Speeeennncccceeeeer!!

[dragit]

That's a shame sting… maybe next time

[gringo]

I was about to say that I'm 100% sure Tony meant before, but I see he has confirmed.

Forgive a little self-indulgence on my part, but to explain that, I have to tell you about my day yesterday.

Despite losing, it was one of the great days ever for a lifelong Saints supporter born after 1966.

My youngest son had the great fortune and privilege to run through the banner yesterday as one of the mascots. His little co-mascot comes from a family closely connected to the club through decades of playing and sponsorship history. So we were the very, very lucky recipients of the +1 honour.

It also meant that I got to stand at the top of the race, on the ground, and watch the players run out right past me, with my older son standing next to me. The cheer squad (rightly) experience that thrill every week, but for us it was truly awesome. And watching my own kid run up the race onto the G in the Saints colours was magic.

I pointed out Spencer to my older son as they came up. You have to understand that we all wore the number 18, so when BJ left and Spencer took it on, we took a keen interest in when he might actually crack a game. He's changed numbers now, but our interest hasn't waned.

He passed within 3 feet of me and I swear I thought he was about to throw up. I'm no doctor, but he had the cold sweats, and could barely seem to get up a jog. I was pretty worried that he wouldn't get a touch.

I was very, very happy to be wrong about that.

After the game, the Very Excellent Banner Day continued when we were let back into the rooms. Spencer's family and friends were right next to me, and absolutely stoked.

The slightly blurry shot below is him coming out of Richo's post match and seeing his parents. The sheer relief and joy on his face was a pretty special thing to witness. We had a fantastic experience. But I'm pretty sure Spencer and his family's was better ...



With his mum after they were interviewed ...



And about to let the rest of the family and friends in for a group shot ...

I got to have a good talk to him at the preseason training we went to. He seems quite reserved but has a lot of inner confidence you got the feeling. He has a steely look. He's the type who i think should be able to become quite self confident long term. He was genuinely chuffed we knew who he was and when I told him I hoped he'd come in and kick us 100 goals a year...no pressure, he laughed and said he thought he could manage it. Acres had a similar inner self belief but quiet personality I found.

Jack Billings on the other hand looked so shy he'd puke having to do the meet and greet.

[philtee]

Brilliant work gringo and Semper. That's a real human side of top-level footy we never see.

[Winmar]

So will he kick 120 goals next year or just the bare 100?

[Con Gorozidis]

Great post Semper. Thanks for sharing a nice story.

A few observations. Spencer is a large young man.
Also his mum's hat is super cool. Cool lady.

Well done all around.

[SemperFidelis]

Great post Semper. Thanks for sharing a nice story.

A few observations. Spencer is a large young man.
Also his mum's hat is super cool. Cool lady.

Well done all around.

There were some reports on this site last week about Spencer looking too undersized for AFL on the ground.

I didn't think he looked too skinny out there on the G, and I can assure you (he was standing 2 feet from Roo at the time) that their body types are pretty similar. Which is pretty encouraging for a 19 year old kid.

FWIW, Roo was in spectacular form with the little kids last night. I know he has been criticised for aloofness (or whatever) in the past, but he was genuinely delightful.

And Spencer's mum's handbag was pretty cool, too, Con ...

[SemperFidelis]

I got to have a good talk to him at the preseason training we went to. He seems quite reserved but has a lot of inner confidence you got the feeling. He has a steely look. He's the type who i think should be able to become quite self confident long term. He was genuinely chuffed we knew who he was and when I told him I hoped he'd come in and kick us 100 goals a year...no pressure, he laughed and said he thought he could manage it. Acres had a similar inner self belief but quiet personality I found.

Jack Billings on the other hand looked so shy he'd puke having to do the meet and greet.

Gringo, a little addendum to my story. When we had open training at Moorabbin, my youngest chased Jack Billings around the boundary to get his signature on his home guernsey. We then had to take his away guernsey straight up and get the number 15 put on his back.

To do the run, the club sent the away guernseys they had left, which weren't quite the right size. So my kid's little mate borrowed his no. 15 guernsey. And we headed to the AFL store on a Sunday afternoon to get the number 7 on my son's back for the run.

