7 days and the clock is ticking...

[Kilda]

In preparation for the upcoming AFL national draft, St Kilda - like all clubs - has to formally lodge its playing list next Friday. St Kilda still has 6 seasoned players out of contract including one who came third in this year's B & F.

There is a possibility therefore, that we could lose not one but a few of the following players:

(1) Zac Dawson
(2) Dean Polo
(3) Farren Ray
(4) Sean Dempster
(5) Raphael Clarke
(6) Brett Peake


Tick tock, tick tock...

[SaintPav]

In preparation for the upcoming AFL national draft, St Kilda - like all clubs - has to formally lodge its playing list next Friday. St Kilda still has 6 seasoned players out of contract including one who came third in this year's B & F.

There is a possibility therefore, that we could lose not one but a few of the following players:

(1) Zac Dawson
(2) Dean Polo
(3) Farren Ray
(4) Sean Dempster
(5) Raphael Clarke
(6) Brett Peake


Tick tock, tick tock...

wow. incredible.

[Stillwaiting]

We all know this, so what's the point. Plus I amsure Ray has resigned. For all we know, the rest could be on the verge of sighning.

[Moods]

We all know this, so what's the point. Plus I amsure Ray has resigned. For all we know, the rest could be on the verge of sighning.

For all we know they aren't. It's actually very worrying that the club has allowed itself to get in this position. Ridiculous really for a club with limited stars.

If Gram was able to sign big money on the back of a very good game in 09 (albeit the GF) as some on here have suggested, then that's outrageous and sadly we deserve everything we get.

[Little Dozer]

(1) Zac Dawson - Good riddance
(2) Dean Polo - Back up only, no real loss if he left
(3) Farren Ray - Reports say he's signed
(4) Sean Dempster - Had a very good season, need to retain
(5) Raphael Clarke - Not concerned if he stays, easily replaced
(6) Brett Peake - See Dempster

[saint patrick]

As long as Ray and Dempster re sign I will be happy

[ThePunter]

My understanding is that Dempster, Ray and Peake have all either re-signed or agreed to re-sign.

Polo and Clarke would surely know that as far as they are concerned, we are the only game in town.

Reports don't look good regarding Zac Dawson, but things have been quiet for a few days.

[St Lenny]

As long as Dempster, Ray and Peake stay I will be happy. Not to sure who would replace Zac, so that does bother me. But if he is after the money, let him go to his mate Ro$$ who also loves the money.

[matrix]

so cj is all signed up then?
havent heard how long he signed for

[dragit]

Each of them will be waiting to see if anyone walks, therefor feeing up more cash for their own contracts... If Dawson goes then the others will want a piece of his allocated funds...

Contract chess.

[Junction Oval]

The Punter commented :

My understanding is that Dempster, Ray and Peake have all either re-signed or agreed to re-sign.
Polo and Clarke would surely know that as far as they are concerned, we are the only game in town.
Reports don't look good regarding Zac Dawson, but things have been quiet for a few days.

Zac will be the most difficult to replace, so he should be a priority to retain. Again, poor forward planning is coming back to bite us!

[Little Dozer]

The Punter commented :

My understanding is that Dempster, Ray and Peake have all either re-signed or agreed to re-sign.
Polo and Clarke would surely know that as far as they are concerned, we are the only game in town.
Reports don't look good regarding Zac Dawson, but things have been quiet for a few days.

Zac will be the most difficult to replace, so he should be a priority to retain. Again, poor forward planning is coming back to bite us!

Why is it hard to replace a clumsy, apathetic, low-ability reject like Dawson?

It's a blessing that he's going. 300k lol

[Junction Oval]

Little Dozer questioned :

Why is it hard to replace a clumsy, apathetic, low-ability reject like Dawson?

I think that it's a question of team "balance" LD. Gwilt will be out until mid-season, Dempster, Raph, Polo not signed. Whilst not stars, they are backline players. We need to retain backline solidarity next year, as the focus will be on scoring more, requiring new set-ups. I don't think that turning the entire side upside down will help what will be new tactics next year.

Who would be an adequate replacement for Zac ?? ("anyone" is not the correct answer).

[Old Mate]

The Punter commented :

My understanding is that Dempster, Ray and Peake have all either re-signed or agreed to re-sign.
Polo and Clarke would surely know that as far as they are concerned, we are the only game in town.
Reports don't look good regarding Zac Dawson, but things have been quiet for a few days.

