Three of Jon Ralph's burning questions

[saynta]

From herald sun .com

13. Get ready for the new-look Saints

At times St Kilda’s backline next year will be: B: Jarryn Geary, Dougal Howard, Hunter Clark; HB: Zak Jones, Jake Carlisle, Josh Battle; with Nick Coffield, Dylan Roberton and Shane Savage trying to win a spot. Talk about an upgrade.

14. Saints won’t miss Acres too much

St Kilda fans, don’t shed too many tears about Blake Acres’ departure. He was due a salary of about $500,000 in 2020, far in excess of his productivity so far. Hard to see where he would have played, considering he was fourth in line on the wing. Speaking of wingmen, time for Dan Hannebery to spend the summer in bubble wrap considering his penchant for poorly timed injuries.

15. Can Steven replace Kelly’s output?

Jack Steven’s off-field issues are complicated and will need constant attention.

But for pure performances, the new Cats midfielder is a freak. He is yet to turn 30 and between 2015-18 won three of his four best-and-fairests plus a sixth placing, averaging 581 touches a season and kicking 43 goals. During his career, you could argue his best football is as game-breaking as anything Tim Kelly has done."

[SaintPav]

The Steven and Kelly comparison is bizarre. Kelly has achieved SFA compared to Steven.

[Saintmatt]

The Steven and Kelly comparison is bizarre. Kelly has achieved SFA compared to Steven.

Correct. And Kelly had some seriously good midfield talent around him over the past couple of years to take the load off. Jack had Seb Ross, Luke Dunstan, Armo on one leg etc

[diddley]

The Steven and Kelly comparison is bizarre. Kelly has achieved SFA compared to Steven.

Besides the fact he was AA in his second year.
Something Stuv was never able to do, even at his best.

[The_Dud]

The Steven and Kelly comparison is bizarre. Kelly has achieved SFA compared to Steven.

Has Steven ever had a year as good as Kelly’s?

[skeptic]

I’ve been trying to figure out why the HS bothers me so much...
And then it hit me. It’s like the Ted of newspapers. Unsubstantiated, mostly online rumours, often factually wrong, bizarre observations. Generally better when it’s not in the conversation.

Transference... back to therapy for me I guess

[barneyboyz]

The Steven and Kelly comparison is bizarre. Kelly has achieved SFA compared to Steven.

Has Steven ever had a year as good as Kelly’s?

I honestly get the feeling that no one at Geelong will be asking the person next to them "Where's this bloke been all these years?" Kelly at WC could also find it very hard to influence as much as he's used to???

Steven was everything to us (at times) and was very exciting to watch, but Kelly takes it up a notch

[SaintPav]

The Steven and Kelly comparison is bizarre. Kelly has achieved SFA compared to Steven.

Has Steven ever had a year as good as Kelly’s?

Not sure but went close between 2015-2018.

My point is that he has been an elite performer for much longer than Tim Kelly.

[damienc]

Won't it all depend on how well JS slots into the Geelong side?

Certainly on paper he should go alright as will Kelly at West Coast.

But there is perception and reality.

Kelly might end up being a better player for Geelong than for the Eagles despite the fact that West Coast already has a stellar midfield without him.

Some players go really well at new clubs. Some don't. Dylan Shiel did not set the world on fire with Essendon. He was a much better player with the Giants IMO.

We'll also have to wait and see how our five new players slot into the side, with new team mates, new game plan, new coach etc.

[SaintPav]

I’ve been trying to figure out why the HS bothers me so much...
And then it hit me. It’s like the Ted of newspapers. Unsubstantiated, mostly online rumours, often factually wrong, bizarre observations. Generally better when it’s not in the conversation.

Transference... back to therapy for me I guess

Because popular culture including tabloid journalism is perverse; even people who say they don't like it still get a sense of stupid enjoyment from consuming it because it’s a self-serving process: guilt-to-outrage-to-moral-reaffirmation. News Corp doesn't care what you think of their product; as long as you’re in the audience is what really counts.

