Hayes, Naish and Leinert

[Saintmike65]

it is an interesting mix of sign on players we have, all very different and offer different skill sets.
I must admit the intra club game on Thursday was the first time I'd seen Naish and Leinert play but liked what I saw.

LEINERT - build wise, he is a taller version of Wilkie, lean but strong.
At 195cm he could play tall or small, is a lovely kick, capable in the air, and covers the ground well.

NAISH - Was very busy on a wing, has good pace, and kicks the ball very well.
A likely wing/ half forward option...he was also very vocal, barking instructions from the interchange, which, given he had only been at the club a couple of days, I thought was impressive.
We currently have a few wing options, however, most don't have leg speed, so Naish would be a strong chance to get added to the list.

HAYES - I've seen a fair bit of Jack over the pre season, he offers a footy brain, versatility, strength in the contest, a great mark and always seems to be in the game.
I believe he is a massive chance of being back up ruck to Rohan Marshall come round 1 if Ryder isn't available.

[Yorkeys]

Yes it is interesting.
From the times I have noticed Jarrod he has looked ok, even if that has been against us. Port have a strong defensive squad so Messers Howard and Leinert become available. Our gain because their cup overflows? Or is it personality friction/internal politics that cause the delistings. Does it mean we are a long way behind Port or they don't know a good thing even when it kicks out for them after a behind.

Naish, can't remember noticing him. Higgins and Butler have been good gets from Richmond. Hope he does ok too but wonder if he is is just Covid list insurance.

Hayes seems a beauty which begs the obvious question: how come he is available, but never look a gift horse in the mouth eh. Another fine find from Mr Gallagher. We sincerely hope.

List improvement this year seems good if, IF, recruits can produce under the heat of games for points against opposition that don't want to make them feel welcome.

If Seb, Mr Butler, and Mr Kent don't get regular games because the squad is better this year then that will be a good indicator to me we are on the improve. Noting 17 other clubs are also improving and have recruited men with names that would form a similarly impressive sign on a law firm..

[Banger9798]

Hayes and Leinert for mine, if we are taking two.
We have several in the Naish mold already

[Gershwin]

Is it worth keeping a spot vacant for the mid-season draft?

[Saintnickyroo]

I saw Hayes in the thread title and was hoping we’d cloned Lenny.

[saynta]

Is it worth keeping a spot vacant for the mid-season draft?

Short answer. Yes. I would take Hayes and Leinert and keep a place for the mid year draft.

Key backs and guys like Hayes can take a while to develop

I know that the Saints have had the hots for Naish since before he was originally drafted but the kids haven't played much footy these past two years and there is bound to be a few rough uncut diamonds becoming available come mid year.

[Ghost Like]

Take them all, they are all back ups for various positions. I do not see value in a possible back up for a back up. They each give us the back up for any & all positions.

[SaintPav]

Who does Hayes play like?

Anyone.

Thanks

[Saintmike65]

Who does Hayes play like?

Anyone.

Thanks

Hayes moves a bit like Michael Gardiner, loping sort of style but due to his long legs, covers the ground well.
As far as playing goes, a more polished version of Jason Blake.
Awkward kicking style but hits targets, a great one grab mark and does the team things, little one percenters.He plays forward but played as a defender in his younger days.
He is NOT a midfielder, however when he pinch hits in the ruck he is like an extra mid, due to his ability to follow up..not dissimilar to Rohan Marshall.

[SaintPav]

Who does Hayes play like?

Anyone.

Thanks

Hayes moves a bit like Michael Gardiner, loping sort of style but due to his long legs, covers the ground well.
As far as playing goes, a more polished version of Jason Blake.
Awkward kicking style but hits targets, a great one grab mark and does the team things, little one percenters.He plays forward but played as a defender in his younger days.
He is NOT a midfielder, however when he pinch hits in the ruck he is like an extra mid, due to his ability to follow up..not dissimilar to Rohan Marshall.

Excellent summary.

Thank you.

[CQ SAINT]

Who does Hayes play like?

Anyone.

Thanks

Hayes moves a bit like Michael Gardiner, loping sort of style but due to his long legs, covers the ground well.
As far as playing goes, a more polished version of Jason Blake.
Awkward kicking style but hits targets, a great one grab mark and does the team things, little one percenters.He plays forward but played as a defender in his younger days.
He is NOT a midfielder, however when he pinch hits in the ruck he is like an extra mid, due to his ability to follow up..not dissimilar to Rohan Marshall.

Excellent summary.

Thank you.

This is a good summary.

However, after watching a few Eagles matches replays from last years finals, you might get a different view of his 'midfielder' status.

