Preview Round 2, 2019: Essendon v St.Kilda - Marvel Stadium, Saturday 30th March, 4:35PM AEDT

[Max the great]

In fact his desperation in last quarter helped avoid defeat .

His liability throughout the game as well as a few others is what kept Suns in it. Everyone can point to stats all they like.. Dunstan and Savage were putrid and are not AFL quality.

 

[hayes]

Need to make a statement. They'll come out breathing fire, but we need to hit back harder and put scoreboard pressure early.

Out: Joyce, Dunstan, Wilkie
In: Brown, Acres, Marshall

I'd consider dropping Sinclair for Hunter as well, but I feel that's down the track rather than round 2. I wouldn't surprised if Hunter was promoted ahead of Acres this week though.

Also, what's with Ross playing extreme outside atm? Do the coaches seriously think he's about to evolve into Gaff? I just wish Richo would stop farting around with these crappy little side projects. He's never going to be that player. Try Gresham, Billings, Hunter, Coff or anyone else who has shown an inclination to play that way. He just doesn't have the hurt factor.

I would’ve thought 20 disposals and a goal is enough to keep his spot. I don’t care what the stats say Sinclair is getting the silk back that he lost last year.

As for Ross I don’t have a clue what Richo is doing with him. Saw him line up at HF a few times too, I don’t even think Richo knows.

 

[DarkSaint]

OUT: McKenzie/Savage, Sinclair/Long/Kent
IN: Acres, Marshall

Brown to come in at the expensive of Joyce who didnt play a bad game, just that brown is much better at the moment which will make us more solid and stable down back. If Battle/Wilkie have a bad game, then Joyce back in for either.

 

[Verdun66]

I would’ve thought 20 disposals and a goal is enough to keep his spot. I don’t care what the stats say Sinclair is getting the silk back that he lost last year.

As for Ross I don’t have a clue what Richo is doing with him. Saw him line up at HF a few times too, I don’t even think Richo knows.

Ross was the only player not to have a tackle. Not something you want on your stats sheet....

 

[MOLTEN GANGLANDS]

His liability throughout the game as well as a few others is what kept Suns in it. Everyone can point to stats all they like.. Dunstan and Savage were putrid and are not AFL quality.

preach it max! they really, really aren't

 

[aussierulesrules]

Any reason why posters are so obsessed with converting forwards into midfielders re Parker he could be a 30 - 40 goal season player & his speed height and aggression is needed in the forward line leave him there he probably has never even played midfield before.

He did go in for at least one centre bounce in the 2nd half yesterday.

 

[StJHD]

If we bring our a-game in terms of pressure, with Brown coming back in for stability in defence I think we can really push Essendon and beat them. Sides under this kind of pressure will either bounce back with a big win or crumble, so it could easily go either way and I wouldn't want to underestimate Essendon too much but we've got them at the best possible time.

Just on a side note as well, was great to see Bruce back to his best yesterday, it shows how much we missed him last year. He does drop a few but he'll never be out marked, never loses a contest and works tirelessly. He's so critical for our structure. 40 goals forwards aren't easy to come by. Hooker still being out means one of Bruce or Membrey could get off the chain a bit and have a big day if things go our way, looking forward to seeing how we go.

Always cringe when Bruce goes into the ruck, but he was more competitive than Pierce. Goals, lead-ups, ruck, game-saving defensive mark...not a bad start.

 

[Premium]

Always cringe when Bruce goes into the ruck, but he was more competitive than Pierce. Goals, lead-ups, ruck, game-saving defensive mark...not a bad start.

Bruce never gets the credit he deserves - athletic tall who can take a pack mark and fight for the ball when it hits the deck and kicks goals.
People were wanted to trade the guy , absolute joke - with out him we wouldn't even have a tall forward who has shown can kick goals.

 

[pebblesofsand]

For those who want Dunstan out - here's some reading for them.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...ers-awful-round-one-loss-20190325-p5178z.html

"Embarrassed by the magnitude of the defeat in their season opener, the Bombers' abject day was best summed up by the fact they lost the contested-ball count by 41 (157-116) – their worst differential since a loss to Carlton in round three, 2015."

"The Saints may not be expected to challenge for the finals, but their willingness to fight was shown in that they had 164 contested possessions in their one-point win over the Gold Coast Suns."

