Rookie Draft

[MCG-Unit]

Pleased with Nick O'Kearney (mid) and Nick Coughlan (mid/fwd/def)

Both highly rated in a couple of the better phantom drafts on BF

[SemperFidelis]

Still sad to see Faz go; he has been a fantastic servant of our club. Good luck to him with Dal at North.

But on the flip side that Kearney looks like a gun. Happy happy happy.

[WinnersOnly]

Coughlan is still growing listed at 195cm at combine up from 193 last year. His TAC cup coach swung him from full forward to key defence this year which has been a master stroke. He had an amazing year with intercept marking and came 4th in their B&F after playing games in the VFL, NEAFL and U18. I remember him playing for the Dogs at full back against Sandy and he did a good job that day. Another common thread with all our recruits is he is an above average kick!

[saintsRrising]

Faz to North. Wow.

Good move for North.

They are playing finals NOW and he is a ready made player with finals experience.

Good luck to Ray. He wasa good contributor for us a great clubman.

[kosifantutti]

Profile on O'Kearney from bound for glory:

http://www.boundforglorynews.com.au/201 ... -okearney/

Played at a lot at Calder with Gresham, which seems to be a common occurrence recently (Billings/Sinclair, McCartin/Goddard). had a bit of a so-so year after being highly rated beforehand, still made u/18 all-Australian though.

Sorry, stuffed up, played at Parade with Gresham, here is an article:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/nort ... fe390c0e92

If they turn out any good I'm claiming them as fellow graduates.

[Mr Magic]

So did we rookie Josh Saunders?

[Con Gorozidis]

Well done Saints. Good selections. Being a rookie these days is pretty much like being a listed player.
I think we were keen on Coughlan all along.

[Goose is king]

It would never happen but I would love the club to come out and say what number they rated our draft picks at.

[Bunk_Moreland]

It would never happen but I would love the club to come out and say what number they rated our draft picks at.

Gresham 7
White 14
Rice 20's I think
McKearney top 40
Coughlin not sure

This from stuff on BF

[saintbrat]

So did we rookie Josh Saunders?

yes pick 3

[saintbrat]

another article on Nick O'Kearney

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/loca ... 21fd3e3224

The 18-year-old, from Pascoe Vale South, is considering moving in with his aunt Liz in Chelsea after being drafted by the Saints.

“My aunty lives on the beach down in Chelsea, she’s got a bungalow out the back,” he said.

“I’ll see how I go the first couple of days, I’ve done that (Seaford) trip before and on a good day it takes an hour and 20 minutes.”

Nick’s mother Susan said his grandma would have been thrilled to see Nick play for the Saints.

“That was my mum’s team and my mum passed away in February this year,” she said.

“My mum would be so pleased. All mum’s brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, everyone barracks for St Kilda

[saintspremiers]

Faz is very lucky to be rookied by Norf, good luck to him.

Maybe Saunders will pull his finger out as a rookie - can't see him making it TBH.

[bigcarl]

Not surprised someone has picked up Ray. He's an experienced professional, only 29, with a lot of good football ahead of him.

I'm happy for him. Given half a chance he could play every game this season and play finals again.

[Bluthy]

Not surprised someone has picked up Ray. He's an experienced professional, only 29, with a lot of good football ahead of him.

I'm happy for him. Given half a chance he could play every game this season and play finals again.

Well he's on the rookie list, which implies he's basically a backup for injuries. If North feel they have a shot at a grannie, they will want to make sure they have depth in all positions. But I'm pretty surprised- this was a guy delisted from a bottom five team. His kicking is a huge issue to me but North may feel they have the players he can hand the ball off to to bypass that and may feel his good marking is something they can use if injuries strike their back half or wingers. Glad Farren eeks another year out. Never saw him squib it once in contests.

[bigcarl]

Well he's on the rookie list, which implies he's basically a backup for injuries.

Not necessarily. Schneider and Sinclair were on our rookie list last season and we played them at every opportunity. The Kangaroos are doing it differently to us, recruiting hardened bodies and experience. It probably won't get them a premiership, but it is a legitimate way of staying competitive.

They are showing that kids aren't the only way forward ... a money ball approach

[ripplug66]

Well he's on the rookie list, which implies he's basically a backup for injuries.