He is very steady on his feet and strong and clean below his knees, despite his long legs, and has excellent peripheral vision and quick clean hands. He also has bull like power in congestion and very good awareness of where his opponent is, because he typically leads them to the ball.

He had no problem getting to several contests and gave occasional bursts of leg power to chase down clearances on the outside to tackle, a quality he uses well leading up to the 50, when in attack.

His clearance work is very effective and it is clear that the other mids around him are counting on his ability to win contested ball and open up congestion with his size, power and very quick and accurate disposal by hand. There is no waiting to be tackled, diving forward, ducking under arms, handballs over his shoulders or kick and hope possession accumulation.

He uses his endurance to rove the centre square, usually remaining a kick off the play, either dropping into the forward fifty in attacking forays, backing into defence for intercept marking and is used as a link in turnover transition into attack.

He is a very clever, no frills footballer. He is the classic ruck rover. In the era when ruck rover was a genuine role he would have been a star midfielder. If he can adjust his fitness and skills to the AFL level, he will be a dangerous mid.

[Sanctorum]

High praise indeed CQ Saint and if 24 y.o. Hayes plays as you describe he has the physical stats of Marcus Bontempelli and Nathan Fyfe, which is really exciting as our team is in dire need of such a player to take control of the centre and other clearances.

As for the option to draft both Lienert and Naish, if they're the real deal I'm all in favour of taking them now to provide extra depth, no point in waiting for the MSD, who knows we might lose another player to long term injury by then - Hannebery anyone?

[Gershwin]

Who does Hayes play like?

Anyone.

Thanks

Hayes moves a bit like Michael Gardiner, loping sort of style but due to his long legs, covers the ground well.
As far as playing goes, a more polished version of Jason Blake.
Awkward kicking style but hits targets, a great one grab mark and does the team things, little one percenters.He plays forward but played as a defender in his younger days.
He is NOT a midfielder, however when he pinch hits in the ruck he is like an extra mid, due to his ability to follow up..not dissimilar to Rohan Marshall.

He will not be able to pinch hit in the ruck at AFL level. He looked a midget against Campbell.
Worth picking up as a depth player and at 24 with top performances at a lower level deserves a chance at the big-time.

[Sainter_Dad]

As for the option to draft both Lienert and Naish, if they're the real deal I'm all in favour of taking them now to provide extra depth, no point in waiting for the MSD, who knows we might lose another player to long term injury by then - Hannebery anyone?

My thoughts exactly - why not have them on the list - what area are we at risk of not being able to cover if something happens before the MSD?

I am thinking that if we don't pick them now (if they are the real deal) we may end up just picking them up in the MSD.
I cannot see a line that we are totally at risk from injury and therefore have to pick up an also ran to cover.

Simply put - Best Available at any draft (and these 3 seem to be pretty damned good)

[ace]

Plays like Paul Harding.
A ruckman with good ruck craft but too short to play in the ruck.
Easily beaten in ruck and marking contests by a guy of 204+cm, but then more useful after the stoppage.

[Goose is king]

[quote=Banger9798 post_id=1939566 time=1645320314 user_id=23633]
Hayes and Leinert for mine, if we are taking two.
We have several in the Naish mold already
[/quote]

Exactly

[Saintmike65]

Something to add a bit of flavour to my post…a acquaintance of mine went to training yesterday and said both Lienert and Naish were very impressive in match sim.
This guy is very hard to please so I’m tipping they stood out!

[Ghost Like]

Something to add a bit of flavour to my post…a acquaintance of mine went to training yesterday and said both Lienert and Naish were very impressive in match sim.
This guy is very hard to please so I’m tipping they stood out!

Good to hear SM65. They both stood out in the intra. A double edged sword because they both showed they were better than quite a lot of our signed players. Is that the position they find themselves in or is it talent? Whichever it is, the signed players need to switch on and lift, 4 weeks to the real dance.

[saynta]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/708170/crow ... anfl-squad

[Impatient Sainter]

Jack Hayes was in the recent team photos, so you I think we can be 95% sure he has been signed.

CQ Saint I hope you a right about Hayes playing as a RR, but he will need to seriously improve his agility and kicking to get that opportunity at AFL level. There is no doubt he is a smart player, but I see his current AFL strengths as a lead up contested marking player. In the practice match he crashed packs and impacted with his size and marking ability. Until he is on top of the difference in the speed of the game, I think that will be his role when given the opportunity.

Mitchita Owens looks likely to develop into that bigger bodied midfielder (RR) at AFL level, so Hayes will have some competition for that role.