Billy Longer

[Old Mate]

Longer is a massive upgrade on McEvoy. He's a much more agile big man, a natural tap ruckman and has a lot more scope to play as a forward. He's also 4 years younger and will be in an ideal age bracket when we play finals again.

Is that based on anything at all. Ben till midway through this season was having a very good year. Longer has played 9 games in 2 years. I fail to see the upgrade unless its because we havent got Ben anymore and Longer may come to us. If it was the other way around people would find many reasons why ben was a massive upgrade to us. Anyway it seems most are missing the point. i have no idea who is better out of ben and Longer in the long run. i do know ben is better now, but my point is how the hell do both ruckmen play in the same team. it was funny when we lost Ben people said thats good now hickey can be our first ruckman and we dont need to rest one forward. now that seems to have changed because of the slight chance of getting Longer. And you say he has more scope to play forward. is that based on never kicking a goal and only one point in 9 games?

Simple answer. I don't rate Ben. You seem to rate him higher than me, and more importantly the club. His career has been underwhelming and he's often bullied by other teams #1 rucks. I'd say as an overall ruckman, taking all parts of his game into consideration I wouldn't have Ben in the top dozen in the competition. Longer on the other hand turned 20 this year, was a highly rated junior with a lot more scope for improvement in his game. Add Savage on top of Longer and a pick upgrade and we are getting away with daylight robbery.

[plugger66]

Longer is a massive upgrade on McEvoy. He's a much more agile big man, a natural tap ruckman and has a lot more scope to play as a forward. He's also 4 years younger and will be in an ideal age bracket when we play finals again.

Is that based on anything at all. Ben till midway through this season was having a very good year. Longer has played 9 games in 2 years. I fail to see the upgrade unless its because we havent got Ben anymore and Longer may come to us. If it was the other way around people would find many reasons why ben was a massive upgrade to us. Anyway it seems most are missing the point. i have no idea who is better out of ben and Longer in the long run. i do know ben is better now, but my point is how the hell do both ruckmen play in the same team. it was funny when we lost Ben people said thats good now hickey can be our first ruckman and we dont need to rest one forward. now that seems to have changed because of the slight chance of getting Longer. And you say he has more scope to play forward. is that based on never kicking a goal and only one point in 9 games?

Simple answer. I don't rate Ben. You seem to rate him higher than me, and more importantly the club. His career has been underwhelming and he's often bullied by other teams #1 rucks. I'd say as an overall ruckman, taking all parts of his game into consideration I wouldn't have Ben in the top dozen in the competition. Longer on the other hand turned 20 this year, was a highly rated junior with a lot more scope for improvement in his game. Add Savage on top of Longer and a pick upgrade and we are getting away with daylight robbery.

Well thats an opinion that we will only know in 2 or 3 years time. But right now, well in 4 months we are going to have both Longer and Hicket as well Stanley, pierce and jolly. Can you tell me how they all line up in both the saints and sandy side?

[Old Mate]

Well thats an opinion that we will only know in 2 or 3 years time. But right now, well in 4 months we are going to have both Longer and Hicket as well Stanley, pierce and jolly. Can you tell me how they all line up in both the saints and sandy side?

Hickey - Immediate
Stanley - Immediate & Versatile - Forward / Defender / Ruckman
Jolly - Back up / Development role (Not a done deal, may still go to the Dees is the word)
Longer - Mid term project
Pierce - Longterm Project
Holmes - Rookie & Longterm Project

I'd have no issue with at least experimenting with Hickey, Longer & Stanley in the same team.

[Spinner]

What's with the MOD EDIT part of the Original Post?

Was the edit inserting 'I think' into it?

Who instructed this? Jaxon? If not leave it the f___ alone.

[Old Mate]

What's with the MOD EDIT part of the Original Post?

Was the edit inserting 'I think' into it?

Who instructed this? Jaxon? If not leave it the f___ alone.

Thought the same thing. Bit bloody precious around here.

[jaxons]

What's with the MOD EDIT part of the Original Post?

Was the edit inserting 'I think' into it?

Who instructed this? Jaxon? If not leave it the f___ alone.

Definitely wasn't me.

[Old Mate]

jaxons what sort of deal will it involve gettting Longer?

[gringo]

I we get Longer you would hope they don't chase Jolly. I think we can safely suggest that Pelchen gets several of one type of player then culls the crap ones as seen with getting Thorp, Dowler, Buddy and Roughy all around the same time. He did it with small forwards last year now we have rucks. Longer is very highly rated but wouldn't be my priority unless he was such incredible value you couldn't let him slip.

