Clarke Bros.

[borderbarry]

What is the situation with Xavier and Raphael re their fitness and their father?

[Eastern]

According to Bernard Shakey's report from training yesterday, X was training the house down so it appears he will play this week. Whether it is at the Dome v Port or at Box Hill for Casey is yet to be determined.

There is a pic of Raph training with Kosi in today's Hun. Haven't heard any reports although I suspect he will play for Casey this week

Haven't heard anything of their father since the reports that he was gravely ill about a month ago !!

[borderbarry]

Thanks for that Eastern.

[CeilidhSaint]

X told me his dad is very crook and wasn't given long but is battling on hard at home.
Top bloke X.

[Teflon]

X told me his dad is very crook and wasn't given long but is battling on hard at home.
Top bloke X.

Am a huge fan of X. Yeah he can at times turn it over but his efforts and attack on the footy are normally 100%. Must be hard to concentrate on footy with his dad the way he is.

[saintsRrising]

I think we all wish X well...he is carryinga lot on his shoulders at present...

[saintly]

I think we all wish X well...he is carryinga lot on his shoulders at present...

is he?

[ace]

Great players on paper.

Never on the grass.

Time to trade them for whatever can be got.

That frees up two positions on the list.

[Ralphy]

Great players on paper.

Never on the grass.

Time to trade them for whatever can be got.

That frees up two positions on the list.

people on this forum,
have obviously never lost someone in there family ,
there father is close to death OFCOURSE there mind is going to be elsewear
we do not Trade, or anything for either of them let them recover after there father has died etc,
ffs,

[Eastern]

Great players on paper.

Never on the grass.

Time to trade them for whatever can be got.

That frees up two positions on the list.

EVERY team will want to hold on to ALL their picks this year, and pick up extras if they can because of this being the LAST uncompromised DRAFT for 5 years.

I has been said that this year it will be a pretty good, but not great draft so we need to consider what we are going to get with a 4th or 5th or 6th Rd pick.

It appears that Harvs & Fraz will retire at years end and I would think that there are 4 or 5 guys on the list who would be on shaky ground. If we decide to elevate Eddy & Mini that would still leave us with around 4-5 picks.

For mine, BOTH X and RAPH ARE SAFE !!

[borderbarry]

I would fancy that players we have gained from other AFL clubs are the most in jeopardy this year.

[stinger]

Great players on paper.

Never on the grass.

Time to trade them for whatever can be got.

That frees up two positions on the list.

bulls***...and a crap opinion...but then...you are entitled to have it.......

[stinger]

Great players on paper.

Never on the grass.

Time to trade them for whatever can be got.

That frees up two positions on the list.

people on this forum,
have obviously never lost someone in there family ,
there father is close to death OFCOURSE there mind is going to be elsewear
we do not Trade, or anything for either of them let them recover after there father has died etc,
ffs,

good on yeah mate......

[saintsrus]

Great players on paper.

Never on the grass.

Time to trade them for whatever can be got.

That frees up two positions on the list.

people on this forum,
have obviously never lost someone in there family ,
there father is close to death OFCOURSE there mind is going to be elsewear
we do not Trade, or anything for either of them let them recover after there father has died etc,
ffs,

Well said Ralphy!

[Con Gorozidis]

It appears that Harvs & Fraz will retire at years end and I would think that there are 4 or 5 guys on the list who would be on shaky ground. If we decide to elevate Eddy & Mini that would still leave us with around 4-5 picks.

For mine, BOTH X and RAPH ARE SAFE !!

i think mini and eddy are certainties to be on the list proper next year ?

[saintbrat]

http://www.saints.com.au/Season2008/New ... wsId=64627

Clarke (X) will play his first game since May on Saturday when he lines up for the Casey Scorpions in the VFL, having overcome persistent hamstring troubles that sidelined him since the round seven win over Richmond.

The gifted flanker admitted it would be tough winning his spot back with four AFL rounds to go and possibly the finals, but was determined to push hard.

"The guys who are in the team at the moment, the young guys Rob Eddy and Clinton Jones, have been doing a fantastic job and it's not going to be easy trying to push back into the side because those guys are doing their jobs," Clarke said.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[stinger]

from todays paper


"St Kilda duo still keen to contribute

August 1, 2008 - 5:00PM

St Kilda pair Xavier Clarke and Michael Gardiner believe they can still have a say in the Saints' 2008 AFL fortunes despite leaving their run late.

But Fraser Gehrig's chances of making an AFL swansong appear unlikely despite him getting his name off the long-term injured list this week.

Clarke will on Saturday play his first game since May, when he lines up for the Casey Scorpions in the VFL, having overcome persistent hamstring troubles that sidelined him from the round seven win over Richmond.

The gifted flanker admitted it would be tough winning his spot back with four AFL rounds to go and possibly the finals, but was determined to push hard.

