3 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Yeah, i remember the Saints smashing trade periods previously. Crouch, Hannebery, Z Jones, B Hill, it worked out well for them.

So are you guaranteeing me St Kilda will miss finals on the back of another aggressive recruitment drive?

Edmund is guessing.

14 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Sam Edmund just then on SEN.

Whilst he said St Kilda, Carlton, Essendon and Melbourne will interview him this week, Edmund made it clear that St Kilda are the front runners.

And to be frank, they are the most enticing out of the 4 clubs. We are going backwards at a rate of knots, Carlton don’t know if they’re coming or going and Essendon are a complete rabble.

Edmund hinted we’d be second on that list due to the King connection.

Trying to be as objective as possible, i disagree the Saints is a more enticing club to go to than the dees.

Personally. i think we are much more likely to play finals next season than the Saints, but for the sake of argument lets say that's not the case. I still think there a bunch of reasons why the MFC is a more enticing option for Flanders.

When did the the Saints last play finals? 2020? And they were bog average before that. Hell, they haven't won a flag since 1966.

Leaving that lack of success aside, looking forward i'd argue that this current iteration of the team under Lyon is bog average. Yes they are adding some decent players to he mix but there are few examples of average teams suddenly becoming a contender on the back of trading multiple quality players in during one trade period.

Sure, we have missed finals last two seasons, but the fact remains that our last decade has been the club's most successful era since the 60s. We won flag in 2021 and then made finals in 20222 and 2023 (and yes, went out in straight sets).

I'd argue our off field governance has been questionable in the last few seasons, and over decades too, but the Saints have been even more shambolic on that front - recently and over the journey.

The saints have a good, but not great, training facility, but hopefully our purpose built facility at Caulfield (assuming it go ahead) will well and truly trump Moorabbin.

The Saints have to play their home game at Docklands whereas our players get to play their home games at the best venue in the AFL.

All players look great in the MFC jumpers - though i do quite like the Saints jumper.

The one thing thing Saints do have in their favour is their theme song is terrific, whereas ours is, well, grand, but not outstanding.

That said any player who goes to the Saints instead of us will have less cause to sing the club song.

Edited September 23, 2025Sep 23 by binman

If we don't get someone of the level of or better than Flanders, we can't let Trac go.

King is going to have to get busy

3 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

St Kilda understood to be the front runners for Flanders.

So, they’ve got in Silvagni, TDK, Alir and Flanders.

They’ve retained NWM, Windhager and will get back Max King for 40-50 goals.

They’ll probably lose Marshall but TDK completely offsets that.

Now that is what you called smashing an off season. St Kilda will play finals next year.

3 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Sam Edmund just then on SEN.

Whilst he said St Kilda, Carlton, Essendon and Melbourne will interview him this week, Edmund made it clear that St Kilda are the front runners.

And to be frank, they are the most enticing out of the 4 clubs. We are going backwards at a rate of knots, Carlton don’t know if they’re coming or going and Essendon are a complete rabble.

Edmund hinted we’d be second on that list due to the King connection.

You've taken a bit of poetic licence here.

He didn't say the last line at all (i.e. we're not "second").

And the only extent that they're front runners was a throwaway line at the end of his commentary on Flanders, saying "you'd have the Saints in front", immediately after saying there are four clubs and we'll have to wait to see which one he nominates.

Finally, he also suggested that the only reason they're in the running at all is money. Not sure that makes them any more or less "enticing".

2 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

So are you guaranteeing me St Kilda will miss finals on the back of another aggressive recruitment drive?

The point is pretty clear. They went "aggressive" in 2019 and got Brad Hill, Dan Butler, Zak Jones, Paddy Ryder and Dougal Howard.

They won a final in 2020, but haven't won one since (and only made finals one other time, in 2023). That final they won in 2020 is the only final they've won since the 2010 preliminary final.

If I were a St Kilda supporter, I wouldn't be getting any hopes up next year. I'd believe it if/when I see it.

I have no idea as to the terms of either's contract offer.

I think it would be premature to discount the King connection. When others didn't show faith ( so much ) in Flanders, King did. Be very surprised if that goes unremembered. What bearing it may have 🤷‍♂️

7 hours ago, binman said:

Trying to be as objective as possible, i disagree the Saints is a more enticing club to go to than the dees.

Personally. i think we are much more likely to play finals next season than the Saints, but for the sake of argument lets say that's not the case. I still think there a bunch of reasons why the MFC is a more enticing option for Flanders.

When did the the Saints last play finals? 2020? And they were bog average before that. Hell, they haven't won a flag since 1966.

Leaving that lack of success aside, looking forward i'd argue that this current iteration of the team under Lyon is bog average. Yes they are adding some decent players to he mix but there are few examples of average teams suddenly becoming a contender on the back of trading multiple quality players in during one trade period.

Sure, we have missed finals last two seasons, but the fact remains that our last decade has been the club's most successful era since the 60s. We won flag in 2021 and then made finals in 20222 and 2023 (and yes, went out in straight sets).

I'd argue our off field governance has been questionable in the last few seasons, and over decades too, but the Saints have been even more shambolic on that front - recently and over the journey.

The saints have a good, but not great, training facility, but hopefully our purpose built facility at Caulfield (assuming it go ahead) will well and truly trump Moorabbin.

The Saints have to play their home game at Docklands whereas our players get to play their home games at the best venue in the AFL.

All players look great in the MFC jumpers - though i do quite like the Saints jumper.

The one thing thing Saints do have in their favour is their theme song is terrific, whereas ours is, well, grand, but not outstanding.

That said any player who goes to the Saints instead of us will have less cause to sing the club song.

