News 2014 Saints Media Thread

[Manimal_Dunstan]

Very good interview with Lindsay Gilbee. Gave CJ a good wrap at the end

 

[Nutsngum]

Very good interview with Lindsay Gilbee. Gave CJ a good wrap at the end

Not being familiar with the name he sounds like a 50 year old guy, not a 32yo recent retiree haha.

Good interview though. Sounds like a great inclusion.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Gave Billings and Dunstan huge wraps, when asked who had surprised him since arriving at the club and gave Bruce a wrap for his contesting, while also naming him specifically as someone he is working with as far as kicking goes. Also said that Spencer White had a niggle/setback/injury of some sort that will see him miss the intra-club game and possibly some time after that. Just hope it isn't his wrist.

 

[Nutsngum]

Gave Billings and Dunstan huge wraps, when asked who had surprised him since arriving at the club and gave Bruce a wrap for his contesting, while also naming him specifically as someone he is working with as far as kicking goes. Also said that Spencer White had a niggle/setback/injury of some sort that will see him miss the intra-club game and possibly some time after that. Just hope it isn't his wrist.

Like you posted in the main board, I hope our injury management gets better this year and we dont see quite as bad set backs for our players. I would hate for Spencer White to have his career ruined by our team before he even has a proper chance.

 

[cartwright]

Not too fussed that there isn't that much coming out right now. I'll start judging once we get closer to season proper.

okay, its closer to the season....and from a social media or twitter perspective, does anyone know if it is the "communications" manager who is in charge of the official St Kilda acct?

 

[Persevering Saint]

Gotta say, for all the frustrations of last year with media, I think we're seeing significant improvement in Saints TV this year. The media coverage has been much more extensive.

By far, I think the biggest source of the improvement is one that is so blindingly obvious, it's easy to miss: the biggest "merchandise" we have is OUR PLAYERS. So, so far we've had interviews with new draftees like Dunstan and Billings, newcomers like Bruce and Delaney, we've had interviews with "fringe" players like Simpkin, up-and-comers like Ross, the forgotten men like Beau. This all coupled with extensive coverage of training, etc.

Compare that to, say, 2009. I wouldn't know what some of our draftees from that era sounded like. Those new recruits were little more than names on a screen. Heck, Staley, etc from last year were virtually anonymous to most of us. Compare that to this year, where already us fans are getting to "know", and have an affinity with, people like Dunstan.

Add to that, the real sense of authenticity about Richardson - Scwatters always came across as too "slick". As Defacto said after the Channel 7 interview, I like that Richo growls. I loved his "open mike" online and the honest answers he gave.

If we go to the Kangas website, we can see that of course, we have a ways to go. But still, credit where it's due. It's looking much better this year.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Very good interview with Lindsay Gilbee. Gave CJ a good wrap at the end

The thing that made me just really happy out of that interview was the discussion of Sippa. Sanity finally being restored - don't try to turn him into the everywhere man (he doesn't have the fitness for that). Just play him to his strengths. He's a third-tall, let him be a third tall.

That is hopefully indicative of a massive attitude change now that SW has left. We keep hearing "back to basics", "hard work", "play to strengths". So much better approach.

 

[Squizz]

The thing that made me just really happy out of that interview was the discussion of Sippa. Sanity finally being restored - don't try to turn him into the everywhere man (he doesn't have the fitness for that). Just play him to his strengths. He's a third-tall, let him be a third tall.

That is hopefully indicative of a massive attitude change now that SW has left. We keep hearing "back to basics", "hard work", "play to strengths". So much better approach.

?

Siposs got a shoulder injury early in 2013 which would have limited his ability to play as a marking forward.

I don't see anything wrong with the theory of giving him some midfield time, both in the context of the injury but also to expose him to a higher workload (and build his fitness).

And from memory many people were very excited with his form as a half back late in 2012.

 

[aussierulesrules]

In his 3 full AFL games across HB (at 19 and 20yo, in R22 and R23, 2012 and R1, 2013), Siposs averaged 19.7 disposals and 7 marks per game and also kicked 2 goals and took 3 contested marks. He also recorded a very impressive 25 contested possessions to 32 uncontested in those 3 games. To put that into perspective, Dylan Roberton, who we've been so impressed with, in a mostly similar role averaged 17 disposals and 4.7 marks last year and also kicked 2 goals (but in 20 games, compared to Arryn's 2 in 3) and took 7 contested marks (again, in 20 games, compared to Arryn's 3 in 3). He had 106 contested possies for the year to 212 uncontested and he's about 18 months older, considerably fitter (both naturally and from more preseasons) and had played a full season's worth of games more than Arryn at senior level.

