2025

[Killa]

As we approach the closing stages of 2024, noting that wins from here will be vital to momentum, the conclusion is frustration on the back of injuries, suspensions and a number of very close losses (noting how even the competition is, with, in my view, several pretenders positioned to be identified as we head toward Finals, perhaps the first pretender exposed last night).

For 2025, I would suggest that we have established the following as the foundation to improve on:-

Wilkie Howard ???????
Sinclair Battle Wanganeen-Milera
Hill Windhager Henry
Wilson xxxxxxxx Owens
Higgins King xxxxxxxx
Marshall Phillipou Clark
Woods Steele xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx

We look to recruit and develop to fill the xxxxxxx's

The positive is the age demographic of the players named as foundation, so, apart from Hill, no veterans

[B.M]

Battle has already met with Hawthorn

Certain to go

[SaintPav]

Just like JDG did when he met with us.

[SteeleSaints]

Just like JDG did when he met with us.

I think BM is right, as he hasnt signed already suggests he is gone. A poster of BF is suggesting Howard might be shopped around as well. Howard is apparently out of contract at years end and the club reportedly havent started contract talks. He has also suggested we are heavily into Jordan Butts from Adelaide as a replacement. TBH I cant believe the club are prepared to lose 2 key pillars from our best line - defence in the one year.

In any event it appears the club are prepared to take some risks in an attempt to improve the list.

So I expect we lose Battle as a free agent and pick up a couple of highly needed midfielders. If Howard goes his return would be used to bring in Butts. Who replaces Battle at CHB is any ones guess.

[Killa]

Well, judging by what we see on field, the supports given by Battle and Howard and the supports given to them by their teammates, including when Battle goaled today, I would expect that both will be at St Kilda into the future

To me they both appear invested into team

As Bradley Hill said, we are building a talented young side with good prospects

Hill extended his Contract

I do note that Howard is among those maligned on this site by some

[Yorkeys]

Well, judging by what we see on field, the supports given by Battle and Howard and the supports given to them by their teammates, including when Battle goaled today, I would expect that both will be at St Kilda into the future

To me they both appear invested into team

As Bradley Hill said, we are building a talented young side with good prospects

Hill extended his Contract

I do note that Howard is among those maligned on this site by some

To today's mob add Windy, Pou, Max, natural improvement from several promising VFL side players & pick 4, it makes for a good side.

[Vortex]

...I note

[Banger9798]

If Battle is gone, we may as well tank.....
Definitely don't want to get past Adelaide.

[Scollop]

Wilkie Howard ???????
Sinclair Battle Wanganeen-Milera
Hill Windhager Henry
Wilson xxxxxxxx Owens
Higgins King xxxxxxxx
Marshall Phillipou Clark
Woods Steele xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx

Webster is not about to retire and he's not going anywhere. I also don't think that St Kilda and Ross Lyon want to finish bottom 4 in 2025.

Had a brain fade in that curtain raiser against North Melbourne but apart from that, has had a very good 2-3 seasons.

He's also been durable these last four years after suffering from groin issues and soft tissue injuries back in 2019 and 2020.

[Killa]

In terms of 2025, the deployment of Wanganeen-Milera to the midfield including centre bounces was noted across the second half of the WCE game

Maybe because Henry was not there and that Clark, who was most influential in there was being managed

But this could be a move for 2025 to add further potency to the mid rotations

[Scollop]

I don't get Ross the boss. Why does he want to use scrawny guys in the centre?

I understand the speed and agility factor but you've got to win the pill first.

His most successful sides have had big strong bulls in the guts who can muscle their way to getting the ball out of congestion

He had Goddard, Dal Santo (Dal was a solid unit in 09/10) and Lenny Hayes at St Kilda. He had Mundy, Fyfe, and Steven Hill (who is taller and was much more solid in his playing days than his younger brother Brad)

With us now, he's trialling NWM and Henry and he's used other first and second year players who don't have the size or the frame to play against other mids. All the while, where he's been reluctant to play Owens as a pure mid

Steven Hill was 82-84kg playing weight. Dal and Lenny were 84-86kg. Mundy, Fyfe abd BJ were mid 90+kg ...NWM is 71kg

Cripps is 90+. Petracca 90+. Oliver mid 80's. Bont is 84kg. Zac Butters 83 and Chad Warner looks lean but even he is listed at 82kg

[Yorkeys]

I don't get Ross the boss. Why does he want to use scrawny guys in the centre?

I understand the speed and agility factor but you've got to win the pill first.

