AFL (non-Swans) off-season moves - 2022 edition

[Blood Fever]

They were a major surprise when they were included in the VFL competition when it was formed in 1896.
Their inclusion, rather than far more powerful alternatives, was to ensure none of the teams that was forming the new league would have a winless season. If memory serves, it took them more than two seasons before they won their first game.
They were included to be the leagues designated losers - and you have to admire the way they have by and large stuck to this task. Such dedication to self destruction, it's inspirational.
They still hold the records for lowest ever score, longest losing streaks, most wooden spoons and fewest flags - excluding three of the expansion clubs. Their only "blemish" in the latter was when they beat a collywobbles afflicted Magpies by a point.
The Saints are the gift that just keeps on giving.

Despite all of the above, their supporters are very loyal and resilient and probably the least obnoxious in the competition. Also, best not to forget that, as South Melbourne, we were very ordinary for a long period of time.

[Bloods05]

Despite all of the above, their supporters are very loyal and resilient and probably the least obnoxious in the competition. Also, best not to forget that, as South Melbourne, we were very ordinary for a long period of time.

Hear, hear.

[KTigers]

Despite all of the above, their supporters are very loyal and resilient and probably the least obnoxious in the competition. Also, best not to forget that, as South Melbourne, we were very ordinary for a long period of time.

I also think I'm with you here man. I know a bunch of Saints supporters and to a man (they are all blokes) they are cool
characters and decent folk. They know where their club is at. Some of them remind me of some Brits I know thru work
stuff that support the soccer clubs they do because its where they were born, even though they know their team has never
won anything significant and never will. For them, it's about the journey, not the destination. As it is for me these days with
our noble, upstanding team.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I made no comment on the worthiness of the Saints supporters whatsoever, my best friend is a Sainter, so I wasn't dissing their supporters.
History is objective, it should be thought about and enjoyed for itself, no need to imbue it with extra meaning.
But their inclusion was pretty bent, and our clubs' determination to keep Port Melbourne out of the VFL that provided a lot of the impetus for their surprise inclusion, and provided further fuel to the longstanding Port/South antagonism.

[Blood Fever]

I made no comment on the worthiness of the Saints supporters whatsoever, my best friend is a Sainter, so I wasn't dissing their supporters.
History is objective, it should be thought about and enjoyed for itself, no need to imbue it with extra meaning.
But their inclusion was pretty bent, and our clubs' determination to keep Port Melbourne out of the VFL that provided a lot of the impetus for their surprise inclusion, and provided further fuel to the longstanding Port/South antagonism.

Agree with you about the Port/South antagonism. Hindered South in that we never had all the best players from the local area. Port was very tribal for many years. Not sure about history being objective. Depends on who writes it. Now I'm getting on, some of the stuff that is written about that happened when I was young is way off the mark.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Fred Cook

[Blood Fever]

Fred Cook

He played at Footscray and Yarraville before Port. Matured at Port.
.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Became a full forward at Port. Previously he'd been a back pocket and ruck.
I'd have liked to see him come to us from Port rather than Vic Aanensen - I mean the Swede was pretty much a lamp post ruck, which wasn't even acceptable back then.

[wolftone57]

From what I've heard, Harley may have been interested in the AFL CEO role but has not got it. However, what I can't help but wonder is whether he might go for the position recently vacated by Brad Scott: Head of Footy Operations (or whatever it's called).

Not enough money. He'd be in more at Swans

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[wolftone57]

A $1.8M salary. Trust me, there will be a bunch of them running for it. All with their speeches about how "integrity" underpins
everything they do at the ready. It's not going to make one iota of difference whoever takes over the VAFL from McLachlan.

I am not even going to demean the name by calling the VFL, AFL. It is an expanded VFL with all the power in the hands of the Vic clubs

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[707]

St.Kilda - back to the future!

[Captain]

Appointing Ross the Boss is a good move for the Saints. He is a good coach who is a bit old school. That's something the Saints need.

[mcs]

Appointing Ross the Boss is a good move for the Saints. He is a good coach who is a bit old school. That's something the Saints need.

Will be lucky to last 2 years imho. Their list is bog average and going back to Lyon won't fix that.

Might get a bit of second honeymoon bounce early on, but I can't see this ending well. Maybe Lyon will prove me wrong with some changes in his tactical approach, but I just don't see it. Feels like a desperate appointment by a desperate club with nowhere to turn.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Will be lucky to last 2 years imho. Their list is bog average and going back to Lyon won't fix that.

Might get a bit of second honeymoon bounce early on, but I can't see this ending well. Maybe Lyon will prove me wrong with some changes in his tactical approach, but I just don't see it. Feels like a desperate appointment by a desperate club with nowhere to turn.

Same. I thought they drafted well last year, but they need a few more years of that and hardening those players before they’re anywhere near a top four list. Still think the most remarkable thing about the Saints saga was the head of footy who oversaw a crappy drafting, recruitment and development plan for years got promoted to CEO then sacked the coach. Bizarro.

[707]

Same. I thought they drafted well last year, but they need a few more years of that and hardening those players before they’re anywhere near a top four list. Still think the most remarkable thing about the Saints saga was the head of footy who oversaw a crappy drafting, recruitment and development plan for years got promoted to CEO then sacked the coach. Bizarro.

Thinking about that particular boys club CEO, at the Swans we are so lucky to have a stable club full of quality people.

Who would want to be a Saints, Norf or Essendon supporter right now given the utter shambles they have been, CEO's, football departments, coaches, recruiting, scandals!

Or a GWS or Gold Coast supporter knowing your initial start up concessions have now evaporated and you're destined to be just a feeder club for the Southern states and will always struggle to rise above that deadly mid table vortex despite almost every year having a good draft hand?