"The guys who are in the team at the moment, the young guys Rob Eddy and Clinton Jones, have been doing a fantastic job and it's not going to be easy trying to push back into the side because those guys are doing their jobs," Clarke said.

"I'm just going to go out there and do the best I can for Casey and hopefully I can find my way back into the side.

"My training has been pretty solid over the last six weeks ... I feel really confident of coming back and playing good footy."

Clarke will be joined by Gardiner, who returned to St Kilda's side for the first time in over a month last Saturday against West Coast after he also overcame hamstring problems.

But he managed just two kicks and eight hit-outs, was dumped from the side to play Port Adelaide on Sunday, although midfielder Luke Ball was confident Gardiner could still be important this campaign.

"He was disappointed with his game at the weekend, it was his first game back for a while, and maybe bigger blokes take a while to get their touch back," Ball said.

"He was very disappointed, but he'll go back, he's got a great attitude, his body's as good as it's ever been, he's really enjoying his footy again and I still think he's got a big part to play."

While Clarke and Gardiner retain hope of winning recalls, the same cannot be said for Gehrig.

Gehrig, 32, can now focus on playing again after coming off the injured list, but will need time to regain his touch after enduring problems with his arthritic hands.

He has not played since round eight and appears unlikely to play again - having returned from last year's retirement - unless the Saints strike injury trouble.

"He's trained harder and he's done more running than he's ever done since he's had his hand (injury)," Ball said.

"Who knows what can happen? We might get a few injuries and he might come in and get that fairytale finish."

St Kilda on Friday signed an agreement with Parks Victoria and the Victorian government to raise awareness about keeping Port Phillip Bay clean.

The three parties and school children will be involved in a bayside clean-up on August 19, and the Saints will use their round 21 clash against Adelaide to promote the issue.

St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser said the club wanted to help in community activities, especially given its beachside proximity.

© 2008 AAP

[MikeSheahan]

Great players on paper.

Never on the grass.

Time to trade them for whatever can be got.

That frees up two positions on the list.

people on this forum,
have obviously never lost someone in there family ,
there father is close to death OFCOURSE there mind is going to be elsewear
we do not Trade, or anything for either of them let them recover after there father has died etc,
ffs,

No room for sentimental stuff on an AFL list. If they're not good enough to be on the list, then the coaching panel has every right to make a decision, regardless of what's happening in their private lives.

[John Peter-Budgy Smuggler]

Great players on paper.

Never on the grass.

Time to trade them for whatever can be got.

That frees up two positions on the list.

Your timing lacks a little, a tough time for the boys but I do agree it's time for them to head home. Talented yes but strong hamstrings no. We have to be honest, soft tissue injuries once they set in are there for good. A real pity. Some bodies just don't stand up to the intensity of AFL.

[Raven]

we do not Trade, or anything for either of them

id offer hawks both clarkes and kosi....and a draft pick for franklin

Make up your mind!

[Ralphy]

id offer hawks both clarkes and kosi....and a draft pick for franklin

Make up your mind! [/quote]
wrote that when i didnt know what was going on in any of there lives,
and i believe what happens behind football could make you not perform on the field.
and none of them should be traded. at all

[st.byron]

Great players on paper.

Never on the grass.

Time to trade them for whatever can be got.

That frees up two positions on the list.

Your timing lacks a little, a tough time for the boys but I do agree it's time for them to head home. Talented yes but strong hamstrings no. We have to be honest, soft tissue injuries once they set in are there for good. A real pity. Some bodies just don't stand up to the intensity of AFL.

agree that ace's comments aren't going to win him any diplomacy medals but I can also understand why he would have that opinion.
Both Clarke's have been very disappointing for top ten draft picks.
I don't think X should be traded, unless of course it's a ripper deal, but I think he deserves to hold his spot on the list, dodgy hamstrings and lack of consistency and all.
Raph, well he's borderline for me, but I think worth persevering with for one more year.

[WayneJudson42]

X has proved he can play at AFL. Injury prone, but so are many others whom we perservere with... Kosi, Hamill, Max.

Ok, let's cut them both.

Can the Einsteins tell me who to replace them with?

If you can't get a good trade, you keep them. Delisting Raph isn't going to get you lower draft picks, will it?

[saintly_safes]

This has been an on going saga for years weather we should trade them ?keep them? or delist them ?. Dont think Raph is tradeable would get nothing for him which is a shame as he was a first round draft pick, and is still under contract. His heart is definately not in & has had more than enough chances.X is way better but his body hasn't stood up to the riggors of afl footy. To think that Nathan Burke thought enough of X to hand him his jumper is enough for me to give him one more year.

[MikeSheahan]

Ok, let's cut them both.

Can the Einsteins tell me who to replace them with?

Yep, 2 extra picks in this year's national draft, widely tipped to be the strongest ever. Neither of the brothers have trade value for me. No one else would want them.