So Arryn has shown he can most definitely play well across HB as well as up forward (and has also played some good footy on the wing (v Essendon- when he got his Rising Star nom- and Richmond, in 2012), but I think it's exceptionally safe to say that he had something physical that largely stopped him in his tracks early last year.

He finished off 2012 extremely well for someone his age (19yo at the time), across HB and then started off 2013 terrifically as well, again across HB, having 12 possies in the first half of our R1 game against Gold Coast, which would have been 2nd or 3rd most possies for us to half time of that game. Like pretty much everyone else that night, he ran out of gas and/or cramped in the 2nd half, where he only got 7 more, but 19 possessions, 7 marks and a goal (and 96 SC points) is still a perfectly good game for someone in their 17th AFL match, at 20yo, especially when they probably started cramping (like about 13 others did for us, especially the younger ones) from about mid way through the 3rd quarter.

But then the following week he looked very out of sorts in that game v Richmond at the MCG and he really struggled on the wing (where he lined up right in front of me at several centre bounces) and across HB and was subbed off about midway through the 3rd quarter and over the next couple of weeks we started to hear rumours on here that he had a groin problem and possibly even OP and it was probably no coincidence that he didn't play anywhere at all for the two weeks following that Richmond game and then he was a shadow of the end-of-2012 and very-early-2013-Siposs for the rest of the season. He went from playing consistently very good footy for someone his age and inexperience to being virtually a "liability" overnight.

Coincidence, or some sort of injury that affected his running, ability to train and his kicking, on top of the reported shoulder that we later found out about? I think it's very safe to say it was mostly the latter.

As for his position, I have no problem with Siposs being played forward, but the only thing is that we may be too top-heavy, slow and short of defensive pressure there if we have Roo, Lee/Maister/Stanley and one of Longer/Hickey/Stanley and also Arryn in the same forward line at once. That said, with Roberton doing so well down back last year and having now added Delaney and Bruce, potentially pushing the likes of Fisher, Gwilt, Dempster and Gilbo back to the flanks, there is no room for him there now any more either.

For him to get games consistently, I think it has to be on the flanks or wing, unless he's kicking loads of goals as the "3rd tall" meaning he has to increase his running ability considerably, unless we're going to play him ahead of Lee, in the role Lee was playing at the end of last season (assuming everyone is fit and available). So he's probably right back in the "young pack" now. (Which I think will be good for him, just like how I think it will be great motivation for Bernard Tomic to now have young Kyrgios and Kokkinakis giving him something to think about, rather than being the "great white hope" on his own. He's going to have to really work to make it now. He was "gifted" games early (especially in his first year, under Lyon) but I doubt he will be any more and that ought to make or break him, hopefully the former).

 

[Persevering Saint]

Structurally, I like this for the forward line:

• 2 Talls.
  
• Resting Ruck.
  
• 1 Medium tall.
  
• 1 small forward.
  
• 1 resting mid.

So, we can make that:

• Roo and one of Maister or Lee.
  
• Stanley, Hickey or Longer.
  
• Siposs, Markworth or Murdoch.
  
• Schneider, but if he's injured or out of form, one of Milera, Billings or Minchington.
  
• Any number of mids, including Montagna, Curren, etc.

 

[Nutsngum]

Savage is probably best suited for the resting mid role.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Structurally, I like this for the forward line:

• 2 Talls.
  
• Resting Ruck.
  
• 1 Medium tall.
  
• 1 small forward.
  
• 1 resting mid.

So, we can make that:

• Roo and one of Maister or Lee.
  
• Stanley, Hickey or Longer.
  
• Siposs, Markworth or Murdoch.

Speaking from a purely structural perspective, if we did go with the 3 "talls" I would much prefer someone with Markworth's physical attributes to someone with Arryn's, for that next spot, as Dan is just so much quicker than Arryn (especially off the mark, but also in repeat sprints and so-on) which ought to enable him to apply a lot more defensive pressure and give us more mobility. Murdoch would also be quicker and has much better tackling than Arryn, so from a purely structural and physical POV I'd probably prefer someone like him for that role as well. Billings would be ideal for it down the track with his size and the way he plays and so-on of course. He's pretty much my perfect 4th option, like how Ryan O'Keefe used to play up forward in that role.

