Freeman

[Enrico_Misso]

Big risk.
It's one of those "I told you" cases if he breaks down.

But good luck to him.
And let's all pray to The Hamstring gods!

[sabras]

Any word on where he is at with rehab? Will he be ready to go come preseason??

[saintsRrising]

He does look quick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS7nd3_20Lc I can see why his hammies get under pressure. Bit of the Jack Steven about him - could be a good link up player. Kicking looked pretty good.

Love that he "likes to break the lines" which is exactly what we need big-time!

[saynta]

Blake Acres ‏@AcresBlake
Good to have you on board @nathfreeman9 #GoSaints

Great to see one of the boys welcoming him.

[gringo]

Any word on where he is at with rehab? Will he be ready to go come preseason??

Apparently been training with us for 2 weeks. Will be ready for the first games.

[longtimesaint]

Blake Acres ‏@AcresBlake
Good to have you on board @nathfreeman9 #GoSaints

Great to see one of the boys welcoming him.

I notice he has 9 in his Twitter name -is that his number at the Pies?
We have Tom Lee with 9 but number 10 is free!

[saynta]

Any word on where he is at with rehab? Will he be ready to go come preseason??

Apparently been training with us for 2 weeks. Will be ready for the first games.

"Freeman is currently holidaying in Ireland and will return to the club for pre-season training alongside the rest of the 1-4 year players on November 9.

The remaining five-plus year players will return on November 23. "

[saintspremiers]

I'm sitting on the fence on this one. I reckon it's a high price to pay but it will look good for 2016 as we haven't lost the pick yet. Sort of reduces the pressure on the recruiters trading next year's pick in a way.

Must say I like the flexibility trading a future pick gives us and the 10 day trade period and drama is brilliant.

Now let's hope Carlisle lingers until close to 2pm on Thursday and we pull off a ripper trade as the Dons get desperado. If he goes to the PSD so be it.

[The Disch]

Big risk.
It's one of those "I told you" cases if he breaks down.

But good luck to him.
And let's all pray to The Hamstring gods!

It worked for C Rioli, so worth a go.

[sabras]

Any word on where he is at with rehab? Will he be ready to go come preseason??

Apparently been training with us for 2 weeks. Will be ready for the first games.

"Freeman is currently holidaying in Ireland and will return to the club for pre-season training alongside the rest of the 1-4 year players on November 9.

The remaining five-plus year players will return on November 23. "

Thanks!!

[saintbrat]

from Nathan

Nathan Freeman ‏@nathfreeman9
tough to leave some great mates and people but excited to crack in with @stkildafc! #cantwait

Nathan Freeman ‏@nathfreeman9
thanks for the kind words grateful for the opportunity @CollingwoodFC first gave me to play AFL. Appreciate everything they've done for me..

[bigred]

Will be sweet as a bun.

[MCG-Unit]

Blake Acres ‏@AcresBlake
Good to have you on board @nathfreeman9 #GoSaints

Great to see one of the boys welcoming him.

I notice he has 9 in his Twitter name -is that his number at the Pies?
We have Tom Lee with 9 but number 10 is free!

His number at Coll was 21-

From what I've seen and read about him, Freeman could be a really good player. Lot of time for him.

[magnifisaint]

Blake Acres ‏@AcresBlake
Good to have you on board @nathfreeman9 #GoSaints

Great to see one of the boys welcoming him.

I notice he has 9 in his Twitter name -is that his number at the Pies?
We have Tom Lee with 9 but number 10 is free!

21

[magnifisaint]

Blake Acres ‏@AcresBlake
Good to have you on board @nathfreeman9 #GoSaints

Great to see one of the boys welcoming him.

I notice he has 9 in his Twitter name -is that his number at the Pies?
We have Tom Lee with 9 but number 10 is free!

21. I reckon they'll give him 10

[Bluthy]

I heard he had issues with scar tissue from his hammy injuries, slowing his running down. Hopefully the surgeons can get that right. Players who have these complications with injuries can often find their careers cruelled by it. But Ball became a pretty good player even though he struggled to run after his chronic Osteris Pubis ( or however that is spelt). The presason comp will be very interesting.

