Autopsy Round 23, 2018: St.Kilda v North Melbourne

[gringo2011]

Roma isn't setting the world on fire but is consistently putting up very decent numbers.

(Today 16 disposals, 9 marks (3 contested), 9 hitouts, 5 inside-50's, 1 goal).

If he ever happens to get really rolling....

Yeah if Paddy had had his season I reckon people would be pretty confident we had a player.

 

[malevu]

The club has surprised us in the past with its sudden coaching changes eg. Blight to Thomas, Thomas to Lyon, Lyon to Watters, Watters to Richardson.

Ironically, now that we are all hankering for a change to rejuvenate the place it looks like the coach is safe. Seriously, do we ever get anything right ? Short of signing up a couple of A Graders, which we all know won't happen, how does the club hope to build any enthusiasm for its supporter base in 2019 ?

Just to balance the ledger a little and not be all pessimistic I think it's wise to consider the impact of injuries to key personnel this year. Roberton's loss was significant considering the year he had in 2018. Acres was our best player in the first third of the year until injured. Long looked like having a break out year till injured. Carlisle was looking All Australian till our doctors punctured his lung (again, do we get anything right ?) and Webster was looking like winning our B and F till getting groin injuries. None of Acres, Long, Carlisle or Webster ended the season in the form they were in earlier in the season due to injury.

Add Bruce and Stevens virtual season long absences and the loss of McCartin later in the year and its not hard to see why we struggled to get any continuity.

In no way is that an excuse for such a deplorable year or our lack of effort in some games. But we never really got a good crack at it. I suppose that we at least got to get a look at a few players that we may not have seen otherwise, like Roma, Paton, Phillips, Rice, Freeman, Goddard etc.

I just hope that when we do our spring clean out that we get it right and move the right players on. It will be a dagger to the heart if some of those that we get rid of end up playing 150 games elsewhere. Do we really trust Richo et al to get that right ?

If there's one thing that sh*ts me every time I hear Richo say it, it's that so and so needs to work on the defensive aspects of their game before gaining selection. FFS ! How about letting players show some flair and take the game on without continually referring back to his spreadsheet of "pressure acts". Hell we might even kick a 100 points or more occasionally if he did and give the fans something to enthuse over. Boomer Harvey played 400 games and wouldn't know the meaning of a "pressure act". That's because he was too busy taking the game on and running down the ground bouncing the ball.

Finally, on a positive note kudos to Jack Steele. Giving him the tagging role was one one of the few things that we got right this year. The move took him to the ball and let him see first hand how the elite midfielders go about it. As a result Steele has come on leaps and bounds and is a much more rounded player because of it. When we recruited him I hoped he might be our next Lenny Hayes. Maybe....just maybe, it's going to happen.

Bye 2018, roll on 2019.

 

[Persevering Saint]

I’m relieved the Saints are over and looking forward to watching the Browns.

Let THAT ******* sit in...

I have fallen for 2 Tampa teams: the Lightning in the NHL, and the Rays in the MLB. They don't have an NBA team. But I'm looking down the barrel of having to go for the Buccaneers for the sake of consistency: one of the most putrid, pointless, sickening teams in the whole comp... and I'd rather do that, than watch one more Saints game this season.

 

[BrutThough]

Before the Gold Coast game, Jack Steele averaged 20.7 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 2.6 clearances, 202m gained and 4 score involvements a game. He only played more than 80% game time three times (81% once and 83% twice) and kicked 2.2.

Since the Gold Coast game , Jack Steele has averaged 26.5 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 300m gained and 6 score involvements a game. During this time, he has only played one game with a TOG under 80% (where he played 79%) and he kicked 5 goals straight. He has done this while playing on Oliver, Cripps, Wines, Ward, Cotchin and Mitchell.

 

[Sab22]

So you’d just allow the heart and soul to go? Did you watch him today?
We would have been absolutely thrashed without him.