I like this sort of structure for us to start the year, ideally:

HF: Savage Riewoldt Curren
F: Schneider Lee/Maister Stanley/Longer

with Savage and Curren rotating into the midfield with the likes of Armo, Joey and Steven.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Speaking from a purely structural perspective, if we did go with the 3 "talls" I would much prefer someone with Markworth's physical attributes to someone with Arryn's, for that next spot, as Dan is just so much quicker than Arryn (especially off the mark, but also in repeat sprints and so-on) which ought to enable him to apply a lot more defensive pressure and give us more mobility. Murdoch would also be quicker and has much better tackling than Arryn, so from a purely structural and physical POV I'd probably prefer someone like him for that role as well. Billings would be ideal for it down the track with his size and the way he plays and so-on of course. He's pretty much my perfect 4th option, like how Ryan O'Keefe used to play up forward in that role.

I like this sort of structure for us to start the year, ideally:

HF: Savage Riewoldt Curren
F: Schneider Lee/Maister Stanley/Longer

with Savage and Curren rotating into the midfield with the likes of Armo, Joey and Steven.

My pecking order for those middle-sized forwards are probably Markworth, Sippos and Murdoch as well. I notice, though you don't have any of those three playing that role in your forward line here: instead you've gone for two resting mids instead? Is that because you think that with 2 talls and a resting ruck, we're tall enough there?

 

[aussierulesrules]

My pecking order for those middle-sized forwards are probably Markworth, Sippos and Murdoch as well. I notice, though you don't have any of those three playing that role in your forward line here: instead you've gone for two resting mids instead? Is that because you think that with 2 talls and a resting ruck, we're tall enough there?

Pretty much, otherwise I'd have Siposs there and Curren on the bench and rotating through the midfield and forward line. I go backwards and forwards on that one. It's also about just looking at our team and squeezing in all that I see as being in our best 22, while keeping a structure that I'm happy with. I think Savage plays if he's fit and in form (and he's meant to be very strong overhead and is 185cm). Ditto Curren and Schneider and after last year's debacle, with too many "small forwards" who don't rotate through the midfield, I think we'll be much more keen to have those that are suited to rotating through the middle playing up forward, especially with the new cap on rotations. But I haven't heard how Richo feels about all that. At least we know what doesn't work!

Markworth is a complete mystery. Hopefully we get a good look at him in the next few weeks. It may not be long at all until we see Billings, either. He is superbly suited to that "medium forward" role. He just knows when and where to lead and finds space and separation and is also very capable of winning the ball off hands and so-on off packs and snapping goals. I expect him to be playing that role up forward a lot in the next couple of years, all things being equal.

There could be some fierce competition for a spot up there between Siposs, Markworth, Murdoch, Billings, Milera and Dunell in the next year or two. Maybe Acres as well, depending on where we want to start him off. He apparently played CHF when he was younger and reportedly kicked goals when played up forward last year (9 in 4 games forward apparently, in a terrible team).

 

[SaintsSeptember]

My pecking order for those middle-sized forwards are probably Markworth, Sippos and Murdoch as well. I notice, though you don't have any of those three playing that role in your forward line here: instead you've gone for two resting mids instead? Is that because you think that with 2 talls and a resting ruck, we're tall enough there?

I guess I'd hope that someone like Markworth or Billings could apply enough defensive pressure to get a game. ( hehe I'm hoping Billings will be the next Steve Johnson or at least a Paul Chapman ).
Sippos is more of a worry.

 

[Sheeza69]

