Ray Delisted

[saynta]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-26/i ... ther-crack


UNTRIED Irishman Ray Connellan has been delisted by St Kilda.

AFL.com.au understands the speedy forward was told in the past week he would not be kept on for 2019.

Connellan is a left-footer with blistering pace, natural flair and impressive goal sense.

He is keen to continue his career at another club after just two years in the AFL.

The 24-year-old arrived at the Saints in 2016, previously having played Gaelic football at the highest level in Ireland.

Connellan lined up in 33 VFL matches across his two seasons.

After a form slump early in the year, he finished with 19 goals this campaign.

In 2018, he slotted three goals three times in a Sandringham side that finished with only five wins, and ended the season as the Zebras' second-leading goalkicker.

His flair and talent with the football have been obvious, despite his limited experience playing Aussie Rules. However, St Kilda felt Connellan didn't do enough defensively.

He never broke through for his debut, despite coming into the selection conversation late in 2017, but featured in the AFLX side in February.

Defender Darragh Joyce, another Irishman who was recruited to the Saints at the same time as Connellan, is expected to sign a new deal to stay on as a rookie.

A right shoulder injury ruled the backman out of Sandringham's clash against Collingwood on Saturday.

Leaving Joyce aside, 10 Saints remain out of contract: Nathan Freeman, Billy Longer, Mav Weller, Hugh Goddard, Sam Gilbert, Lewis Pierce, Nathan Wright, Darren Minchington, Jack Lonie and rookie Doulton Langlands.

St Kilda will hold exit meetings with its players on Tuesday and Wednesday.

[saintsRrising]

Yes he was told last week, which is how the news got out. But yes official now.

[axcellence]

Besides Freeman and Lan glands (and maybe Pierce) - all probably should exit stage left

[chico2001]

Connellan must have had some ability to be able to slot 3 goals a few times. Untried and therefore a waste. Maybe someone like him with pace and unpredictability may have been what we needed. Saints a bottom 4 side so he must not have been very good. I never saw him play.

[CarlD]

"However, St Kilda felt Connellan didn't do enough defensively."

Sounds like he had attributes, particularly speed and could kick a goal, that would be very handy to the Saints. Perseverance by the Saints? A development question mark again.

[desertsaint]

we should give up on trying to develop irishmen, kiwis, and americans until we can at least prove capable of developing some aussies that already have years of experience.

[dragit]

Just as well we stayed the course with mav over the last 2 years, instead of taking a look at this guy.

[The_President]

Can we trade Longer/Weller if they don’t have a contract or do we have to sign them for a year first?

[Saintmatt]

Just as well we stayed the course with mav over the last 2 years, instead of taking a look at this guy.

And Gilbert. Ray is more akin to a Gilbert shape and speed. Kicks it better though.

[saintsRrising]

Just as well we stayed the course with mav over the last 2 years, instead of taking a look at this guy.

And Gilbert. Ray is more akin to a Gilbert shape and speed. Kicks it better though.

Ray is a lot shorter than Gilbert and so no cross-over in roles.

[cwrcyn]

A development failure by our club. Hope he gets another shot at it elsewhere

[Joffa Burns]

Besides Freeman and Lan glands (and maybe Pierce) - all probably should exit stage left

No contract for Jack Lonie?

[axcellence]

Besides Freeman and Lan glands (and maybe Pierce) - all probably should exit stage left

No contract for Jack Lonie?

Trade bait

[parkeysainter]

Lethers is going to be pretty ruthless on all fronts this off season. Be prepared Saints fans.

[Joffa Burns]

All the best Farren!

Amazing longevity

[skeptic]

Am filthy at this

[Saint wagga]

we should give up on trying to develop irishmen, kiwis, and americans until we can at least prove capable of developing some aussies that already have years of experience.

This 100%

[DJ Higgins]

Saw him play at Sandy. The kid was quick but that was about it. He could kick the odd goal by out running defenders but he average at everythign else. Right call as he has been there for a while and not AFL material

[tonyh]

I can only go by what some posters have said, but a few weeks ago he seemed close to selection in the A's.
On that basis, surprised by this. Not convinced that we have such a great selection of players coming up, unless we get good new players in then next year will not be much improvement on this, all which makes Conellans delisting strange. There may be other factors of course.

[saintsRrising]

The probably for Ray is that we have a fleet of guys, including possibly him, that could well be ok in our bottom 6. But we lack the cream.

We also lack the caches to develop our younger and fringe players. Too many times we have seen players who have shown something but not enough. Yes I am sure it is in part the who we recruited, but a lot also is that we do not develop and improve what we do have.

[parkeysainter]

Could or can anyone seriously see Connellan playing 100 games for the Saints? Honest q...if not, then it is the right call.

[Munga]

Could or can anyone seriously see Connellan playing 100 games for the Saints? Honest q...if not, then it is the right call.

For me, the point is others who clearly won't play 100 more games (well maybe they will but shouldn't ) have been given games ahead of him. Untapped potential let go again

[daveconn10]

Saw him play at Sandy. The kid was quick but that was about it. He could kick the odd goal by out running defenders but he average at everythign else. Right call as he has been there for a while and not AFL material

That's a bit non-sensical, he kicked goals because he out ran defenders.....surely that's what you want from players with pace. Watched him pretty closely this year, finished our second highest goal scorer from HF, given he hadnt kicked a footy 18 months ago. Came good our last 10 games in a beaten side.