Changes at end of the year

[nostalgicsaint]

Saints players out of contract this year

Angus McClennan
Ben Paton
Sharman
Butler
Keelor
Hayes
Van Es
Webster
Battle
Stocker
Wood
Allison
Heath
Hotton
Byrnes
Ross
Membrey
Campbell
Jones

Probably looking to make ~7 list spots for draft/trading

Gone- delisted- no particular order
Campbell
Ross
McClennan
Allison

Attempt to trade or delist
Membrey

Attempt to trade
Jones
Hayes

Resign but delist if list space needed and trades not possible
Webster
Van Es


Re-sign
Battle
Wood
Sharman
Butler
Paton
Keilor
Stocker
Heath
Hotton
Byrnes

[Kazonte]

You missed Howard Hall and Bonner from that list.
Jones Ross Allison Campbell most likely gone while Battle would be locking his lips at Hawthorn
Van Es and Hayes would be medical assessment decisions.
Thought Mclenan was going well so far ?
Membrey Webster Howard? depending who we can get/trade and the Battle decision.
How’s everyone feeling about another year or two for Bonner dare I ask.
Can’t say Ive heard/ seen Hotton play well consistently but he is coming front a bad injury in first year.
Recruiting staff seem elite now so I’m sure they will make the right decisions .

[shrodes]

Thought 7 seemed like a lot but last year we made 9 list changes

Gresham
Coffield
Billings
Bytel
Connolly
Peris
Adams
Highmore
McKenzie

Big turnover. Probably looking at 4-5 draft, and 1-2 traded so 7 probably is about right eh

Byrnes and Paton on the out unless they can squeeze back into the side.
I could see Campbell being kept on another year on minimum contract for the VFL if his body is up for it, seems well regarded around the club also.
Allison definitely gone, Jones writing is on the wall and probably gone. Battle will most likely walk.

[Jaz]

Thought 7 seemed like a lot but last year we made 9 list changes

Gresham
Coffield
Billings
Bytel
Connolly
Peris
Adams
Highmore
McKenzie

Big turnover. Probably looking at 4-5 draft, and 1-2 traded so 7 probably is about right eh

Byrnes and Paton on the out unless they can squeeze back into the side.
I could see Campbell being kept on another year on minimum contract for the VFL if his body is up for it, seems well regarded around the club also.
Allison definitely gone, Jones writing is on the wall and probably gone. Battle will most likely walk.

Yeah re Campbell I’m torn. He adds great depth but he actually stops Heath from playing ruck at sandy. Heath dominated last week when Campbell flew west but he comes back this week and Heath goes mostly forward. Probably need to make a call on Heath and that might dictate what happens with Campbell.

[Devilhead]

It's clear we need 1 or 2 more developing rucks

I would be surprised if we didn't draft one with a late pick

[Bernard Shakey]

You missed Howard Hall and Bonner from that list.

I believe Hall was signed the end of '25.

[WellardSaint]

Those worried about Heath vs Campbell...

I expect/assume that all the coaches including Jake Batchelor would be well aware of this issue and have discussed it at length.
How is Heath going?
Is he developing?
How do we get the best out of him?

Remember RTB apparently said the prime focus of Zebs was a nursery to get guys ready for AFL

[The_Dud]

If we let Battle go at the end of the year then everyone associated with that decision should go with him, absolutely ridiculous.

[shrodes]

If we let Battle go at the end of the year then everyone associated with that decision should go with him, absolutely ridiculous.

It's mostly out of our hands, the best we can do is offer more money, but as an unrestricted FA he doesn't have any obligation to re-sign with us regardless of what we offer

[The_Dud]

If we let Battle go at the end of the year then everyone associated with that decision should go with him, absolutely ridiculous.

It's mostly out of our hands, the best we can do is offer more money, but as an unrestricted FA he doesn't have any obligation to re-sign with us regardless of what we offer

Unless the culture is crap down at the club, the only reason he would leave is if we don't pay him.

He's a 26 year old gun, he exactly what we need. Wasn't there reports we were throwing a bunch of cash at Jacob Weitering??

[The_Dud]

I read today that Hawthorn are right in to Battle, but he has strong relationships at St Kilda. So it would appear the only way we lose him is if we try to low-ball him.

[Teflon]

I read today that Hawthorn are right in to Battle, but he has strong relationships at St Kilda. So it would appear the only way we lose him is if we try to low-ball him.

