As part of a club-by-club series, we look at Ross Lyon’s steady-as-she-goes approach to snaring that elusive flag.
ST KILDA
Live selections: 32, 60, 64, 77
Rookie promotion selections: 87, 93 (Zac Dawson, Luke Miles)
As you would expect from a side that got within a kick or two of a flag this year, the Saints are focused squarely on topping up, so there isn’t much fantasy interest in whoever they pick up in the draft, just as there wasn’t with Geelong’s last year when they drafted wall-to-wall project players.
There are obvious questions about how trade-ins Andrew Lovett and Brett Peake will fit into the Saints structure. I don’t think it would be too far away from the truth to predict that Lovett will replace the departed Luke Ball in the Saints’ best 22 while Peake is a depth player at best. While Lovett isn’t the same player as Ball, Ball’s role had almost been completely consumed anyway by a combination of younger players in David Armitage, Robert Eddy and Clinton Jones. Lovett instead may be used as a small forward in rotation with Andrew McQualter and James Gwilt.
However that plays out, I can’t see this batch of draftees getting much of a look in, barring a Hawthorn-of-2009 disaster scene in the Saints’ injury room.
Rob K
November 25, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Armitage is an interesting one. Averaged 91 in 3 games (including 2 pearlers and 1 shocker). With Ball gone, and Lyon’s supposedly high regard for him (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/87467/default.aspx), if he gets a discount, as Monty predicts, could be a good mid priced mid. Especially if the Saints cop a few injuries next year, which they avoided this year. First round pick, 4th year, top 4 team and midfield vacancy spells value.
hibbo
November 25, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I didn’t see much of Essendon in ’09 or for that matter in ’08, but I’m sure they wanted to get the ball in Lovett’s hands as much as possible because of his great skill and pace.
Unsure if that will be the case at St Kilda with the likes of Goddard, NDS, Montagna etc.
hibbo
November 25, 2009 at 5:54 pm
**meaning that he has peaked in with his DT average.
Clint-84
November 26, 2009 at 10:47 am
Maybe Lovett was recruited to inject some pace and skill into the half back line? Half forward isn’t out of the question either but i think Lovett is best with a big paddock infront of him to run into
Narkee
November 26, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I would be more inclined to think Lovett wil take X. Clarke’s role off the half back. Nice skills and face to spot up midfielders downfield.
May even be given a license to run and carry off the half back line much like Wojcinski.