I believe every player can be let go for the right price. I love Jack, he was phenomenal. If the Brisbane pick can turn into bringing in a much younger A grade mid through trade who would have immediate impact on the team. Would you say no?

 

[JG22]

Jack Steven a monumental player when he's up and running like that

You can see why they want another dynamic player to help him

 

[Diehard Saint]

I believe every player can be let go for the right price. I love Jack, he was phenomenal. If the Brisbane pick can turn into bringing in a much younger A grade mid through trade who would have immediate impact on the team. Would you say no?

How do you know the pick would have an immediate impact? How many actually do? Chances are pretty small really.

At the moment we’ve got one of the youngest lists around. They need experience around them. Didn’t we just discover that this season?

I think it’ll be a disaster to trade away our best player and go even younger. We need Jack around so the others can develop more. Do you think Gresh would develop if he was now the primary target to be tagged?

Don’t forget we picked up two young players in Clark and Coff last season who will get a lot more games under their belts.

That’s in addition to newbies like Paton, Philips, Marshall, Battle, Long etc who have all shown something.

We’ve got loads of young talent, just got to develop them properly.... with senior bodies like Stuv around them.

 

[tomjoad]

We'll guys that's it. Now a nervous wait to see if the club can form enough of a team and create a plan strong enough to not fall off a cliff, or whether we continue with our downward trajectory and go into free fall. At this stage we sit in between what will be...and it should be interesting and perversely entertaining. I look forward to checking in here & there, but for me I'll be largely checking out...Hope all of you stay fit, healthy, and happy. Stay good guys...catch 'ya's for the odd melt in between now & round 1 next year. Cheers.

 

[austinnn]

Rowan Marshall?

More positives:

Nick Coffield
Hunter Clark
Ed Phillips
Ben Long
Ben Paton
Jade Gresham
Jimmy Webster
Jake Carlisle
Back to Moorabbin
Membership record
Simon Lethlean
Jack Lonie's redemption
Josh Battle
Logan Austin
Questions over coaches answered
Lew Pierce maybe moving past Longer and/or Hickey
Bailey Rice
Nathan Freeman getting AFL games
Still beating Carlton and Melbourne in a year when we were absolute excrement
Carlton gaining another wooden spoon in equalisation era
Essendon, Carlton and North all missing finals

and finally, most contentiously:
Taking the training wheels off (Roo & Joey) and taking our first baby steps (apologies for mixed metaphor), every loss is a lesson and we learnt a lot this year.

 

[D2D3]

I believe every player can be let go for the right price. I love Jack, he was phenomenal. If the Brisbane pick can turn into bringing in a much younger A grade mid through trade who would have immediate impact on the team. Would you say no?

You could also end up trading him and getting a Jack Watts through the door.

Not worth it.

 

[Verdun66]

At the final siren I had to jump in the car and drive 400 miles back to Scotland. Drove in driving rain, and through some bad traffic. And what did I ruminate on as the miles went by? The Saints of course!

That game this morning was just so frustrating....again! I gave up a couple of times and continued to load the car. Only to return to find we had miraculously found some goals and got back into it. The usual easy coast to coast goals against us. You wonder where our players have gone! They just melt away as 6 blokes in opposition jumpers fill up the screen and kick an easy one. Followed by the obligatory 'kick another out of my arse' goal that opposition seem to perfect against us. Plus an 'Umpires Special'....also exclusive to Saints games. Free gifts everywhere.

But blow me down if we don't remain vaguely in the game. All our goals are hard work. Plus the points that should have been goals. Membrey! When we are good, we are great. But following up is another catastrophe just around the corner. Just helter skelter. Oh for some poise and coolness of head. But that glimpse of good is definitely there. And some decent youngsters about. Some promising signs.

So....that game was like so many others this year. Good patches followed by terrible ones. Just rips your guts out. Saints fans are understandably fragile. We had the heartbreak of our 2004-2011 era, and then watched patiently as we seemed to rebuild. Maybe if we had saluted once in 2009/10 we might be stronger and have the patience to take a season like this one. Sadly we aren't. Thus the level of discontent now. Richo (and the team) had the longest honeymoon of all time. We probably wouldn't have been happy with a 9-12 finish, but 16th just terrible.

