Selection disappointment

[Joffa Burns]

Got to write I am very disappointed with the selection for round 1. I am not stating that the panel have selected the wrong team - to be honest I would not have a clue.

My disappointment is that no new talent has been added to the team.
Yes Sugar Ray & Dawson’s creek come across both after achieving mediocrity at their previous clubs, but where is our youth?

I’d hoped a Steven, Heyne, Lynch, Armo, Smith, McEvoy or someone young and new would break through and demand selection. Sure I know there are injuries and new players take time, but really who is going to help us bridge the gap between the Hawks and Cats?
It isn’t Dawson & Ray.

I hate to ditch individuals but St Kilda will never be a premiership threat while A.McQualter and Jimmy Gwilt are in our best 18.

Gee I’d love to see some exciting exuberant youth step up at our club and breath some life into our starting 22!

[evertonfc]

I hate to ditch individuals but St Kilda will never be a premiership threat while A.McQualter and Jimmy Gwilt are in our best 18.

Gee I’d love to see some exciting exuberant youth step up at our club and breath some life into our starting 22!

Agree entirely. However, I'm trying to look at it as though it's the "big chance" for Gwilt and McQualter to show themselves as AFL footballers.

Big game, round one, step up or you're done. Some blokes never get the chance. Both these guys have had plenty - but this season is really the last time.

And if they don't fire tomorrow, there is a batch of youngsters I think we'd all rather see coming through who will demand selection in 2009.

That might be a touch optimistic, because I do agree with you, but if they don't perform, I'd be looking at giving their spots to hungry kids ASAP.

[meher baba]

If you insist on starting a new thread on this, I will reply along the same lines as I did on the other one.

On early season form, McQualter is definitely one of our best 22. On last season's form, Gwilt is definitely in our top 27 or so (and we have 4 or 5 out injured).

But, in general, you are right. Leaving aside Clinton Jones (who is almost as old as Riewoldt), we certainly haven't seen a great deal from our young players recruited in recent years. Armo has disappointed so far, Allen and Connor have been injured most of the time, Steven is still very young but might come on this year, McEvoy looks a long way off (which might be what we should expect, or might not: I'm not really sure), Eddy doesn't excite me as much as he seems to excite Ross, etc.

I think it's asking a lot to expect Lynch, Heyne, Smith and co. to step up right away. If any of them do anything this season, it will be a bonus.

I think Armo and Steven remain our best hopes for this year. Let's see how the season unfolds.

[St DAC]

Kids should be played when they've earned the chance. So far, they are yet to have an opportunity to shine in a real game. When they do I expect them to be picked.

Incumbent players should be deposed by better performers, not potential performers.

[plugger66]

I agree it would be good to get youngsters into the side but no one obviously demanded selection. The only two really availble to select was Heyne and Lynch as Steven was ill I beleive. Those 2 just must not have done enough to get in this week but a couple of good reserves games and who knows. One thing I will not go along with though being the reason we didnt pick youngsters is because Sydney are a hard bodied side. Well i reckon Geelong might be to and the Hawks picked 3 new guys.

[stinger]

everyone says to be patient with ruckmen...they take years to develop.......two teenage unheralded ruckmen made their debut last night...they didn't suck either......

[evertonfc]

If you insist on starting a new thread on this, I will reply along the same lines as I did on the other one.

On early season form, McQualter is definitely one of our best 22. On last season's form, Gwilt is definitely in our top 27 or so (and we have 4 or 5 out injured).

But, in general, you are right. Leaving aside Clinton Jones (who is almost as old as Riewoldt), we certainly haven't seen a great deal from our young players recruited in recent years. Armo has disappointed so far, Allen and Connor have been injured most of the time, Steven is still very young but might come on this year, McEvoy looks a long way off (which might be what we should expect, or might not: I'm not really sure), Eddy doesn't excite me as much as he seems to excite Ross, etc.

I think it's asking a lot to expect Lynch, Heyne, Smith and co. to step up right away. If any of them do anything this season, it will be a bonus.

I think Armo and Steven remain our best hopes for this year. Let's see how the season unfolds.

Not a skerrick (is that a word?) of untruth in that post.

Agree that McQualter has had a good PS - perhaps his best ever (Have a look at his excellent Dream Team points - I know, I know, but you can't score badly and play too crap ). He's earned his chance, but make no mistake, he won't get many in 2009 if he fails to show form.

And if Jack Steven, Armitage and Eddy knock down the door, it could be that guys like Gwilt, McQuater and Jones have to make way.

[st.byron]

BIggest disappointment for me in selection is that X. Clarke is yet again missing. Why? What's wrong with him now?

