunders. Is that really article worthy stuff??

I'd even argue that Lynch wouldn't have become what he did if he stayed with us. So although disappointing, more of a development problem than a trading one.

Blunders was my word, not the author of the article.

[barneyboyz]

And you still pay for this rag? The Lovett issue was all that is wrong with the AFL, and Essendon

What, does someone telling the truth offend your sensibilities?

Yep, there's a couple of horrific trades there for sure, and I, like you no doubt have had to live every moment of it, again and again. The subject has been well documented, year after year, after year

I do apologise for my first comment, you have called me out. Although not having had my sensibilities offended as such I normally read all of your grabs from the paper, so can see my hypocricy.

What peeves me though, is why they need to bring this crap up about Lovett all the time? He should have been one of the best trades that year, and came with glowing reports from senior (and at the time respectable) members of a club that should never ever be dealt with, by us again.

At any rate, it sure looks like the Saints aren't walkovers this year Saynta. Fingers crossed

The glowing reports seemed to omit the incident where he imprisoned his girlfriend in a car whilst beating the s*** out of her, which ncident was fairly well published before we signed him.

I only copy grabs from the papers for the benefit of saintsational readers as I have already read the articles myself.

If posters want me to stop they merely have to ask unless it is someone from the list who I usually ignore.

I was genuine in my apology Saynta. Don't stop posting the grabs on my behalf

So,

I can't remember the whole scenario with the when?, how? and who? but if what you say is true (actual footage)? then there's more reason to despise the pricks. Also, if true, how effing stupid of us?

[Enrico_Misso]

Fortunately that article didn't go back 50 years to the all time VFL/AFL trade blunder.

[skeptic]

Some people were against Lovett at the time of his recruiting.

Had a terrible reputation off field. On field, was inconsistent and lazy.

Woeful selection, Essendon were basically giving him the arse!

I always thought with Lovett, the issue was not the player but rather what we spent to get him.

He had the skill set we needed with the terrible reputation you pointed out.
Personally I’d have thought a seconded rounder or go else where would have been a better decision.

IMO if you trade a first rounder, it shouldn’t come with major ???

[Sanctorum]

I think that subsequent to L-M's sacking it was revealed that Nick Riewoldt and other team leaders had given very strong indications to the club that they didn't want L-M in their team, the very antithesis of the team culture, as the latter had a record of domestic violence issues whilst playing for the Bombers.

A real pity because as has been noted, he was a very talented player who would most certainly have helped to win premierships for the Saints in 2009/2010.

[Sanctorum]

Apologies - the player I should have referred to in my post was Andrew Lovett - not L-M....

I think that subsequent to Lovett's sacking it was revealed that Nick Riewoldt and other team leaders had given very strong indications to the club that they didn't want Lovett in their team, the very antithesis of the team culture, as the latter had a record of domestic violence issues whilst playing for the Bombers.

A real pity because as has been noted, he was a very talented player who would most certainly have helped to win premierships for the Saints in 2009/2010.

[prwilkinson]

Fortunately that article didn't go back 50 years to the all time VFL/AFL trade blunder.

Best not to bring that one back up.

[happy feet]

Apologies - the player I should have referred to in my post was Andrew Lovett - not L-M....

I think that subsequent to Lovett's sacking it was revealed that Nick Riewoldt and other team leaders had given very strong indications to the club that they didn't want Lovett in their team, the very antithesis of the team culture, as the latter had a record of domestic violence issues whilst playing for the Bombers.

A real pity because as has been noted, he was a very talented player who would most certainly have helped to win premierships for the Saints in 2009/2010.

If my memory serves me correctly, Lovett came with a glowing reference from James Hird.

[ace]

So Lovett was a bad boy.
Eventually found not guilty I might add.
Unlike Milne who was forced to plead guilty to stop the personal financial drain of a media vendetta to get some police.

Everyone knows Dustin Martin comes from a bad family and is a total low life.
We would love him if he was a St Kilda player.
Or would we.
His association with outlaw motor cycle gangs may upset our fair weather sponsors.
Marlion Pickett, Richmond picked him up when no other club would touch the former jailed criminal.
Served two and half years for burglary, not some gentle community corrections order.
He was a professional criminal.
Spun as a good story instead.
One of redemption by the club spin doctors.