I will front up again....Saints to the core. 50+ years. We need our supporters more than ever. I understand the fragility of our supporters, but we need to stand by the club. Certainly not agree with them, but just stick with our team. Through thick and thin. Hard times for sure. I don't want our club to go under.

Anyway, interesting times ahead. Honestly won't surprise me if we have a decent year next year. The Saints way! Stick fat Sainters! I am.....

 

[Masquerade]

At the final siren I had to jump in the car and drive 400 miles back to Scotland. Drove in driving rain, and through some bad traffic. And what did I ruminate on as the miles went by? The Saints of course!

That game this morning was just so frustrating....again! I gave up a couple of times and continued to load the car. Only to return to find we had miraculously found some goals and got back into it. The usual easy coast to coast goals against us. You wonder where our players have gone! They just melt away as 6 blokes in opposition jumpers fill up the screen and kick an easy one. Followed by the obligatory 'kick another out of my arse' goal that opposition seem to perfect against us. Plus an 'Umpires Special'....also exclusive to Saints games. Free gifts everywhere.

But blow me down if we don't remain vaguely in the game. All our goals are hard work. Plus the points that should have been goals. Membrey! When we are good, we are great. But following up is another catastrophe just around the corner. Just helter skelter. Oh for some poise and coolness of head. But that glimpse of good is definitely there. And some decent youngsters about. Some promising signs.

So....that game was like so many others this year. Good patches followed by terrible ones. Just rips your guts out. Saints fans are understandably fragile. We had the heartbreak of our 2004-2011 era, and then watched patiently as we seemed to rebuild. Maybe if we had saluted once in 2009/10 we might be stronger and have the patience to take a season like this one. Sadly we aren't. Thus the level of discontent now. Richo (and the team) had the longest honeymoon of all time. We probably wouldn't have been happy with a 9-12 finish, but 16th just terrible.

I will front up again....Saints to the core. 50+ years. We need our supporters more than ever. I understand the fragility of our supporters, but we need to stand by the club. Certainly not agree with them, but just stick with our team. Through thick and thin. Hard times for sure. I don't want our club to go under.

Anyway, interesting times ahead. Honestly won't surprise me if we have a decent year next year. The Saints way! Stick fat Sainters! I am.....

It must be because of lack of sleep, but how is the bolded possible?

Edit: hang on never mind, I think I understand

 

[cooperrules]

Jack Steven a monumental player when he's up and running like that

You can see why they want another dynamic player to help him

Hes also a horrible ball butcher. Which separates him from the absolute best in the game.

 

[Verdun66]

It must be because of lack of sleep, but how is the bolded possible?

Edit: hang on never mind, I think I understand

Ha ha. Yeah, live in Edinburgh. Drove back from Southern England. My mates here think it is hilarious that I go for a team called St Kilda. Not because we are rubbish.....because it is the remotest part of Scotland. And I mean.....remote!

 

[pebblesofsand]

Didn’t hear any booing of Carlisle. He played well

Ha ha - thats funny.

I've heard of one eyed fans but never one eared fans. Enjoy ninth!!

 

[St Kilda Death]

I have fallen for 2 Tampa teams: the Lightning in the NHL, and the Rays in the MLB. They don't have an NBA team. But I'm looking down the barrel of having to go for the Buccaneers for the sake of consistency: one of the most putrid, pointless, sickening teams in the whole comp... and I'd rather do that, than watch one more Saints game this season.

Im getting ready to watch 16+ more saints games before st.kilda are back.

New Orleans are actually a decent team with good weapons either side of the ball.
Should be there at the pointy end of the season.

 

[pebblesofsand]

Jack Steven a monumental player when he's up and running like that

You can see why they want another dynamic player to help him

Yep - the difference between Steven and most of our team is that he actually tries to run - fast - Acres, Ross, Sinclair really do love the amble. Which is why I have always been a fan of Gilbo despite all his shortcomings.

