Wilson! First-round draftee primed for Round 1 debut

[Sainter_Dad]

https://www.saints.com.au/news/1504334/ ... nd-1-debut

I cannot believe I am the first to post this - massive news for our first round pick.

Darcy Wilson will make his debut in red, white and black this Saturday against Geelong, with the club tonight confirming the 18-year-old will form part of the starting line-up for Round 1.

The first-round draftee from Wangaratta hasn’t put a foot wrong since joining the club with pick No. 18 at last year’s AFL Draft, showing plenty of upside through his moments of class on-field and diligent approach off it.

Wilson featured in St Kilda’s two pre-season hit-outs against Essendon and North Melbourne to press his case for an early-season berth before being told the news this afternoon.

“I’m pretty excited, I’m keen to get out there in Geelong and run out with the boys,” Wilson told saints.com.au.

“A lot of hard work has gone into it, but I’ve been supported really well at the Saints so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ve learned heaps off a couple of leaders - Jack Steele, Jack Sinclair and all the classy players that show you how hard you have to train. I’ve loved my time here and there’s exciting times ahead.”

Able to hit targets on either side of the body and even push forward to have an impact on the scoreboard, the well-rounded Wilson follows recent first-round selections Mattaes Phillipou, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Max King in forming the next generation of premium young Saints talent.

Wilson comes to St Kilda already with a rich football connection. His great-uncle, Des Cole, played for St Kilda during the 1950s, his uncle is Premiership Roo Mick Nolan, and his family is close with Premiership Saint and fellow Wangaratta local Bob Murray and his family to boot.

St Kilda’s line-up for Round 1 will be finalised this coming Thursday at 6:20pm AEST.

[Vortex]

Well done to the kid.

[skeptic]

It’s funny… in the past we’ve had these kids come on to the list and almost automatically be the fittest runner on the list. Whilst fans were high fiving what a beauty we had, I was quite uncomfortable. How is an 18yo from highschool fitter than a Jack Billings or Luke Dunstan and a bunch of other players that have been on the list for 5+ years.

Wilson has come in by storm and gone to toe to with players that we know are serial work horses… competitive with Windhager, Byrnes, Wood etc. say what you will about many on our list as footballers, but there are some serious hard workers and fit players there.

In Wilson’s case… kind of feels like the kid is a freak as opposed big fish in a small pond. Really excited about him

[Vortex]

It’s funny… in the past we’ve had these kids come on to the list and almost automatically be the fittest runner on the list. Whilst fans were high fiving what a beauty we had, I was quite uncomfortable. How is an 18yo from highschool fitter than a Jack Billings or Luke Dunstan and a bunch of other players that have been on the list for 5+ years.

Wilson has come in by storm and gone to toe to with players that we know are serial work horses… competitive with Windhager, Byrnes, Wood etc. say what you will about many on our list as footballers, but there are some serious hard workers and fit players there.

In Wilson’s case… kind of feels like the kid is a freak as opposed big fish in a small pond. Really excited about him

It’s a really excellent observation you make.


I’m we are ever to become a sustainable top 4 side we are going to need some luck for a change with our list management and hopefully get a critical mass of bonafide A graders and elite types all moving through the joint at the same time.

Fingers crossed.

[bigcarl]

Already a player going on what I saw in the pre-season. Good luck to the kid

[SaintWiki]

What is his Nik? please

[The Fireman]

It’s funny… in the past we’ve had these kids come on to the list and almost automatically be the fittest runner on the list. Whilst fans were high fiving what a beauty we had, I was quite uncomfortable. How is an 18yo from highschool fitter than a Jack Billings or Luke Dunstan and a bunch of other players that have been on the list for 5+ years.

Wilson has come in by storm and gone to toe to with players that we know are serial work horses… competitive with Windhager, Byrnes, Wood etc. say what you will about many on our list as footballers, but there are some serious hard workers and fit players there.

In Wilson’s case… kind of feels like the kid is a freak as opposed big fish in a small pond. Really excited about him

It’s a really excellent observation you make.


