Our nine rookies for 2009

[golden hawk]

Yeah I'm sad to see Rix go, he was never going to make it in the AFL but he really seems to be a quality bloke, and from some of his articles on SaintsCentral he's got a good head on his shoulders too...

did he get picked up ? i always wanted to know what he said to buddy as i found that quite funny seeing him do that and still do everytime i think of Rix i see him yelling at buddy

[Jimmy1972]

Anybody know what size he is etc?

Even the Saints site don't know

Everyone else is there but him.

Surley they know his weight and height

Maybe not

It is hard to find though.

http://www.saints.com.au/Players/Rookie ... fault.aspx

[EB]

Maybe his height and weight will become folklore much like David Wirrpunda's D.O.B.?

[Jimmy1972]

Go here and I think this is fitting for this man of mystery.

I introduce.....

"The Tarantula"

http://www.saints.com.au/TheClub/Player ... 7&typeid=1

[saintbrat]

mmmmm nice 200 though- a couple of the boys were trying to get around the 3min for 400 m at training last week,

I'm thinking the numbers will be presented to the guys pre christmas break- maybe the QLd supporters can ask some non subtle questions tomorrow night,?

3mins for 400 metres?
Are you sure that's right cos imo I could do that running backwards.

I claim never to be sure of anything

what ever distance they were doing they were trying to get near or around the 3 min

[bobmurray]

WE SPOKE to St Kilda recruiting manager John Peake about the Saints’ seven new rookie-list players

13. Zac Dawson (Hawthorn)
Hawthorn, VIC, Tall defender, February 22, 1986, 195cm, 95kg
It was to complement who we drafted. When we looked at it, we were still short down back. Zac’s still in his early 20s and has a fair bit of footy ahead of him but he could play straight away if anything happened to Max (Hudghton). Zac has been at one club already and there is still a bit of an upside to him. He is tall and can play full-back, which we feel is a special position.

29. Tom Simpkin (Geelong Falcons)
Geelong Falcons, VIC, Tall defender, August 7, 1990, 191cm, 83kg
Tommy is a 190cm boy. He is more for the future. He is a medium/tall back but can play that role well. He played for Vic Country and played well on some of the boys that got drafted. We feel he is more down the track but once again he addresses a real need area as a tall defender.

44. Brad Howard (St Kilda)
St Kilda, VIC, Midfielder, December 21, 1987, 182cm, 80kg
We wanted to get Brad back because we still feel there is a bit of development for Brad. We waited til where we thought we could still get him but didn’t want to leave it too long because we thought another club might sweep in.

58. Steven Gaertner (Dandenong)
Dandenong Stingrays, VIC, Tall defender, January 2, 1990, 199cm, 87kg
Steven is elite with his speed. He has got some things to work on in his game. I think it has been well-documented that we have considered him for two years. We have him training and we feel there is a lot of upside. There is something really special with Steven but he has a bit of work to do. With his height and speed he could be that tall back that plays on the fast leading forward.

71. Ross Tungutulum (St Marys)
St Marys, Northern Territory, Small forward
Ross is a small indigenous forward who we feel we need. Ross hasn’t been in the elite system. He played with the Northern Territory Under-18 team. We got a bit of feedback he was best on ground in the grand final in Darwin and kicked a few magical goals. Ross has a fair way to go but he’s got the speed and a few tricks that we feel we’re missing down the forward line.

80. Sam McGarry (Sandringham Dragons)
Sandringham Dragons, VIC, Midfielder, April 21, 1990, 186cm, 77kg
Sam’s a local boy. He is a gut-running midfielder and whilst that wasn’t our No.1 need, you just can’t have enough of them. We felt we’d gone through our need areas and filled those up so we thought we’d take another gut-running midfielder. In time he could end up better than some of the boys who are already there.

84. Blake McGrath (NSW)
Pennant Hills, NSW, Ruck, April 24, 1990, 208cm, 85kg
Blake was already locked away as part of the NSW scholarship. He is a developing ruckman. He’s over 200cm and hasn’t played a lot of footy but he will take time. We imagine he will play a lot of VFL reserves footy next year but you just don’t know what will happen down the track with injuries and you might find that Blake plays a few VFL senior games. We’ve been very happy with him so far but he will take some time as a lot of big blokes do.

By Luke Holmesby
@saints.com.au

[Moccha]

Just to clarify our rookies are:

Khan Haretaku - medium sized KKP forward/ruck

He's 199cm that's not medium sized.

[CeilidhSaint]

geez he's dark in that profile photo isn't he?
This is better if not already posted:
http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info. ... onID=27826

[Tunga-Choo-Choo]

At Last! An indig. player from Nicky Winmar's home club... and with a name that's going to be legendary

[Mr Magic]

At Last! An indig. player from Nicky Winmar's home club... and with a name that's going to be legendary

Didn't both X and Raph come from St Marys?

