Eljay Connors

BringBackMadDog · Sun 15 Feb 2009 1:50pm

From what I saw from the Intra club game and last nights match I would say that of all our young midfielders Eljay is showing the most potential, He looks like he has so much time when he gets the ball and his disposal is pretty spot on. He is also lightning quick and a good size. He IMO will be the surprise packet this year and will get more game time than Steven and Armitage.

mad saint guy · Sun 15 Feb 2009 1:58pm

I think he's still too light for AFL footy, but he definitely showed some good signs. Was very clean under pressure and read the play well.

To be honest I was expecting another Phil Raymond but Eljay definitely has potential.

ausfatcat · Post: # 700916Post **ausfatcat** » Sun 15 Feb 2009 2:03pm

He's got that touch class with little deft touches, but I think we wont see much of him this year, and Armo will get a lot more game time than him.

Foz · Post: # 700920Post **Foz** » Sun 15 Feb 2009 2:08pm

Hey guys, my first post here.

Eljay looks the goods although he's probably a project player being taken as an underage player in 2007 draft. Certainly can put some more beef on so maybe a year or two away physically. Hes potentailly got the X factor that Nick Heyne was recruited for.

In intraclub game, Eljay wasnt afraid of being in the packs but also had sure hands. He has that self assured, baulk and good pace, something not high in previous Saints teams ! Hopefully his disposal stands up. I have visions on him lining up on the wing at Telstra Dome before too long.

I'm sure the club will perservere with Jack Steven (could be the forward line ferret we need before choo's ready) Nick Heyne and dont forget Lynchy. I'd like to see Big Ben replace Gardner too.

Sobraz · Post: # 700923Post **Sobraz** » Sun 15 Feb 2009 2:13pm

Agree.... I was really impressed with the little we saw of Eljay last night...

He looks a naturally skilled footballer... Both Eddy and CJ, and to a lesser extent Geary and Miles, look a little less natural, and it is more through hard work that they succeed to get to the level they are at...

Eljay just seems to have that level of natural talent that so many of us are born without...

mick13 · Post: # 700935Post **mick13** » Sun 15 Feb 2009 2:24pm

He didn't get much of it, but when he did have it. He just looked like he knew what he was doing. Poise, awareness, skill.

Got the mind of an AFL footballer. Now just needs the body of one.

Certainly a surprise packet, as not many of us had high hopes. 65kg dude picked at pick 70 or something, I spose if he gets a game you'd be happy with him.

But yeah, after the intra-club and a NAB cup run, who knows. Could be a 10 year player for us.

Oh god, Im getting way ahead of myself here. Oh well, we need some positives amongst the sea of negativity here.

BringBackMadDog · Sun 15 Feb 2009 2:26pm

He looks a naturally skilled footballer...

That's it exactly, he is a natural, that one passage of play in the last qtr where he took possession in the midfield, no fumble no panic despite on coming traffic and shot out a 15 metre handball to a player running at full tilt who didn't have to break stride. That stuff can't be taught, you either have it or you don't.

Batnoe · Post: # 700946Post **Batnoe** » Sun 15 Feb 2009 2:31pm

He could be anything and i like what i saw albeit only played in 1 quarter.

6 handballs, but silky touches, could he be our cult hero??

Simon Templar · Sun 15 Feb 2009 4:40pm

I was very enthused by what I saw of him too......I'll bet he gets more game time in next few games...!!

I liked the efforts of a few of the other newer guys but Eljay stuck in my mind....looked a good thing !

Eastern · Post: # 700980Post **Eastern** » Sun 15 Feb 2009 4:48pm

I would put Eljay 3rd behind Armo & Jack ATM

Armo Has been in the system longer, has a more mature body and is an "in & under" type who can give and take a decent hit. Likes going forward too.

Jack From what I have seen is probably going to end up the pick of this bunch. Has all the midfield skills and can go/play forward too

Eljay Is by far the quickest of this group. Will need time to grow into his new "Ripped" body. For mine, he's an old fashioned wingman in the same mould as Joey

!!

BAM! (shhhh) · Mon 16 Feb 2009 1:15pm

Eljay's an easy guy to cheer for, a natural underdog. What I've liked is that in spite of his light frame, he doesn't play scared of being broken in 2. Honestly though, the only moment I've seen that gave me any hope other than pure optomism for him was a passage in the intrasquad where he sidestepped in traffic - very good lateral movement, which made a young Milne very exciting, and makes an untagged Dal so good in packs.

He hasn't really earned comparisons to either though. When he starts racking up numbers in the V, then I'll start to think he may come good, but until then he's a smokey.

Oh, and on the note of his size, he's very similar to ChooChoo, our SS cult sensation. It's always a disadvantage to have a fundamental tool missing, but by itself no single skill/tool will write a player off.