I’m we are ever to become a sustainable top 4 side we are going to need some luck for a change with our list management and hopefully get a critical mass of bonafide A graders and elite types all moving through the joint at the same time.

Fingers crossed.

so if we are lucky and get a heap good players we will do ok ?

[D.B.Cooper]

Does this means Garcia, Collard, Schoenmaker are not in the 22 or just that we have gone early with the Wilson selection?

Looks like three Saints newies with Bonner, Henry & Wilson.

Are we likely to see another?

[Otiman]

I expect the availability of Sinclair will impact if Garcia, or Schoenmaker play. Garcia could be a good lockdown defender early on if he's not getting midfield minutes. I wouldn't expect Collard to play.

On Wilson, no doubt this is putting a rocket up Philippou and he will feel the need to outperform Wilson this year.

[NickyDal]

What is his Nik? please

Banga Wilson.

[Vortex]

Does this means Garcia, Collard, Schoenmaker are not in the 22 or just that we have gone early with the Wilson selection?

Looks like three Saints newies with Bonner, Henry & Wilson.

Are we likely to see another?

My guess is gone early just to settle the young fella down

[The Fireman]

dare I say it...depth ?

[Rubyjo]

Bonner , Wilson , Hill , Henry, Nasiah....some good pace there.

[Life Long Saint]

Bonner , Wilson , Hill , Henry, Nasiah....some good pace there.

And pretty fair ball use.

[The Fireman]

cant believe how lucky we are to have Henry.

[Nick DalSanto Claus]

Congrats to the boy. I know we often want to believe that our draft picks, and especially our first every year, are something special.

In Wilson's case, there is considerable supporting evidence that we have the real deal. Natural running ability and excellent preseason form, have me and plenty of others excited.

Given the fact that the club appears to have nailed the past three drafts, netting Nas, Pou, Windy, Mitchito, and Wilson, with Keeler, Garcia, and Arie also looking very promising, it
makes the jettisoning of Chris Toce puzzling, to say the least. We're still waiting for a reasonable and detailed statement about the circumstances.

While I'm thrilled with the appointment of Simon Dalrymple, who has a strong track record and is regarded as one of the best recruiters in the game, did Toce deserve the axe?

Could his expertise and networks not have been somehow leveraged for the benefit of the club? I know the club has become more ruthless in its approach to gaining sustained success, but I still scratch my head over this one. I notice that Toce is in some demand, with him being tipped to join the tigers.

Anyhow, good luck to Darcy. I hope this is the beginning of a great career.

[Nick DalSanto Claus]

can't believe how lucky we are to have Henry.
[/quote

He'll prove to be the steal of the draft period. A potential gun. Bookmark it.

[diddley]

What is his Nik? please

Has to be Mr. Darcy

[skeptic]

What is his Nik? please

Has to be Mr. Darcy

this is the best post ever

[Big Max]

can't believe how lucky we are to have Henry.
[/quote

He'll prove to be the steal of the draft period. A potential gun. Bookmark it.

Collingwood made a big fuss getting Schultz, and paid a couple of decent draft picks. By comparison Henry was a low key acquisition at a lesser cost.

From what I've seen, we may have the better player. Admittedly they play subtly different roles, I understand Schultz is a specialist forward pocket whereas Henry is more of a goal kicking high half forward.

[B.M]

I think it’s just Darce or Willo

I think it’s rubbish when supporters make up s*** nicknames for players

Just use their actual nickname
Rowan Marshall is Ro not RoMa
Leigh Montagna is Joey not Monty
Tim Membrey is Skunk not Members
Jack Steele is Steely not Man of
Nasiah Wanganeen is Nas
Etc…

Could go on but CBF

[Teflon]

Wilson has that quiet Harvey like determination.:I think he’s the real deal and will only get better
I have to say I am a tad worried on Pou….not seeing it yet

[Banger9798]

Not sure I've seen a player that I've been so certain he will play 200 games for us, before even playing 1.

[King Max]

Bonner and Henry are all so locked in for Round 1 according to Saints twitter.

[King Max]