I am worried ....

[Sainter_Dad]

I am concerned that we have been promised a 'Big Fish'. With Kelly, Martin and Whitfield all recommitting, I am concerned that our 'think tank' will just grab anyone who comes along and parade them as a 'big fish'. I am still hopeful of getting a coup at the trade table, but I am concerned that we will get someone who whilst being a big name and an A grader is not as a significant improvement on what we already have.

For instance, if our forwards are rated 75's and midfielders 55's then there is more impact if we get an 85 midfielder than a 90 forward. In real terms, Stringer is not as much of an upgrade when compared to say Membrey, as Kelly would have been, giving us the speed and silk that we lack around the packs.

I know that I am not as clear on paper as is in my mind - but I just hope that we don't spend our tickets on an also ran who does not improve us the way we were promised.

[GregPackhamsHeadband]

Your concerns are realistic, and valid, Sainter Dad.

[supersaints]

Don't think we are that stupid... but as Forest Gump said " Stupid is as Stupid does"

I'm sure other clubs will try to prise 7&8 off us....

No big fish so dangle smaller bait ...

[thejiggingsaint]

Worried? Nah! It's only football! Now if my cat gets sick........... THEN I worry.

[Con Gorozidis]

Why is everyone so keen to get rid of picks 7 & 8?

Is it because we dont trust our recruiters?

If yes then why not deal with that issue directly by improving or better resourcing our recruitment team?

[DJ Higgins]

Why is everyone so keen to get rid of picks 7 & 8?

Is it because we dont trust our recruiters?

If yes then why not deal with that issue directly by improving or better resourcing our recruitment team?

Agree. completely. We have 2 top ten draft picks, use them to get 2 kids with potential and train them up. Thank god Hamill is gone as our forward went backwards last year so I am expecting a mid table finish again next year and then to jump the next year

[takeaway]

I am concerned that we have been promised a 'Big Fish'. With Kelly, Martin and Whitfield all recommitting, I am concerned that our 'think tank' will just grab anyone who comes along and parade them as a 'big fish'. I am still hopeful of getting a coup at the trade table, but I am concerned that we will get someone who whilst being a big name and an A grader is not as a significant improvement on what we already have.

For instance, if our forwards are rated 75's and midfielders 55's then there is more impact if we get an 85 midfielder than a 90 forward. In real terms, Stringer is not as much of an upgrade when compared to say Membrey, as Kelly would have been, giving us the speed and silk that we lack around the packs.

I know that I am not as clear on paper as is in my mind - but I just hope that we don't spend our tickets on an also ran who does not improve us the way we were promised.

Not sure we "were promised a big fish". I think the statement was more like we will be aggressive at FA and trading this year, and also the next couple of years. No club has landed a big fish yet this year, and we are a club in a stronger position than most with 2 top 10 picks & plenty of cap space.
We no doubt had a go at Kelly, and probably Fyfe, but very hard to shift and I am glad we didn't throw around huge $ offers like north. I have faith in Bains & Co, trading hasn't even started yet. Even using 7 & 8 at the draft is fine. Exciting times ahead.

[Saintly Passion]

I am concerned that we have been promised a 'Big Fish'. With Kelly, Martin and Whitfield all recommitting, I am concerned that our 'think tank' will just grab anyone who comes along and parade them as a 'big fish'. I am still hopeful of getting a coup at the trade table, but I am concerned that we will get someone who whilst being a big name and an A grader is not as a significant improvement on what we already have.

For instance, if our forwards are rated 75's and midfielders 55's then there is more impact if we get an 85 midfielder than a 90 forward. In real terms, Stringer is not as much of an upgrade when compared to say Membrey, as Kelly would have been, giving us the speed and silk that we lack around the packs.

I know that I am not as clear on paper as is in my mind - but I just hope that we don't spend our tickets on an also ran who does not improve us the way we were promised.

Not sure we "were promised a big fish". I think the statement was more like we will be aggressive at FA and trading this year, and also the next couple of years. No club has landed a big fish yet this year, and we are a club in a stronger position than most with 2 top 10 picks & plenty of cap space.
We no doubt had a go at Kelly, and probably Fyfe, but very hard to shift and I am glad we didn't throw around huge $ offers like north. I have faith in Bains & Co, trading hasn't even started yet. Even using 7 & 8 at the draft is fine. Exciting times ahead.