Um Saints beat us tragically, AND have recruited amazingly well, they have a much better training base than us AND WIll play finals next year. Don't know HOW they can afford him, and if our offer is better we are a chance

Who have the saints recruited? De Koning ordinary footballer ridiculously overpaid. Marshall is a better footballer one of the most baffling decisions of all time to recruit De Koning. Ryan should retire. Silvagni struggles to get a game for Carltank. OOOHHH SCARY SAINTS! Trust me there going nowhere.

Edited September 23, 2025Sep 23 by WERRIDEE

On 19/09/2025 at 06:11, Dr. Gonzo said:

Has a team ever given up 2 firsts for a 30yo mid?

He's worth what a club is willing to pay is the ol ' standard.

6 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

You've taken a bit of poetic licence here.

He didn't say the last line at all (i.e. we're not "second").

And the only extent that they're front runners was a throwaway line at the end of his commentary on Flanders, saying "you'd have the Saints in front", immediately after saying there are four clubs and we'll have to wait to see which one he nominates.

Finally, he also suggested that the only reason they're in the running at all is money. Not sure that makes them any more or less "enticing".

The point is pretty clear. They went "aggressive" in 2019 and got Brad Hill, Dan Butler, Zak Jones, Paddy Ryder and Dougal Howard.

They won a final in 2020, but haven't won one since (and only made finals one other time, in 2023). That final they won in 2020 is the only final they've won since the 2010 preliminary final.

If I were a St Kilda supporter, I wouldn't be getting any hopes up next year. I'd believe it if/when I see it.

Thanks for this mate.

It's very frustrating when Demonlanders either don't listen to (or aren't able to interpret) media commentary properly or simply post their biases as someone else's facts.

Edited September 23, 2025Sep 23 by Adam The God

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Um Saints beat us tragically, AND have recruited amazingly well, they have a much better training base than us AND WIll play finals next year. Don't know HOW they can afford him, and if our offer is better we are a chance

Tell me more about how St Kilda have “recruited amazingly well”.

On 11/09/2025 at 10:39, bluey said:

Out Billing’s, Fullerton

In Flanders, Derksen

Just going around in circles, not one inch forward.

bluey - asking for a pedantic friend

If Billing’s is given an apostrophe, why isn’t Flanders Flander’s ??

On 12/09/2025 at 16:39, Ted Lasso said:

I wonder if he might be able to get Dave swallow down to join his coaching panel as well potentially?

Ted - what are Dave Swallow’s coaching credentials please?

On 16/09/2025 at 21:34, The Lobster Effect said:

Can come to Melbourne if he gets a better haircut :)

That clearly wasn’t policy when Jai Culley joined us

Where Flanders ends up may not be quite as simple as 'i wanna go there'. He's still contracted ,but a wantaway. Much will depend on suitable trades available.

It might just be Melbourne are in a better position for that trade than the Aints.

Time will tell.

Exciting..... the Circus is coming.🎪🤡😂

2 hours ago, beelzebub said:

I have no idea as to the terms of either's contract offer.

I think it would be premature to discount the King connection. When others didn't show faith ( so much ) in Flanders, King did. Be very surprised if that goes unremembered. What bearing it may have 🤷‍♂️

This sums up what I think best. King and Flanders know each other very well and I'm pretty confident if King really wants him we get him.

If I was Flanders there would be a few question marks if I'm certain to play where I want and I'm suited under Lyon and can see the Dees as easier to picture and trust where I'd play under King.

Feeling pretty confident on him coming.

Edited September 23, 2025Sep 23 by kurtneverdied

Is St Kilda is the frontrunner for Flanders because they offered him the most money or am I missing something?

StKilda still have to facilitate a trade. [censored] how they do that with all they're trying to accomplish 🤔🤷‍♂️

8 minutes ago, Chelly said:

Is St Kilda is the frontrunner for Flanders because they offered him the most money or am I missing something?

But St Kilda are happy to underpay Cal Wilkie. St Kilda has fallen asleep on the wheel and haven't presented Cal Wilkie with an improved contract. 

 

Just call him Ann Flanders

Not sure what the big deal is with Flanders. Surely we can find another B-grade mid without paying up. Even if Petracca goes, we would be better off using the cap space elsewhere.

2 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

Not sure what the big deal is with Flanders. Surely we can find another B-grade mid without paying up. Even if Petracca goes, we would be better off using the cap space elsewhere.

Like where?

14 minutes ago, layzie said:

Just call him Ann Flanders

Ann Flanders is a boring old biddy!

1 minute ago, old55 said:

Like where?

He was ranked 233rd in the league for AFL player rating and is in his prime. Matthew Kennedy was given away for peanuts and was 43rd in the league this season. Jack Macrae was 49th.

B grade mids are the last thing we should be chasing for first round picks.

4 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

He was ranked 233rd in the league for AFL player rating and is in his prime. Matthew Kennedy was given away for peanuts and was 43rd in the league this season. Jack Macrae was 49th.

B grade mids are the last thing we should be chasing for first round picks.

Yes, the reason Flanders was ranked so low this year is because he lost his midfield/HB position. That's the reason he wants a trade.
https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-gold-coast-suns--sam-flanders?advv=Y

And Kennedy is 28, Macrae is 31 and Flanders is 24 - big difference.

And it would be a late first round/early 2nd round equivalent anyway in my proposed trade

MFC - Out: Petracca + 23, In: 6 + Flanders
Adelaide - Out: 14 + 41 + F1st, In: Petracca
GC - Out: 6 + Flanders (1659pts), In: 14 + 23 + 41 + F1st (1915pts)

It's easy to throw darts, it's harder to come up with solutions ...