Gone / delisted - Brooks, Watts, McQualter, Sheldon.

[stinger]

i think there is at the very least a bench spot for blake..
i'm not his biggest fan but its aboutr time he is a cut a little bit of slack.
he did finish 9th in out b&f and you know what you will get from him each and every game (albeit not that efficient)

blake will most certainly play in any game that he is available for selection.......agree with your comments.....which are at least educated.....

[Oh When the Saints]

within a few years Roo, Kosi, Dal, Ball, Joey, Chips, Maguire, Gram, Goddard etc will be in their late 20's and near the end of their career and with no decent kids to take over. We just desperately lack decent players from 18-21. Gilbert will be good, while Armo and Allen seem likely. That is all.

Your thinking is fundamentally flawed. You lack a finite view of the situation. There is no end point in your philosophy.

Within a few years, those players will indeed be retired. The idea is to win a premiership whilst they are still around. At some point, you have to set a target for a flag. With our list, that target is realistically 3 years.

If you adopt an infinite view of thinking, as you have done, then you will forever be regenerating your list with a view to 5 years ahead, and no consideration of the requirements to win a premiership.

The out of balance comment was also regarding the types of players. We have almost enough flankers to field a team and just 6-7 AFL quality midfielders.

Who are these flankers you refer to? Generalisations are all very well, but what are their names?

I think that is changing. Geelong won the flag because of their 22-23 year olds. Obiviously the older group was a key element, but you want the bulk of your team (particularly midfield) to be in their early-mid 20's. The time is gone when the team of 28 year olds would out do every other team because of their strength and experience.

Chapman, Mooney, King, Ottens, Ling, Scarlett, Enright, Harley, Milburn, Kelly, Corey, Hunt and Wojcinski will all be 26 years+ in 2008.

Those are not 22-23 year olds, but they are the blokes who won Geelong a flag.

Look, we all have the same goal. I want us to win a premiership in the immediate future. I agree that Riewoldt is a player who can win you premierships, but he needs a decent midfield kicking it to him. No use in having ordinary 9 defensive flankers and 5 taggers in the team.

If you want us to win a premiership in the immediate future, why do you want us to draft a swag of 18-year olds and bumble along with huge gaps in our 22, waiting for the young players to develop?

And who are the "ordinary 9 defensive flankers"? Some names please.

Also, who are the "5 taggers"? I don't think I've ever seen a St Kilda team with 5 taggers in it in my life.

With good recruiting and player management you don't have to wait 5 years. Just from the 2006 draft, Gibbs, Leuenberger, Boak, Selwood, Everitt, M.Brown, S.Edwards, Petterd, Davey, Krakouer, Hawkins, Thomas, Gray, Connors, Goldsack and Westhoff had an impact in the seniors.

How many of those players 1) filled large holes in their team's best 22, and 2) were the difference between that side challenging for a premiership?

How many made a serious impact on the team that changed the result of matches?

Maybe Westhoff (21 years old) was the only one.


But we could draft a whole lot of guys like that and wait 2-3 years for them to develop, whilst remaining between 8th and 10th on the ladder, and pissing away the good work done in the 2001/2002 drafts.



MSG, you want us to "draft some quality". We all want to draft some quality. But I fail to see how our actions in trade week prevent us from drafting some quality.

The opportunity cost of acquiring three players under the age of 24 was pick #26.

According to AFL averages, the player selected with that pick is likely to play around 40 games for the club.

The three players we traded for with that pick will no doubt combined played 40+ games, so we:
- Minimise risk
- Improve our chances of success

We have cleared 4 spots on the list for the National Draft ... in a weak draft like this, that is the maximum amount of kids you would take anyway.


The whole premise of your argument is flawed anyway, for the following reasons:

• We have not sacrificed the opportunity to draft kids with our trading, except for pick #26 (one player ... wow.)
• We have not recruited ageing or old players with our trading - three out of the four are 24 or younger.
• We have not sacrificed the spots of players on the list who have a greater level of upside at AFL level - Dempster's AFL upside is not worse than McQualter's ... and his proven perfomance is greater.
• We have traded for a half-forward, a midfielder and a ruckman, three areas of weakness -- in this sense, we are complimenting, rather than detracting from, our current group of players

[Riewoldting]

We have traded for a half-forward, a midfielder and a ruckman, three areas of weakness -- in this sense, we are complimenting, rather than detracting from, our current group of players

Make that two half-forwards.

[plugger66]

Why is Kosi likely to go down?

He hasn't had a soft tissue injury for 2 years (a bit of hamstring tightness during '07, but that was all)

Last year was all collision injuries.


McQualter is stiff IMO .... first round pick as a midfielder and he only gets 2 years. I reckon he might be rookied again, either by the Saints or another club.