Zac will be the most difficult to replace, so he should be a priority to retain. Again, poor forward planning is coming back to bite us!

Why is it hard to replace a clumsy, apathetic, low-ability reject like Dawson?

It's a blessing that he's going. 300k lol

Agree...however our fb stocks are low so Zac becomes our best longterm option by default. Blake is better however only good for another season. We dont know enough of Simpkin yet.

[Old Mate]

The Punter commented :

My understanding is that Dempster, Ray and Peake have all either re-signed or agreed to re-sign.
Polo and Clarke would surely know that as far as they are concerned, we are the only game in town.
Reports don't look good regarding Zac Dawson, but things have been quiet for a few days.

Zac will be the most difficult to replace, so he should be a priority to retain. Again, poor forward planning is coming back to bite us!

Why is it hard to replace a clumsy, apathetic, low-ability reject like Dawson?

It's a blessing that he's going. 300k lol

Agree...however our fb stocks are low so Zac becomes our best longterm option by default. Blake is better however only good for another season. We dont know enough of Simpkin yet.

[stkildathunda]

so cj is all signed up then?
havent heard how long he signed for

2 years.

[Ross who?]

As long as Dempster, Ray and Peake stay I will be happy. Not to sure who would replace Zac, so that does bother me. But if he is after the money, let him go to his mate Ro$$ who also loves the money.

This

[gringo]

Dawson will be a major loss for us as we have no really proven replacement for probably the most important position on the ground. He will also be a major improver for freos team and will substantially improve their list like Ball did at collingwood.

[samoht]

Gringo ..we'd probably initially miss the understanding he's developed but I'm sure that we'd be able to find someone else who can do the job within our defensive set up where the whole has always been greater than the sum of its individual parts anyway.

If he goes we will be able to see if the new development academy is any good .. I'm sure the key development people will be keen to validate their positions and the new emphasis on development and they need to be challenged too - otherwise how are they going to learn and develop themselves ?

Most of our potential improvement needs to come from our forward line - that's where we under perform.

Zac isn't our backline - he is 1/6th of it .. probably 1/12th of it if you consider the fact that everyone helps and covers each other !
I'm hoping that he stays too .. but not for $300,000. St Kilda also gave him more than one life line.

[Country Kid]

Each of them will be waiting to see if anyone walks, therefor feeing up more cash for their own contracts... If Dawson goes then the others will want a piece of his allocated funds...

Contract chess.

The way the club has mishandled the salary cap I doubt freeing up Dawson's salary will be going to other players but rather to bring us into line. It is unfortunate that the players coming out of contract this year have had to bear the brunt of the clubs failings.

[plugger66]

Zac is by far the most important on that list but due to previous poor list management he will leave which means all others will be retained.

[gringo]

Gringo ..we'd probably initially miss the understanding he's developed but I'm sure that we'd be able to find someone else who can do the job within our defensive set up where the whole has always been greater than the sum of its individual parts anyway.

If he goes we will be able to see if the new development academy is any good .. I'm sure the key development people will be keen to validate their positions and the new emphasis on development and they need to be challenged too - otherwise how are they going to learn and develop themselves ?

Most of our potential improvement needs to come from our forward line - that's where we under perform.

Zac isn't our backline - he is 1/6th of it .. probably 1/12th of it if you consider the fact that everyone helps and covers each other !
I'm hoping that he stays too .. but not for $300,000. St Kilda also gave him more than one life line.

He has size, closing speed and is leading the comp in1%ers someone said.
We have no one that can just take his spot. The maligned Archer is big but maybe lacks agility, Simpkin doesn't seem anywhere near as tall- looks more Sam Fisher sized.

blake isn't that great as a key position player, better as the spare guy in defence or with less responsible one on one jobs. Like him or not he is a decent player and the only key back we currently have. If he stays it wont be on $300000 and that is still a guess at what Freo have offered him.

[saintsRrising]

Ray, Dempster and Peake = we need all 3

[Stillwaiting]

Ray, Dempster and Peake = we need all 3

A gree with this,would like to keep Zac as well but these 3 are the most urgent of the group mentioned.

[skeptic]

Lots of love for peake?

Fast with average disposal n like ray... Drifts in and out of games.

Would prefer Clarke every day of the week