Time To Dust off The Number 4

[St Chris]

The Saints' number 4 jumper has been in mothballs for 12 months now, and it's time to get it out and pass it on.

I suppose an obvious choice is Armo. It will be a good indication of where the club see's his progression at, whether he gets a decent upgrade with his number, with a few low ones available (4, 9, maybe 6, possibly even 3??)

My choice is Raph Clarke. He has now shown the skills, pace and confidence that the many people have spoken about, but not many of us fans had seen. his last 6 weeks of the 2008 season were fantastic.

I have no doubt, if his form can stay somewhere close to the last few games of this year, that he will play 200 games for the Saints.

Thoughts??? (on Number 4, not Raph Clarke!!!)

[n1ck]

Id love to see Sammy Fisher get a higher number, but i spose hes made it his own now.

[bigcarl]

My choice is Raph Clarke. He has now shown the skills, pace and confidence that the many people have spoken about, but not many of us fans had seen. his last 6 weeks of the 2008 season were fantastic

good call. raph's a star in the making and what better vote of confidence in the kid than to give him one of the club's most famous numbers.

[Halo]

I think Raph needs to play a season like his last 2 games before we start talking about giving him the Number 4.

[SENsei]

Vote no to Armitage in #4. I have question marks over his commitment off the field to his training. Needs to step up a few gears.

Depending on any trades (O'Keefe?), or who we draft, I'd look at promoting Eddy to #4.

[LTN16]

The Saints' number 4 jumper has been in mothballs for 12 months now, and it's time to get it out and pass it on.

I suppose an obvious choice is Armo. It will be a good indication of where the club see's his progression at, whether he gets a decent upgrade with his number, with a few low ones available (4, 9, maybe 6, possibly even 3??)

My choice is Raph Clarke. He has now shown the skills, pace and confidence that the many people have spoken about, but not many of us fans had seen. his last 6 weeks of the 2008 season were fantastic.

I have no doubt, if his form can stay somewhere close to the last few games of this year, that he will play 200 games for the Saints.

Thoughts??? (on Number 4, not Raph Clarke!!!)

Im thinking it will go to someone like Robert Eddy, Clinton Jones or Jarryd Allen.

[Ralphy]

What about Harves #35 have they retired his number???

[RedWhiteBlack]

Id love to see Sammy Fisher get a higher number, but i spose hes made it his own now.

4 is lower than 25 champ

Personally I'd like to see #4 go to Ben Cousins.

[Ralphy]

CJ for #4 , id give #9 to our next forward maybe allen. or mcevoy

[Animal Enclosure]

Vote no to Armitage in #4. I have question marks over his commitment off the field to his training. Needs to step up a few gears.

Depending on any trades (O'Keefe?), or who we draft, I'd look at promoting Eddy to #4.

That would be akin to giving Stephen Newport #1 after Barks retired!

Save #4 for a quality, long term player... not someone who has huge question marks over whether he will be around in 12 months time. Eddy is a honest toiler who can run all day but has shown little actual football ability.

I like the Sam Fisher suggestion if we don't give it to a young draftee.

[n1ck]

Id love to see Sammy Fisher get a higher number, but i spose hes made it his own now.

4 is lower than 25 champ

Personally I'd like to see #4 go to Ben Cousins.

Most people call it a higher number in this regard as generally they are reserved for the 'senior' players... champ.

Like the #4 draft pick is a HIGHER pick than #25.

Id rather see #9 go to Benny boy.

[St Chris]

I think Fraser has said before that he'd like a big forward to get the Number 9, so Allen is the obvious pick there (unless there's a similar draftee) and i don't think Big Mac would change No. 5 for 9.

[Saintschampions08]

I still can't understand why people are jumping the gun on Raph...

Sure - he played a few good games at the end of the season, but why does this outweigh the number of terrible games he's played?

[SENsei]

Vote no to Armitage in #4. I have question marks over his commitment off the field to his training. Needs to step up a few gears.