But at Richomnd he is OK.
Their sponsors get told we are a club that has good ethics but that does not apply to our players.
You sponsor the club, you don't sponsor the players.
Expect the players to do bad things occasionally.

The problem was never the players, our players have never been any worse than those at other clubs.
Our administration has been piss weak in dealing with piss weak sponsors.
Piss weak sponsors, piss weak administration, don't be surprised at players playing piss weak football.

[To the top]

Well, anyone can say anything - witness BM (noting BM is at the least consistent in his contributions!!)

The public record was that Lovett was acquitted

The question to be asked is, if the other issues now apparently the subject of popular conception on here were the fact, why were not those allegations prosecuted?

Because by their description on here, they were assaults and worse.

False allegation can be made and is made.

The other question is the outcome for Lovett - noting his circumstances referred to in this thread.

What part did an allegation in respect to which he was acquitted play a part in where he is today?

I would also refer to Milne, who was also the subject of allegations.

So where is the consistency - and that you are innocent until proven guilty (noting the part played by certain media which forever labels including regardless of ultimate acquittals)?

Interesting that the Murdoch name is never prefaced by "illegal phone hacker, Murdoch"

Or "Salary cap rorter, Murdoch", referring to Melbourne Storm (and what are the circumstances today of the individual who took responsibility in the public forum - noting the 2 sets of books were financed from somewhere and you could put not by the financial resources of the individual who took the blame?).

The money came from somewhere - and big licks of it to boot

[repta]

Hickey is working out to be McEvoy Mark II.

12 months after we swapped him out we are looking for a replacement .....

What is it with Ruckmen and the Saints.

[CURLY]

So Lovett was a bad boy.
Eventually found not guilty I might add.
Unlike Milne who was forced to plead guilty to stop the personal financial drain of a media vendetta to get some police.

Everyone knows Dustin Martin comes from a bad family and is a total low life.
We would love him if he was a St Kilda player.
Or would we.
His association with outlaw motor cycle gangs may upset our fair weather sponsors.
Marlion Pickett, Richmond picked him up when no other club would touch the former jailed criminal.
Served two and half years for burglary, not some gentle community corrections order.
He was a professional criminal.
Spun as a good story instead.
One of redemption by the club spin doctors.

But at Richomnd he is OK.
Their sponsors get told we are a club that has good ethics but that does not apply to our players.
You sponsor the club, you don't sponsor the players.
Expect the players to do bad things occasionally.

The problem was never the players, our players have never been any worse than those at other clubs.
Our administration has been piss weak in dealing with piss weak sponsors.
Piss weak sponsors, piss weak administration, don't be surprised at players playing piss weak football.

Media driven unfortunately. DeGoey would have been forced out if he did what he has done at StKilda by Eddie and his minions. Imagine Caro every Monday night going on about Dusty and Pickett if they went to StKilda.

[ace]

Fortunately that article didn't go back 50 years to the all time VFL/AFL trade blunder.

Best not to bring that one back up.

I will, 50 years ago
We traded Ian Stewart to Richmond for Billy Barrot.
Barrot did nothing for us.
Stewart won another Brownlow at Richmond.

I heard tell that the problem was police sergeant Alan Jeans did not like getting called as a character witness in the many court cases involving Stewart.

When comparing eras you have to compare players to their peers.
Ian Stewart was clearly the best midfielder EVER.
And the trade the worst ever.

[prwilkinson]

Fortunately that article didn't go back 50 years to the all time VFL/AFL trade blunder.

Best not to bring that one back up.

I will, 50 years ago
We traded Ian Stewart to Richmond for Billy Barrot.
Barrot did nothing for us.
Stewart won another Brownlow at Richmond.

I heard tell that the problem was police sergeant Alan Jeans did not like getting called as a character witness in the many court cases involving Stewart.

When comparing eras you have to compare players to their peers.
Ian Stewart was clearly the best midfielder EVER.
And the trade the worst ever.

Didn’t barrot only play like.... 7 quarters or something like that for the Saints?