‘There might be a better option’: Saints great’s ‘Moneyball’ trade alternative for former club.
St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna has questioned whether his previous club should chase contractual Bulldog Jack Macrae, claiming there may be a better “Moneyball” alternative.
Macrae, a three-time All-Australian, notified the Western Bulldogs last month that he wanted to be sold to the Saints, despite having three years left on his lucrative Dogs deal.
On Monday, Bulldogs list manager Sam Power stated that the club had not yet discussed a trade with St Kilda for Macrae. Macrae was downgraded to the VFL later in the 2024 season and started three of the Bulldogs’ last four AFL games.
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“I think when someone comes to you, your initial starting point is to be respectful of that and you sort of open ears,” Power explained to AFL Trade Radio.
“But at the same time, it needs to be a suitable deal, especially for a player in contract.”
Saints football manager David Misson told reporters there was “a fair bit of water under the bridge” and that his team was “a long way away from bringing in a player like (Macrae) at the moment.”
Over the last three seasons, Macrae has averaged 26.8 disposals, 6.0 score involvements, 4.7 clearances, and 4.0 marks per 100 minutes, according to Champion Data.
Montagna likened Macrae’s performance to that of outgoing Saint Seb Ross, who averaged 23.5 disposals, 4.9 score involvements, 3.9 clearances, and 3.7 marks.
“He (Macrae) was All-Australian in 2021. Montagna stated, “It’s interesting that St Kilda are looking at taking him, as he’s been slowly declining as a player since then.”
“The guy he’ll essentially be replacing, Seb Ross, has had similar ball-winning abilities and running stamina over the previous three seasons. Yes, it’s a minor upgrade, but you’re spending $800,000 over three years for a man who’s new to the club, against a heart-and-soul player like Seb Ross.”
Montagna said that Carlton’s Matt Kennedy, who has one year left on his deal, may be a better fit for the Saints.
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Over the last three seasons, Kennedy has averaged 23.0 disposals, 5.7 score involvements, 3.6 clearances, and 4.9 marks per 100 minutes, according to Champion Data.
“What I like to look at is the Moneyball situation and whether there’s a player (Kennedy) who’s also gettable and who’s only 27 – so nearly four years younger than Jack Macrae – who’s also a ball-winner who can play on the inside, but can play that half-forward role, which Jack Macrae is going to have to play at St Kilda,” Montagna told the Herald. “It’s a man who I believe is at the top of his talents, and his club is effectively offering him up.
“His stats are close to those of Jack Macrae. In terms of contract status, he would be worth half of what Macrae is.
“If there are other clubs that are thinking about it – and maybe for St Kilda – there might be a better option.”
Montagna stated that if the Saints do sign Macrae, they should not have to rely significantly on him.
“As a St Kilda fan, ideally you don’t want Jack Macrae to be in your best three midfielders if you’re going anywhere as a club,” Montagna told the press.
“He’s a guy that provides depth and has to play some periphery roles,” M. says. ontagna said.
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