verbs wrote:
On paper they have two number 1 draft picks, Riewoldt who is a star and Goddard who is struggling.
Kosi and Ball as number 2 picks. Stars.
The Clarke boys at 5 & 8, neither of whom have set the world on fire yet, nor do they look like developing into out and out champions.
The only other players drafted under pick 16 are Brooks (picked at 15 by Port traded for pick 6 & 31) who is just okay, Dal Santo was picked at 13 but that pick was received in return for Barry Hall, Aaron Fiora was a number 3 pick by Richmond...handy player but nothing special, Lenny Hayes a pick 11 but he's almost 26 years old, Hudghton pick 15 but he's 29 years old, Luke Penny at 14 by the Bulldogs...okay ruckman, nothing outstanding.
So by finishing low they have three stars and a bunch of mid standard players, many of whom were low draft picks by other clubs and on-traded to StKilda. The only low draft pick used as a trade was pick 6...which formed part of getting the uninspiring Brooks to the club.
They traded well for Dal Santo, but where they finished on the ladder for that trade was irrelevant reallly.
Take out Kosi, Riewoldt and Ball....would the Saints be able to challenge for a premiership?
It's interesting when you look at where St Kilda's players actually came from. The myth of never ending top picks is strong but in reality they've done really well with their mid-range picks too.
The thing is - we've done really well with lower picks too. Guys like Fisher, Betts, Carrazzo etc are exceptional pickups considering how we got them.
Will they play in a flag?
I certainly hope so.
The obvious difference between our list and St. Kilda's is that they do have those three stars in Riewoldt, Kosi and Ball. And most importantly it's not just what those three can do in an individual football sense it's what they do to bring the lesser lights into the game that's crucial. There really is no substitute for that sort of talent, that sort of example and that sort of leadership.
If those three were given to Carlton tomorrow we'd be playing finals next year. We need a chance to develop that sort of talent.
I don't expect a couple of top three picks to take the competition by storm next year but I do expect them to be our our best shot at having the sort of elite talent we need if we're going to get the best out of our other players.
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) I would be the first to nominate him.
