AF 2015 Profile: Shane Savage

[ADEZ]

Age: 23
Height/Weight: 185 cm / 82 kg
Games/Goals: 69 / 40
Likely Position: DEF/MID

2013: 67.3 (15 games)
2014: 66.9 (14 games)

2014 Scores:

43  19  63  57  80   29  DNP  DNP  DNP  DNP  DNP  DNP   85  98  94  61  110  86  48  63  INJ  INJ

Green Vest

Pre-positional Change: 48.5 (6 games)
Post-positional Change: 80.6 (8 games)

* 85+ in 45% unsubbed games, 75% after positional change

Bye Round: 12 (a good round for defenders with Ceski, Hibberd the only standouts)

2014 Review:
Moving from Hawks to St Kilda as part of the McEvoy trade, quite a bit was expected of Savage and he failed to deliver. Savage struggled early in the year coping the green vest 3 times in the space of a month before being dropped for round 7. After some time in the VFL, Savage supposedly was sat down in front of the leadership group who expressed their disappointment. Savage responded as well as any could have.

Returning to the side in round 14's loss to the WCE, Savage made an impact amassing 21 disposals and 8 marks from the back half. over his last 8 games he flourished in his new role gathering at least 20 touches in all but one game which he used at excellent efficiency. Averaged 22.6 disposals and 5 marks over this 2 month period. Missed the final 2 games with a fractured arm.

Fantasy wise he averaged 80.6 over this time and posted some impressive numbers. In the past he has shown Fantasy ability smashes out scores of 128, 144 and 164 in 2011.

However, as with any other mid-priced option, he has his question marks....Your time to shine Saints fans ::)

Will he hold down his position in the back half despite the plethora of promising youth flowing from St Kilda?

How safe is his job security?

2015 Prediction:

77 - 82 Turning 24 by seasons start I expect Savage to start to show his worth and lock down a position. He has experience, relative youth, efficient disposal and a potentially friendly fantasy position all going in his favour. Plus he's another to post a PB time trial earlier this pre-season.

Would love to hear the thoughts of you Saints fans on his prospects.

[Bill Manspeaker]

when I'm messing around with the fanplanner, I always get stuck at Sav's name. I think he might be worth the gamble as a midpricer, but then I second guess myself

as you said he showed plenty in the second half of last year. can pick up a decent amount of disposal and has a deadly kick. we will want the ball in Sav or Webster's hands coming out of defence

but we have half back flankers comin out our ass so I'm not sure if that will have any effect on his game. I think he'll play every game, barring injury, but I just can't really give a prediction on what he'll average

could be 75, or he could push 90. I'll go down the middle and say 82.5 :P

[ADEZ]

Just what I want to hear 8) few defensive options this year that I like and am seriously considering him

[Sweetness]

That a terrifically written profile mate.
Very thought provoking. Will have a suss throughout preseason

[pommyadam]

if he gets DPP, then he's in the same boat as the likes of Waters and Ibbo for me (gosh, pick out of that bunch)

as a pure mid, HAHAHAHAHA no

[Mr.Craig]

Got burnt by some unique backline picks this year but I'll keep him in mind.

[Barra13]

I took a punt on him this year and got burnt. Might be worth it in the backline though...

[The_Captain]

Cant justify starting him being priced at 67.. Not really a bargain... Maybe if he was priced at 50 average..

[pommyadam]

is only a pure def, and is priced at 370k

it's that awkward price for me, but depends on other options