Welcome Ryan Abbott

[kosifantutti]

https://www.saints.com.au/news/2019-11- ... ft-signing

[kosifantutti]

Abbott played 16 games for Geelong’s VFL side in 2019, averaging 28 hit-outs and 15 disposals per game.

The pick No. 69 from the 2016 AFL Draft will join his new teammates on Monday.

The Saints have three spots remaining on their list ahead of this year's National Draft.

[saint6709]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-11-22/ ... ie-promise

this puts an ok spin on it

[kosifantutti]

Could this be unofficially part of the Jack Steven deal? Although I can’t see what the benefit is compared to just including him in the deal.

[Stian]

And, as that article mentioned, Geelong's ruck is remarkably thin with Stanley as the no.1 ruck. He is a good(ish) player but surely he is too fragile to bear the no.1 burden for the whole year ?????

[saint6709]

This might be a little petty but Im hoping its also a bit of an F U to Geelong

[kosifantutti]

I just watched all his career goals. Four goals, the same number as a recently departed ruckman in far fewer games.
Nothing spectacular. Just drops into the hole about 35m out. A bit of footy smarts maybe.
Of course, I didn’t watch his points or see him getting in the way of Tom Hawkins.

[Sanctorum]

Great pick-up, Saints recruiters have done really well, Geelong were expecting to rookie Abbott so they may well be sorry to have delisted him, he was always going to be of interest to clubs like St Kilda that lack depth in the ruck division.

[saynta]

Sandy needed a ruckman

[Gershwin]

Sandy needed a ruckman

And St Kilda needed a back-up ruckman so win-win.

[saynta]

from afl.com.au

"St Kilda has thrown Geelong a recruiting curveball and snapped up Ryan Abbott as a delisted free agent, despite the Cats' plans to offer him a rookie lifeline. MITCH CLEARY REPORTS"


Maybe a bit of payback to the handbaggers for enticing our best player down to sleepy hollow.

The pussies already had the worst rucks in the comp even before they delisted Abbott.

Surprised we had an extra spot though.

[ace]

Abbott played 16 games for Geelong’s VFL side in 2019, averaging 28 hit-outs and 15 disposals per game.

The pick No. 69 from the 2016 AFL Draft will join his new teammates on Monday.

The Saints have three spots remaining on their list ahead of this year's National Draft.

LIES LIES LIES
Don't believe everything you read in the HUN
We did have 3 picks in the main draft - 51, 82 and 100
But Abbott eliminates pick 100
We have 2 picks in the main at 51 & 82 and then pick 5 in the rookie draft.
If Biggy survives the main and preseason drafts he can be added as a rookie B without affecting our draft picks.

[ace]

Waiting to the very end of the free agency period would seem to be a deliberate ploy to leave Geelong short in the ruck area.
They were clearly counting on having Abbott as a rookie.
Once the deal was announced Geelong had no opportunity to look for a replacement as backup ruckman.
Back at you, F. U. Cats.

[Harves Man]

It seems almost an odd thing to do - a 28 year old, fringe ruckman. I guess someone knows something about his potential, but it is difficult to imagine how he struggled to get a game at a club so light-on for quality ruckmen?

If Stanley comes good, our development of players during THAT period will be highlighted.

[saintsRrising]

Could this be unofficially part of the Jack Steven deal? Although I can’t see what the benefit is compared to just including him in the deal.

No. He was only ever going to be a DFA and not "steak knives".

[saintsRrising]

Abbott played 16 games for Geelong’s VFL side in 2019, averaging 28 hit-outs and 15 disposals per game.

The pick No. 69 from the 2016 AFL Draft will join his new teammates on Monday.

The Saints have three spots remaining on their list ahead of this year's National Draft.

LIES LIES LIES
Don't believe everything you read in the HUN
We did have 3 picks in the main draft - 51, 82 and 100
But Abbott eliminates pick 100
We have 2 picks in the main at 51 & 82 and then pick 5 in the rookie draft.
If Biggy survives the main and preseason drafts he can be added as a rookie B without affecting our draft picks.

So you believe that losing Pick 100 is an issue?

The last two drafts finished at pick 78. Then 77 and then 70 the year after.

Pick 100 was probably always going be used on a rookie or DFA.