In terms of a good day, we also had the great experience of being up with the Halo Coterie for the day (although I always find it bizarre to watch footy behind glass.) Billings, Sippa and Tommy Lee came in before the game.

My son bolted up to Jack, asked his little mate to turn around, and then proudly announced "that's my jumper"! I'm not sure how many little kids are running around with the number 15 yet, but Jack at least had the good grace to give the impression of being genuinely stoked, signed the back for him, then had a chat with us about the game, his leg (all good) and all manner of other things.

He's just a kid, but I think he's probably grown a lifetime in 9 months. I won't be at all surprised to find that he's one of our future leaders.

[Andreous]

Great stories!

Thanks.

[saintbrat]

Spencer White‏@Spenwhite23·
Thanks to everyone for the support over last few days, disappointing result last night, hopefully we can finish the season off with a win.

[Enrico_Misso]

A year ago the initials SW were on the nose.

But now SW is the light in the darkness.

[gringo]

I got to have a good talk to him at the preseason training we went to. He seems quite reserved but has a lot of inner confidence you got the feeling. He has a steely look. He's the type who i think should be able to become quite self confident long term. He was genuinely chuffed we knew who he was and when I told him I hoped he'd come in and kick us 100 goals a year...no pressure, he laughed and said he thought he could manage it. Acres had a similar inner self belief but quiet personality I found.

Jack Billings on the other hand looked so shy he'd puke having to do the meet and greet.

Gringo, a little addendum to my story. When we had open training at Moorabbin, my youngest chased Jack Billings around the boundary to get his signature on his home guernsey. We then had to take his away guernsey straight up and get the number 15 put on his back.

To do the run, the club sent the away guernseys they had left, which weren't quite the right size. So my kid's little mate borrowed his no. 15 guernsey. And we headed to the AFL store on a Sunday afternoon to get the number 7 on my son's back for the run.

In terms of a good day, we also had the great experience of being up with the Halo Coterie for the day (although I always find it bizarre to watch footy behind glass.) Billings, Sippa and Tommy Lee came in before the game.

My son bolted up to Jack, asked his little mate to turn around, and then proudly announced "that's my jumper"! I'm not sure how many little kids are running around with the number 15 yet, but Jack at least had the good grace to give the impression of being genuinely stoked, signed the back for him, then had a chat with us about the game, his leg (all good) and all manner of other things.

He's just a kid, but I think he's probably grown a lifetime in 9 months. I won't be at all surprised to find that he's one of our future leaders.

He looked like he was ready for year 7 when we saw him. I thought he wouldn't play for 2 years. He seems like a really sweet young guy but he was as red as a beetroot and couldn't keep eye contact and was very softly spoken, was definitely friendly though. Eli on the other hand was really gregarious and was already very chummy with the older and younger guys. maverick was the most generous guy with his time and a really seemed to enjoy getting amongst the people. Billy Longer seemed to be instantly friendly and at ease with himself and the people. Really open guy. Armo and Tom Lee were very vocal and instructive with the group. It's interesting seeing their personalities early and watching them progress then seeing if their careers are held back from their quiet demeanours or if like Lockett and Harvey that is just a reservedness.

[Winmar]

Interesting re their personalities, particularly Lee, given he hasn't had much impact on the ground. We'll have to wait and see how they all turn out.

Does anyone have a link to Spencer's goals? I can only find a highlight of the first one.

[stevie]

Great stories guys!

Hmm, how long before Spence moves to the number 4 jumper? No pressure lol

[kosifantutti]

Most goals on debut by a Saint since Milan Faletic? Not counting blokes like Heatley and Jackson who had already played seniors at other clubs.

[bergholt]

Most goals on debut by a Saint since Milan Faletic? Not counting blokes like Heatley and Jackson who had already played seniors at other clubs.

Rod Owen kicked three as well, didn't he? Hope Spencer turns out better than Rocket.

