Crouch is making an early impression.

[saynta]

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/sai ... 56o10.html

"High-profile St Kilda midfield recruit Brad Crouch is moving well and in good shape, according to coach Brett Ratten.

The coach was also full of praise for injury-prone star Dan Hannebery, with Ratten likening his influence on the group to that of Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge.

While Crouch, along with the majority of senior players, aren’t due back until after Christmas, the former Adelaide star has trained at Moorabbin several times, impressing both new teammates and coaches.

Crouch was initially touted to move to Geelong, but St Kilda, who were interested in him 12 months earlier, made a late play in this year's trade period to bolster their midfield grunt.

Crouch will slot in at centre bounces alongside fellow bull Jack Steele, who is fresh off finishing third in the Brownlow Medal and winning the club’s best and fairest.

Ratten said the initial signs from Crouch had been excellent.

He’s moving really well,” Ratten said. “He’s in good shape, he’s going to fit in really well.

“There’s been a lot of pressure on (Jack) Steele throughout the year. An inside bull winning a lot of the ball, he did a fantastic job. He kept just turning up and performing at a very high standard and that was evident with the best and fairest and the Brownlow.

“But we can’t have a reliance on Jack Steele to be the lone inside mid winning a lot of the ball. It just adds to our ability to win the ball around the clearances.”

In another boost for the Saints, the injury-riddled Hannebery is also training fully.

The premiership Swan has managed only 13 games in his first two seasons at the Saints, after struggling with soft-tissue injuries.

He did, however, play a significant role in both finals towards the end of the year and Ratten said Hannebery’s influence on the group was significant.

“It doesn’t matter really matter what Dan does on the field, we are a better team with him out there,” Ratten said.

“It’s like Hodge towards the end, I’d watch Hodge have 12 possessions and dominate the game just through vocal leadership."

Ratten was an assistant coach at Hawthorn when Hodge won three premierships in a row as captain under Alastair Clarkson, which included winning a Norm Smith Medal in 2014.

“He just set everybody up. It was like an orchestra and he conducted it. Dan’s voice and what he does for us is very, very good.”

The smooth-moving Hunter Clark is set to be rewarded for his breakout 2020 season with more midfield time next season, according to Ratten.

Clark has become one of the main distributors by foot for the Saints coming off half-back and Ratten believes the natural progression is for him to spend more time further up the ground."

[Vortex]

The journo that wrote that piece is clearly making fake news with all those fake quotes from Ratts viv-a-vis Hanners. Everybody knows Hanners is close to being de listed.

[whiskers3614]

So you expected Ratten to say “he’ll probably play less than ten games again and his 3 remaining years are going to be a millstone around our neck”?

All rainbows and unicorn farts this time of the year!

[Sanctorum]

The journo that wrote that piece is clearly making fake news with all those fake quotes from Ratts viv-a-vis Hanners. Everybody knows Hanners is close to being de listed.

What??????

To quote the Ranga fish and chip shop proprietor from Ipswich: "PLEASE EXPLAIN"!!

[Ghost Like]

I think that may have been some tongue firmly in cheek p155 taking sancto.

[CQ SAINT]

I was missing a regular laugh from the Pelican. Lucky for me, a timely increase in output from The Vortex has relieved me. Great stuff Tex.

[saynta]

The journo that wrote that piece is clearly making fake news with all those fake quotes from Ratts viv-a-vis Hanners. Everybody knows Hanners is close to being de listed.

THANKS. You made me smile.

[Saintmike65]

It's about time Hanners got a decent run at it.
He works his arse off and deserves a break, playing 15-20 games would be a fitting reward for hard work and perseverance.
Dan provides great leadership on the field, with his voice & experience invaluable.
I'd love to see him played off the bench initially, then alternating between the wing and centre square with Hunter Clark.
Let's all hope he stays fit and healthy for season 2021 and beyond.

[bigred]

Hannas will be one of our most important players by the end of next season.

No doubt about it.

[Vortex]

Hannas will be one of our most important players by the end of next season.

No doubt about it.

Totally agree, if he plays every game then we are probably very high up the ladder.

[whiskers3614]

Hannas will be one of our most important players by the end of next season.

No doubt about it.

Totally agree, if he plays every game then we are probably very high up the ladder.

And if Hamill and Freeman play every game we will surely three peat!