Congrats Paul Hunter on round 1 debut

[Joffa Burns]

Stay healthy and don't get injured pre-game young man!

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ ... 7df021c645

RYDER TAKES PERSONAL LEAVE AWAY FROM FOOTY
—Jay Clark

St Kilda will be missing its first choice ruck duo for Round 1 and potentially beyond after Paddy Ryder was granted personal leave from the club.

With Rowan Marshall (foot) also missing, the Saints could call on former Crows listed player and Supplemental Selection Period signing Paul Hunter and Shaun McKernan, who joined the Saints in November as a delisted free agent from Essendon, to take the tap out duties.

Ryder missed the Saints pre-season game against Carlton last Thursday night because of a head knock, with Hunter and McKernan playing as the rucks.

Coach Brett Ratten said Ryder shouldn’t be away from the club for long.

“It’s up to him, but I think he’ll be back in the next few weeks. We just want him to go there and do what he has to do and reconnect with everybody and then come beck to the Saints,” Ratten told Fox Footy’s AFL360.

“But him as a person comes first and we need to make sure he’s all right.”

Ratten said Hunter was a lock for Round 1.

“Paul will play Round 1, it is amazing football and what opportunities come for people,” he said.

“Four weeks ago Paul Hunter wasn’t even at our football club but within four weeks he’s going to play Round 1. It’s amazing.

“I think when you look through history there’s some opportunities.

“I think Heath Shaw had to play two games in one day and was the best played in both games, the reserves and the seniors and it kickstarted his career and he never got out of the Collingwood team.

“He’s going to get a great opportunity to represent the Saints in Round 1.”

[Vortex]

From adversity come opportunity, won't it be amazing if Hunter and McKernan are a revelation and a few rounds in we are lauding the club for making astute selections in these so called back up players.

Can we emulate the Clarko mantra of one soldier goes down, another comes in.

[st sandy]

From the video interview he comes across as resilient, combative, believes he can succeed & maybe a little arrogant.
Attributes of a good big man
Hopefully like a lot of ruckman their best footy comes late 20's & early 30's when they have grown into their bodies & physically mature

Fingers crossed on this one - at this point as a backup

[CQ SAINT]

I'm interested if one of his tricks is roving around half back being a big obstacle and intercepting mark. He and Highmore could be our release from Carlisle's untenable grip on CHB.

[whiskers3614]

I'm interested if one of his tricks is roving around half back being a big obstacle and intercepting mark. He and Highmore could be our release from Carlisle's untenable grip on CHB.

Please explain what is untenable about Carlisle's grip on CHB?

[CQ SAINT]

I'm interested if one of his tricks is roving around half back being a big obstacle and intercepting mark. He and Highmore could be our release from Carlisle's untenable grip on CHB.

Please explain what is untenable about Carlisle's grip on CHB?

- 1 year contract
- seems out of favour
- the opinions are split here and in most forums.

For the record, I am a supporter of Carlisle.

untenable
adjective
(especially of a position or view) not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.

[MCG-Unit]

Great for Paul Hunter, like him, hope he does really well - and Smac.

Could be a few more AFL & Club debuts - Higgins, maybe Highmore and Wood.
Crouch in 2

[skeptic]

If there’s one positive to come from all of this... and I use the term lightly

There are a number of players that for all intents and purposes were done at AFL
Hunter
McKernan
Webster
Dmac
Wood etc

All of them have had decent preseasons and injuries have provided openings for them in round 1 and they’re fighting for both a spot on the list and an opportunity to play finals

It’s a little exciting for them

[CURLY]

Why was Webster done? The blokes been injured.