One of the most sensible posts I've read here in a while takeaway

[saintly]

Dont think its been the club thats said we will fet a big fish. Go through the saints site.

[saintsRrising]

I am concerned that we have been promised a 'Big Fish'. With Kelly, Martin and Whitfield all recommitting, I am concerned that our 'think tank' will just grab anyone who comes along and parade them as a 'big fish'..

And how would they pretend that a minnow is a BigFish. We all know who the BigFish are.

[saintsRrising]

Not sure we "were promised a big fish". I think the statement was more like we will be aggressive at FA and trading this year, and also the next couple of years. .

The inference was that it would be expensive FA which clearly was a "bigFish" even if the club did not use what is a slang term.

We have deliberately re-positioned our TPP model over the past 24 months from an extremely defensive (ie. constrained) position to a more balanced position in 2014/15 that will then allow us to aggressively pursue Free Agent players from 2016 onwards.


Free agency isn't on the agenda for the next two seasons but they expect to be serious players in the market in 2016.

So being serious players, freeing up cash to chase, plus to aggressively chase to me definitely means that they intended to chase BigFish.


PS: The BigFish plan was always flawed as BigFish rarely swap to lower placed teams.

[saintsRrising]

In real terms, Stringer is not as much of an upgrade when compared to say Membrey, .

I know people keep saying this, BUT Stringer and Membrey do not play the same roles in a team

Membrey is a third tall marking forward.
Whereas Stringer is an outside fast running forward that can do bursts through the midfield.

While Stringer is taller than Membrey, he plays smaller. Stringer probably has more in common with Petracca than Membrey, though Petracca is more of a mid than Stringer.

[suss]

Not sure we "were promised a big fish". I think the statement was more like we will be aggressive at FA and trading this year, and also the next couple of years. .

The inference was that it would be expensive FA which clearly was a "bigFish" even if the club did not use what is a slang term.

We have deliberately re-positioned our TPP model over the past 24 months from an extremely defensive (ie. constrained) position to a more balanced position in 2014/15 that will then allow us to aggressively pursue Free Agent players from 2016 onwards.


Free agency isn't on the agenda for the next two seasons but they expect to be serious players in the market in 2016.

So being serious players, freeing up cash to chase, plus to aggressively chase to me definitely means that they intended to chase BigFish.


PS: The BigFish plan was always flawed as BigFish rarely swap to lower placed teams.

The last big fish we got was Aaron Hamill. It's been a loooong time between drinks (speaking of which, I need one).

[takeaway]

Not sure we "were promised a big fish". I think the statement was more like we will be aggressive at FA and trading this year, and also the next couple of years. .

The inference was that it would be expensive FA which clearly was a "bigFish" even if the club did not use what is a slang term.

We have deliberately re-positioned our TPP model over the past 24 months from an extremely defensive (ie. constrained) position to a more balanced position in 2014/15 that will then allow us to aggressively pursue Free Agent players from 2016 onwards.


Free agency isn't on the agenda for the next two seasons but they expect to be serious players in the market in 2016.

So being serious players, freeing up cash to chase, plus to aggressively chase to me definitely means that they intended to chase BigFish.


PS: The BigFish plan was always flawed as BigFish rarely swap to lower placed teams.

Finnis said one option was to try for 2 x 7-800k players which in my view is a better option than one big fish. They may be doing just that, and that will not be easy either.
Might be more options available next year, go to the draft this year. Interesting to see what will happen. We have done Ok recently in bringing in Carlisle, Steele, Rice.

[saynta]

Worried? Nah! It's only football! Now if my cat gets sick........... THEN I worry.

I can relate to that.

[degruch]

When the club said they were prepared to trade aggressively this trade period, I didn't think that meant pick off a few straightforward free agents by dangling cash in front of them...the fun has yet to begin. There's a lot of movement potential with Stringer, Trengove, Ablett, Motlop, Lever, Gibbs, McGovern, Wilson, Kennedy and a brace of Suns players possibly wanting out, we're well stocked with cash, picks and, of course, a few players could move. Sit tight.

If nothing else we go to the draft with a strong hand.

[Bruce G McAbee]

Actually, this looks like it is shaping up as one of the quietest trade periods.

[degruch]

Actually, this looks like it is shaping up as one of the quietest trade periods.

