Not all doom and gloom.

[enzedder]

The Saints are going to struggle in the next couple of years. There is little doubt about that. Fact is we were going to struggle with Dal and Big Mac if we kept them anyway.
Having four players...Savage, Bruce, Delaney and Longer indicate St.Kilda as their preferred destination is a positive for the club.
Savage is already locked and loaded, Bruce we may get from GWS for pick 41, Delaney should be an end of draft/nothing type pick based on Dal being released and us owed a favour back from NM and Longer could be ours for pick 25.
This would still leave St.Kilda with picks #3, 18 and 24.
Hardly a rabble the media has painted us to be since the end of the season.

Apparently GWS are angling for Fisher for Bruce as #41 isn't enough and we have indicated Fisher is going nowhere. Hopefully this is the case and if GWS don't like it then we can pick him up for nothing, providing Melbourne don't nab him first.
Delaney will add some much needed height to our defence...not sure if he will be any good but worth a try.
As for Longer I understand he was pick 8 two years ago, was captain of Vic Metro and has played less than 10 games. Clearly Brisbane still want him so with McEvoy gone he will be a good/better? and younger replacement.

Add Steven and Armitage plus Curren, Newnes, Ross, Wright, Roberton, Hickey, White and Markworth and there's  a chance we might be in a position to push for another flag tilt in 4-5 years.

Bit of pain to go through first but I know I can do that...I survived the 80s. Fingers crossed things pan out for us in the next week and then more importantly with our early draft picks.

[Master Q]

Longer is good but don't really think he is one of the best upcoming ruckmen.

This was Armitage's first season where he has actually lived up to expectations, and he is already 25. Steven is great, but not so sure about Curren (7 games...), Newnes (think he's already 20?) and Hickey. I can't see St.Kilda pushing for a flag within the next 5 years, and if they do, it'll because they will draft some extremely talented young players (Will Aish slip?).

[enzedder]

Not all players work out but I think we are heading in the right direction Master Q.
Newnes had a good year. Played a dozen or so games in succession and looks a footballer.
Curren will certainly make it. Has showed plenty already.

As for Aish I don't really care if we pass on him. I think that he may be one that could head back home to Adelaide at the first opportunity given his royal blood lines in South Australia. I know that many players overcome homesickness and stick fat to their first club...Pavlich, Riewoldt, etc but I can just see him as a risky option.

I'd prefer Kelly or Sharenburg I think...not that I know much about them lol.

[Master Q]

I'd rather Sharenberg over Kelly, but I doubt St.Kilda will pass up on Kelly.

[Ziplock]

pick 41 for bruce would be an absolute steal, imo he's worth a mid 20s at the lowest.

honestly, 41 + fisher would be pretty fair though.

[enzedder]

jaxons at saintsational who has the runs on the board...called McEvoy for Savage before it was announced...media had no idea...says
"Longer is a Saint one way or another, Delaney is done for pick 77, and Bruce is 100% guaranteed.
Only thing left is to see who we are left with at picks 3, 18, and 19."...and..."We have added a ruckman in Longer who with Hickey will be our ruckman for the next 10 years.
We will add 2 key backman in Bruce and Delaney who will be around for the next 6-10 years, Bruce for 10, Delaney for at least 6.
We will add 4 midfielders to the list in Savage and picks 3, 18 and 19.
We have given up a slow one dimensional ruckman and a midfielder who will be 30 before 2014 starts.
Pretty sensational performance by all involved."

Time will tell...but right now I'm excited.
Also re: draft picks..."Either Kelly or Billings will be a Saint guaranteed.
Let's not speculate on the rest as depends on other clubs but we are confident we will have 2 very good players."
Sweet...looks like we will pass on Aish.

[enzedder]

Jaxon posted on saintsational "Aish is good but always be wary of the go gone factor and he has strong family ties in SA!"...think he will be the slider in the draft.

[Mailman the 2nd]

After what happened to Brisbane, I wouldn't be suprised

[Fantasygun]

I agree with this.
Curren if he doesn't get injured will  be a freak, already showed freakish signs and a ton of promise.
Wright looked as though he'd been playing for 4 or so years the way he handled the ball.
Roberton was a magnificent pick up and is only 21 or 22.
4-5 years if we draft the right kids now is very likely.

[Cicjose]

dont forget about Spencer White

[Bill Manspeaker]

dont forget about Spencer White

aka The Prodigy

[Nige]

I agree with this.
Curren if he doesn't get injured will  be a freak, already showed freakish signs and a ton of promise.
Wright looked as though he'd been playing for 4 or so years the way he handled the ball.
Roberton was a magnificent pick up and is only 21 or 22.
4-5 years if we draft the right kids now is very likely.

Left out my boy Josh Saunders, also looks really good.

[meow meow]

I like the optimism. Reality is going to be painful.

[Bill Manspeaker]

I like the optimism. Reality is going to be painful.

short term, yes. next few years will be extremely painful, i know i this, everyone knows this.

at the same time though it will be good to see the kids grow.

[Ziplock]

I like the optimism. Reality is going to be painful.

^