[St Chris]

Can someone get this kid in front of a camera in a Saints polo or something???

2 photos of him on the HS website right now, both in this 'Pies gear.....

[magnifisaint]

I heard he had issues with scar tissue from his hammy injuries, slowing his running down. Hopefully the surgeons can get that right. Players who have these complications with injuries can often find their careers cruelled by it. But Ball became a pretty good player even though he struggled to run after his chronic Osteris Pubis ( or however that is spelt). The presason comp will be very interesting.

Hawks got Rioli right. No reason why Freeman can't get there

[Bluthy]

I heard he had issues with scar tissue from his hammy injuries, slowing his running down. Hopefully the surgeons can get that right. Players who have these complications with injuries can often find their careers cruelled by it. But Ball became a pretty good player even though he struggled to run after his chronic Osteris Pubis ( or however that is spelt). The presason comp will be very interesting.

Hawks got Rioli right. No reason why Freeman can't get there

Each case is going to be different. We never really got Ball right after his groin problems. Some injuries will lead themselves to complications and permanent problems. Some may be almost fixable. Obviously our club has bet that Freeman is fixable or at the very least will still be a very good player even if there are ongoing issues.

[Goose is king]

[quote="magnifisaint"][quote="Bluthy"]I heard he had issues with scar tissue from his hammy injuries, slowing his running down. Hopefully the surgeons can get that right. Players who have these complications with injuries can often find their careers cruelled by it. But Ball became a pretty good player even though he struggled to run after his chronic Osteris Pubis ( or however that is spelt). The presason comp will be very interesting.[/quote]
Hawks got Rioli right. No reason why Freeman can't get there[/quote]



The Rioli point is irrelevant as I heard during trade period that Hawthorn are a very professional club.

[gringo]

Any word on where he is at with rehab? Will he be ready to go come preseason??

Apparently been training with us for 2 weeks. Will be ready for the first games.

"Freeman is currently holidaying in Ireland and will return to the club for pre-season training alongside the rest of the 1-4 year players on November 9.

The remaining five-plus year players will return on November 23. "

He was training at the saints before anything official. Must have gone away after that. People said he was down there training every day.

[degruch]

I cringed and thought of Nick Smith, but the upside would be very positive...would turn our trade period around (taking the Carlisle BS into account) if Freeman turned out as good as he's touted. I take Collingwood's disappointment at his departure as a good sign

[saintbrat]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/n ... 98ae4e34e7

Pretty much for the last two years I’ve been out injured, listed as two to three weeks away, and it’s been so frustrating.

“I never gave up trying to get back and play games, so not being able to do that was what made it the most frustrating. It would keep getting pushed back another two weeks and another two. So I’m absolutely chomping at the bit to get out there and play.

“At the same time, I’ve just turned 20 and I know that I will get right and when the times comes (to play) I‘ll just appreciate it even more.’’

He is now embarking on a St Kilda pre-season that he described as “pretty much building me from the ground up again’’.

“A lot of really structured agility sessions. A lot of lower-body strengthening: hips, glutes, back. Your body’s one unit and it’s about getting everything right around my hamstring, not just the hamstring.”

He hopes to join in full training after Christmas and be ready to play in the NAB Challenge matches.

The thought of getting out there and playing again constantly rolls through the former No.10 draft pick’s mind.

He is acutely aware that he remains the only player from the top 30 in his draft year who has not made his AFL debut, while Marcus Bontempelli, Dom Sheed and Jack Billings have established themselves as rising young guns.

Richardson will counsel patience, but said “the club and Nathan are confident that we can get the best out of him and ensure he has a long career”, just like those 2013 draft peers.

Freeman said he had the self-belief to prove he belonged at AFL level, but was edgy about taking the first few steps on that journey.

“You’d be lying if you said it didn’t (play on your mind) after two years being out of the game,’’ he said.

will Hamill be working with him... 2 weeks

[Beno88]

"So I’m absolutely chomping at the bit"

Champing. It's champing at the bit. Time to stop sounding like you're still at Collingwood Nathan.

[derby Street]

"So I’m absolutely chomping at the bit"

Champing. It's champing at the bit. Time to stop sounding like you're still at Collingwood Nathan.

Surely you are joking - give me a break