Jack Hayes in running for a spot in round 1 team

[saynta]

Which is just as I predicted many weeks ago.

https://www.saints.com.au/news/1076136/ ... nd-1-berth

[kosifantutti]

He played for the “probables” in match sim and drills this morning. Pretty much everyone you would expect was there but there weren’t 22 of them.

“Possibles” included Owens, Windhager, Sharman, Joyce, Campbell, Long, Byrnes, Bytel, Connolly, Geary, Highmore, Kent, Lienert, NWM.

Maybe three of those would make the 22.

[Vortex]

He played for the “probables” in match sim and drills this morning. Pretty much everyone you would expect was there but there weren’t 22 of them.

“Possibles” included Owens, Windhager, Sharman, Joyce, Campbell, Long, Byrnes, Bytel, Connolly, Geary, Highmore, Kent, Lienert, NWM.

Maybe three of those would make the 22.

Not sure if Byrnes is having a good pre season however with Jones and Billings out then he could add a bit of speed through the midfield to HF and out on a wing. If he can step up then that would give our midfield some extra speed.

If Highmore has recovered from the corky then he's a lock you'd think as it was reported he was going really well. Maybe Long is my third pick but who knows how he's been going over the pre season.

I think Ratts will go with as much proven quality as he can for round 1 at a guess.

[D.B.Cooper]

He played for the “probables” in match sim and drills this morning. Pretty much everyone you would expect was there but there weren’t 22 of them.

“Possibles” included Owens, Windhager, Sharman, Joyce, Campbell, Long, Byrnes, Bytel, Connolly, Geary, Highmore, Kent, Lienert, NWM.

Maybe three of those would make the 22.

Not sure if Byrnes is having a good pre season however with Jones and Billings out then he could add a bit of speed through the midfield to HF and out on a wing. If he can step up then that would give our midfield some extra speed.

If Highmore has recovered from the corky then he's a lock you'd think as it was reported he was going really well. Maybe Long is my third pick but who knows how he's been going over the pre season.

I think Ratts will go with as much proven quality as he can for round 1 at a guess.

Highmore didn’t play against Carlton or Essendon when he was available, it seems the third tall defender is Battle at this point in time.

Personally I prefer Highmore.

[Vortex]

He played for the “probables” in match sim and drills this morning. Pretty much everyone you would expect was there but there weren’t 22 of them.

“Possibles” included Owens, Windhager, Sharman, Joyce, Campbell, Long, Byrnes, Bytel, Connolly, Geary, Highmore, Kent, Lienert, NWM.

Maybe three of those would make the 22.

Not sure if Byrnes is having a good pre season however with Jones and Billings out then he could add a bit of speed through the midfield to HF and out on a wing. If he can step up then that would give our midfield some extra speed.

If Highmore has recovered from the corky then he's a lock you'd think as it was reported he was going really well. Maybe Long is my third pick but who knows how he's been going over the pre season.

I think Ratts will go with as much proven quality as he can for round 1 at a guess.

Highmore didn’t play against Carlton or Essendon when he was available, it seems the third tall defender is Battle at this point in time.

Personally I prefer Highmore.

I don't think he wasn't' available because of an injury in a VFL match? it sounded like he was carving it up prior to the injury. I think he was one of the few positives out of 2021 and I'm hoping he goes next level this year.

[B.M]

Hayes looks an OK footballer

Runs heavy, and looks a bit slow

Will be between him and Campbell for a spot

Undersized as a ruckman, probably not skilled enough as a tall forward

But could pinch hit

Might be wrong, but looks very much a state league footballer

Good for depth though

[MC Gusto]

Is it just me but is he a ringer for J Blake?

The body shape, the gait, the movement (agree he’s heavy) but a good old loyal toiler who’ll give you everything?

[Otiman]

Is it just me but is he a ringer for J Blake?

Not the first time I've heard this said. Undersize ruckman/utility with a workmanlike attitude.

[Jacks Back]

Agree that, at this stage, he is depth only. With Ryder out Marshall takes first ruck and Hayes pinch hits. Once Ryder is back then Marshal takes second ruck and Hayes will be omitted. Of sourse (heaven forbid) we have 2 or more injuries to any tall(ish) forwards then he will also get a gig.