Adelaide delisted the guy they picked with #17, which we traded for Watts. So neither club wins out of that deal.

Someone will most certainly select Watts again ... either in the PSD or draft. In fact, I would put money on him returning to the Crows actually.


Brooks and Sheldon good move.

the three of them will get picked up......mcqualter as a possible rookie selection...brooks to the doggies and watts to adelaide as you say....sheldon.......i'm sure someone will offer him something suitable.....although not in football......

If it happens none of them will be picked up except maybe Watts. Sheldon will stay at the saints.

gawn already....when will you ever learn......

Yes Stinger wrong this time but sorry can you please go back to the post where i said that Schneider will be traded. Did anyone else even mention his name. NO. Matter of fact some even said there is no way it would happen. But as usual if you are wrong once you lose all credibility. Also go back 4 weeks ago when I said that some player would be delisted. Looks like every one I said now has been but again go with the others because they gave you KS. What else. I am happy to give no more if if you all would like that. Up to you.

[plugger66]

behind play...how about Mcqualter and especially Watts

have they been asked to re-train?

Have not heard any thing about these two.

And neither have you about Brooks but it creates interest.

You believe what you want to, Plugger. I wrote yesterday that Sheldon was gone, hope you found that interesting too.

Behind play has a little more cred then you plugger, personally I would not be suprised that brooks still has supporters in his camp and there is no loss offering him the chance to train with the squad. Especially with such a ? hanging over gards meaning kosi to FF not set in stone.

Tell me what behind play has said.Love to know before it actually happened. But as I said if you do not want to know anything fine. But remember who said we will try to get Schneider before it was in any paper. But you are right behind play has told us what. Yes you guessed it nothing till it happened.

[plugger66]

Plugger's unnamed sources versus Behind Play's unnamed sources. May the strongest and fittest faceless nameless face win.

the thing is that plugger has never had any sources, he admits that himself. Some of it is good research and knowledge, some just asking the boys.

Why should I name my source? If he doesn't train with the team I will have egg on my face, if he does then am vindicated.

Bloody hell I hope he trains.

I have an egg ready to throw at you.

[Enrico_Misso]

Has there been any confirmation (apart from Kenny) on these alleged delistings ?

I can't find anything on the StK website, but that is not surprising as it is about as helpful as a Bombay call centre.

[Brian Collis]

Plugger's unnamed sources versus Behind Play's unnamed sources. May the strongest and fittest faceless nameless face win.

the thing is that plugger has never had any sources, he admits that himself. Some of it is good research and knowledge, some just asking the boys.

Why should I name my source? If he doesn't train with the team I will have egg on my face, if he does then am vindicated.

Bloody hell I hope he trains.

I have an egg ready to throw at you.

egg and sauce don't go together

[Behind Play]

Plugger's unnamed sources versus Behind Play's unnamed sources. May the strongest and fittest faceless nameless face win.

the thing is that plugger has never had any sources, he admits that himself. Some of it is good research and knowledge, some just asking the boys.

Why should I name my source? If he doesn't train with the team I will have egg on my face, if he does then am vindicated.

Bloody hell I hope he trains.

I have an egg ready to throw at you.

If he doesn't get picked up in three weeks and doesn't train with us I will cop it fair on the chin.

[meher baba]

Some of the rumours on this thread, plus the decision to recruit Schneider, Dempster and C Gardiner (and, to a lesser extent, King) all lend support to the idea that RL is still basically on about turning us into a carbon copy of the 2005 Swans.

Watts is a slow one grab FF. The 2005 Swans didn't have a player of this type, they had B Hall, who is extremely quick for a big man (much quicker than G Train, and we'll never know how seriously RL attempted to discourage G Train from hanging up his boots).

From what I've seen, Brooks is a fair bit quicker than Watts and perhaps a bit quicker than G Train. So the idea that he might be given a chance to show that he could turn into a B Hall-type forward makes sense: especially if M Gardiner arrives at training and doesn't look the goods fitness wise (which would explain the idea of a 3 week trial for Brooks: ie, because - if MG doesn't come up - Kosi will have to play in the ruck rather than exclusively at FF).

Schneider will, of course, play the same sort of role that he played at the Swans. Dempster can also be expected to fit well into the RL "carbon copy" game plan. Likewise C Gardiner, who can perhaps be pushed towards playing a bit of an O'Keeffe sort of role.

Does this all make some sense to anyone other than me?

[Brooksy_Babe_24]

From what i have heard care of a delisted saints player Mcqualter and Brooks both needed to attend meetings with ross and tell him why they should remain on the list and what they had to offer the club.
both players apperantly passed this test.
Jarryn Geary James Wall and Robert Eddy are all going to be delisted.
this may have changed since the trading period but that was the talk around the club.

