Cats still chasing Jack

[saint-stu]

I would take Stanley for Steven. Straight swap. That is if Jack wants to see out his career in Geelong though and wants to depart.

It also depends on who we draft and recruit though in terms of midfielders to replace Steven.

What the?! No way!

[saynta]

I would take Stanley for Steven. Straight swap. That is if Jack wants to see out his career in Geelong though and wants to depart.

It also depends on who we draft and recruit though in terms of midfielders to replace Steven.

What the?! No way!

I agree ,no way teddy boy, no way. Stanley is a dud. Rooey and his mates were glad to see the back of him.

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

He gets a game with the top side in the comp.

Not saying he is a star but he could play a valuable role at the Saints with Marshall...potentially.

[cwrcyn]

Steven to Geelong, Kelly to Freo, Hill or Langdon to St Kilda. Hmmm.....possible?

[saynta]

He gets a game with the top side in the comp.

Not saying he is a star but he could play a valuable role at the Saints with Marshall...potentially.

I remember Rooey potting him in his book.

Also the players were at one time asked to rate, 1 to 44 , all their team mates. Guess who was rated last?

[DownAtTheJunction]

We cannot afford to lose an elite mid. He is the only one we have.

Must keep at all costs.

Correct!

[degruch]

Barrett short of scoops for the end of the season, has to dig up the one he made up last year...

[Enrico_Misso]

All very disappointing.
At a time when we most needed him he has been unavailable.
Despite that the club stood by him and supported him emotionally and financially.

Now it appears he has repaid that loyalty by exploring options to leave?

[Moods]

All very disappointing.
At a time when we most needed him he has been unavailable.
Despite that the club stood by him and supported him emotionally and financially.

Now it appears he has repaid that loyalty by exploring options to leave?

My thoughts exactly.

He’s been a great player for us, but if anyone thinks these ‘mental health issues ‘ aren’t at least in part of his own making, then you’re kidding yourself. I struggle to have the same empathy as some. His lifestyle choices need to be examined. And some croney from the club selling the company line won’t change my mind, they wouldn’t have a clue what goes on

[takeaway]

All very disappointing.
At a time when we most needed him he has been unavailable.
Despite that the club stood by him and supported him emotionally and financially.

Now it appears he has repaid that loyalty by exploring options to leave?

Exploring options to leave? Where did that come from? Geelong have sent out feelers the last few years, probably just popped up in Barrett's reminder list, set 12 months ago.

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

Let's just wait and see what happens.

[st.byron]

All very disappointing.
At a time when we most needed him he has been unavailable.
Despite that the club stood by him and supported him emotionally and financially.

Now it appears he has repaid that loyalty by exploring options to leave?

My thoughts exactly.

He’s been a great player for us, but if anyone thinks these ‘mental health issues ‘ aren’t at least in part of his own making, then you’re kidding yourself. I struggle to have the same empathy as some. His lifestyle choices need to be examined. And some croney from the club selling the company line won’t change my mind, they wouldn’t have a clue what goes on

Crikey it makes me sad when I read people blaming mental health issues on the person suffering from them with absolutely zero idea of the actual circumstances underneath. So very bloody easy to make judgements. Stuff like this, “aren’t at least in part of his own making, then you’re kidding yourself.”

Harsh and empathy light at best.

And to people saying he’s a required player and our best mid - his best may well be behind him. 30 at the start of next season, a free agent at the end of it. If he stays well and good, but the club would be foolish to not consider an offer that might net a quality 10 year player and/or a value draft pick.

[To the top]

I agree that some of the comments re mental health are a sad reflection on sections of society and the egging on of certain in society who pass comment on the circumstances of others using their media profile - simply unless you walk in someone else’s shoes you are unable to comment

And no 2 human beings respond to circumstances in a manner identical to the response of others

So you never judge

So back to footy

Geelong may be sitting on top of the premiership table but I discount their status due to playing games at Geelong

I judge their performance by what they achieve (or do not achieve) away from Geelong

Further they have a reliance on an ageing group of players - which can also impact across a long season

Not a side I rate

[Scollop]

He gets a game with the top side in the comp.

Not saying he is a star but he could play a valuable role at the Saints with Marshall...potentially.

I remember Rooey potting him in his book.

Also the players were at one time asked to rate, 1 to 44 , all their team mates. Guess who was rated last?

One of my pet hates during that regretful period under Watters was the divide between senior players and our youth. Clearly not ideal behaviour for a captain potting anyone, especially the younger blokes that were expected to develop and improve and be part of the rebuild.

I think Roo was great for the younger blokes in his last couple of years as a player when he was looking to leave a legacy and play a role in the development of the next generation, but I'm not sure he was the best person to captain us after that soul destroying period after BJ and Dal were traded. It took a wooden spoon in 2014 and a bottom 4 finish in 2015 for Roo to finally accept that we had to rebuild.

