2021 Half Glass Full or Empty

[Vazelos]

10 wins 12 losses
Most injuries in first 22 in the league
Ryder left for Perth when Marshall was unavailable
Ross and Membrey cost us a game with family duties
Hard draw
Huge inconsistency
Some heavy losses and some disappointing losses
Stronger 2 nd half season performance
Positives--
Found some players-
Sharman
Highmore
Byrnes
Connolly
Bytel
Max King is a star.
Sinclair on HB a revelation.
Paton and Gresham back

We need a CHB, an elite mid and a 2 nd Ruckman.
We got some interesting talent in our zone.
Are the fundamentals there for success?
List
Coaching staff
Playing Strategy

I’m quite positive about 2022 we are Saints supporters after all!!

[Wayne42]

Yep, there is always next year.

[SaintPav]

Cooper reminds me of a young Jack Riewoldt.

[saynta]

No, more like that blond Adelaide fullforwad, Modra. Hope he is half as good.

[Banger9798]

Cooper's emergence has just tipped me into Glass Half Full
Highmore, Bytel, Byrnes and Connolly have all shown something this year that looks promising
But,
Sharman has had a start to a career that I haven't seen for a long time at the Saints - he held down Full Forward today against an excellent opponent in a game they had to win...kicked 4 and set up 2.
With Kings second half of the year, it is the best development in some time.
Apparently the two of them are mates already which bodes well
Crouch and Higgins are great inclusions and look like pros.

[mr six o'clock]

Twas a shite year

but there are positives
most have been mention
We have to cut allot of dead wood though and perhaps trade some of our RFAs .
Would like to see us draft the best available kids . The list could do with some young blood .
You never know what your going get in the draft but hopefully some of them will become A graders .

[Toy Saint]

It was also pleasing to see McKenzie, Webster, Wilke and even Coffield and Dunstan finding good form.

I'd like to see Battle & Hunter Clark improve next year, and Jack Billings find his best form (if he stays)

[1965 Saint]

We have what I would consider a very good talent pool and if the younguns continue to step up and improve we could be quite formidable with a lot of depth.

[Waltzing St Kilda]

Glass half empty because we're overpaying Hill and Hannebury while disposing of bargain basement players like Hind and Dunstan.

I like Jones and Crouch but they're already mature age. And Ryder has a couple of seaons left at best.

Bring in more kids! Connelly, Sharman, Byrnes, Bytel, Highmore -- the future!

[Jacks Back]

I'm a glass and half full of, oh wait. I'm glass half full. If we didn't have so many injuries we wouldn't have got thrashed by so much in some games and would have picked up one or two other games which would have had us in the 8 again. I know it is a bit of an excuse but our team really can't afford to lose top line players and expect to win every time.

[Vortex]

I think the list build is delicately balanced. It has a core of players who are top 4 capable but our deficiency in certain key positions is what will hold us back from hitting top 4. In order of priority here are the targets I think we need to rise:

Number 1 is a Paddy replacement, our midfield looks ordinary without Paddy quality. Jack Steele is on the record as saying Paddy makes him a better midfielder and it's probably no coincidence that Jack's two best seasons coincided with Paddy arriving at the club.

Number 2: A key tall forward. King started to work out how to be the Number one banana as the season progressed but just like the Dogs and Brisbane have found out the hard way, two falls in the forward line is key to being a flag contender. Brisbane look like they have slowly adjusted there game plan before the finals but it took 3 or 4 losses. The Dogs probably need an extra game or two to rejig their game plan with out Bruce but now are in sudden death territory.

Number 3: A Jake Carlsile replacement. We can probably win enough games to get into the eight next year with his replacement but we would be found out in the finals.

Number 4: A replacement for Hanners.

Now the issue is which strategy and messages the club sell for 2022 and beyond: if they are disillusioned and think they can pinch a flag in the next two or so years then they will continue bringing in older players. If they are patient and go the longer route and bring in younger player who will be capable of complimenting the current core then they might be flag ready in 2 to 3 years.

This year's trade period is going to be fascinating in terms of revealing the clubs mindset and how they view this current list.

[desertsaint]

Half empty this year, half full the next. As always.

[saynta]

Glass half empty because we're overpaying Hill and Hannebury while disposing of bargain basement players like Hind and Dunstan.

I like Jones and Crouch but they're already mature age. And Ryder has a couple of seaons left at best.

Bring in more kids! Connelly, Sharman, Byrnes, Bytel, Highmore -- the future!

