News from Moorabbin

[saynta]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ ... 954c2d7e6c


ST KILDA

RUCKMAN Billy Longer is back and running after foot surgery following the season.

He isn’t due back to start training until when the main group returns on November 19, but the club was delighted to see him well advanced in his preparations for what will be an important role he will play next season.

Skipper Jarryn Geary, who was married in Portugal in the off-season, arrived back on deck at the club earlier than expected.

The St Kilda players at Moorabbin were also pleasantly surprised to get a visit from retired Saint Koby Stevens at training.

BEN Long had no intention of leaving St Kilda, even if Essendon and Melbourne made some overtures during the trade period.

Long accompanied the Saints’ third to fourth year players - including Jade Gresham, Rowan Marshall, Bailey Rice and Brandon White, and coach Alan Richardson - to the Northern Territory on a camp this week.

But he stressed he was under contract and wasn’t comfortable with the talk that he might have found a new home. There is even talk he might win a new extended deal in the future.

THE Saints say forward Paddy McCartin has returned in “ripping nick”, dropping about 7kg as he tries to reverse four seasons of injury worries.

JACK Billings has given Jiangwan Stadium - the venue for next year’s St Kilda-Port Adelaide clash - the tick of approval after a recent visit with teammate Dan McKenzie, as well as chief executive Matt Finnis and fitness chief Matt Hornsby.

The two Saints’ players spent four days in China on a mission to find out more about what they can expect in Round 11 next year.

Part of their visit included checking out the facilities of a few hotels as the Saints look to put the finishing touches to their preparations next year.

Draft picks: 4, 36, 46, 67, 79

- Glenn McFarlane

[St Loxton]

Refreshing news about Ben Long, if he gets a good run at it next year i think he will be a massive improver. Keeps Gresh in the midfield.