His most successful sides have had big strong bulls in the guts who can muscle their way to getting the ball out of congestion

He had Goddard, Dal Santo (Dal was a solid unit in 09/10) and Lenny Hayes at St Kilda. He had Mundy, Fyfe, and Steven Hill (who is taller and was much more solid in his playing days than his younger brother Brad)

With us now, he's trialling NWM and Henry and he's used other first and second year players who don't have the size or the frame to play against other mids. All the while, where he's been reluctant to play Owens as a pure mid

Steven Hill was 82-84kg playing weight. Dal and Lenny were 84-86kg. Mundy, Fyfe abd BJ were mid 90+kg ...NWM is 71kg

Cripps is 90+. Bont is 84kg. Zac Butters 83 and Chad Warner looks lean but even he is over 80kg.

Define scrawny.
You find Tim Tsyzu skinny?
Big's good one grab no fumble better.
Sincs!

[Scollop]

Define scrawny.
You find Tim Tsyzu skinny?
Big's good one grab no fumble better.
Sincs!

Does Tim Tzsuyu wants to come and play midfield for St Kilda. Is he as good as Kozzie Pickett? ...at football?

Henry and NWM are scrawny...Sincs certainly isn't

. Nas is doing a great job in defence (he wasn't defending well early in his first 2 years, but this area of his game has improved immensely). I'd leave him there for now.

Nas could possibly move to the wing and Henry stays on the other side. Depends on the ability and durability of both Wood and Hill.

[Scollop]

Freo are developing a harder edge too, comes with bigger bodies all over the ground.

https://www.saintsational.net/viewtopic ... 1#p2071611

[Killa]

Our most important mid is Marshall, who wins his own contested possessions, so big bodied

Scrappy. Yes but that is the contest

To me the next on the list is Clark who just gets his hands on the ball first but who is still on limited time

Clark is very talented and courageous to a fault. Just watch when he is under Marshall

We miss Crouch, obviously

Phillipou will be interesting

So we have clearance players

Led by Marshall

[B.M]

I don’t get the Clark love

He’s been underwhelming- slow and sloppy with the ball and just doesn’t win enough footy for a mid - just not enough run

I love Hunter, and his courage and step, but he’s been ordinary this year - injury effected a bit but he’s played for 12 weeks now - VFL/AFL

He is averaging 18ppg and that needs to be 25!

[Scollop]

I also love Clark. He is contributing and he plays a role, but he’s suffering from a lack of consistency in recent years and obviously…those interruptions from injuries. The real issue of course, is his fitness. He’s not elite in speed or endurance.

Too much playstation while he was under Cho. Cho didn’t challenge his players. Ross might actually be helping him to save his AFL career.

I had another think about my previous post regarding ‘scrawny mids’ or mids who aren’t ready due to their inexperience. I suppose you have to be happy that we are at least focussed on development.

[Yorkeys]

Rioli and others taking Hawks to Federal Court. If racism found, will Hawks have to hand back premierships won in such circumstances? Tainted at least?
Interested to see the standard of proof required and how any penalties assessed.

[ausfatcat]

will Hawks have to hand back premierships won in such circumstances?
Tainted at least?

Nope and nope absolutely worst case scenario they were racist assholes but didn't cheat.

[SteeleSaints]

It will make a difference to hopefully start the season with a full list of fit and firing players. The other thing I want to see the coaches crunch into the players is their skill work below their knees. We would have to be the most fumbling side about when the ball is on the ground and in dispute. Clean that aspect up and we will improve undoubtedly.

Hunter Clark is the best in the side at picking the ball up cleanly, its just he is gassed when he wins it.

[The Fireman]

Looking forward to 2025 we have been so close this season to knocking off most sides.. natural improvement along with an injection of some talent through the draft… the future is so bright I may have to wear sunglasses

[The Fireman]

Looking forward to 2025 we have been so close this season to knocking off most sides.. natural improvement along with an injection of some talent through the draft… the future is so bright I may have to wear sunglasses

Yep

[Otiman]

Looking forward to 2025 we have been so close this season to knocking off most sides.. natural improvement along with an injection of some talent through the draft… the future is so bright I may have to wear sunglasses

I feel like that has been on purpose. We have improved in some areas while improving our draft position.

[The Fireman]

Looking forward to 2025 we have been so close this season to knocking off most sides.. natural improvement along with an injection of some talent through the draft… the future is so bright I may have to wear sunglasses

I feel like that has been on purpose. We have improved in some areas while improving our draft position.

Clever

[Killa]

To return to the opening contribution, and to fill in the missing gaps, on today’s showing the likes of Caminiti and Sharman are putting their names forward to be core of a side which challenges - and both have their careers ahead of them so we look for more improvement