Preseason Update Club by Club: Saint Kilda Saints

[Ricochet]

OTHER TEAM REPORTS

ADEL  -  BRIS  -  CAR  -  COL  -  ESS  -  FRE  -  GEE  -  GC  -  GWS  -  HAW  -  MEL  -  NM  -  PORT  -  RIC  -  STK  -  SYD  -  WCE  -  WB


Courtesy of the Herald Sun


SAINT KILDA SAINTS


Track Watch
TRACK STARS: You won’t be surprised, but Lenny Hayes is setting the standard in game simulation. Of note is the size of the youngsters, such as Jack Newnes, who has put on 9kg since being drafted in 2011. Forward Beau Wilkes has dropped about 5kg and Ben McEvoy is flying.

COTTON WOOL: The big guns will give the start of the NAB Cup a miss. No major injuries to worry about, but Hayes, for example, who had heart surgery at the end of last season, won’t be wasted in the early games.

NEW ROLE: Don't be surprised to see Rhys Stanley play as a defender, helping out Sam Fisher.

BRAIN GAME: Much of St Kilda’s improvement will come mentally. A decisive meeting in Colorado, and the trip itself, once and for all buried the 2009 and 2010 Grand Final losses. It wasn’t an elaborate ceremony but more goal-setting from a senior group which is nearing its end and is hungry again.

DREAM TEAM TIP: Exciting forward Tom Lee will be given plenty of chances to show what he can do beside Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke. Key-position players inconsistent, but he’s too cheap to ignore.

Medical Room
Lenny Hayes = Heart: Ready to go in NAB Cup after surgery in September to correct a leaky valve that he remarkably played with all last season.
Adam Schneider = Foot: Recovery is on track after season-ending surgery in August.
Daniel Markworth = Knee: His rehabilitation has started positively after season-ending knee surgery before Christmas. Markworth was hurt in a training drill in Colorado.
Spencer White = Wrist: The exciting forward, the Saints' second pick at last year's draft, is yet to take part in skills work after arriving at the club with a broken wrist.

[Noz]

Does anyone reckon Jack Newnes presents good value at 271k

Scott Watters has said he expects big things from Newnes and reckons he could become the next Lenny Hayes could be set for a huge break out year.

[Windigo]

Where does he play?

Mid?  ???

[Noz]

Yeah he plays in the mid but also plays of the half back line.

His bio in the Saints website;

Jack played seven games at half-back and held his own in the one-on- one contests. His best asset is his competitiveness and ability to use the ball. His willingness to listen and learn from the coaches and his senior teammates showed in his performance. Jack should have a solid summer and continue to improve.

SEASON BY SEASON
19-year-old Jack was selected by the Saints with pick #37 in the 2011 AFL National Draft.

Jack is a medium built midfielder but versatile enough to play back and forward, which is integral to the direction the modern game is taking.

With a penetrating kick, he is a good user inside and a solid tackler.