The Saints recent ‘FutureFest’, where they marketed the signing of the clubs young talent, has recently wrapped up with 19 signatures.
As a Saints fan I was naturally disappointed to see them finish last this year but the marketing behind the FutureFest was a novel and bright idea to generate some positive publicity.
Particularly in light of what happened to the Brisbane Lions last year, it is clearly a positive when you sign up so many of your bright young players. While some of the names on the list of signings have a long way to go to be considered quality players, the idea itself was a good move.
Of course two of the brightest young players to sign on are our two first year players Luke Dunstan and Jack Billings. Coincidently these players where revealed as the first and last players of the media campaign.
There was however one star player not on the list. As a 24-year-old with almost 100 games to his name and a club best and fairest, he is surely the brightest of the Saints brigade of up and coming players. He is out of contract at the end of 2015 and is eligible to become a restricted free agent.
What about Jack Steven?
While each player is free to make up their own mind about when they wish to sign a new deal, or if they want to sign at all, surely Steven’s signature would be the most sought after of the Saints list? So is their something to be made of the fact he is yet to re-sign?
While he is a quality player and no doubt one of the few class players at St Kilda who has more than 50 games and who is not one to two years away from retirement, is it in the clubs best interest to see what they can get for him now?
If he leaves in 12 months would the compensation be the same? Remember there is talk in some circles that there shouldn’t be any compensation for losing a player to free agency!
With a club in complete re-build and the hope of the next wave of success placed in the hands of 18 to 21-year-olds, is it better to cash in on Steven’s value and get another player or two in the 18 to 20-year-old bracket.
If St Kilda was prepared to shop him around what is he worth? Collingwood want a ready made player for Dayne Beams and Brisbane have pick four – could a three-way trade be on the cards?
Would GWS like a more experienced midfielder who can break the lines and take the game on. Someone to complement the grunt of Callan Ward and play the sort of role expected of a player getting $1 million a season (that would be you Tom Scully).
I’d settle for Kristian Jacksch and Jono O’Rourke for Steven.
West Coast have a need for a class midfielder to compliment the in-and-under work of Brownlow Medalist Matt Pridis. Question is, do they have anything worth trading?
The Saints have made it known they want three picks inside the top 21. With players such as Kristian Jaksch, Jono O’Rourke and even some of the delisted Cats players available to bolster the 19 to 21-year-old bracket, the Saints could find a combination of high draft picks and young players could accelerate their rebuilding phase.
A message to Chris Pelchen – sign Brad Sewell, swap Jack Steven for Kristian Jacksch and pick three. Convince Jono O’Rourke to go into the pre-season draft where the Saints have pick one and use pick one and three in the national draft to take Christian Petrecca and Paddy McCartin or Peter Wright.
Suddenly the Saints rebuild looks a whole lot better.
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