Maybe, but so far there's whispers or movement around Rockliff, Stringer, Trengove, Ablett, Motlop, Lever, Gibbs, M McGovern, D Smith, Wilson, M Kennedy, R Thompson, M Shaw, A Hall, McKenzie, Matera, Balic, Taberner, Armitage, Crameri, A Francis, Tippett, Watts and Gaff...so looks like business as usual to me.

[Saintmatt]

Why is everyone so keen to get rid of picks 7 & 8?

Is it because we dont trust our recruiters?

If yes then why not deal with that issue directly by improving or better resourcing our recruitment team?

I'm not so much worried about our recruiting - more how we then develop those recruits. We're poor at that historically. That is what what worries me.

[Saintmatt]

Actually, this looks like it is shaping up as one of the quietest trade periods.

Maybe, but so far there's whispers or movement around Rockliff, Stringer, Trengove, Ablett, Motlop, Lever, Gibbs, M McGovern, D Smith, Wilson, M Kennedy, R Thompson, M Shaw, A Hall, McKenzie, Matera, Balic, Taberner, Armitage, Crameri, A Francis, Tippett, Watts and Gaff...so looks like business as usual to me.

M McGovern already re-signed with Adelaide pre finals

[magnifisaint]

I'm worried about Saintsational. Not much good reading on the site lately.

[BringBackMadDog]

Not sure we "were promised a big fish". I think the statement was more like we will be aggressive at FA and trading this year, and also the next couple of years. .

The inference was that it would be expensive FA which clearly was a "bigFish" even if the club did not use what is a slang term.

We have deliberately re-positioned our TPP model over the past 24 months from an extremely defensive (ie. constrained) position to a more balanced position in 2014/15 that will then allow us to aggressively pursue Free Agent players from 2016 onwards.


Free agency isn't on the agenda for the next two seasons but they expect to be serious players in the market in 2016.

So being serious players, freeing up cash to chase, plus to aggressively chase to me definitely means that they intended to chase BigFish.


PS: The BigFish plan was always flawed as BigFish rarely swap to lower placed teams.

The last big fish we got was Aaron Hamill. It's been a loooong time between drinks (speaking of which, I need one).

I would consider Carlisle a big fish.

[MickThomas]

Not sure we "were promised a big fish". I think the statement was more like we will be aggressive at FA and trading this year, and also the next couple of years. .

The inference was that it would be expensive FA which clearly was a "bigFish" even if the club did not use what is a slang term.

We have deliberately re-positioned our TPP model over the past 24 months from an extremely defensive (ie. constrained) position to a more balanced position in 2014/15 that will then allow us to aggressively pursue Free Agent players from 2016 onwards.


Free agency isn't on the agenda for the next two seasons but they expect to be serious players in the market in 2016.

So being serious players, freeing up cash to chase, plus to aggressively chase to me definitely means that they intended to chase BigFish.


PS: The BigFish plan was always flawed as BigFish rarely swap to lower placed teams.

The last big fish we got was Aaron Hamill. It's been a loooong time between drinks (speaking of which, I need one).

I would consider Carlisle a big fish.

+1
And didn't we get the Gresh as well, as a result,
so wowee BT, methinks Saints did mighty fine outta that decision

[degruch]

Actually, this looks like it is shaping up as one of the quietest trade periods.

Maybe, but so far there's whispers or movement around Rockliff, Stringer, Trengove, Ablett, Motlop, Lever, Gibbs, M McGovern, D Smith, Wilson, M Kennedy, R Thompson, M Shaw, A Hall, McKenzie, Matera, Balic, Taberner, Armitage, Crameri, A Francis, Tippett, Watts and Gaff...so looks like business as usual to me.

M McGovern already re-signed with Adelaide pre finals

That changes everything then.

[St Chris]

Problem with using 7 & 8 is that Jack Steven will be 28 come Round 1, and Armo 29. When fully fit, both are still our best mids (or at least 2 of the best 3 with Seb).

For us to improve, we need players that will help right now, while Jack and Armo are still around. If we wait until Pick 7 & 8 have hit that magical 70-100 games mark, Jack and Armo are long gone. We're only replacing that quality as pick 7 & 8 become quality AFL footballers, not adding to it - the status quo remains and we become perennial mid-table finishers.

I know it sounds mental, but if we were happy to take 7 & 8 to the draft, we should look at trading Jack Steven because we're not gonna be a contender until it's too late for him. We should cash in now, as a "take one step back to take 2 steps forward" approach.