[skeptic]

I’ve been trying to figure out why the HS bothers me so much...
And then it hit me. It’s like the Ted of newspapers. Unsubstantiated, mostly online rumours, often factually wrong, bizarre observations. Generally better when it’s not in the conversation.

Transference... back to therapy for me I guess

Because popular culture including tabloid journalism is perverse; even people who say they don't like it still get a sense of stupid enjoyment from consuming it because it’s a self-serving process: guilt-to-outrage-to-moral-reaffirmation. News Corp doesn't care what you think of their product; as long as you’re in the audience is what really counts.

Chilling words my friend but no doubt true. Makes me generally feel better that I don’t read this stuff or even watch the news

That being said... popular culture really is all around us

[takeaway]

I’ve been trying to figure out why the HS bothers me so much...
And then it hit me. It’s like the Ted of newspapers. Unsubstantiated, mostly online rumours, often factually wrong, bizarre observations. Generally better when it’s not in the conversation.

Transference... back to therapy for me I guess

Excellent description of SS.

[fugazi]

My guess:
Jack Steven will get fit and tear it up next year.
Mental illness won't be a factor, he will publicly put that down to being close to home and family.
With Danger, Selwood and Gaz around him he will be a star.
We will be gutted by the pathetic compensation paid.
We just have to move on.

[CQ SAINT]

Did they put Ralphy out or just let him burn.

[fugazi]

My guess:
Jack Steven will get fit and tear it up next year.
Mental illness won't be a factor, he will publicly put that down to being close to home and family.
With Danger, Selwood and Gaz around him he will be a star.
We will be gutted by the pathetic compensation paid.
We just have to move on.

[skeptic]

I’ve been trying to figure out why the HS bothers me so much...
And then it hit me. It’s like the Ted of newspapers. Unsubstantiated, mostly online rumours, often factually wrong, bizarre observations. Generally better when it’s not in the conversation.

Transference... back to therapy for me I guess

Excellent description of SS.

Most ppl just post opinions and discuss them. It’s more ppl like you’re good friend that post that unsubstantiated stuff (and claim it as fact) that you’re very fond of

[takeaway]

I’ve been trying to figure out why the HS bothers me so much...
And then it hit me. It’s like the Ted of newspapers. Unsubstantiated, mostly online rumours, often factually wrong, bizarre observations. Generally better when it’s not in the conversation.

Transference... back to therapy for me I guess

Excellent description of SS.

Most ppl just post opinions and discuss them. It’s more ppl like you’re good friend that post that unsubstantiated stuff (and claim it as fact) that you’re very fond of

I don't know Rupert.

[Secret Kiel]

My guess:
Jack Steven will get fit and tear it up next year.
Mental illness won't be a factor, he will publicly put that down to being close to home and family.
With Danger, Selwood and Gaz around him he will be a star.
We will be gutted by the pathetic compensation paid.
We just have to move on.

It will be interesting to see how they use him, one of his strengths was one of his weaknesses too and that was his speed and gut running which regularly resulted in a poor kick because he was stuffed, he could extract the ball, break the lines but by the time he had to deliver the foot accurately by spot he either couldn't get the penetration or accuracy, sometimes both.

Geelong's game plan relies a lot on accurate possession and coming inboard by foot, will be interesting to see how Jack goes in a team where you can't just bomb it into the forward line.

[BackFromUSA]

Will play forward and kick 40+ goals

[WellardSaint]

Stuv had to work harder with us than he will with the Handbaggers, because their collective skills are better.
I foresee him coming off the bench as a pinch hitter, to conserve his energy so he will be more precise.
I expect him to be named on the bench, mostly, and get a maximum of 60% TOG (Time On Ground)

[WellardSaint]

Will play forward and kick 40+ goals

Yep, they could save his energy.
There was his game against Freo where he rested forward.
Cats have that luxury of parking him forward