[bergholt]

Here's how he sits amongst goalkicking Saints debuts that I can find:

Milan Faletic: 5.5 against Footscray in 1981
George Young: 4.2 against Melbourne in 1973
Mark Jackson: 4.1 against Hawthorn in 1981
David Legge: 3.3 against Hawthorn in 1974
Geoff Cayzer: 3.2 against Footscray in 1967
Paul Callery: 3.2 against Fitzroy in 1970
Rod Galt: 3.2 against Geelong in 1971
Gary Lofts: 3.2 against Hawthorn in 1976
Greg McAdam: 3.2 against Sydney in 1985
Malcolm Scott: 3.1 against Collingwood in 1979
Rod Owen: 3.1 against North in 1983
Spencer White: 3.0 against Richmond in 2014
John Stephens: 2.3 against Geelong in 1971
Wayne Slattery: 2.3 against Hawthorn in 1982
John Bonney: 2.2 against Footscray in 1967
Dean Herbert: 2.2 against Essendon in 1979
Craig Devonport: 2.1 against Essendon in 1989
Stephen Milne: 2.1 against Port Adelaide in 2001
Graham Croft: 2.0 against North Melbourne in 1966
John O'Donnell: 2.0 against Melbourne in 1968
Dean Chiron: 2.0 against Fitzroy in 1983
Tony Lockett: 2.0 against Geelong in 1983
Brett Bowey: 2.0 against Footscray in 1988
Jamie Cripps: 2.0 against Adelaide in 2011

Some superstars on that list!

[Saint wagga]

This is a great thread, love the behind the scenes insight into player personalities and dynamics! It feels as if there is a good culture brewing amongst the youngsters...I wonder if the "no dickheads" policy is starting to pay dividends from a recruiting point of view!! Loving the general positivity, thanks posters!!

[Bunk_Moreland]

Here's how he sits amongst goalkicking Saints debuts that I can find:

Milan Faletic: 5.5 against Footscray in 1981
George Young: 4.2 against Melbourne in 1973
Mark Jackson: 4.1 against Hawthorn in 1981
David Legge: 3.3 against Hawthorn in 1974
Geoff Cayzer: 3.2 against Footscray in 1967
Paul Callery: 3.2 against Fitzroy in 1970
Rod Galt: 3.2 against Geelong in 1971
Gary Lofts: 3.2 against Hawthorn in 1976
Greg McAdam: 3.2 against Sydney in 1985
Malcolm Scott: 3.1 against Collingwood in 1979
Rod Owen: 3.1 against North in 1983
Spencer White: 3.0 against Richmond in 2014
John Stephens: 2.3 against Geelong in 1971
Wayne Slattery: 2.3 against Hawthorn in 1982
John Bonney: 2.2 against Footscray in 1967
Dean Herbert: 2.2 against Essendon in 1979
Craig Devonport: 2.1 against Essendon in 1989
Stephen Milne: 2.1 against Port Adelaide in 2001
Graham Croft: 2.0 against North Melbourne in 1966
John O'Donnell: 2.0 against Melbourne in 1968
Dean Chiron: 2.0 against Fitzroy in 1983
Tony Lockett: 2.0 against Geelong in 1983
Brett Bowey: 2.0 against Footscray in 1988
Jamie Cripps: 2.0 against Adelaide in 2011

Some superstars on that list!

great get bergholt

PROVES that White is better than Lockett (no pressure from me though )

Really this is a great uplifting thread.

We have all been disappointed with the season, nothing much to cheer about, a lot of doom and gloom as next season doesn't look much better, however great to see the hope and enthusiasm of the long suffering Sainter supporters.

Some hope in the future I reckon, Webster, Newnes, Billings, Dunstan, Longer, White, Eli, Weller, Acres,all still raw, but all have great potential to be the long term backbone of our next tilt.

Add to that a potential star or two over the next two drafts, some canny trading, and maybe a FA here and there and before long we may be looking at top eight once more.

[SaintPav]

Has anyone got any vision of when he went for a bounce?