Do you actually know what they are paying Hill or Hannebery? I don't and I expect the scum press are also in the dark.

I believe Dunstan has been overpaid in regards to his output for years. No tears from me if he departs.

Agree with you on Hind.

[SaintDippa]

Played a top 6 fixture and could have had 5 wins out of 6 against Sydney, Geelong and Port. Yep didn't.
2022 4 x double ups will be either GWS, Essendon and the heading down the ladder Freo, Richmond and Eagles. Would back us against these and the sides who finished below.
Now we need Ratts to teach a game style that will ensure 14 wins and a spot in the top 6.

[Sainter_Dad]

Glass 3/4 full

Missing a few ingredients, however:
Nick COFFIELD Defender
Bradley HILL Defender
Hunter CLARK Defender
Dougal HOWARD Defender
Ben LONG Defender
Jimmy WEBSTER Defender
Ben PATON Defender
Tom HIGHMORE Defender
Jack SINCLAIR Defender
Leo CONNOLLY Defender
Oscar CLAVARINO Defender
Darragh JOYCE Defender
Callum WILKIE Defender
Jarryn GEARY Defender

Max KING Forward
Dan BUTLER Forward
Jack HIGGINS Forward
Tim MEMBREY Forward
Matthew ALLISON Forward
Cooper SHARMAN Forward

Zak JONES Midfielder
Jade GRESHAM Midfielder
Brad CROUCH Midfielder
Jack STEELE Midfielder
Dan HANNEBERY Midfielder
Jack BILLINGS Midfielder
Jack BYTEL Midfielder
Josh BATTLE Midfielder
Ryan BYRNES Midfielder
Daniel MCKENZIE Midfielder

Paddy RYDER Ruck
Rowan MARSHALL Ruck
Max HEATH Ruck

Is a pretty handy list
Forwards a bit light - but if King gets a good pre-season King/Sharman/Membrey with Higgins/Butler/Resting Mid is a salivating proposition
Backs are solid - could do with another Big Body
Mids need pace - but are handy - ably led by Capt Steele - AA
Rucks - fearsome - but an aging Ryder is a little of a concern

2022 - with fewer injuries - competition for spots will be fierce.

[Life Long Saint]

The first half of the year was terrible.
Big losses to Essendon, Richmond, Port Adelaide, and the Bulldogs had me feeling as low about the club as I had in a long time.
Even the three games after the Bulldogs loss...
North by 20 when we were 7 goals up and allowed North to kick the last four.
The terrible set shots against Sydney.
The 2nd half debacle against Adelaide.

After the bye, however, we have had one really bad game. That being against Carlton.
Beating Richmond to start their rot, Brisbane at the Gabba, and Sydney at Marvel were great wins.
We also pushed Port and Geelong.
That's 5-4 after the bye and 2-2 against top 8 teams.
And a percentage of 116.3

All that without a number of key personnel.

That has me half glass full. Watching Byrnes, Connelly, and Sharman also gives hope. King dominating for quarters and halves is encouraging.

Just need to find another ruckman and key defender.

Bring on trade week, the draft, and 2022.

[bangaulegend]

The first half of the year was terrible.
Big losses to Essendon, Richmond, Port Adelaide, and the Bulldogs had me feeling as low about the club as I had in a long time.
Even the three games after the Bulldogs loss...
North by 20 when we were 7 goals up and allowed North to kick the last four.
The terrible set shots against Sydney.
The 2nd half debacle against Adelaide.

After the bye, however, we have had one really bad game. That being against Carlton.
Beating Richmond to start their rot, Brisbane at the Gabba, and Sydney at Marvel were great wins.
We also pushed Port and Geelong.
That's 5-4 after the bye and 2-2 against top 8 teams.
And a percentage of 116.3

All that without a number of key personnel.

That has me half glass full. Watching Byrnes, Connelly, and Sharman also gives hope. King dominating for quarters and halves is encouraging.

Just need to find another ruckman and key defender.

Bring on trade week, the draft, and 2022.

Well put pretty much agree with everything you said

[St Plugger]

Just need to find another ruckman and key defender.

They just might have key a defender there already. I noticed watching Saturdays match how big bodied Clav is becoming. At 197cm he's already there height wise. He's no Sharman suddenly breaking onto the scene, but he's shown steady development in the 4 games he's played and has not been overwhelmed or been taken to the cleaners. He's been good in the air and his kicking is more than acceptable. Perhaps he's just one good preseason away!

[Banger9798]

Just need to find another ruckman and key defender.

