We gotta hit the draft, hard

[Sainternist]

I have to admit, I’m quite pleased with the kids we got from last year’s draft. Nasiah and Marcus have shown all the signs that they’ll develop into very skilful footballers (perhaps A-graders) when they come of age. And we’re still yet to get a good look at the likes of Mitchito and the other lads.

Now, maybe we should trade for another high pick? But who do we trade?

It kills me to say this, but perhaps Gresham could be placed on the trading block. Gresh is one of my favourite players, but we aren’t utilising him properly. Imo, he’s not a midfielder. We would have been better off keeping him as predominantly playing small forward. Butler needs to be traded, but I’m not sure he would even get us a second round pick.

As the saying goes: you gotta break some eggs to make an omelette.

[The_Dud]

Yep, Gresh is an average mid but gun small forward.

We need to recruit GENUINE mids in the draft, not more flankers / small forwards.

[happy feet]

Gresham and Billings have to be considered for trading.

[Vortex]

Gresham
Billings
Buttler
Higgins
Byrnes
Jones

All should be offered up to see if we can snag one or two genuine mids.

The midfield needs a complete rebuild

[wally]

I remember someone on here saying not giving a future second rounder for Xerrie to North would bite us,(prob saving pics for Ben King) well I reckon Paddy's about done.

[Vortex]

I remember someone on here saying not giving a future second rounder for Xerrie to North would bite us,(prob saving pics for Ben King) well I reckon Paddy's about done.

I've got a sneaking suspicion when Paddy's time comes it will fall off a cliff, I wonder if one leg tripped over that cliff in the past 2 games, now I'm not sure it's a smart idea to give him a contract for next year. Love the bloke, we have been so fortunate to have him but will he be one of these players who hit a wall.

[meher baba]

I reckon trading is likely to be more important than the draft at this stage on our list development. We need more AFL quality midfielders right now, not in 2-3 years time.

[asiu]

paddy to full forward
max to chf

then work it from there

given context

[Teflon]

paddy to full forward
max to chf

then work it from there

given context

Not a silly idea with our need for genuine second tall and Marshall clearly enjoys being no 1 ruck
Paddy takes all forward bounces
Good thinking

[Freebird]

I reckon trading is likely to be more important than the draft at this stage on our list development. We need more AFL quality midfielders right now, not in 2-3 years time.

Trading is the reason why we have this problem - we have given up too many draft picks for fringe players and ended up with a very average list.
I'm not against free agency but no more throwing away draft picks. Other clubs have been taking advantage of us since the activation of the draft.

[stkfc1]

We must go to the draft and pick genuine midfielders. Not halfback or Half forward flankers we can try to turn into midfielders. Then pick up any decent tall backman that are playing well at state level, in the rookie draft, I don't follow state footy so not sure if anyone good out there? Maybe another ruckman also.

[B.M]

Use every mechanism to improve the list

Free Agency
Draft
Trade

That’s what they are there for

[Impatient Sainter]

Agree with OP, we need to get ruthless put Gresham and Billings up for trade. Get a number of early picks and take a group of genuine midfielders, key talls and we need another ruckman from somewhere.

[Teflon]

Gresham
Billings
Buttler
Higgins
Byrnes
Jones

All should be offered up to see if we can snag one or two genuine mids.

The midfield needs a complete rebuild

Finally a sensible post …you can do it!
I’d suggest everyone on the list is up for grabs except King, Wilkie, Sinclair , Steele
Anything else I’d look at
Also would dangle Membrey - he’s not in our next premiership team in 2031
As others have said you have to give to get

[SydneySainter]

Gresham and Billings have to be considered for trading.

The time to trade Billings has come and gone. He has no currency now.

[Devilhead]

Sorry not Gresham .... just play him in his best position .... as a small forward who can occasionally pinch hit in at centre bounces

[BadRossco]

Draft could be our only option, doubt any decent free agent would be keen to come to the Saints unless they have dollar’s in their eyes as we don’t offer much else. Why not trade Gresham may have some currency as not all teams may be aware of his poor disposal and decision making. Amass as many picks as possible and surely with the National, Preseason, Supplementary and Midseason drafts we should be able to improve what is a fairly poor list.

[Teflon]

GWS apparently were interested in Gresham… midfielder deal???

[bangaulegend]

I had high hopes for Gresh & JB but I'm open to trade now . IMO both still have currency for the right team looking to push for a flag unfortunately it's not us but we have to start somewhere . IMO

[Wayne42]

The problem with trading nowadays is almost all clubs inflate the worth of their players and so if you come knocking, they want overs for their player.

Usually it's a needs player and once we get him somehow his inner spud comes to the fore, not sure how the Saints do that to players.

[Teflon]

The shame with re-signing Ratten is we will miss finals this year and that means we’ve gone backwards every year he’s been coach
Not a ringing endorsement for rushing to re-sign him
The reality is the club came out and said this year we’d play finals as the “window opens” to justify signing Ratten we should be top 4-6 right now. We’ve failed and we aren’t - what irks is the clubs BS rhetoric isn’t matched by results and we are treated as fools.
We’ve been sold a pup.
This Board and Bassat have been borderline incompetent
It’s really 2 schools of thought now:
1. We are only 1-2 A grade players away (probably mids) and then this side could leap frog into top 4/Premiership contention
Or
2. We need to take a longer view and a step back, recognise that trading in players to top up hasn’t worked and draft hard to build a genuine core of talent ground up

Neither is guaranteed - nothing is but my gut feel right now is the list (and current coaching staff) are not good enough to jag a Premiership and certainly not good enough for a sustained run at the top.

[Wayne42]

The club is definitely incompetent.

Re-check it's history if you're unsure.

[B.M]

I’m sure JB and Gresh can play

We are just not utilising them well

If we trade both those for draft picks
We go backward to go forward (can we afford that?)
And what guarantees Any draft pick will be as good as them

We could pick two complete duds with 2nd and 3rd round picks

While they go to a rival club and flourish

We’d be made a mockery of again - like when we got rid of McEvoy and Stanley for draft picks

[Teflon]

I’m sure JB and Gresh can play

We are just not utilising them well

If we trade both those for draft picks
We go backward to go forward (can we afford that?)
And what guarantees Any draft pick will be as good as them

We could pick two complete duds with 2nd and 3rd round picks

While they go to a rival club and flourish

We’d be made a mockery of again - like when we got rid of McEvoy and Stanley for draft picks

You’ll get nothing for Billings - he’s bona fide GOP and we can manufacture those at saints better than anyone
Gresham has X factor no doubt but he’s not a mid imo he’s a small forward and IF he could net you a pick to get a top rated mid I’d take it
There are no guarantees in life
But you simply have to give to get and right now we are treading water ..badly
Last 5 losses 17th for %
18th go contested ball
That’s North territory right there
Somethings gotta give

[B.M]

You don’t get rid of talent to become good

You add to that talent

Gresham and Billings with another A Grader or 2 would benefit

Get rid of guys that can’t play