[saintly]

Yeah I'm sad to see Rix go, he was never going to make it in the AFL but he really seems to be a quality bloke, and from some of his articles on SaintsCentral he's got a good head on his shoulders too...

did he get picked up ? i always wanted to know what he said to buddy as i found that quite funny seeing him do that and still do everytime i think of Rix i see him yelling at buddy

noone picked him up.

[stinger]

Yep, you've got it bang on the money there skeptic!

Thought personally that Dawson would still have been around with in the 3rd or 4th round, and the re-drafting of Howard wasn't the best idea, but the fresh faces look fairly promising. Hopefully a couple of this lot can develop into regular AFL players - my highest hopes are for McGrath, Miles, Choo CHoo and McGarry!

why ?????.....we had to pay him anyway

[thirty-seven!?]

Seems Zac has something to prove:

Found this article this morning in the Age (and a shorter version in the Hun)



ZAC Dawson is no longer the skinny kid given an infamously hard time by Anthony Rocca two years ago. The former Hawthorn full-back is heavier, stronger and, he believes, a much better football player.

He is also looking forward to proving it. "What I want to change is that whole idea of me, that view of me," said Dawson, rookie-listed by St Kilda after two full years outside the Hawks senior side.

As a teenager in 2006, his 88 kilograms were pitted against the might of Rocca, Jonathan Brown, David Neitz and Nathan Thompson, Rocca kicking seven goals in a quarter against him.

"I didn't take much of it in at the time, it didn't really affect me, but it's only been the last few years, with people still talking about it, that it's really started to get to me.

"It was a really bad portrayal to have happen and the annoying thing is I haven't really had a chance to prove anyone wrong. I definitely don't want to be remembered like that, so that's a bit of a goal."

These days, he is two years older and 11 kilograms heavier. The Saints chose Dawson with their first choice in the draft, explained recruiting manager John Peake, because as an older key defender with some experience, he filled their most pressing need.

He also believes, despite having been stuck at Box Hill for what feels like forever, that he is a better player. "I felt like I was playing pretty good football and improving every game and all that sort of stuff," Dawson said.

"I thought there were opportunities where I could have played and I didn't get to, so that was a bit frustrating and I was getting down on myself. But I think a new opportunity and a new environment will be the perfect thing for me, so we'll see what happens from here."



Btw, HI to everyone!!! Im a long time reader (and suffering fan), and first time poster!! Hope to be able to make some worthwhile additions in the future!!

[stinger]

"After a belated nomination for the draft, former Demon Adem Yze missed out, as did Aaron Fiora (St Kilda) and Tim Clarke (Hawthorn)."



...i feel for aaron...i thought someone else might just pick him up......

[stinger]

best wishes to an ex hawk Zac hope he gets a better chance with you guys i did not know you lot got rid of Rix i liked him nice kid

nice don't cut it if you can't play...and rix couldn't......

[saintbrat]

why choo choo?



http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/1 ... sport.html

[Mr Magic]

"After a belated nomination for the draft, former Demon Adem Yze missed out, as did Aaron Fiora (St Kilda) and Tim Clarke (Hawthorn)."



...i feel for aaron...i thought someone else might just pick him up......

I would have thought that given all the recent departures from WCE they'd be in the market for a Dirk Diggler type?

Mind you they still have Big Coxy.

[Saints94]

It will be a while IMO.. it took weeks and weeks last year IIRC.... I would expect that 35 will be staying put, put on hold to see how Steven handles the big league...

Archie said no one will be wearing the legendry 35 next year

[Saints94]

why choo choo?



http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/1 ... sport.html

Its quicker to say at training or on the footy field

[borderbarry]

St Marys' president Adrian Moscheni said Tungatalum and James Puautjimi had come under notice, with Lyon keen to draft both players to the club."

If we had of recruited the 2nd lad, how would you barrack for him? "Come on , er jimi"
I could'nt even come close to pronouncing that one.

[St Fidelius]

[quote="saintbrat"]why choo choo?

That was his nick name at St Marys...

http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info. ... onID=27826

[golden hawk]

best wishes to an ex hawk Zac hope he gets a better chance with you guys i did not know you lot got rid of Rix i liked him nice kid

nice don't cut it if you can't play...and rix couldn't......

i know that but i thought you guys thought rix could play ?

[Armoooo]

best wishes to an ex hawk Zac hope he gets a better chance with you guys i did not know you lot got rid of Rix i liked him nice kid

nice don't cut it if you can't play...and rix couldn't......

i know that but i thought you guys thought rix could play ?

On poster on here thought he could...

Rix is an excellent VFL player but could never cut it at AFL, he didn't get re-drafted and it is safe to assume his career is over...

[Junior]

According to the NAB under 18's footy record Ross is listed as 178cm and 68kg.

[golden hawk]

best wishes to an ex hawk Zac hope he gets a better chance with you guys i did not know you lot got rid of Rix i liked him nice kid

nice don't cut it if you can't play...and rix couldn't......

i know that but i thought you guys thought rix could play ?

On poster on here thought he could...

Rix is an excellent VFL player but could never cut it at AFL, he didn't get re-drafted and it is safe to assume his career is over...

cool no prob's