Delisted #26: Kaine Baldwin - Not offered a contract for 2025, thanks Kaine! 26/8

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Does he play round one?

Showed plenty of promise, especially with his forward craft and defensive efforts.
I definitely wouldn’t be opposed.

It’s not like size is an issue.
 
His inclusion likely turns on two things
1. Whether Truck would rather go slightly smaller and just swap Stringer for Baldwin
2. If not, whether Francis is right to go in time

A debut would be well deserved though on today's performance
 

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Works hard, he’s physical, does the team things as well as individual things. He’s a good replacement for Hooker.

After the practice matches I don’t see how he doesn’t play R1. He would appear our best option in that role.

I liked that he wasn’t afraid to get in the way of others and use that lump of a body to crash packs like that one where Wright took his big contested mark in front.


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I think he's done enough in a couple games to show he's worth persisting with. At this point, if it's for a forward position, I'd just be inclined give him games over Francis.
 
This might be me seeing something that is not there because of the 2 knee recos, and I'm not saying it can't and won't improve, but he already seems to play like a veteran whose weapons have been dulled.

I generally struggle with predictions with guys who don't have elite physical tricks they can fall back on to kick goals: explosive speed on the lead, height, reach and strength, a bit of everything (a la Harry Jones). It takes a lot to get separation on a key defender these days.

It's not currently obvious how Baldwin can have that easy fall back. Maybe the smarts, his battering ram of a body and a big tank will be enough.

I'd probably still pick Francis now, only really to give Baldwin time at the lower level to get his hands on the ball and kick goals.

The Saints can't defend. Playing as a key forward is an exceptionally hard slog, particularly given our opponents in the first 3 rounds.
 
This might be me seeing something that is not there because of the 2 knee recos, and I'm not saying it can't and won't improve, but he already seems to play like a veteran whose weapons have been dulled.

I generally struggle with predictions with guys who don't have elite physical tricks they can fall back on to kick goals: explosive speed on the lead, height, reach and strength, a bit of everything (a la Harry Jones). It takes a lot to get separation on a key defender these days.

It's not currently obvious how Baldwin can have that easy fall back. Maybe the smarts, his battering ram of a body and a big tank will be enough.

I'd probably still pick Francis now, only really to give Baldwin time at the lower level to get his hands on the ball and kick goals.

The Saints can't defend. Playing as a key forward is an exceptionally hard slog, particularly given our opponents in the first 3 rounds.
He played a pretty sacrificial role last night forward of centre. Did a lot of blocking and grunt work such as jumping 2v1 or 3v2 in a pack.

I thought his chase of Wilkie back towards goal where he absolutely mowed him down showed some explosive upside, and he already looks physically ready to play.
The reality is it is his second game of actual intensity (the half a VFL game late last year doesn't count) in about two years, so the rust will be real.

I agree that a month or so of VFL to play as the main man wouldn't be the worst option though. The long game is absolutely the priority with him.
 
I'd give him a month of being the man in the VFL, get some real momentum behind him to then come into the side.
Our first 3 weeks are going to be tough and his lack of footy is real. Get his confidence up and into a groove then bring him in.

That being said I don't think he and Francis play in the same side so I think that's the battle for the spot.
 
He played a pretty sacrificial role last night forward of centre. Did a lot of blocking and grunt work such as jumping 2v1 or 3v2 in a pack.

Yeah people will look at the stats and miss this. You can attribute 2 of Wrights goals to really good blocking from Baldwin. Francis and Wright don't have this synergy, they both tend to fly.
 
He played a pretty sacrificial role last night forward of centre. Did a lot of blocking and grunt work such as jumping 2v1 or 3v2 in a pack.

I thought his chase of Wilkie back towards goal where he absolutely mowed him down showed some explosive upside, and he already looks physically ready to play.
The reality is it is his second game of actual intensity (the half a VFL game late last year doesn't count) in about two years, so the rust will be real.

I agree that a month or so of VFL to play as the main man wouldn't be the worst option though. The long game is absolutely the priority with him.

It's interesting because I really see that role as physical grunt work. That's what impressed me and why I think he's the best for it. Same role as Hooker was playing. We need it, the benefit for Jones and Wright is significant.

I don't see Francis as that player. He's not a physical bullocking type.
 

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I'd play Francis ahead of Baldwin for round 1. Give Balders 1 month in the VFL to get some games under his belt and assess from there. It's a long season, plenty of time to get him ready. He didnt look out of place against the Saints but Francis more likely to contribute for mine.
 
I'd give him a month of being the man in the VFL, get some real momentum behind him to then come into the side.
Our first 3 weeks are going to be tough and his lack of footy is real. Get his confidence up and into a groove then bring him in.

That being said I don't think he and Francis play in the same side so I think that's the battle for the spot.
will be some interesting combinations

You'd think our #1 line up of talls is Wright - Jones - Francis - Stringer
Baldwin is pressing for that Francis spot.

If Wright was out (form, injury, etc), could we run Jones - Francis - Baldwin - Stringer as an example.
 
will be some interesting combinations

You'd think our #1 line up of talls is Wright - Jones - Francis - Stringer
Baldwin is pressing for that Francis spot.

If Wright was out (form, injury, etc), could we run Jones - Francis - Baldwin - Stringer as an example.
Geez Wright, Jones, Francis and Stringer. That sounds overly tall. It might be alright as Jones, Francis and Stringer are quite mobile but they will have to work hard for each other. Also nobody really stands out as the guy we can plonk in the goal square to give us a good contest. Stringer is probably the best option of that lot.

I'd guess the rest of the forward line would be Snelling, Smith and Perkins.
We are definitely lacking that electric small forward crumbing type.
 
Geez Wright, Jones, Francis and Stringer. That sounds overly tall. It might be alright as Jones, Francis and Stringer are quite mobile but they will have to work hard for each other. Also nobody really stands out as the guy we can plonk in the goal square to give us a good contest. Stringer is probably the best option of that lot.

I'd guess the rest of the forward line would be Snelling, Smith and Perkins.
We are definitely lacking that electric small forward crumbing type.
i expect stringer is more midfield than previously. and not like Jones wont get up the ground.
And given wright can ruck and franga can go back, we don't need them all home at once

and once tippa is back, we can have him as the FF.........
 
will be some interesting combinations

You'd think our #1 line up of talls is Wright - Jones - Francis - Stringer
Baldwin is pressing for that Francis spot.

If Wright was out (form, injury, etc), could we run Jones - Francis - Baldwin - Stringer as an example.

At that point I'm not sure you can because you need a relief ruck.

It's going to be interesting how this evolves. Forward line is our least settled line so a lot could change between now and when we are a top side
 
I'd play Francis ahead of Baldwin for round 1. Give Balders 1 month in the VFL to get some games under his belt and assess from there. It's a long season, plenty of time to get him ready. He didnt look out of place against the Saints but Francis more likely to contribute for mine.
I’d say the same for Francis. Give him a month in the vfl as the big pea, get him some confidence. He’s hardly played any game time this preseason.
 
I’d say the same for Francis. Give him a month in the vfl as the big pea, get him some confidence. He’s hardly played any game time this preseason.
Played thee quarter’s against the Dogs .
 

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Delisted #26: Kaine Baldwin - Not offered a contract for 2025, thanks Kaine! 26/8

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