ST KILDA's longest-serving captain Danny Frawley has lauded Nick Riewoldt's devotion to rebuilding Saints, hopeful he can overtake his record this year.
Riewoldt was on Friday appointed for another season, and needs only 18 games this year to overhaul Frawley's record of 177 games as skipper.
Eddie McGuire's and Collingwood came hard at Riewoldt in the trade period last year but he re-signed despite St Kilda's predicted struggles in 2014.
Frawley said Riewoldt was in the same bracket as club greats Robert Harvey, Darrel Baldock, Ian Stewart and Tony Lockett.
"He has been outstanding. He is a great leader of our club and it's about time someone got the record anyway,'' he said.
"We only participated in the finals twice in my reign, so it's time to give up the record. He nearly tasted the ultimate success and could have won two flags, and the big challenge for Nick in his leadership now is to make a really good mark on the youngsters.
"He is one of the best prepared players and it's a sign of any great leader, to get people to follow you.
"It's a different challenge to his leadership, making sure he puts an indelible mark on Jack Billings and Jack Steven and Jack Newnes. I am sure that will keep Nick young as well."
He said Riewoldt, who holds the club's record of five best-and-fairests, was up with the greats of St Kilda history.
"You don't want to judge players too much but look at Harvey, Baldock, Stewart and Lockett. He is going to sit comfortably along with that quartet when he retires. Hopefully he still has a couple of years left, but he will go down as one of the greatest ever to play for St Kilda.''

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/st...lding-the-saints/story-fndv8ufg-1226821353658

 

[Periphery]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-02-09/Saints-open-to-trading-more-big-names

The video in this is great.

Some interesting bits from the article:

Newly re-appointed captain Nick Riewoldt will play more in the forward line this year than roaming the ground, with Richardson keen to capitalise on his dominance in attack given the Saints' forward options.

He said it was time for the next layer of forwards to step up to help Riewoldt, who was easily the Saints' leading goalkicker last season with 50 to the now-retired Stephen Milne (28).

"There's no doubt we need that to happen. We need [Rhys] Stanley, we need [Tom] Lee, we need [Arryn] Siposs, [Spencer] White, these guys to improve and come through," he said.

"They guys are working really hard with Aaron Hamill on their forward craft and we definitely need them to step up.

"Guys are going to get opportunities to play and if they perform, they hold their spot."

 

[aussierulesrules]

Our forward options: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-02-09/lists-by-positions-forwards-part-two

-TDL been tearing up the track (gained strength and fitness) and is expected to play all NAB Challenge games.
- Question marks over whether Lee will play any of the NAB, which I would think brings Beau right into the frame for R1 v his bunnies.
-Beau fit as **** and running with the midfield group and "seen as a key to the Saints' inexperienced forward line".
- When actually training Milera has been switching between forward line and defence (for his ball use, run and carry)
-Minch had a good preseason and has been earmarked to play in the NAB
-Murdoch has been hampered by a back complaint but may still feature in the NAB
-Roo the leanest he's been for some time.
-Schneider did a hammy in Colorado but "expected to figure in the NAB Challenge and seen as a member of the Saints' best 18 if he can get his body right before round one".
-White "has worked closely with Nick Riewoldt on improving his running patterns".

 

[hayes]

Schneider and hammy is really starting to become a common theme.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Good interview with Richo: http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-02-09/richardson-ready-for-senior-coaching-role

 

[Nutsngum]

Schneider and hammy is really starting to become a common theme.

I really hope he is ready by round 1. The team is much better with him in it and we lack a good small forward at the moment.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Yep, if he's not playing in R1 that will mean we've lost over 1500 games of experience from our last game!

 

[Bull3tblitz]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-02-09/Saints-open-to-trading-more-big-names

Alan Richardson is open to potentially trading out another significant player as the rebuilding Saints look for a strong presence in upcoming drafts.

"Depending on ladder position, this year it may be that we have to trade.

He said it was time for the next layer of forwards to step up to help Riewoldt.

"There's no doubt we need that to happen. We need [Rhys] Stanley, we need [Tom] Lee, we need [Arryn] Siposs, [Spencer] White, these guys to improve and come through," he said.

Richardson said he was confident the defence would be "pretty strong" this season after numerous years of an undermanned and undersized back half.

On joining the Saints, Richardson said he had simply needed to ensure the approach was genuine before he agreed to meet with them.

"I suppose initially there was a little bit of uncertainty about pulling the program together," he said.

"But the reality was that two guys in particular, Danny Sexton and Adam Kingsley, pretty experienced guys, had the program from a conditioning perspective and the basic fundamentals of footy perspective up and running.

 

[Sheeza69]

I'm a huge fan of Saunders he just seems to be a natural footballer. He has the look of a guy who grew up watch plenty of Joel Selwood. He and Wright look like very good picks.

Saunders also has a stack of courage..

 

[Hayes4PM]

Luke post intraclub game




Jack post intraclub game




Richo's interview after the intraclub game