Simmonds a genuine goalkicking ruckman who has the athleticism to ruck and is mobile enough around the ground and gets to plenty of contests. Can be rested in the forward line to devastating effect. Obviously missed this in 07.
Nathan Foley Hopefully can duplicate his stellar 2007 in a disappointing year for his club. Must keep the fires burning being pipped at the post for the b & f and missing out on All Aussie Selection with those two at least from a selfish point of view to drive him on to reach the top.
Brett Deledio. As a midfielder and forward needs to take on more and influence results of matches depending on his game output. Ha been in the system for 3 years and the babying is over. Its time to begin repaying the lofty standards that a number 1 pick demands.
Will Thursfield Needs to be continually nurtured and progress is a must. Will have had a full pre season behind him and therefore that must give him the necessary fitness foundation to last through the rigors of a full AFL season. Needs to develop mentally also as our future key position backman to take on those jobs on opposition forwards who can break the game open.
Coghlan He is the iffy one because psychologically we do not know how deep the wounds of 2 knee recos are and how much of an effect it will have on his in and under bullishness when he gets the ball. If Cogs as a third insider in in the midfield along with Polo and Foley and throw in Tucky who is good with the centre breaks and Sugar when his mind is on the job and all of a sudden our midfield does not look too bad. Add guys like Deledio Tivendale Brown Edwards who have a touch of class about them and can be good finishers and we might get our fare share of the ball out of the middle and around the ground. All depends on everything above the shoulders and how the Bronzed Goblin's message is coming across. I am starting to see the flickering of some light at the end of a long dark bleak damp dank tunnel if the positive message he bestowed on them come the Essendon match in round 21. We have something to play for and if the players begin to believe it could be a rags to riches story quickly.
Saints in 2002 won 5.5 games
and of those 16 losses half were by over ten goals. By 2004 they had won their first ten and were one goal away from a flag. It can be done clubs like Saints historically don't win flags when we get there we more often than not do win them. It can be done. Most important year for the club in the Modern Era next year. We go backwards again and we could be facing another 25 or so years in the wilderness. Everybody needs to contribute. This time next year we will know 100% if the Goblin's 2011 premonition has any substance.