So it is a DEVELOPMENT Season now.

[Joe Bloggs]

Most posters on here two years ago said last year and this year would be development years with unexpected wins and bad losses ...have we forgotten or got ahead of ourselves as supporters ..there is no immediate gratification happening..

[stonecold]

Most posters on here two years ago said last year and this year would be development years with unexpected wins and bad losses ...have we forgotten or got ahead of ourselves as supporters ..there is no immediate gratification happening..

Too True Bloggsy!!!!!!!

[thejiggingsaint]

+me!

[spert]

Looks like the Saints are in a continual development phase- the same old story once the excuses for failing have run out season after season.

[lewdogs]

Looks like the Saints are in a continual development phase- the same old story once the excuses for failing have run out season after season.

We currently sit at 9-7 so the season isn't a failure yet by any stretch. In fact if we can make the finals then I'd say it's a distinct success.

[whiskers3614]

Looks like the Saints are in a continual development phase- the same old story once the excuses for failing have run out season after season.

The reason we need continual development is the neglect thereof in 2008-2011.
Any then 18 to 19 year olds that remained from those drafts would be right in the peak age group right now, necessitating a more gradual phasing in of youth. In their absence we have had to rebuild in two phases (i.e Savage, Roberton, Lee and some others since delisted were brought in to ensure some sort of competitiveness short term whilst going to the draft for the medium to long term). The jury is still out on those drafted but all is not yet lost, remember Steven and Ross took a while to get going.

I for one do not consider either last year or this as a failure.

[WellardSaint]

Other clubs seem to be able to unearth gems in the draft, they develop them nicely,
the players have composure, skills and fitness.
For some reason, we have guys who float in and out of the seniors, never really showing a lot

Siposs/Tom Lee/Eli Templeton/Minch/N Wright/L Pierce/DMack
There's a whole lot of others

We get guys from other clubs who do much better for some reason
Robbo/Mav/Koby/Skunk/Baroose/Jake Snake/Savage

Why can't our club actually develop players ?
There's exceptions like Seb, Stuv, Newnes, Billings- but they're too rare

[saintsRrising]

Marshall had a good debut tonight. All the better as most of his team mates were poor.

Battle was quiet last week. But then went out and really smashed it today for Sandy.

[bobmurray]

Marshall had a good debut tonight. All the better as most of his team mates were poor.

Battle was quiet last week. But then went out and really smashed it today for Sandy.

Did we watch the same game, i thought he was ordinary, at best.

[kazonte13]

The Saints are clearly not going to have impact this year even if they somehow managed to scrape into the finals.

So it is time to concentrate on developing our youngsters.

Now we cannot play them all every week as there is noo point try to develop players with 100 point thrashings.

So what I would like to see now is rotating players through the team. Bring in Rice for say a 3 game stint. If he struggles then back he goes. But give him a taste and let him see what it takes to be at AFL Level.

Ever week say bring in a couple of players. Rotate some others out.

Now we are not bursting with talent outside of tonight's team. But Rice, White, Long, DMalk, Lonie, NOK. Even Marshall if it is now possible to promote 2 rookies.

Freeman will be worth a run too.

Keep Paddy in the seniors. He is going ok and just needs to rediscover some confidence in his kicking. Play him and develop him.

On the other side Gresham should be given brace of games playing midfield at Sandy. He is just going through the motions in the seniors at present.

OK

[Scollop]

Marshall had a good debut tonight. All the better as most of his team mates were poor.

Battle was quiet last week. But then went out and really smashed it today for Sandy.

Did we watch the same game, i thought he was ordinary, at best.

I think you're going on ignore...It was his first game ffs plus half our players were ordinary or poor really

Who are you comparing the kid with anyway? Buddy? Callum Sinclair? Josh Bruce? Josh Kennedy? Jake Carlisle?

Stuff it. Don't answer because I won't read it