2 hours ago, sue said:

I wonder which other club squads would send such a nice note to another squad. How about a poll?

There’s a camaraderie amongst cheer squads, including even the Magpie Army 😅

We all help each other out when the need arises - especially at interstate and AFLW matches - and there’s a lot of respect. Again, even including the Magpie Army 😅

That’s not to say we don’t occasionally snigger at some of the banners we see (looking at you, Lions. Faded plastic picnic tablecloths as a backing does NOT look good) but on the whole we aren’t enemies.

Steele is a fantastic addition. He brings leadership. Culture. Determination. Inside mid to help replace Clarry and Trac. Perfect role model for Harvey Langford. He’s like a Jordan Lewis addition!! And he cost peanuts in the trade. Great work Dees 👏👏👏👏

We better be paying him Didley because he's 30 before next season starts and a quick perusal of his stats, show a nice clear and concise linear decline in all fields.

I think especially for a mid ...25 is the prime so there's that.

It's got a fair bit of the Billings about it but I really, really hope I'm wrong.

Stats though, don't usually lie.

18 minutes ago, Previously known as LITD. said:

We better be paying him Didley because he's 30 before next season starts and a quick perusal of his stats, show a nice clear and concise linear decline in all fields.

I think especially for a mid ...25 is the prime so there's that.

It's got a fair bit of the Billings about it but I really, really hope I'm wrong.

Stats though, don't usually lie.

Acknowledging the point that Steele has for a few seasons been well down on his terrific 2020-24 peak, I'd point to the brighter side that his clearance and tackle count have stayed stable. He also has surprisingly good disposal efficiency and low turnover count consider the often contested space he works in.

If he is played realistically to the role he is best for and which we most need him for - the hard working, defense oriented inside mid - then we will get great service from him and it'll be of disproportionate value for our younger and mostly lighter-bodied mids.

Steele was truly great a few years ago and can be very good for a few more years yet.

That's well ahead of both Didley and Billings!

21 minutes ago, Previously known as LITD. said:

We better be paying him Didley because he's 30 before next season starts and a quick perusal of his stats, show a nice clear and concise linear decline in all fields.

I think especially for a mid ...25 is the prime so there's that.

It's got a fair bit of the Billings about it but I really, really hope I'm wrong.

Stats though, don't usually lie.

I get more of a 'Daniel Cross' vibe.

Best is behind him and let go for a reason by a team in their 'window' but offers value to a team in a re-set - both on field and off. Valuable leadership, experience, team first attitude and work ethic for our younger players to absorb.

We could have done much worse given what we traded for him.

33 minutes ago, Previously known as LITD. said:

We better be paying him Didley because he's 30 before next season starts and a quick perusal of his stats, show a nice clear and concise linear decline in all fields.

I think especially for a mid ...25 is the prime so there's that.

It's got a fair bit of the Billings about it but I really, really hope I'm wrong.

Stats though, don't usually lie.

2 AA's & 2 B&F's = more Bernie Vince than Jack Billings.

Jack Steele will be significant for us. To compare him to Billings is absurd. For a starters, Steele is a leader. What has always stood out to me when watching him, was his ability to rise to the occasion.

Yes, I can all the recent stats, but here's a guy with huge pride in his performance and he would have been stung by the turn of events. I'm absolutely backing him in as having a similar impact to what Jordan Lewis had at a similar time.

The defensive minded mid is a very important piece of the puzzle, particularly for developing sides.

You could comfortably argue Josh Dunkley has done as much or possibly more for Brisbane than any of their other stars.

Viney is our current version and Jack Steele is more rounded than Viney has ever been.

It’s a very astute pickup for a club in transition and with an eye to a more risky game plan

Edited yesterday at 06:321 day by BW511

On 15/11/2025 at 13:00, Little Goffy said:

Acknowledging the point that Steele has for a few seasons been well down on his terrific 2020-24 peak, I'd point to the brighter side that his clearance and tackle count have stayed stable. He also has surprisingly good disposal efficiency and low turnover count consider the often contested space he works in.

If he is played realistically to the role he is best for and which we most need him for - the hard working, defense oriented inside mid - then we will get great service from him and it'll be of disproportionate value for our younger and mostly lighter-bodied mids.

Steele was truly great a few years ago and can be very good for a few more years yet.

That's well ahead of both Didley and Billings!

On 15/11/2025 at 13:00, Little Goffy said:

Acknowledging the point that Steele has for a few seasons been well down on his terrific 2020-24 peak, I'd point to the brighter side that his clearance and tackle count have stayed stable. He also has surprisingly good disposal efficiency and low turnover count consider the often contested space he works in.

If he is played realistically to the role he is best for and which we most need him for - the hard working, defense oriented inside mid - then we will get great service from him and it'll be of disproportionate value for our younger and mostly lighter-bodied mids.

Steele was truly great a few years ago and can be very good for a few more years yet.

That's well ahead of both Didley and Billings!

As stated I genuinely hope I'm wrong.

He could be more handy in a fwd role than a full time mid.

His experience isn't questioned nor his elite use of the ball

The issue is his age. Mids decline from 27 onwards despite the odd exception.

His disposals, marks and goals have declined each year for the last four. That should raise some flags. I'm glad his tackling is still strong.....a good example to the others.

And while we have gaps in our midfield I just don't believe he's a good answer. Maybe as a swing mid.

He's slowed down a bit. If under a new coach and in a new team we can capture something close to his peak form then great.

I have been a big fan of his but his form has dropped a lot. I know because I've watched quite a few Sainters games.

Maybe his leadership is needed but we need ball winners first. And I'm happy to admit when he does get the pill, his use of it is very good. Again the issue is in the drop of disposals. This might not be age. It could be injury or dissatisfaction at his club. Who knows. But one can only go by stats.

Please explain where I'm wrong on this as I have had some negative responses and I'm genuinely open to and keen to see why I'm wrong.

Cheers.

1 hour ago, Previously known as LITD. said:

As stated I genuinely hope I'm wrong.

He could be more handy in a fwd role than a full time mid.

His experience isn't questioned nor his elite use of the ball

The issue is his age. Mids decline from 27 onwards despite the odd exception.

His disposals, marks and goals have declined each year for the last four. That should raise some flags. I'm glad his tackling is still strong.....a good example to the others.

And while we have gaps in our midfield I just don't believe he's a good answer. Maybe as a swing mid.

He's slowed down a bit. If under a new coach and in a new team we can capture something close to his peak form then great.

I have been a big fan of his but his form has dropped a lot. I know because I've watched quite a few Sainters games.

Maybe his leadership is needed but we need ball winners first. And I'm happy to admit when he does get the pill, his use of it is very good. Again the issue is in the drop of disposals. This might not be age. It could be injury or dissatisfaction at his club. Who knows. But one can only go by stats.

Please explain where I'm wrong on this as I have had some negative responses and I'm genuinely open to and keen to see why I'm wrong.

Cheers.

I think his "decline" is very overstated. the reduction in his raw numbers are mainly due to his reduction of time on ground. And his TOG being reduced is more about blooding young mids and bringing in the next generation at the Saints more than a drop in his production/ability.

I know AFL Fantasy points are not the most advanced way to measure a players value, but it does highlight a players general output overall.

As you can see he is actually still running pretty much at the level of his whole career excluding 2021 , when he was 4th is the coaches award and was playing at a very elite level.

Even saying all that, its his leadership and professionalism that we will value the most. hard to measure that impact but I for one am very happy with his addition.