Saints drop out of race for Fyfe - Herald Sun

[kalsaint]

I've said all along I'd prefer Kelly, so glad we're no longer chasing Fyfe.

I wonder what Kelly will cost if he's a premiership player and a Brownlow medalist, both of which are highly possible.

Interesting Kelly came out the same year as Boyd, Petracca same year as Paddy, Ball instead of Judd, Goddard thanks to the cheaters. We seem to pass on the pack busting players with strength and speed.

I never really understood how Bont was missed. He was in every ones video summaries being noticeably in the action nearly every time. Cripps was another cracker. Geraldton boy then East Perth. Was amazing inside at that stage in his youth and grew quickly so he became the type who could make an impact in many areas. Not sure how we missed him either.

[St Chris]

I've said all along I'd prefer Kelly, so glad we're no longer chasing Fyfe.

I wonder what Kelly will cost if he's a premiership player and a Brownlow medalist, both of which are highly possible.

Interesting Kelly came out the same year as Boyd, Petracca same year as Paddy, Ball instead of Judd, Goddard thanks to the cheaters. We seem to pass on the pack busting players with strength and speed.

I never really understood how Bont was missed. He was in every ones video summaries being noticeably in the action nearly every time. Cripps was another cracker. Geraldton boy then East Perth. Was amazing inside at that stage in his youth and grew quickly so he became the type who could make an impact in many areas. Not sure how we missed him either.

Don't let yourself start wondering "what if" when it comes to draft picks - every club in every draft has a "if we'd only taken X instead of y", it's a slippery slope....

Probably more concerning is the lack of development once these kids get to the Saints - most just seem to be stagnant in their improvement.

Dunstan's best season is still his first, Paddy hasn't really taken many steps forward, Billings has improved but is still just a classy flanker and nothing more, guys like Lonie, Wright, Minch etc just can't take that step up from good VFL players. Ross and Newnes are the exceptions, but are a little bit older now. Maybe we're just being impatient with the others I've named here??

[White Winmar]

No. I think you're onto something, St. Chris. So often, it's not the number in the draft you go, it's what the club does with you when you get there. The Swines, Geelong and the Hawks are all good examples of clubs that are terrific at developing players and improving the ones that they bring in. No coincidence they have dominated the finals and premiership wins of late.

Dunstan looked an absolute gun in his first year. Now playing at Sandy. McKenzie and White. Widely touted to take the next step last year. Yet to do so. McCartin. Showed plenty early and has seemed to go backwards. Lewis Pierce? Looked the goods last year, now playing Sandy development, Ffs! There's something rotten in the state of Denmark. We looked a million dollars late last year. We went 8-3 in the second half of the year, missing the finals by a bee's todger. I know we don't have the element of surprise anymore, but it feels like we've gone backwards. Apart from the GWS game, we've struggled to put away ordinary opposition and been blown away by the half decent teams. Things that make you go hmmmmm.........

[Jacks Back]

Don't let yourself start wondering "what if" when it comes to draft picks - every club in every draft has a "if we'd only taken X instead of y", it's a slippery slope....

We did! X Clarke.

[Jacks Back]

No. I think you're onto something, St. Chris. So often, it's not the number in the draft you go, it's what the club does with you when you get there. The Swines, Geelong and the Hawks are all good examples of clubs that are terrific at developing players and improving the ones that they bring in. No coincidence they have dominated the finals and premiership wins of late.

Dunstan looked an absolute gun in his first year. Now playing at Sandy. McKenzie and White. Widely touted to take the next step last year. Yet to do so. McCartin. Showed plenty early and has seemed to go backwards. Lewis Pierce? Looked the goods last year, now playing Sandy development, Ffs! There's something rotten in the state of Denmark. We looked a million dollars late last year. We went 8-3 in the second half of the year, missing the finals by a bee's todger. I know we don't have the element of surprise anymore, but it feels like we've gone backwards. Apart from the GWS game, we've struggled to put away ordinary opposition and been blown away by the half decent teams. Things that make you go hmmmmm.........

And fear.

See my recruit or recruiters thread (or maybe that should be recruit or coaches thread).