alpha33

What makes him unique from my point of view is that he’s probably the only player to make top five in the draft not on the strength of what he’s achieved so far but what he is projected to achieve starting a couple of years down the track which is always going to be a risky strategy from a recruiting point of view. If it pays off, the dividends are high but if not then the blokes who recruited him are in a bit of strife.

Hawthorn starting to accumulate a lot of egg on face.

Looks like both West Coast and Freo are interested and would beat us to him before pick 17. Question is if we could trade up further? Freo have a swag of high picks.

With the news that Taj Woewodin has missed out on an invitation to the National Draft Combine, it seems that we might be able to pick him up late in the draft. Could be a handy situation for us if we happen to need the draft points.

Mac Andrew’s going to the National Combine as well.

In a normal season, I would be with you 100% but this year is different. The compacted draw, the fact that we’re playing our next two games in the heat and humidity of Cairns and having a few players looking as though they need a rest commands that at least 3 or 4 changes will be needed.

Every footy fan knows there’s only one day in September

Noticed someone in the Port Adelaide crowd last night who looks like Saty. Has he jumped ship?

So it’s TMac’s big test today. He’s good enough to prove the doubters wrong.

Will be a good player. I’m impressed.

And what happens to all those prospects for the Under 18s competition who might be a year or two away from making the squads?

Jeremy Cameron for mine.

Now, there’s an omen for you! It’s no different from 1964 this year as we’ve been given a week’s break to rest up for the run home.

Mark Stevens on 7 News has tweeted:- “Steven May on track to play this week in Tassie. Dees fully expect him to make trip, setting up Round 1 appearance.“

Clickbait. The story about Bennell is almost a week old. It talks about Friday’s practice match v North Melbourne in the future tense. The original story wasn’t exactly what you would describe as “Bad News For Bennell” but rather, as bad news for those who want to rush a player when he’s not ready. That’s something completely different.

As late as 4.40pm yesterday, some Saints fans were trying to tell me that they didn’t regret the fact that their recruiters picked Patrick McCartin as the number one ahead of Tracc. They even had a thread going on Saintsational about it. Here’s a quote from poster “Linton Lodger”:- “No thanks. Fat and overrated”. Another from “Saynta”:- “In a word. NO”. ?

I agree.

Buckenara is certainly entitled to his views. He was a champion footballer, played in premiership teams and has experience in the recruitment industry. However, if he’s going to make statements about where he ranked a player then he needs to also demonstrate that he has a record of accuracy with previous draft predictions. In fact, he doesn’t and it’s worse than the average pundit (not that we can expect perfection in this game).

Saints v North Melbourne - Round 1

Just out of interest who did the data analysis at the club this year!

Nick Robertson is 24, 190cm, is quick, has good disposal and is a handy tagger who was surprisingly delisted by Brisbane. If we can nab him, we would have a free hit at him as a Delisted Free Agent.

The best coach on earth won’t achieve much if the club can’t get them on the park.

2019 NAB League Northern Knights 6.1 6.3 10.3 11.3 (69) Western Jets 0.1 6.3 9.4 12.5 (77) GOALS: Northern Knights: D'Intinosante 5 Cox 2 Bowne 2 Howard Boyd Western Jets: Manton 4 Jeka 2 Reynolds 2 Clarke Cousins Honey Failli BEST: Northern Knights: Sturgess Davies D'Intinosante Taylor Philp Cox Western Jets: Manton Cousins Failli Kennedy Reynolds Crimmins 2019 NAB League Eastern Ranges 1.6 4.6 5.10 7.10 (52) Sandringham Dragons 1.0 2.2 4.4 5.8 (38) GOALS: Eastern Ranges: Rossiter 4 Sonsie 2 Stapleton Sandringham Dragons: Bergman 2 Courtney O'Leary Mackay BEST: Eastern Ranges: Rossiter Ross Garner Smith Stapleton Mellis Sandringham Dragons: Watts Byrnes Burke Bowey McAsey Bergman

Seen watching the Pies game yesterday.

6. Clayton Oliver 5. Nathan Jones 4. Jake Melksham 3. Christian Salem 2. James Harmes 1. Sam Frost