Campbell will only play as a first ruck (too slow for a 2nd ruck/fill in) so will only play if both Ryder and Marshall are out.

[magnifisaint]

Hayes looks an OK footballer

Runs heavy, and looks a bit slow

Will be between him and Campbell for a spot

Undersized as a ruckman, probably not skilled enough as a tall forward

But could pinch hit

Might be wrong, but looks very much a state league footballer

Good for depth though

Well you very wrong about Highmore so if I were you I'd reserve judgement. He needs half a dozen games to show his worth.

[kosifantutti]

Based on training today, the following are definitely playing.

Gresham
Crouch
Ross
Hill
Steele
King
Butler
Marshall
Howard
Higgins
Battle
Membrey
Webster
Wood
Paton
Sinclair
McKenzie
Wilkie
Hayes

So another three plus a sub can be added to that.

[B.M]

Always a fan of Highmore as a intercept defender (he’s better than Coffield)
Courage in spades and good dukes
Was wrong about the extent of his kicking deficiencies … he’s not a good kick by any means, but not as bad as his first couple of games suggested

BTW
Highmore is currently sitting outside the team
Howard, Battle and Wilkie are locks
Webster Sinclair and Hill will make up the back 6
Paton the spare

Leaving Highmore as an emergency

[Impatient Sainter]

Hayes looks an OK footballer

Runs heavy, and looks a bit slow

Will be between him and Campbell for a spot

Undersized as a ruckman, probably not skilled enough as a tall forward

But could pinch hit

Might be wrong, but looks very much a state league footballer

Good for depth though

BM if you read his past coaches comments he (Hayes) is a very smart player, with a huge heart and wills himself to contest after contest.

Granted he is not quick but his footy smarts, maturity and huge marking ability will IMO see him adapt to the level. He will struggle against genuine ruckman but we can live with that if he provides his other attributes.

[B.M]

The last time we went with a forward/undersized back up ruck

It was Josh Bruce 196cm

Place used to go into meltdown

Hayes
194 and not the running power of Bruce

[kosifantutti]

We played at least two games last year with Marshall as the only ruck and Darragh Joyce as the back up.

[CQ SAINT]

Jack Hayes is an awkward size and no doubt, he is used to being underestimated.
He has surpassed 'good' state league footballer, as his disposal stats in the SANFL have steadily increased and, infact doubled over 5 years, during his transformation from handy marking, high fwd, to dominant FWD/Ruck. His recent clearance numbers are no joke.
He is cherry ripe to enter our best 25 and make an instant impact in supporting Marshall, King and Membrey.
If he plays ahead of Sharman, Cooper can consider himself unlucky, with a point to prove in the VFL, although he is not likely to see much ruck action there either with Campbell set to dominate and Heath developing. Then there is Adams, who is also a part time ruck/key position player.
Having players like Wood, Hayes and Sharman to choose from for 3rd forwards is a blessing. Perhaps Sharman can develop a strong running game over the first half of the Sandy season and push himself in.

[Sainternist]

Is it just me but is he a ringer for J Blake?

The body shape, the gait, the movement (agree he’s heavy) but a good old loyal toiler who’ll give you everything?

He’s Blake 2.0, with a knife and fork haircut!

Mind you, Blake was a ringer for Adrian Fletcher lol

[saynta]

Is it just me but is he a ringer for J Blake?

The body shape, the gait, the movement (agree he’s heavy) but a good old loyal toiler who’ll give you everything?

He’s Blake 2.0, with a knife and fork haircut!

Mind you, Blake was a ringer for Adrian Fletcher lol

[SaintPav]

Hayes must be doing well to push Sharman out.

Did we overrate Sharman?

[Banger9798]

Yet to see Hayes win a tap out

He has good second and third efforts which is great, but agree he is depth only.

Prefer Sharman as a forward any day, but they need to be able to support Marshall in the ruck., so Hayes might get the early season nod.

[CQ SAINT]

Hayes must be doing well to push Sharman out.

Did we overrate Sharman?

Is Sharman out?

[SaintPav]

Hayes must be doing well to push Sharman out.

Did we overrate Sharman?

Is Sharman out?

I don’t know. I was speaking hypothetically.

I hope not. I liked what I’ve seen, so far.