The Caldwell conundrum

[ace]

Caldwell not very intelligent.
Has chosen a four year deal to join the Dopers.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ ... 95a92f0035

[SaintPav]

Pav: Son, Jay Caldwell is going to Essendon. He's not coming to St Kilda
Son: Who?
Pav: Caldwell from GWS.
Son: pause..okay

[Saints58]

He should be a priority but to get a player like Caldwell who would be a 10 year player we might have to trade players like Hind, Sinclair, Savage, Dunstan, Roberton even dean Kent to other teams for draft picks to help our hand.
I would not trade Paton or Phillips we need young guys carnt have all mature age players.

[Impatient Sainter]

They are reporting on the Saints BF that Caldwell had committed to the Saints until the Crouch deal mudied the waters. I dont know if it was then our salary cap space or Caldwell's not wanting to earn his spot in the side that caused the change. Apparently though the Cadwells management werent happy with the Saints.

[SinCitySainter]

Good luck to him.
He has been offered a huge contract for a good period of time.
You can't blame him for taking it.

[bangaulegend]

Yeah disappointing he has gone to the dark side but not the end of the world. I'm sure there is other talent out there we can pick up for a lot less money

[SaintPav]

Bytel.

[damienc]

Some perspective.

Jye Caldwell has played 11 games of AFL footy in his entire career.

If the reports are correct, that he was upset because the Saints recruited Brad Crouch and Caldwell wanted 'guaranteed' midfield time plus a big pay rise, he must be dreaming.

Crouch has already proven himself and would walk into any AFL 18. Caldwell is very much unproven.

The kid might develop into a gun midfielder and he might not.

I wish him well but disappointed he rejected our offer.

[Saintmatt]

Make no mistake - I really wanted Jye. Not so much for now - for the future. But - a few things here: -

1. I was always wary when The Injectors got involved. They need mids like oxygen - they are absolutely hopeless. Heppel can't play there any more; Cutler is rubbish, Merrett is terrific but it's pretty much just him; Shiel gets it on the outside but is a horrible kick; Parish is outside, Smith runs one way and injury prone. They could always offer him game time in midfield from minute 1 - there's no competition. If he wants to play midfield without wanting to fight for it - do we really want that mentality?

2. Dons are about to lose Daniher's big salary and the $ they had allocated to Saad. Plus Fantasia - I suspect they've had to overpay significantly to get Jye in and over a longer period.

3. Even without Crouch - I'm not sure he would've played pure midfield (which is what he wanted - not half back) ahead of what we already had. Is he better than Bytel? Maybe; a little bit more outside perhaps - but $500K+ p.a. over 4 years better? Hell no.

4. Who the fvck is Jye going to kick it to? 2 meter Peter? Pfft. Ben Brown? Unlikely. Fvck me - Jye just created a massive rod for his own back - no pressure lad .... He'd want to get it a lot too and hold on to it - not much run off half back there without Saad and McKenna. And he'll be playing under Draper - good developing ruckman but no star. Their 2nd ruck is McKernan. He's Josh Bruce-esque.

5. Would you really want to tie up $500K+ p.a. on a kid who's unlikely to improve us immediately (and arguably - not even play much next year) meaning that you can't pay Hunter, Coff, Benny P, Max when they come out next? Hell no I say. And that would likely impact on our ability to attract Ben King should that opportunity present.

6. Remember that not all is lost - we still keep pick 15 (likely now 20) and get to use that on a good player we want/need. And we still have Bytel from the 2018 draft who we can play/develop without the stupid price tag pressure.

Make no mistake - this may have been about playing opportunity but it's mainly about $. And if JC had the gall to want big $ now - I'm sure his Manger would want even more in 4 years - even if he's not improved. I think we've actually dodged a bullet.

Also - fvck The Injectors

[damienc]

Bytel.

And Ryan Byrnes and Leo Connolly, who like Hunter Clark, can kick left and right with equal proficiency.

[Sanctorum]

Caldwell sounded like being a good pick-up for St Kilda but if the deal he has been offered by Essendon is correct then I'm pleased the club didn't up the ante and offer him an even better contract.

That most certainly would have raised the eyebrows of some of the club's more experienced young guns who are on far less coin.

As others have pointed out he has only played 11 games and so is yet to be proven to become elite.

Firmly believe that Jack Bytel is destined to press for best 22 next year and if that eventuates the depth of the Saints' midfield stocks in 2021 and beyond will be as good as any in the comp.

[skeptic]

I wonder if we could get Connor Rozee

[bangaulegend]

I wonder if we could get Connor Rozee

I doubt it but it would be very nice if we did he is going to be a gun

[SaintPav]

I think we can now all safely say that the club a player supported as a kid has no bearing what so ever on where that player decides to go.

[Ghost Like]

He's dead to me.

[Vortex]

I think we can now all safely say that the club a player supported as a kid has no bearing what so ever on where that player decides to go.

Clearly not a fair dinkum dyed in the wool supporter.

[Saintmatt]

I think we can now all safely say that the club a player supported as a kid has no bearing what so ever on where that player decides to go.

That's very true. If ever that was a compelling argument - joining a basket case helmed by a new president and untried coach but offering game time and probs more cash vs the team you supported who's on rise and just won a final offering same-ish terms doesn't seem enough. A bit bizarre.

Anyway - he's an Injector now so, hope young Jye chokes hard whilst sucking on a backed-up fat one for the next four years ... then we'll come grab him for nix after that.

[Ghost Like]

I think we can now all safely say that the club a player supported as a kid has no bearing what so ever on where that player decides to go.

They barrack for someone before their talent is indoctrinated in the system. Good luck to the kid, let's hope like Saad, Shiel, Stringer and Daniher he realises his mistake whilst his career still means something. It may be too late for Shiel & Stringer. Let's hope we can rescue Merrit & Jye so they can enjoy a flag.

[saintbob]

I think we can now all safely say that the club a player supported as a kid has no bearing what so ever on where that player decides to go.

That’s the real disappointing part, surely as a supporter he would’ve grown up dreaming of playing for the Saints. And when the opportunity comes knocking you pass it up for easier game time and a little bit more cash.

[Joffa Burns]

I wonder if Sheedy being back at Essendon has any impact on recruitment.
He was such an influence at GWS and though before Caldwells time his presence at Essendon at least sells hope.

[Saintmatt]

I wonder if Sheedy being back at Essendon has any impact on recruitment.
He was such an influence at GWS and though before Caldwells time his presence at Essendon at least sells hope.

If that was the case - I would think Gubby Allan being at StK would counter that. He was the one that set-up the club and recruited the established core of players.

[Leo.J]

So a kid leaves a club after 2 seasons and 11 games to go home and for more opportunities.

He goes to a club that is guaranteeing him an opportunity and a bigger contract.

I’d prefer a kid who wants to be a part of a good team and wants to work for his opportunities.

Sounds like Caldwell and Essendon are a good match...both expect to be gifted opportunities.

[damienc]

He's dead to me.

[StNoodles]

Pav: Son, Jay Caldwell is going to Essendon. He's not coming to St Kilda
Son: Who?
Pav: Caldwell from GWS.
Son: pause..okay

Wow it’s like I was really there. Thanks!!!

[skeptic]

He's dead to me.

This is ridiculous but I also can’t help but feel this way