[FQF]

Two main questions are:

• 1. Is Longer better than Mac:
  
  a) right now?
  b) in the long term?
  
  2. Can Hickey and Longer play in the same team?

If both the answers are yes, then we have upgraded our rucks and haven't hindered Hickey's development.

[Grrrrr]

3.21pm: Some news from Ashley Browne about Billy Longer and Scott Gumbleton.


Brisbane Lions ruckman Billy Longer has met with St Kilda and now the Lions, as he seeks to decide his playing future.


New Lions coach Justin Leppitsch has made Longer's retention a priority and flew directly from a Bali holiday to Melbourne to meet the disgruntled 20-year-old ruck man.


There is no offer yet forthcoming from the Saints, who need to bolster their own ruck spots after sending Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn in the surprise dealthat kick started the trade period.


"He has a bit to ponder," said Longer's manager, Paul Connors.

http://www.afl.com.au

[karnaby]

"He has a bit to ponder," said Longer's manager, Paul Connors.

http://www.afl.com.au

If I recall correctly that is a name to be very wary of!

[Zed]

Maybe Dal to NM as a FA and the compo pick goes to BL for Longer ?

[jaxons]

Maybe Dal to NM as a FA and the compo pick goes to BL for Longer ?

Sounds pretty close to the mark Zed!

[Old Mate]

"He has a bit to ponder," said Longer's manager, Paul Connors.

http://www.afl.com.au

If I recall correctly that is a name to be very wary of!

Luke Ball's manager...

Connors gets his clients to the club they choose (as long as the club wants him too). It's a good thing for us.

[SemperFidelis]

Maybe Dal to NM as a FA and the compo pick goes to BL for Longer ?

Sounds pretty close to the mark Zed!

I presume this all means nothing can be confirmed until the compo pick is actually announced by the AFL, so we'll be sitting here for a few more days pondering our navels?

[Megamaguire]

Longer could look forward to having years of sweet time @ The Dome if all goes his way.

I'm excited by the prospect of Billy coming to the Saints and being able to demonstrate his tap-work and leap. As Saints we appreciate a bit of excitement and Longer could deliver that.
Longer could actually contribute big-time to an up-graded style of exciting Saints Footy.

We need some excitement to look forward to. Get Longer on board.

GO SAINTS!

[Fluttz]

See ya later Stanley if we get Longer. Stanley overrated and injury prone IMO.

[Playon]

What's with the MOD EDIT part of the Original Post?

Was the edit inserting 'I think' into it?

Who instructed this? Jaxon? If not leave it the f___ alone.

That would be because there's never any personal attacks on this forum, and all the threads remain on topic.
So why not change a statement into a personal opinion?
Anyway I think that's what I think, but I'll have to wait and see.

[saintbrat]

trade as I heard it
McEvoy + our second round or is it 3rd #21
for Savage + #17 and Hawks Comp pick for Buddy - maybe #18

#18 to Lions for Longer--- did not involve Dal situation.

[saintbrat]

trade as I heard it
McEvoy + our second round or is it 3rd #21
for Savage + #17 and Hawks Comp pick for Buddy - maybe #18

#18 to Lions for Longer--- did not involve Dal situation.

tried to edit but the wind is playing havoc with the internet
McEvoy + our second round or is it 3rd #21 for their pick in the #20's

[Old Mate]

trade as I heard it
McEvoy + our second round or is it 3rd #21
for Savage + #17 and Hawks Comp pick for Buddy - maybe #18

#18 to Lions for Longer--- did not involve Dal situation.

Where'd you hear that bratty?

[jaxons]

See ya later Stanley if we get Longer. Stanley overrated and injury prone IMO.

I wouldn't be getting rid of Stanley.
He had a bad year in 2013 but has enough ability to turn into an A Grader.
Needs a good coach and a some confidence and he could explode.

[saintbrat]

trade as I heard it
McEvoy + our second round or is it 3rd #21
for Savage + #17 and Hawks Comp pick for Buddy - maybe #18

#18 to Lions for Longer--- did not involve Dal situation.

Where'd you hear that bratty?

one of the numerous trade 'experts' on radio...

But had heard the littel mentioned Hawks Comp pick situation earlier in the week- Many have not noted it.

[The Fireman]

See ya later Stanley if we get Longer. Stanley overrated and injury prone IMO.

I wouldn't be getting rid of Stanley.
He had a bad year in 2013 but has enough ability to turn into an A Grader.
Needs a good coach and a some confidence and he could explode.

This + 1

[spert]

Stanley is a good tall athlete, but not a natural footballer, and doesn't play like a natural footballer..rather have an athletic good ruckman in his place.