Coaches Pets through the years

[Bowey Boy]

Well off to a new topic. I am thinking of those guys, who we love cos they were St Kilda, that kept getting a game, no matter what.

Happy to go back 40 years and want to highlight the undropables and unselectables

Got a few starters in no particular order.

Robert Eddy
Robert Neill
Ricky Nixon
Andrew McQualter?
Jarryn Geary?
Leigh Fisher


Guys that could play but never got a chance
Tim (throw me out a window) Allan

[B.M]

Coaches pets

Or hardworking underrated role players?

[saynta]

Zac f****** Dawson.

[Trev from the Bush]

Coaches pets

Or hardworking underrated role players?

Players who work hard to gain and retain their spots could hardly be called "pets".

[terry smith rules]

I find this OP extremely offensive

And not very factual

Robbie Neill played 23 games over 2 seasons and Ricky Nixon 41 over 5, so hardly handed games on a platter

As for Zac Dawson , can we once and for all just let it go

Facts he played 63 games for St K over 3 seasons

Including awards for Player of the Finals in 2010 (shared with Lenny)

He also is high up in the least goals kicked against stats.

HE WAS NOT THAT BAD

Further in 2009 Max was not the player that we like to remember him as, he played 7 games for the season

FQF

[bigcarl]

Neil was a very good player when fit. Also,Dawson played a lot of good matches for St Kilda and not many stinkers.

Though I suppose you could call him a coach’s pet evidenced by him following Ross to Fremantle

[saynta]

We can agree to disagree. I love Maxxie and the Zac is my least favorite player.

IMHFO, he wasn't that good either. Who else handballs to the opposing player in the goal square.

Not Max for sure. And who voted for the player of the series, Not the coach per chance.

[B.M]

I would take Zac Dawson over Dougal Howard anyday

Zac for a key defender, actually played within a bulls roar of his opponent

Old Dougal ‘zone off’ Howard is in for a rude awakening

[saynta]

I would take Zac Dawson over Dougal Howard anyday

Zac for a key defender, actually played within a bulls roar of his opponent

Old Dougal ‘zone off’ Howard is in for a rude awakening

You are on your own there mate.

[B.M]

Doubt it

One last line defender defends

The other offends


There is NO WAY Ryley Thilthorpe is 5 metres by himself at a goal square stoppage - playing on Zac

His lack of accountability at that stoppage was pathetic

His inability to defend one on one and get easily beaten, leaving the 8cm shorter Cal Wilkie to be switched to him opponent because he wasn’t getting it done - won’t cut it!

Dougal needs a rocket imo

[saynta]

Maybe. If so he will get one.

[cwrcyn]

Richardson's love of Billy Longer will go down as one of the most irrational and mind boggling favouring of a player by a coach I have ever seen. Longer is close to the worst ruckman to have played at this club in the nearly 50 years I have been watching, yet Richo loved him because he was "Shhtrong at the contest". Didn't matter that he got three possessions and no marks every game while Tom Hickey was demoted to the seconds for his 18 possession, 5 contested mark, 4 goal assist games.

That's when I knew Richardson had absolutely no clue.

[saynta]

Richardson's love of Billy Longer will go down as one of the most irrational and mind boggling favouring of a player by a coach I have ever seen. Longer is close to the worst ruckman to have played at this club in the nearly 50 years I have been watching, yet Richo loved him because he was "Shhtrong at the contest". Didn't matter that he got three possessions and no marks every game while Tom Hickey was demoted to the seconds for his 18 possession, 5 contested mark, 4 goal assist games.

That's when I knew Richardson had absolutely no clue.

Still better than Rix, who never got to feel a football in how many pointless games.

[cwrcyn]

We never handed over a second round draft selection for Rix, though

[cwrcyn]

We coughed up pick 25. Who went at pick 26?

Zac Merrett!!

Three picks later....Rory Lobb

Ten Picks later....Toby Nankervis.

Thank you Chris Pelchen, you absolute fraud!!!!

[saynta]

We never handed over a second round draft selection for Rix, though

[B.M]

Hickeys weakness was Longers strength - hit outs and physicality

Longers weakness was Hickeys strength- follow up and finding the footy

For 4 years they alternated

Hickey 2014 & 2016
Longer 2015 & 2017

Generally one was out injured while the other was playing. Both played a little VFL footy, but not consistently.

Hickey was absolutely woeful in one VFL game against a short, non listed ruckman (I think Meese?) and was monstered!
Richo was there, and it was clear he wasn’t impressed with Hickey.

Hickey back then (and still now occasionally) can get pushed around in the ruck contest. Marshall towelled him up this year!

Longer was a useless footballer - but an effective tap ruckman

Depends whether you value stoppage clearances?

[mad saint guy]

Cam Shenton
Dean Kent
Clint Jones
Jack Newnes
Luke Dunstan

All played far more games than they should have

[D.B.Cooper]

Not a big believer in players not earning a game however one name springs to mind on this thread:

Mav Weller

[Saintmike65]

Ross's favourite player was Lenny..they've had a terrific relationship all the way through.

[IluvHarvey]

I would take Zac Dawson over Dougal Howard anyday

Zac for a key defender, actually played within a bulls roar of his opponent

Old Dougal ‘zone off’ Howard is in for a rude awakening

You are on your own there mate.

No he is not.