Depending on any trades (O'Keefe?), or who we draft, I'd look at promoting Eddy to #4.

That would be akin to giving Stephen Newport #1 after Barks retired!

Save #4 for a quality, long term player... not someone who has huge question marks over whether he will be around in 12 months time. Eddy is a honest toiler who can run all day but has shown little actual football ability.

I like the Sam Fisher suggestion if we don't give it to a young draftee.

RE: Eddy.

Look beyond what you can see.

[Eastern]

I would like either Raph Clarke or Rob Eddy to get it. Would love to know Andrew Thompson's thoughts !!

[Bernard Shakey]

CJ for #4 , id give #9 to our next forward maybe allen. or mcevoy

In case you're not aware McEvoy already has No.5

[Ralphy]

CJ for #4 , id give #9 to our next forward maybe allen. or mcevoy

In case you're not aware McEvoy already has No.5

didnt know ...

[Winmar7Fan]

Vote no to Armitage in #4. I have question marks over his commitment off the field to his training. Needs to step up a few gears.

Depending on any trades (O'Keefe?), or who we draft, I'd look at promoting Eddy to #4.

Interesting you believe a rookie who's showed a bit of promise but had a very soft season or a player we haven't even drafted yet has earnt it over Armitage?

He must really be in your bad books

[tweedaletomanning]

What number was/is Daniel kerr?

[mightysainters]

does show our lack of quality youth can't think of anyone to get it.... , our first rounder maybe...

[ctqs]

Vote no to Armitage in #4. I have question marks over his commitment off the field to his training. Needs to step up a few gears.

Depending on any trades (O'Keefe?), or who we draft, I'd look at promoting Eddy to #4.

O'Keefe getting number 4? Hmmm ... shades of Paul Moorwood.
Certainly not Raph or Armo.
Look to the future and give it to a kid and let him make it his own.
While on numbers ...
Am I right in thinking no Saints player (in the last 25 years anyway) has had more jumper numbers than Frankie Peckett. Started in 52, then 29, then 8, then finished in 1.
I reckon we had about five players in the one team who'd worn 29 at one stage or another - Peckett, Burke, Thommo, Aussie, and Baker.

[FortiusQuoFidelius]

Most people call it a higher number in this regard as generally they are reserved for the 'senior' players... champ.

Like the #4 draft pick is a HIGHER pick than #25.

Most people??? I've never heard anyone say #4 is higher thn #25. For the sake of this exercise lets call it and "EARLIER" number!!

[saint66au]

Am I right in thinking no Saints player (in the last 25 years anyway) has had more jumper numbers than Frankie Peckett. Started in 52, then 29, then 8, then finished in 1.

Interesting. Cant actually recall Frankie wearing 8

Craig Devonport wore 8 and 1

Burkie went from 52 to 29 to 3

Is my memory going??? lol

[Eastern]

Did "Rodney" wear 52 before getting 35?

[Animal Enclosure]

Vote no to Armitage in #4. I have question marks over his commitment off the field to his training. Needs to step up a few gears.

Depending on any trades (O'Keefe?), or who we draft, I'd look at promoting Eddy to #4.

That would be akin to giving Stephen Newport #1 after Barks retired!

Save #4 for a quality, long term player... not someone who has huge question marks over whether he will be around in 12 months time. Eddy is a honest toiler who can run all day but has shown little actual football ability.

I like the Sam Fisher suggestion if we don't give it to a young draftee.

RE: Eddy.

Look beyond what you can see.

Not 100% on what you mean Sen but I assume you're talking about Eddy's potential (I've seen him miss easy goals, drop marks but try his heart out).

I didn't mean to slur Eddy but I just see him as a bloke who is very limited skills wise and limited scope for improvement. I love his endeavour but I would argue that giving him #4 is getting a bit ahead of where he is right now (a bloke off the rookie list who is far from guaranteed a medium term future at the club). He does have some similarities with Thommo but Thommo had a great couple of years before getting the #4.