who is the surpise this year

[older saint]

2 years ago it was McEvoy, last year Stanley

Possibilities for this year :

Geary, Ross, Ray, Gilbert ?

I know Hickey mentioned on this site but need min 3 ruck man on the list and a lot of work put into making both rucks a better forward option.

[mad saint guy]

Hopefully we can get a pick upgrade from trading Ray. Has been a great servant but all he's doing for us now is playing at Sandy or keeping Acres and McKenzie from getting senior time.

If we could get semi-decent value from trading Gilbert I'd do it in a heartbeat. He does some good things but he's a shocking kick and will be in his 30's by the time we're pushing towards the top of the ladder. Geary I'd be a little tentative to trade given our lack of leadership and lock down defenders but if anyone offered a top 30 pick I'd be happy to trade him.

[Goose is king]

I think trading Ross would be a mistake. He will have a massive 2016 IMO

[bergsone]

Joey,if roos come knocking anyone ?

[Bluthy]

I'll chuck one out from left field - Jack Newnes. He's coming into his prime with 70 games under his belt. He starting to get around the ground really well now and would suit a coach who likes getting a lot of numbers to the ball. We wouldn't want to lose him but we do have a bit of an overload of back flankers/wingers. If we want to keep pick 5 and still get CArslile and Freeman then we might need to consider losing a player like that.

[BigMart]

Hickey... Without question imo

AR does not rate him as a ruckman at all..... And he's all about stoppage

As a fwd
Bruce, McCartin, Membrey, obvious Nick are all much better options.

[BigMart]

Hickey... Without question imo

AR does not rate him as a ruckman at all..... And he's all about stoppage

As a fwd
Bruce, McCartin, Membrey, obvious Nick are all much better options.

[Bernard Shakey]

Delaney to Essendon!

[To the top]

If the comment is that Gilbert can not kick, what about Geary?

Geary makes Gilbert look like a star with the pill.

I, for one, would not be entertaining parting with Hickey.

Holmes has a very, very long way to go if he ever makes it and Pierce has a long way to go - but may make it as he bulks up.

So we effectively have 2 rucks.

To ruck either Bruce or Carlisle detracts from what should be a positive for us in key positions.

Delaney may be on the outer with the height options we now have in defence (Carlisle, Goddard, Fisher, Gilbert and Roberton).

Other Clubs may be attracted to Geary because of his endeavours and bravery in the contest and, if so, he would be mine to deliver a trade outcome to St Kilda.

Essendon took Gwilt - and Goddard.

[Linton Lodger]

I'll chuck one out from left field - Jack Newnes. He's coming into his prime with 70 games under his belt. He starting to get around the ground really well now and would suit a coach who likes getting a lot of numbers to the ball. We wouldn't want to lose him but we do have a bit of an overload of back flankers/wingers. If we want to keep pick 5 and still get CArslile and Freeman then we might need to consider losing a player like that.

No way, he is going to be a great St Kilda player and I reckon he'd also be a good leader.

[Trixilver]

We have good ruck stocks in Hickey and Longer (who are both young). I don't think we should mess with that.

Ross would have pretty good value, but I do think he'd have more at the end of next year.

One of Ray/Geary/Gilbert as mentioned I'd be ok with.

[ripplug66]

We have good ruck stocks in Hickey and Longer (who are both young). I don't think we should mess with that.

Ross would have pretty good value, but I do think he'd have more at the end of next year.

One of Ray/Geary/Gilbert as mentioned I'd be ok with.

Do you think they can play in the one side though. Twice this year Hickey was dropped because he wasn't good enough as a forward and with McCartin coming through I don't see how it works. I still don't think 4 on the bench helps because I doubt sides will use one of those positions on ruckmen.

[longtimesaint]

We have good ruck stocks in Hickey and Longer (who are both young). I don't think we should mess with that.

Ross would have pretty good value, but I do think he'd have more at the end of next year.

One of Ray/Geary/Gilbert as mentioned I'd be ok with.

Do you think they can play in the one side though. Twice this year Hickey was dropped because he wasn't good enough as a forward and with McCartin coming through I don't see how it works. I still don't think 4 on the bench helps because I doubt sides will use one of those positions on ruckmen.

Hawthorn have been pretty successful with two ruckman -McEvoy and Hale.

[Rosco]

Hickey / Longer expendable. Pierce and Holmes are capable backups. We don't have a ruck/fwd, don't want Bruce doing the pinch hitting.

[Rosco]

Hale is a capable fwd, hickey isn't

[ripplug66]

We have good ruck stocks in Hickey and Longer (who are both young). I don't think we should mess with that.

Ross would have pretty good value, but I do think he'd have more at the end of next year.

One of Ray/Geary/Gilbert as mentioned I'd be ok with.

Do you think they can play in the one side though. Twice this year Hickey was dropped because he wasn't good enough as a forward and with McCartin coming through I don't see how it works. I still don't think 4 on the bench helps because I doubt sides will use one of those positions on ruckmen.

Hawthorn have been pretty successful with two ruckman -McEvoy and Hale.

Hale mainly plays forward and even he was struggling in that role. Both are average ruckmen. We were happy to lose Ben. Unless you are a Goldstein I still don't get the position. Hitouts mean nothing in relation to clearances and Longer doesn't basically mark or get the ball around the ground. I still don't see how the forward set up works with Hickey as a forward. I try and I cant fit him in umless players we have recruited aren't good enough and surely we are hoping that isn't the case. By the way I reckon Hawthorn could have played 5 ruckmen or none and still won the GF. Natinuni had no influence in the GF and he is the second best in the AFL. Not his fault. His mids were killed even though he easily won the hitouts.

[kosifantutti]

I know what the surprise will be but I promise not to spoil it for you all.

[older saint]

I'd be shattered if Newness traded, has class inside/out mid who uses the ball very well. rate him very highly.

Nathan Wright might be in trouble with Webster and McKenzie both having good years.

Agree that we cannot afford to lose a ruckman - you cant have your full back ruck !

Time will tell , still think Ross might be the go, been there a while now and just doesn't seem to be consistent and get to enough contests.

[minneapolis]

I know what the surprise will be but I promise not to spoil it for you all.

Let's assume that you do know, Kosi.

Is it tasty? Would I get a semi?

[tony74]

One player who hasn't quite kept to team rules during the off season has been informed he's on shaky ground. Would be a pity to lose him.

[saintsRrising]

Hawthorn pouncing.....

[loris]

One player who hasn't quite kept to team rules during the off season has been informed he's on shaky ground. Would be a pity to lose him.

Tall or short player tony74?

[tony74]

Medium!

[loris]

Medium!

[Goose is king]

[quote="tony74"]Medium![/quote]

Hope it's not Webster