Apparently been offered 800 over 6 by club
That’s a good deal
If Hawks want to go stupid then ok it’s on them and if that triggers band 1 so be it
Club have a limit
Battle is a good player - he’s not a star
Can he be replaced in the timeframe when we realistically challenge? (Next 3 years imo)

[mad saint guy]

Changes I'd want to see

Out:

Ross
Membrey
Allison
Bonner
Jones
McLennan
Byrnes


Re-sign Campbell, Hayes and Webster as depth for one more year unless we're picking up readymade replacements. Van Es gets one more chance at getting his body right. Give Hotton a chance to show something after a horror run with injuries.

[The_Dud]

I read today that Hawthorn are right in to Battle, but he has strong relationships at St Kilda. So it would appear the only way we lose him is if we try to low-ball him.

Apparently been offered 800 over 6 by club
That’s a good deal
If Hawks want to go stupid then ok it’s on them and if that triggers band 1 so be it
Club have a limit
Battle is a good player - he’s not a star
Can he be replaced in the timeframe when we realistically challenge? (Next 3 years imo)

I disagree, Battle is a star, he and Wilkie are our defence.

[cwrcyn]

You don't' give up one of your best players in the middle of their career for a draft pick that may not get you anything special. Quality key defenders are like gold.

[B.M]

Battle is not a star

Never been AA - or in the squad
Never won or been podium in a B&F

Is a good player though

Wilkie is a star

[spert]

You don't' give up one of your best players in the middle of their career for a draft pick that may not get you anything special. Quality key defenders are like gold.

It may be that after this time, Josh wants to play in a successful club instead of a middle rung club for his entire career.

[The_Dud]

Battle is not a star

Never been AA - or in the squad
Never won or been podium in a B&F

Is a good player though

Wilkie is a star

Lazy comment, get your head out of the books and watch the game with your eyes, he is critical to the side and in career best form while the rest of the team is going backwards.

And if you do want to look at stats, this season he tops Wilkie almost across the board.

[The Fireman]

Battle is not a star

Never been AA - or in the squad
Never won or been podium in a B&F

Is a good player though

Wilkie is a star

To me Battle was a star against the suns.

[CURLY]

Battle is not a star

Never been AA - or in the squad
Never won or been podium in a B&F

Is a good player though

Wilkie is a star

Lazy comment, get your head out of the books and watch the game with your eyes, he is critical to the side and in career best form while the rest of the team is going backwards.

And if you do want to look at stats, this season he tops Wilkie almost across the board.

Going backwards LOL

[B.M]

He’s important- not critical

I think he’s had 1 or 2 top 10 finishes in the B&F (best 7th or 8th)

Wilkie is an AA has had 4 straight podium finishes

Has Battle covered easily at this point

[Life Long Saint]

Battle is not a star

Never been AA - or in the squad
Never won or been podium in a B&F

Is a good player though

Wilkie is a star

Lazy comment, get your head out of the books and watch the game with your eyes, he is critical to the side and in career best form while the rest of the team is going backwards.

And if you do want to look at stats, this season he tops Wilkie almost across the board.

If you're picking the team, do you pick Wilkie or Battle first?
9 out of 10 experts would say Wilkie and the 10th would be an idiot!

Not saying that Battle isn't a good player, but Wilkie is clearly a better defender.

[B.M]

To me - to be a star you need to be in your teams best 3 or so players and top 40/50 in the AFL

Sinclair is a Star
Steele is a Star
Marshall is a Star

[nostalgicsaint]

Agree with BM.

Star- Sinclair
Gun- Battle
Good player- Butler

[The_Dud]

Battle is not a star

Never been AA - or in the squad
Never won or been podium in a B&F

Is a good player though

Wilkie is a star

Lazy comment, get your head out of the books and watch the game with your eyes, he is critical to the side and in career best form while the rest of the team is going backwards.

And if you do want to look at stats, this season he tops Wilkie almost across the board.

If you're picking the team, do you pick Wilkie or Battle first?
9 out of 10 experts would say Wilkie and the 10th would be an idiot!

Not saying that Battle isn't a good player, but Wilkie is clearly a better defender.

Going off current form or history?

Currently Battle is matching Wilkie defensively while also offering more with the ball and is more flexible. He is also bigger and 2.5 years younger.

It’s not a one or the other, they’re both guns, and losing either would be a monumental mistake.