I deliberately sat up on the third level I was staggered by the lack of movement by our back half. I doubt if any of them know what "corridor" means and certainly have no desire to generate proper run out of the backline. Running wide for a kick to a STOP position on the boundary line and not being prepared to run past the centre is not running - its about safety.

I've had enough of players who can't kick or refuse to run - big list I know but since we can't move the ball on the 45 degree's through the middle with any confidence - so we go wide and then because we can't move it back to the corridor with any safety and the half backs don't present, the only option is a long kick to the goal square.

Trade possibilities - some of Ross, Acres, Newnes, Sinclair, Webster.

Jack Steele Captain next year.

 

[Diehard Saint]

More positives:

Nick Coffield
Hunter Clark
Ed Phillips
Ben Long
Ben Paton
Jade Gresham
Jimmy Webster
Jake Carlisle
Back to Moorabbin
Membership record
Simon Lethlean
Jack Lonie's redemption
Josh Battle
Logan Austin
Questions over coaches answered
Lew Pierce maybe moving past Longer and/or Hickey
Bailey Rice
Nathan Freeman getting AFL games
Still beating Carlton and Melbourne in a year when we were absolute excrement
Carlton gaining another wooden spoon in equalisation era
Essendon, Carlton and North all missing finals

and finally, most contentiously:
Taking the training wheels off (Roo & Joey) and taking our first baby steps (apologies for mixed metaphor), every loss is a lesson and we learnt a lot this year.

Ahem....Man of Steele.
( always a problem making lists, you usually forget someone )

 

[Snake_Baker]

I thought your side was pretty good for a large part of the game yesterday.

A quality big bloke up forward and some work on the inside 50's and you'll be a final's contender.

BTW, Jack Stevens is officially my favorite non North player. He's a ripper.

 

[Diehard Saint]

I thought your side was pretty good for a large part of the game yesterday.

A quality big bloke up forward and some work on the inside 50's and you'll be a final's contender.

BTW, Jack Stevens is officially my favorite non North player. He's a ripper.

Keep your hands off him, you’re getting everyone else it seems

Seriously we were lucky your kicking was lousy early. You must’ve caught our bug although our goal: points ratio was much better yesterday.

 

[JG22]

Hes also a horrible ball butcher. Which separates him from the absolute best in the game.

Was pretty effective when I was watching, which was not the whole game. Including those two brilliant goals.

Guess under than intensity you give away some finesse not that he’s a great user anyway

 

[Rors]

Remember when him and Dunstan were meant to go around the same mark and we got one of them who hasn't quite worked out as well He's playing well late in the year.

Everyone said that Dunstan would have better immediate impact with limitations, but Dumont would take more time and had the tools to be a good player

Absolutely spot on predictions by those who knew

 

[Rors]

Because tough guy did things to a midget only Clint Jones should do.

Nah, it was because Majak is black

That’s the answer the cretin was looking for

 

[Rors]

Before the Gold Coast game, Jack Steele averaged 20.7 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 2.6 clearances, 202m gained and 4 score involvements a game. He only played more than 80% game time three times (81% once and 83% twice) and kicked 2.2.

Since the Gold Coast game , Jack Steele has averaged 26.5 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 300m gained and 6 score involvements a game. During this time, he has only played one game with a TOG under 80% (where he played 79%) and he kicked 5 goals straight. He has done this while playing on Oliver, Cripps, Wines, Ward, Cotchin and Mitchell.

New GOAT???

 

[Saint Watto]

More positives:

That's a great list of positives there austinnn.

It's not all gloom and doom although to many,it would appear to be the case.

Yesterday was very deflating......again.

There's a lot to look forward to with the list IMO.....but the one thing I think about straight after that thought....and it gives me a bit knot in my stomach is that given all his faults....we're going into 2019 with "Mr meat and potatoes"

That does give me a huge feeling of dread.