They just might have key a defender there already. I noticed watching Saturdays match how big bodied Clav is becoming. At 197cm he's already there height wise. He's no Sharman suddenly breaking onto the scene, but he's shown steady development in the 4 games he's played and has not been overwhelmed or been taken to the cleaners. He's been good in the air and his kicking is more than acceptable. Perhaps he's just one good preseason away!

Definitely not the time to cut him from the list.
He has taken time and starting to show the investment.
Back in the day (80's and 90's) players were expected to have a season or three in VFL before gradually breaking into the seniors.
Clav is following that arc of progression. He could be a really good key back for several years

[Sanctorum]

Glass 3/4 full

Missing a few ingredients, however:
Nick COFFIELD Defender
Bradley HILL Defender
Hunter CLARK Defender
Dougal HOWARD Defender
Ben LONG Defender
Jimmy WEBSTER Defender
Ben PATON Defender
Tom HIGHMORE Defender
Jack SINCLAIR Defender
Leo CONNOLLY Defender
Oscar CLAVARINO Defender
Darragh JOYCE Defender
Callum WILKIE Defender
Jarryn GEARY Defender

Max KING Forward
Dan BUTLER Forward
Jack HIGGINS Forward
Tim MEMBREY Forward
Matthew ALLISON Forward
Cooper SHARMAN Forward

Zak JONES Midfielder
Jade GRESHAM Midfielder
Brad CROUCH Midfielder
Jack STEELE Midfielder
Dan HANNEBERY Midfielder
Jack BILLINGS Midfielder
Jack BYTEL Midfielder
Josh BATTLE Midfielder
Ryan BYRNES Midfielder
Daniel MCKENZIE Midfielder

Paddy RYDER Ruck
Rowan MARSHALL Ruck
Max HEATH Ruck

Is a pretty handy list
Forwards a bit light - but if King gets a good pre-season King/Sharman/Membrey with Higgins/Butler/Resting Mid is a salivating proposition
Backs are solid - could do with another Big Body
Mids need pace - but are handy - ably led by Capt Steele - AA
Rucks - fearsome - but an aging Ryder is a little of a concern

2022 - with fewer injuries - competition for spots will be fierce.

Like your work SD - I would include Mason Wood in the forwards, he has just been signed for 2022.

Assume you consider both Luke Dunstan and Seb Ross moving on, if so I think the midfield with 10 is 2-3 short of what's desirable, but that could be covered by anyone of Long, Clark, Higgins and Butler rotating through if required. I'd have Ben Long as a forward too, it's where he is best suited.

Among out of contract midfielders is Patrick Lipinski 23, 54 games, pick 26 2016 who can't get a gig at the Dogs, could be worth looking at.

Reckon Paul Hunter will get another year as depth, he was reasonably serviceable yesterday and it would be a waste of the time and resources put into him this year, could well improve a lot in 2022.

[St Plugger]

Back in the day (80's and 90's) players were expected to have a season or three in VFL before gradually breaking into the seniors.

Well, not quite right, back in that period, they'd spend the time playing in the teams U19's and Reserves before breaking into the Seniors, but we get your drift. I hope we get to see Clav come on as a player.

[Mr Magic]

I'm glass half full (always when it comes to St Kilda)

[shanegrambeau]

I think the Fuel Guage sits at 43%

But the balance is swing towards full..

Due to:

Mini Cooper S (Sharman)
Highmore
Mr Whippy Wilkie
Higgins
Sinclair
King

It’s sitting on ‘Steady as she Goes’ half-full for

Steele
Marshall
Hill
Howard
Webster
Paddy
Crouch

It’s looking slightly empty

Ross
Membrey (if he can kick straight he might go up)
Butler
Jones (if he can string a dozen games together he is the bomb)

It’s looking dangerously empty

Kent (played his best game yesterday)
Dunstan
Clav
Our coaching?

And a dozen others

It’s looking like a dust bowl in the Mallee
Long
Where Kent was.until yesterday .
I’m afraid Jack Lonie who I am a fan of
Our Football Managment ..cannot compel or motivate the troops to stick phat.players not showing up to play .but erratic efforts are promising..

[Otiman]

We learned a lot.

Half efforts aren't going to get you anywhere (Essendon, Richmond, Bulldogs, Port)
Running out a game and keeping the pressure on is critical (Adelaide, Sydney, West Coast, Geelong x2, Collingwood)
Don't underestimate your opponent (Carlton, Adelaide, Collingwood)

Almost there is not good enough.