[Spinner]

From what i have heard care of a delisted saints player Mcqualter and Brooks both needed to attend meetings with ross and tell him why they should remain on the list and what they had to offer the club.
both players apperantly passed this test.
Jarryn Geary James Wall and Robert Eddy are all going to be delisted.
this may have changed since the trading period but that was the talk around the club.

Awesome!!!!!

[luckysaint]

Jarryn Geary James Wall and Robert Eddy are all going to be delisted. this may have changed since the trading period but that was the talk around the club.

Why would they make him an emergency in the final match of H&A and then delist him?? It doesn't make any sense.

[mad saint guy]

From what i have heard care of a delisted saints player Mcqualter and Brooks both needed to attend meetings with ross and tell him why they should remain on the list and what they had to offer the club.
both players apperantly passed this test.
Jarryn Geary James Wall and Robert Eddy are all going to be delisted.
this may have changed since the trading period but that was the talk around the club.

If true about Mini and Brooks this is good news, however I refuse to believe that Geary and Eddy would be delisted. They are the two best rookies we have had at the club since Stephen Milne. Both of them could play good senior footy in 2008 and provide us with some midfield depth.

[Oh When the Saints]

The 2005 Swans didn't have a player of this type, they had B Hall, who is extremely quick for a big man (much quicker than G Train, and we'll never know how seriously RL attempted to discourage G Train from hanging up his boots).

Fraser Gehrig was the fastest player over 20m at St Kilda.

Schneider will, of course, play the same sort of role that he played at the Swans. Dempster can also be expected to fit well into the RL "carbon copy" game plan. Likewise C Gardiner, who can perhaps be pushed towards playing a bit of an O'Keeffe sort of role.

Does this all make some sense to anyone other than me?

No, it all makes some sense, and in exactly the way you described it.


Lyon deserves to be allowed to implement his own football philosophy - that's why we employed him. If we employed him to do what supporters wanted, then we may as well all go home.

If it works, then we will win a flag, I have no doubt about that.

But give him some time to have a decent crack with the playing group (i.e. the 4-5 years every coach deserves) and see what happens ...

[luckysaint]

I am happy to give no more if if you all would like that. Up to you.

That would be disappointing.

[fonz_#15]

From what i have heard care of a delisted saints player Mcqualter and Brooks both needed to attend meetings with ross and tell him why they should remain on the list and what they had to offer the club.
both players apperantly passed this test.
Jarryn Geary James Wall and Robert Eddy are all going to be delisted.
this may have changed since the trading period but that was the talk around the club.

Awesome!!!!!

yeah phenomenal.....keep 2 duds, delist some yound potential..do people like you have half a brain?

[Davo027]

All I can say is that there is still a few looking over their shoulder.

But RL is playing it very well

[Solar]

All I can say is that there is still a few looking over their shoulder.

But RL is playing it very well

thanks davo, must say your postings lately have been very smartly put.

[nicko016]

I really hope that Geary and Eddy arn't delisted. Haven't seen any of either but from what I've read their form in the VFL has been good and Eddy was AA at U/18 level.

[Ghost Like]

Jarryn Geary James Wall and Robert Eddy are all going to be delisted. this may have changed since the trading period but that was the talk around the club.

Why would they make him an emergency in the final match of H&A and then delist him?? It doesn't make any sense.

Agree...baffling and disappointing if true, I was hoping Geary and Eddy would have been given a crack.

[BAM! (shhhh)]

A quick $.05

1) We kept our 1st, 3rd, and 4th rounders. This trading period has not been at a massive expense to the future.
2) 3 of 4 players aquired are under 25, and can provide depth while younger players (hopefully) develop.
3) I haven't seen any source offered yet, so at this time, it's speculation as to who will be delisted... but it doesn't take a genious to work out that if the Saints need to open a couple more spots, then Brooks, Watts, Mini and Ferg are first heads to the block - apparently Ferg got a new contract, which saves him.
4) If there are delistment announcements to be made, they should be made quickly, because it's Monday morning, and i'm feeling impatient and cranky.

[saintspremiers]

All I can say is that there is still a few looking over their shoulder.

But RL is playing it very well

Cheers Davo.....I look forward to a bit of carnage.....exactly what we need.

RL has stated he wants players with a hard work ethic and are prepared to train hard.......bye bye Brooksy!

[saintsRrising]

So from what Davo and Brooksy Babe have said it would seem???? that at this stage that the next batch of delistings have not actually been decided, but rather that a pool of players who could be delisted have been asked to justify why they should be kept..


If so, this is fair enough......and those that are kept will have to no doubt commit to improvement.

[Brooksy_Babe_24]

Have sadly recieved confirmation from Jarryn Geary himself that he has been delisted