Breathe everyone

[older saint]

Granted household duties allowed me the privilege of not having to watch the game today. Listened to the first half on radio

that said here is my take on things for what its worth at the bye

- We sit 5-6 which at the start of the year i would have taken as i thought our list would win 5-6 games all up.
- Our list is not great at this point and we have removed Carlisle, Roberton, Steven ( closest players we have to A grade), Webster, Hannebery, from our best 22, which wasn't in the top half of the best 22 of all teams.
- Our game plan or players decision making ability under pressure, or both is poor when Plan A is shut down, Everyone knows we bomb deep to the forward hence we get out marked. GWS had a field day and on radio all i heard was mark by Lycett.
- Selection is an issue, there is one rule or some one for others. Roo once said he felt that Richo wasn't "honest enough" with players being called out for not meeting standards , i believe this to be true. The risk is we could lose good young players not given opportunities
- We do not travel well and have not since Ros Lyon left. Combined with illness this was not unexpected. Playing is what happens when the AFL control the purse strings, you do what you are told!
- We have found couple players - probably more by bad luck than smart selection. Wilkie has been very good, Marshall in the ruck gives us what we had hoped McEvoy would become ( before we traded him aaaagh ), Parker is lively, Battle back is promising and could become a McGovern type when Carlise returns.
- Billings and Gresham have taken the next step and are something to build around with Ross, Steele, Marshall Membrey , Bruce, Battle.

How i see it playing out from here- Crystal ball:

- Our draw is not that tough. I expect we will finish about 10th and miss the 8 by a game and percentage.
- Richo will be moved on and a deal done with Ratten to make sure North or Carlton don't grab him from under our nose
- We will potentially see a young player Clark or Coffield request a trade due to lack of opportunities
- Robbo and McCartin will retire from football due to medical conditions
- Big plays for Cognilio , Martin (GC) will be be made and be unsuccessful
- Armitage retires, Steven requests trade to Geelong for personal reasons which forms apart of a 3 way deal for Kelly seeing us get an extra 1st round pick

Only the half way mark - 2nd half will be interesting

[remboy]

Agree with a lot of that older Saint.
I'm not sure Clarke or Coffield will ask for a trade though, they've only been around for a couple of years. It would be likely to be guys that have been here a bit longer and can't get a regular gig, such as White.
I'm still not sure about the Steven scenario either. If he's not playing with us next year I think the most likely scenario would be for him to retire. Hopefully we're both wrong and he stays.
While you've got your crystal ball out what are the Ozlotto numbers for Tuesday?

[Enrico_Misso]

Would be very disappointed if Steven wants to be traded out.
Would make me think he is just playing games with us to reduce his market value and hence easier to trade.

[mbogo]

St Kilda has the worst history of giving away players, Ian Stewart, Carl Ditterich, Tony Lockett, Russell Greene, Nicky Winmar, Ben McEvoy, Stanley, there are dozens.. And now apparently it needs to be Jack Steven, we never learn

[Yorkeys]

Older Saint no one is holding their breath. It was a collective sigh. Its our form of the Viking clap.

[suss]

Granted household duties allowed me the privilege of not having to watch the game today. Listened to the first half on radio

that said here is my take on things for what its worth at the bye

- We sit 5-6 which at the start of the year i would have taken as i thought our list would win 5-6 games all up.
- Our list is not great at this point and we have removed Carlisle, Roberton, Steven ( closest players we have to A grade), Webster, Hannebery, from our best 22, which wasn't in the top half of the best 22 of all teams.
- Our game plan or players decision making ability under pressure, or both is poor when Plan A is shut down, Everyone knows we bomb deep to the forward hence we get out marked. GWS had a field day and on radio all i heard was mark by Lycett.
- Selection is an issue, there is one rule or some one for others. Roo once said he felt that Richo wasn't "honest enough" with players being called out for not meeting standards , i believe this to be true. The risk is we could lose good young players not given opportunities
- We do not travel well and have not since Ros Lyon left. Combined with illness this was not unexpected. Playing is what happens when the AFL control the purse strings, you do what you are told!
- We have found couple players - probably more by bad luck than smart selection. Wilkie has been very good, Marshall in the ruck gives us what we had hoped McEvoy would become ( before we traded him aaaagh ), Parker is lively, Battle back is promising and could become a McGovern type when Carlise returns.
- Billings and Gresham have taken the next step and are something to build around with Ross, Steele, Marshall Membrey , Bruce, Battle.

How i see it playing out from here- Crystal ball:

- Our draw is not that tough. I expect we will finish about 10th and miss the 8 by a game and percentage.
- Richo will be moved on and a deal done with Ratten to make sure North or Carlton don't grab him from under our nose
- We will potentially see a young player Clark or Coffield request a trade due to lack of opportunities
- Robbo and McCartin will retire from football due to medical conditions
- Big plays for Cognilio , Martin (GC) will be be made and be unsuccessful
- Armitage retires, Steven requests trade to Geelong for personal reasons which forms apart of a 3 way deal for Kelly seeing us get an extra 1st round pick

Only the half way mark - 2nd half will be interesting

Agree with all of that including crystal ball stuff. Though I hope the youngsters stay once Richo is moved on.

[twirlyhair]

Currently fielding youngest team in the comp doesn't help.