[saintsRrising]

It seems almost an odd thing to do - a 28 year old, fringe ruckman.

Well the St Kilda players who will play at Sandy will be grateful to have a real ruckman to play with, and their development will be the better for it.

If Marshall/Ryder get injured or suspended then we now have someone who can at least fill in.

With Marshal and Ryder at the club it would be difficult to attract a better experienced ruckman and with Marshall/Ryder at the club for 2020 I think a young draftee ruck is pretty much a waste

[Harves Man]

It seems almost an odd thing to do - a 28 year old, fringe ruckman.

Well the St Kilda players who will play at Sandy will be grateful to have a real ruckman to play with, and their development will be the better for it.

If Marshall/Ryder get injured or suspended then we now have someone who can at least fill in.

With Marshal and Ryder at the club it would be difficult to attract a better experienced ruck.man and with Marshall/Ryder at the club for 2020 I think a young draftee ruck is pretty much a waste

OK, right - I see your thinking there.

[ace]

Abbott played 16 games for Geelong’s VFL side in 2019, averaging 28 hit-outs and 15 disposals per game.

The pick No. 69 from the 2016 AFL Draft will join his new teammates on Monday.

The Saints have three spots remaining on their list ahead of this year's National Draft.

LIES LIES LIES
Don't believe everything you read in the HUN
We did have 3 picks in the main draft - 51, 82 and 100
But Abbott eliminates pick 100
We have 2 picks in the main at 51 & 82 and then pick 5 in the rookie draft.
If Biggy survives the main and preseason drafts he can be added as a rookie B without affecting our draft picks.

So you believe that losing Pick 100 is an issue?

The last two drafts finished at pick 78. Then 77 and then 70 the year after.

Pick 100 was probably always going be used on a rookie or DFA.

Pick 100 would have been used ahead of that number becasue other clubs ould be exhausted but it was only ever going to be the last pick in the draft or a delisted free agent.
Abbott has not been taken because he is seen as a long term first ruckman but simply as insurance in case Marshall and Ryder both go down.
But Abbott would like a shot at trying to take over from Ryder.

[ace]

He may play only a few games at best but he will be far more valuable to the club than Zali Steggall.

[kosifantutti]

Abbott played 16 games for Geelong’s VFL side in 2019, averaging 28 hit-outs and 15 disposals per game.

The pick No. 69 from the 2016 AFL Draft will join his new teammates on Monday.

The Saints have three spots remaining on their list ahead of this year's National Draft.

LIES LIES LIES
Don't believe everything you read in the HUN
We did have 3 picks in the main draft - 51, 82 and 100
But Abbott eliminates pick 100
We have 2 picks in the main at 51 & 82 and then pick 5 in the rookie draft.
If Biggy survives the main and preseason drafts he can be added as a rookie B without affecting our draft picks.

LIES LIES LIES
That’s from the Saints website, not the HUN.

[kosifantutti]

Could this be unofficially part of the Jack Steven deal? Although I can’t see what the benefit is compared to just including him in the deal.

No. He was only every going to be a DFA and not "steak knives".

Why?

[diddley]

Waiting to the very end of the free agency period would seem to be a deliberate ploy to leave Geelong short in the ruck area.
They were clearly counting on having Abbott as a rookie.
Once the deal was announced Geelong had no opportunity to look for a replacement as backup ruckman.
Back at you, F. U. Cats.

I think you may be forgetting about the DFA period that happens after the draft. As well as the SSP.
If the cats want another ruckman, they have opportunities.

[B.M]

Can obviously see why we recruited him, but he’s an average VFL player

[saynta]

Abbott played 16 games for Geelong’s VFL side in 2019, averaging 28 hit-outs and 15 disposals per game.

The pick No. 69 from the 2016 AFL Draft will join his new teammates on Monday.

The Saints have three spots remaining on their list ahead of this year's National Draft.

LIES LIES LIES
Don't believe everything you read in the HUN
We did have 3 picks in the main draft - 51, 82 and 100
But Abbott eliminates pick 100
We have 2 picks in the main at 51 & 82 and then pick 5 in the rookie draft.
If Biggy survives the main and preseason drafts he can be added as a rookie B without affecting our draft picks.

Thanks for that. Didn't think we had three vacant spots.