[oldie60]

Here's how he sits amongst goalkicking Saints debuts that I can find:

Milan Faletic: 5.5 against Footscray in 1981
George Young: 4.2 against Melbourne in 1973
Mark Jackson: 4.1 against Hawthorn in 1981
David Legge: 3.3 against Hawthorn in 1974
Geoff Cayzer: 3.2 against Footscray in 1967
Paul Callery: 3.2 against Fitzroy in 1970
Rod Galt: 3.2 against Geelong in 1971
Gary Lofts: 3.2 against Hawthorn in 1976
Greg McAdam: 3.2 against Sydney in 1985
Malcolm Scott: 3.1 against Collingwood in 1979
Rod Owen: 3.1 against North in 1983
Spencer White: 3.0 against Richmond in 2014
John Stephens: 2.3 against Geelong in 1971
Wayne Slattery: 2.3 against Hawthorn in 1982
John Bonney: 2.2 against Footscray in 1967
Dean Herbert: 2.2 against Essendon in 1979
Craig Devonport: 2.1 against Essendon in 1989
Stephen Milne: 2.1 against Port Adelaide in 2001
Graham Croft: 2.0 against North Melbourne in 1966
John O'Donnell: 2.0 against Melbourne in 1968
Dean Chiron: 2.0 against Fitzroy in 1983
Tony Lockett: 2.0 against Geelong in 1983
Brett Bowey: 2.0 against Footscray in 1988
Jamie Cripps: 2.0 against Adelaide in 2011

Some superstars on that list!

Great stats there, interesting that it highlights the lack of opportunity/development/recruitment over the past 7 to 10 years.

[bergholt]

Here's how he sits amongst goalkicking Saints debuts that I can find:

Milan Faletic: 5.5 against Footscray in 1981
George Young: 4.2 against Melbourne in 1973
Mark Jackson: 4.1 against Hawthorn in 1981
David Legge: 3.3 against Hawthorn in 1974
Geoff Cayzer: 3.2 against Footscray in 1967
Paul Callery: 3.2 against Fitzroy in 1970
Rod Galt: 3.2 against Geelong in 1971
Gary Lofts: 3.2 against Hawthorn in 1976
Greg McAdam: 3.2 against Sydney in 1985
Malcolm Scott: 3.1 against Collingwood in 1979
Rod Owen: 3.1 against North in 1983
Spencer White: 3.0 against Richmond in 2014
John Stephens: 2.3 against Geelong in 1971
Wayne Slattery: 2.3 against Hawthorn in 1982
John Bonney: 2.2 against Footscray in 1967
Dean Herbert: 2.2 against Essendon in 1979
Craig Devonport: 2.1 against Essendon in 1989
Stephen Milne: 2.1 against Port Adelaide in 2001
Graham Croft: 2.0 against North Melbourne in 1966
John O'Donnell: 2.0 against Melbourne in 1968
Dean Chiron: 2.0 against Fitzroy in 1983
Tony Lockett: 2.0 against Geelong in 1983
Brett Bowey: 2.0 against Footscray in 1988
Jamie Cripps: 2.0 against Adelaide in 2011

Some superstars on that list!

Great stats there, interesting that it highlights the lack of opportunity/development/recruitment over the past 7 to 10 years.

Not sure that's true, actually. I think it highlights that the 70s and 80s were the glory days of goal kicking! You could come out of nowhere and kick a few goals. Faletic's debut was in a game where we kicked 23 goals and the opposition kicked 16. That wasn't particularly high-scoring back then. Now there are about five games a year where that many goals are kicked.

[oldie60]

Good point Berg. I think that Faletic game was at the Western Oval. I'm pretty sure i witnessed one of his only great performances.

[Dr Spaceman]

Milan Faletic 5.5 on debut.

What a legend!










I'm surprised some poster hasn't grabbed that name as a nic

[Sobraz]

I was certain Alan Murray kicked 4 in his debut game with us v Hawthorn?

[SemperFidelis]

Has anyone got any vision of when he went for a bounce?

Pav, haven't watched this yet, but I'm hoping … !

http://www.saints.com.au/video/2014-08- ... ites-debut

Edit: I've watched it now. It's great. These are worthwhile PR efforts.

No pressure from Sammy at all as he hands over the guernsey

Pav, it shows the almost successful run up the wing. In slow mo.

(And my left hand, the back of my oldest son's head as they run onto the ground, and my little banner running bloke on the other side )