Batnoe · Post: # 701293Post **Batnoe** » Mon 16 Feb 2009 1:29pm

we need to sponsor another player- Remember he has only played 1 VFL game also as he was injured last year, this is his first real year and could be regarded as a first year player

mick13 · Post: # 701295Post **mick13** » Mon 16 Feb 2009 1:33pm

Eljay and Ross. Will hold the 2016 Premiership Cup aloft (with a little help from Roo)

He was picked up underage as well last year, only turned 19 last month. And Jack hasn't even turned 19 yet! I like these underage picks lol.

Batnoe · Post: # 701297Post **Batnoe** » Mon 16 Feb 2009 1:35pm

mick13 wrote:Eljay and Ross. Will hold the 2016 Premiership Cup aloft (with a little help from Roo)

He was picked up underage as well last year, only turned 19 last month. And Jack hasn't even turned 19 yet! I like these underage picks lol.

Maybe the saints were looking for the future then- picking up underage kids knowing the draft was going to be weak in the next few years with the GC coming in.

are you saying that Roo will need to help lifting the cup as Eljay is too skinny to lift it on his own? or Roo will still be around?

Saints Premiers 2008 · Mon 16 Feb 2009 1:43pm

Batnoe wrote:
mick13 wrote:Eljay and Ross. Will hold the 2016 Premiership Cup aloft (with a little help from Roo)

He was picked up underage as well last year, only turned 19 last month. And Jack hasn't even turned 19 yet! I like these underage picks lol.
Maybe the saints were looking for the future then- picking up underage kids knowing the draft was going to be weak in the next few years with the GC coming in.

are you saying that Roo will need to help lifting the cup as Eljay is too skinny to lift it on his own? or Roo will still be around?

i would love to see eljay get a go in a senior match however i would be afriad for his well-being

stinger · Post: # 701407Post **stinger** » Mon 16 Feb 2009 4:13pm

i was at the game...the boy can play

ps spoke to both lenny and maxie

..gave money to them for the bushfires.........

bethb7 · Post: # 701414Post **bethb7** » Mon 16 Feb 2009 4:18pm

He is still heaps skinny, alot shorter than I thought, but I reakon if he keeps improving at the rate he is deserves a senior game this year, just to see how he goes.

mick13 · Post: # 701425Post **mick13** » Mon 16 Feb 2009 4:33pm

Batnoe wrote:
mick13 wrote:Eljay and Ross. Will hold the 2016 Premiership Cup aloft (with a little help from Roo)

He was picked up underage as well last year, only turned 19 last month. And Jack hasn't even turned 19 yet! I like these underage picks lol.
Maybe the saints were looking for the future then- picking up underage kids knowing the draft was going to be weak in the next few years with the GC coming in.

are you saying that Roo will need to help lifting the cup as Eljay is too skinny to lift it on his own? or Roo will still be around?

Nah I mean Ross and Eljay will need help holding it up.

Iceman234 · Post: # 701531Post **Iceman234** » Mon 16 Feb 2009 8:26pm

He certainly looks the goods. As has been said, just seems a natural.

Spoke to him for a while after the intraclub, seems a really down to earth and impressive young man.

Otiman · Post: # 701549Post **Otiman** » Mon 16 Feb 2009 9:26pm

mick13 wrote:He just looked like he knew what he was doing. Poise, awareness, skill.

This is exactly what I saw at the first training session the year he was recruited. Like Dal Santo and Raph Clarke, these three blokes look like they were born with a football in their hands.

battye · Post: # 701600Post **battye** » Mon 16 Feb 2009 11:15pm

I thought Jack Steven looked alright in the NAB Cup match.

WayneJudson42 · Mon 16 Feb 2009 11:46pm

What a sharp contrast to the 2008 doom-sayers who reckoned we didn't have any good kids coming through.

Otiman · Post: # 701628Post **Otiman** » Tue 17 Feb 2009 6:35am

WayneJudson42 wrote:What a sharp contrast to the 2008 doom-sayers who reckoned we didn't have any good kids coming through.

We didn't.

Armitage and Howard were flops, given when they were picked. NO rising star nominations in the past few years other than Gilbert and Raph.

WayneJudson42 · Tue 17 Feb 2009 8:47am

Otiman wrote:
WayneJudson42 wrote:What a sharp contrast to the 2008 doom-sayers who reckoned we didn't have any good kids coming through.
We didn't.

Armitage and Howard were flops, given when they were picked. NO rising star nominations in the past few years other than Gilbert and Raph.

Oh yes they did. All this bollocks about how we were doomed because none of the kids looked "likely".

borderbarry · Tue 17 Feb 2009 11:27am

Getting back to Eljay, he impressed me in the little game time he had against the Lions. He has genuine pace. I would put him in front of Jack Steven at the moment.