[silverhalo]

Might be a win/win for both Jack and the club if he moves to Geelong. Hasn't looked happy at the Saints for a long time and his mental health might be helped by being closer to home and being in a new environment.

His disposal is a bit hit and miss but he is still an excellent player so we'd be counting on getting something decent from the Cats as part of any trade. Will miss Jack if he goes but it might be for the best.

[minneapolis]

We should have traded Armo 2 years ago to Gold Coast and got a second round and maybe a fourth.

This is the same situation. Get two second round draft picks now. Look what Carlton got for Gibbs.

[bigcarl]

Seems to be an element of, ‘mental health issues ... throw him on the scrap heap’ here, which I find ignorant and disappointing.

Would people be so keen to part ways with Stuv if he’d had a season-ending knee reconstruction? I think not. This should be treated like any other long-term injury.

Having said all that, I’m far from ITK about the circumstances that have led to Jack’s problems or about what Jack wants. If he really wants to go, then reluctantly we should let him. We’d need adequate compensation, though, and we ARE talking about a FOUR-TIME BEST & FAIREST.

I’m pretty bullish about our club’s direction under Ratts and feel that with a bit of luck we could be playing finals as soon as next year. If that happens, Jack is very much a required player over the next several seasons.

I hope he gets himself right and stays.

[Saintmatt]

Seems to be an element of, ‘mental health issues ... throw him on the scrap heap’ here, which I find ignorant and disappointing.

Would people be so keen to part ways with Stuv if he’d had a season-ending knee reconstruction? I think not. This should be treated like any other long-term injury.

Having said all that, I’m far from ITK about the circumstances that have led to Jack’s problems or about what Jack wants. If he really wants to go, then reluctantly we should let him. We’d need adequate compensation, though, and we ARE talking about a FOUR-TIME BEST & FAIREST.

I’m pretty bullish about our club’s direction under Ratts and feel that with a bit of luck we could be playing finals as soon as next year. If that happens, Jack is very much a required player over the next several seasons.

I hope he gets himself right and stays.

I'd love Jack to stay. I really would. He's a young legend of our club and after all the crap times of the past few years when he's been our beacon of light and hope - it would be nice to see him enjoy some success with us (should we be able to do it).

However, if it should come to pass that Jack thinks his life would improve by a move back to the Bellarine - I want Geelong to pay up properly. He's contracted so, we have the whip hand. I either want a similar young player from them (Gryan Miers etc) or Hill from Freo in the much vaunted trade for Kelly. I do not want Stanley. He does NOTHING when it counts. He's a nothing ruckman and a nothing forward. Happy to be proved wrong if he delivers on the MCG in September but yeah, nah - can't see that happening.

[saintsRrising]

Steven to lead us to victory over the Crows.

[evertonfc]

If he really wants to go, then reluctantly we should let him. We’d need adequate compensation, though, and we ARE talking about a FOUR-TIME BEST & FAIREST.

Agreed. But I'd take their first-round pick, which will be 16-20. He'll certainly be helpful in replacing Kelly.

I hope he gets himself right and stays.

Me too. Spiritually important to the club and well-liked by the others.

[silverhalo]

I'd take their first-round pick, which will be 16-20.

Not sure that's enough for a 4 time B&F who is still only 29 - probably need an exchange of later picks as well - need to add our third pick for their second pick - might get it done.

[saynta]

We don't have a third round pick.

[evertonfc]

I'd take their first-round pick, which will be 16-20.

Not sure that's enough for a 4 time B&F who is still only 29 - probably need an exchange of later picks as well - need to add our third pick for their second pick - might get it done.

I don't think they'll give up any more than their first. I know he's still only 29, but he's had a write-off of a year, probably wants to go, and the mental health caveat will see us take unders.

I think we should be arguing for 1st & 3rd - or a top 12 pick. But when push comes to shove, I struggle to see us getting that.

What it will probably come down to is whether we're keener to off-load him than they are to take him.

Perhaps losing Kelly will give them reason to pay a good price for Steven given they're in a premiership window.

I sincerely hope this discussion isn't one we need to re-visit, because Jack has been a fantastic contributor to our club for a very long time and I hope he retires as a one-club player.

[BarryGrogan]

I’m pretty bullish about our club’s direction under Ratts and feel that with a bit of luck we could be playing finals as soon as next year.

Could be this year.

[bigcarl]

I’m pretty bullish about our club’s direction under Ratts and feel that with a bit of luck we could be playing finals as soon as next year.

Could be this year.

Love your optimism Barry. I”m not getting my hopes up to have them cruelly dashed like so many times before