[vacuous space]

Mini and Gwilt are 22 heading into their fifth season in the system. It's hardly unheard of for a player in that situation to show a lot of improvement. In fact, you don't have to look very far. This time last year, most had written off Raph Clarke - a player in his fifth season. Now he's a widely accepted member of our best 22.

Mini was one of our better preseason performers. I'm disappointed that people aren't excited about the possibility of him carrying that form over into the regular season.

[spert]

We should be giving McEvoy game time sooner than later -that's my opinion

[older saint]

YOuth is not a prerequisite for selection. Performance is and obviously the youth many ae talking about have not performed at a level to pass others - or alternatively it has been decided that based onthe game plan and opposition certain players are better fits for this game.

I like all long to see young players develop and become regular players and even stars but they have to make it happen and not receive a chance by default based on DOB

[Saints94]

Agreed, Begley not getting a game, Armo has a twinge in his hammy i think but only one is Geary, but McEvoy is an emergency I thought he could have played forward for the night

[Spinner]

We should be giving McEvoy game time sooner than later -that's my opinion

McEvoy in front of Gardiner and King?

My opinion is we aim to win, which is clearly not aligned to your thinking.

[Saints94]

We should be giving McEvoy game time sooner than later -that's my opinion

McEvoy in front of Gardiner and King?

My opinion is we aim to win, which is clearly not aligned to your thinking.

We can play McEvoy up forward you know he has a great pair of hands and can kick a goal or two

[St DAC]

McEvoy is an emergency I thought he could have played forward for the night

Instead of who exactly? Kosi? Roo? You're dreamin' there son.

[joffaboy]

We should be giving McEvoy game time sooner than later -that's my opinion

McEvoy in front of Gardiner and King?

My opinion is we aim to win, which is clearly not aligned to your thinking.

We can play McEvoy up forward you know he has a great pair of hands and can kick a goal or two

And drop who, Kosi or Roo???

[Saints94]

McEvoy is an emergency I thought he could have played forward for the night

Instead of who exactly? Kosi? Roo? You're dreamin' there son.

If Kozi can't fire or kick more then 2 goals then i would bring big mac in for round 2 just to back kozi up

[SainterK]

I hope we select sides on form, not on reputation or because they are young

[Saints Premiers 2008]

everyone says to be patient with ruckmen...they take years to develop.......two teenage unheralded ruckmen made their debut last night...they didn't suck either......

because the rucked against each other????

simmonds had a dog of a night and cam cloke is useless...

[WayneJudson42]

Yup, let's get some untried kids and throw them to the wolves...

Get 'em smashed and ruin their careers like we did with Kosi and X.

Let them earn their spot FFS when they are ready.

If they are good enough, they'll get a shot.

I'd think that at 22... mini, Ray and even Dawson are still "kids"... as is Jimmy.

Talk about over reaction even before the first bounce...

[Foz]

Carlton took a punt and played 4 kids. Garland was the size of Ross T. When Carlton win its "great experience for the youngsters in front of a huge crowd" if they lose it may have been an issue. The punt came off (read into Richmond what you need to) I still think Carlton brains trust would have taken all what the kids offered them Thursday night.

Its interesting to follow trends in footy - the rolling zone, how to beat the Hawks. Saints and Blues are obviously divergent in what you do with young talent. I would have thought that our fringe mids could have had at least one kid swapping for them.

[bigcarl]

Carlton took a punt and played 4 kids. Garland was the size of Ross T. When Carlton win its "great experience for the youngsters in front of a huge crowd" if they lose it may have been an issue. The punt came off (read into Richmond what you need to) I still think Carlton brains trust would have taken all what the kids offered them Thursday night.

Its interesting to follow trends in footy - the rolling zone, how to beat the Hawks. Saints and Blues are obviously divergent in what you do with young talent. I would have thought that our fringe mids could have had at least one kid swapping for them.

good post. they're up-and-comers while we are in some sort of a holding pattern.

look, i can see the rationale for playing it safe and conservative and i hope that it comes off.

if it doesn't, i can see a few spots opening up and selection pressure coming from the young guys, which can only be a healthy thing.

[Loyal]

very happy that Suger Ray has been named.
i think we'll all see how truly good this guy is on saturday night.

[ausfatcat]

BS Carlton has been around the bottom of the ladder for 8 years now there recruiting has been absolutely appalling, no other club has such a bad record, they may be good this year, their kids maybe good but it's one game and we haven't even played one yet FFS wait a while before jumping to conclusions

[steph]

BIggest disappointment for me in selection is that X. Clarke is yet again missing. Why? What's wrong with him now?

he isn't up to it is what's wrong with him. i assume he's injured (as always) but even if he's fit, cast your mind back to his performance in the qualifying final against the cats last year. absolutely doesn't deserve a spot. he's just one big disappointment.