Depth of list 2017 vs 2009/2010

[parkeysainter]

Comparing the lists between now and then I actually believe our list depth is better in 2017 and we have created a very even playing list in regards to ability. Our bottom rung players today and at Sandi are much better than what we had in 09/10. They're also much younger with better potential so we're still going to be around the top 8 mark for a long time.

Lets be honest. We probably only have 1 x player looking at AA for 2017 in Seb Ross if we're even lucky. Back then in the GF years we had 6-8 out and out stars playing every week. We don't have that anymore which is both good and bad in a way.

The board and club need top end talent!!! The last couple of games and this season has proven we won't crack into the top 4-6 without doing this. Time for the club to unleash this supposed war chest for trade week and FA. If we don't then yep...we might improve a bit in 2018 with what we have but lets be honest...we'll probably be floating around 8th spot again and losing to a top 4 side by 6-7 goals.

[Sanctorum]

Couldn't agree more that the depth of this list of Saints players is arguably the best in living memory.

Saints definitely need to bring in at least one elite midfielder if they are going to be a force in 2018 - my tip is Josh Kelly. I also think they need to go after another more robust type player, someone like Zak Jones from the Swans, a mini Barry Hall who has the sort of mongrel and elite fitness levels to break contest lines. By contrast his Saints contemporary (same draft) Luke Dunstan whilst possessed of reasonable skills is pedestrian. We have yet to see Freeman make his debut, perhaps he is that sort of player - maybe those of you in Melbourne who have seem him play for Sandringham can comment on this.

Inconsistent skill levels continue to be a major headache, again so evident last night against the Swans and last week against the Bombers - yet against the Tigers the previous week they barely put a foot wrong. In essence, there have only been 2 wins this year where I felt our team played reasonably well, the other 7 were "ugly"wins.

For an old-timer like me the fading away at this stage of the season is heart breaking though in reality the post mid season break draw this year was always going to be a difficult journey.

Ah well - with the Saints now out of contention, the pressure is off and I can relax and maybe enjoy the rest of the season more....

[Linton Lodger]

We had no depth in 2009/10 and the bottom 6 in our best 22 wouldn't have gotten a game for any other team.

We actually are building depth in this list, which is an intelligent no brainer.

[chook23]

We had no depth in 2009/10 and the bottom 6 in our best 22 wouldn't have gotten a game for any other team.

We actually are building depth in this list, which is an intelligent no brainer.

Please name all six (from OUR BEST 22) that would not have got a game in ANY other team....

[SydneySainter]

We had no depth in 2009/10 and the bottom 6 in our best 22 wouldn't have gotten a game for any other team.

We actually are building depth in this list, which is an intelligent no brainer.

Please name all six (from OUR BEST 22) that would not have got a game in ANY other team....

McQualter, Dawson, Peake, Eddy, Jones, R. Clarke.

[chook23]

Whilst those players had deficiencies the statement made they would not get a game at ANY other team is rubbish.

[saintsRrising]

Jones at the time was the best tagger in the competition and good value. Bottom 6 he was not.



You need quality as well as depth. I do think are depth players are large in numbers. But right here and now we do not have one elite player based on current form. That exposes your average players.

Roo was elite, but has faded somewhat.

Steven was, but on this years form he is not.

Ross has become very good, but does not cut up teams like an elite mid needs too.

Tim can be in a game, but has not done it consistently enough to be judged elite.

[ralphsmith]

Good thread and I agree. 2009 had about 8 elite players, who carried the rest. 2017 we have no elite players, but a more even team.

Our 2017 side with about 4 elite players would be a premiership chance.
Billings would be elite if he attacked the footy more.

So need abot 3 more.

[desertsaint]

Those six were never in our best 22 at the same time, some were - dawson (who then went on to play in a grand final with freo), jones (just about the best midfield tagger for awhile who racked up possies like ross but added hardness and took out thei best mid often), raph (inconsistent due to constant injuries), mcqualter (ross loved him for hardness inside forward fifty), peake and eddy were in when others were out.
of those first four all would play in this team if fit and in their best form. compare them with last night - mcqualter v lonie, dawson v brown, raph v marshall (to be fair swap marshall with weller, minchington, or wright - same outcome), jones v sinclair or stevens or acres or newnes.
Those players were underrated because they were decent players surrounded by AAs everywhere. That team should have won a couple of flags and would obliterate any 2017 team. Our current team aren't yet top eight quality in the most even year in memory. Unfair to even compare them.

[parkeysainter]

We desperately need a class above the rest fp or hff. Billings is it at the moment. Not convinced Meatball or Lonie are going to kick 30 or 40 goals per year. Gresham is good but he will become an onballer soon.

Devon Smith from GWS would be a great pickup.

[whiskers3614]

We desperately need a class above the rest fp or hff. Billings is it at the moment. Not convinced Meatball or Lonie are going to kick 30 or 40 goals per year. Gresham is good but he will become an onballer soon.

Devon Smith from GWS would be a great pickup.

Surely after all the small forwards recruited in the post-Lyon era you are not looking for more?We need genuine midfielders most!

[parkeysainter]

Of course. We need 2 x gun midfielders plus a good small permanent forward.

[Con Gorozidis]

Pointless thread.
In 09 we had 8 AA players.
We now have nil.
Any discussion about depth is irrelevant.

[parkeysainter]

Pointless thread.
In 09 we had 8 AA players.
We now have nil.
Any discussion about depth is irrelevant.

Oh well. No need to contribute then if you don't like it.

[Linton Lodger]

We had no depth in 2009/10 and the bottom 6 in our best 22 wouldn't have gotten a game for any other team.

We actually are building depth in this list, which is an intelligent no brainer.

Please name all six (from OUR BEST 22) that would not have got a game in ANY other team....

C Jones, Blake, McQualter, Eddy, Peake and Dawson.

[Con Gorozidis]

Swans had 9 blokes with under 50 games playing last night.
9!

So they are still developing more young players than we are - on the run - after winning a flag in 2012.