Numbers

[avid]

On the assumption that discussions on this forum will directly influence the club's thinking, here goes:

It seems a no-brainer that James Frawley will be given his Uncle Spud's old number 24.
Fitting.

That leaves 5 and 22 to be divvied up between Couch and Higgins.
I assume Couch will get 5, in its elite midfielder line of association.
I hope the Higglet likes No 22.

Shaun McKernan should be assigned no. 30 -- the past home of a number of not very spectacular big-men.

George Young's number, 27, needs to go to another highly talented player -- hopefully our number one draft pick.

32 (assuming we don't re-pick-up Paddy ), 34 and several in the 40s are available for later arrivals.

There is always an opportunity to promote players up the list, though there's usually a scarcity of deserving candidates.
Ben Paton could be one, but I don't see him as our new Ian Stewart at no 5. 22 would hardly be a worthwhile promotion.
Willkie is the most likely. -- 44 to 22. But there's something about 44 that players really seem to like to stick with, and Wilkie might feel that way too.
Higgins, you never know, might have had a boyhood thing about Milney, and might want to do a switch-around with Wilkie -- Higgins 44, Wilkie 22.

Now, would somebody please put this in the head office in-tray.

[loris]

Shaun McKernan should be assigned no. 30 -- the past home of a number of not very spectacular big-men.

Tutt, tutt Avid, Number 30 was the home of a very spectacular Saint big-man.......... Brian Gleeson, a Brownlow Medalist, another Saint whose career was shortened by injury! Plus he was appointed captain at about age 22 but injured his knee in a practise match and never played again.

[Joffa Burns]

Shaun McKernan should be assigned no. 30 -- the past home of a number of not very spectacular big-men.

Tutt, tutt Avid, Number 30 was the home of a very spectacular Saint big-man.......... Brian Gleeson, a Brownlow Medalist, another Saint whose career was shortened by injury! Plus he was appointed captain at about age 22 but injured his knee in a practise match and never played again.

Loris, do you think Brian had Wayne Thornborrow covered as our premium no.30 wearing big man?

[loris]

Shaun McKernan should be assigned no. 30 -- the past home of a number of not very spectacular big-men.

Tutt, tutt Avid, Number 30 was the home of a very spectacular Saint big-man.......... Brian Gleeson, a Brownlow Medalist, another Saint whose career was shortened by injury! Plus he was appointed captain at about age 22 but injured his knee in a practise match and never played again.

Loris, do you think Brian had Wayne Thornborrow covered as our premium no.30 wearing big man?

JB, I think all Thornborrow should have over Brian Gleeson was height. For a CHF and then our # 1 ruckman, Gleeson I think would be ‘miniscule’ in terms of today’s ruckmen. So Avid could reply to me he wasn’t including Gleeson as a big-man

I can’t recall much about Thornborrow. Didn’t we get him from SA and he didn’t come to play with us for some time after being drafted and really wasn’t worth the wait? Think he was traded to Richmond?????

[WellardSaint]

Wikipedia says
WT was drafted in 89
But didn't go over till 94, played 13 games in 2 seasons for 10 goals, went to Tigers for Jamie Elliott.
Didn't play for Tigers, though.
Returned to the palindrome suburb

[The Billings Method]

Laurence Bingham was clearly the greatest saint to wear the number 30.

[avid]

Sorry Loris,
I didn't think that far back to Brian Gleeson. Let's say he established 30 as a big-man number. And has probably been slightly disappointed ever since.
I can JUST remember Tom Marinko in the mid '60s, but along with Bingham and Thornborrow I was thinking more of Glen Coghlan, Bob Jones (who turns wore 31 -- our rather-more-successful big-man number) and Rick Sutherland (who was completely hopeless).
But I'll have to admit it, that it probably hasn't been our big-man bargain basement since the mid '90s.

[avid]

Loris, I see what you mean about Gleeson not really being a big man, as I'd always assumed. 188cm (= 6'2")
But 6'2'' was obviously enough to hold down CHB and even the ruck -- considering our premiership side had Baldock (5'10 1/2") at CHF and Alan Morrow (6'0") in the ruck.
Our other great CHBs from Gleeson's time were Neil Roberts 6'1' and Ian Synman 6'2".
Bunch of pygmies!

[kosifantutti]

Laurence Bingham was clearly the greatest saint to wear the number 30.

This thread needs more Rick Sutherland.

[The Billings Method]

Laurence Bingham was clearly the greatest saint to wear the number 30.

This thread needs more Rick Sutherland.

I stand corrected. Rick Sutherland RIP. Bingham is the greatest living saint to wear 30. Sutherland remains the GOAT.

[Winmar7]

I would have thought McKernan was a certainty for #27, given the long line of useful though not superbly talented ruck/forward occupants, also if he grows a dodgy mo and beard my Josh Bruce caricature socks could pass as McKernan socks...

Crouch will get #5 and Frawley #24, Higgins would have been hoping for #13, though now that Lonie stays he'll have to settle for #22. Pick 21 will have to settle for #34, or something in the 40s.

[WellardSaint]

I would have thought McKernan was a certainty for #27, given the long line of useful though not superbly talented ruck/forward occupants, also if he grows a dodgy mo and beard my Josh Bruce caricature socks could pass as McKernan socks...

Crouch will get #5 and Frawley #24, Higgins would have been hoping for #13, though now that Lonie stays he'll have to settle for #22. Pick 21 will have to settle for #34, or something in the 40s.

Jason Blake has joined the chat

[longtimesaint]

I would have thought McKernan was a certainty for #27, given the long line of useful though not superbly talented ruck/forward occupants, also if he grows a dodgy mo and beard my Josh Bruce caricature socks could pass as McKernan socks...

Crouch will get #5 and Frawley #24, Higgins would have been hoping for #13, though now that Lonie stays he'll have to settle for #22. Pick 21 will have to settle for #34, or something in the 40s.

Jason Blake has joined the chat

And George Young and Jimmy Guyatt

[avid]

So, Paddy for no 32, hey?