Not necessarily. Schneider and Sinclair were on our rookie list last season and we played them at every opportunity. The Kangaroos are doing it differently to us, recruiting hardened bodies and experience. It probably won't get them a premiership, but it is a legitimate way of staying competitive.

They are showing that kids aren't the only way forward ... a money ball approach

When you are in our position there is only one way forward and that's kids. North are doing what any side should do when you have a chance to win it and I agree sides like them and us must do it that way but if they fail as looks likely they will end up how we did in 2012 but I don't mind that approach. Still think Ray is a waste of a pick though but good luck to him.

[bergholt]

Worth looking at the draft combine results.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-11/t ... ft-combine

None of our guys finished high in any of the athletic tests.

But Gresham, O'Kearney and Coughlan all finished in the top bracket for both goalkicking and kicking. Gresham and Rice both in the top bracket for clean hands.

Definitely looks like we picked footballers rather than athletes this year. Personally pretty happy with that.

[Bluthy]

Well he's on the rookie list, which implies he's basically a backup for injuries.

Not necessarily. Schneider and Sinclair were on our rookie list last season and we played them at every opportunity. The Kangaroos are doing it differently to us, recruiting hardened bodies and experience. It probably won't get them a premiership, but it is a legitimate way of staying competitive.

They are showing that kids aren't the only way forward ... a money ball approach

Schneider ending up playing a fair bit because he acted as an onfield coach for the first year forwards in a team in full on development mode. Not because of current ability - Richo admitted as much saying we didn't need his guidance anymore. And we had Billings out and Minchington, Saunders, Curren all below AFL level form therefore Schneids played.

I like what I've seen of the Coughlan with highlights - good foot skills and marking and shot on goal. AN option as a tall forward or back. O'Kearney has some promise - looks a neat little player - good disposal. You wouldn't expect them to play seniors next year with a lot of players in front of them in the pecking order but then Sinclair broke through by with his form

[magnifisaint]

Faz to North. Wow.

Good move for North.

They are playing finals NOW and he is a ready made player with finals experience.

Good luck to Ray. He wasa good contributor for us a great clubman.

There's no way they are good enough to win a Grand Final and it seems like they will drop away very quickly

[magnifisaint]

Worth looking at the draft combine results.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-11/t ... ft-combine

None of our guys finished high in any of the athletic tests.

But Gresham, O'Kearney and Coughlan all finished in the top bracket for both goalkicking and kicking. Gresham and Rice both in the top bracket for clean hands.

Definitely looks like we picked footballers rather than athletes this year. Personally pretty happy with that.

That's right. If they can't find the ball then what's the point.

[To the top]

Good luck to Ray who was an excellent foot soldier for us - particularly with his overhead marking.

In terms of North Melbourne, you wonder.

They are not in the same league as Hawthorn but are retaining and recruiting players as if they are.

Plus, they are doing a Lyon and not giving talented kids like Dumont a chance.

I would be "sniffing" the likes of Dumont coming off contract - aka Freeman.

[ripplug66]

Good luck to Ray who was an excellent foot soldier for us - particularly with his overhead marking.

In terms of North Melbourne, you wonder.

They are not in the same league as Hawthorn but are retaining and recruiting players as if they are.

Plus, they are doing a Lyon and not giving talented kids like Dumont a chance.

I would be "sniffing" the likes of Dumont coming off contract - aka Freeman.

Maybe these players not given a chance just aren't good enough. They wouldn't be doing it if they were better players. That makes no sense. What North are doing makes sense because younger players aren't going to help them enough to improve in the next year or two and that is all they have left to win a flag. Having said that making a 30 year old a rookie doesn't make a lot of sense.

[the dome]

Welcome to St.Kilda. Nick & Nicholas.
Glad you have both found your way to the red, white & black.
I have a fair bit of faith in our recruiting dept. so the fact that they have shown faith in you both has me quietly expecting some great times coming up. No pressure though just enjoy the rest of 2015 and good luck for 2016.

All the best settling in and have a great pre-season.

[matrix]

Norf.... Lol.

[saintbrat]

http://www.saints.com.au/video/2015-11- ... ees-30-nov

speak very well