 

[triggering bro]

All things considered I was quite happy with Joyce’s game & I think he will have a long career with us but it’s been pointed out that he gave away 6 free kicks. On reflection, I think he is omitted for Brown. Wilkie to retain his spot.

 

[Persevering Saint]

All things considered I was quite happy with Joyce’s game & I think he will have a long career with us but it’s been pointed out that he gave away 6 free kicks. On reflection, I think he is omitted for Brown. Wilkie to retain his spot.

And no shame in that. He gets to go back to Sandy and continue to hone his craft. With injury and suspension, he'll probably play about 5-10 seniors games this year, which is fine. His time starts next year, should Brown retire.

 

[The_Steadier]

I personally would like to see Pierce as number 1 ruck and Marshall forward/ruck. If i see Bruce in the ruck again and therefore throw our forward structure out I will spew up....sorry.
GC had 2 mtr in ruck then forward and it worked time again. Every time Bruce went into the ruck we looked weak up forward. During JLT, we had 3 big forwards and the opposition were shitting themselves because our smalls and Membrey were hovering like vultures.

Up back I thought the guys got better as the game went on. We just lack experience there without Robbo. Maybe Brown provides that experience despite no matchup. McKenzie really worried me. Looked like the weak link despite his one good act in the last qtr on Ainsworth who was already injured.

Despite winning clearances, we look slow from the guts. All were one pace. Ross, Dustan and Steele just had no spread. Not sure who comes in for this. Clarke would give some composure but not really quick. Acres has size and composure but same pace also. Maybe a Paton....?

Just my 5 cents...

Battle fwd, joyce chb, brown fb.

Everyone wins.

Except pierce, he's not ready.

I don't like bruce in the ruck either as it's robbing peter to pay paul.

But roma will be able to ruck MUCH more than pierce who had 70% TOG, and from what i saw, was too gassed to get beyond walking pace for 20% of that time.

Which amounted to baroose rucking ~50% of the game- clearly unacceptable.

Roma in means baroose will only have to pinch hit- which while not ideal- is not disastrous for our fwd setup.
Particularly if we switch battle fwd with brown coming back.

 

[wolfpup]

I think its a good thing that we are trying to fit in acres, clark, coffield , phillips, rice, young into the team, shows we have some midfield depth. I think our forward-line looks dangerous, our defense is weakened so the only change would be Brown in for someone.

No way Wilkie or Dunstan or McKenzie will be dropped. The only ones you would think could be dropped would be Kent (kicked a vital goal though) and Joyce (who i thought played well) and maybe Pierce.

The bombers have injuries like us and looks like stringer is doubtful, I think we are a chance against them, i penciled this game as a loss when i first saw the fixture.

 

[Stewart66]

But he does have the tank...

Agree with tank and personally think that his game rotating winger with Billings , Newnes , Sinclair &
hopefully Hannebery.

Pretty hard to play inside mid with 0 tackles ...Steele had 10

 

[Groater]

I would’ve thought 20 disposals and a goal is enough to keep his spot. I don’t care what the stats say Sinclair is getting the silk back that he lost last year.

As for Ross I don’t have a clue what Richo is doing with him. Saw him line up at HF a few times too, I don’t even think Richo knows.

I suppose it's more of a reflection of where I think Hunter is at, rather then it all being about Sinclair.

Ross as an inside mid would be a considerable upgrade on Dunstan.

 

[bird_man]

All things considered I was quite happy with Joyce’s game & I think he will have a long career with us but it’s been pointed out that he gave away 6 free kicks. On reflection, I think he is omitted for Brown. Wilkie to retain his spot.

Yeah I like the look of Joyce, but 6 frees against is pretty damning. He does tend to panic and grab an arm whenever he's under the pump.

Just having a look at Essendons side. They only named one key forward (McKernan) last week and then Stringer at CHF. Mitch Brown was named in the back half but moved forward early.

 

[stavro#4]

I think its a good thing that we are trying to fit in acres, clark, coffield , phillips, rice, young into the team, shows we have some midfield depth. I think our forward-line looks dangerous, our defense is weakened so the only change would be Brown in for someone.

No way Wilkie or Dunstan or McKenzie will be dropped. The only ones you would think could be dropped would be Kent (kicked a vital goal though) and Joyce (who i thought played well) and maybe Pierce.

The bombers have injuries like us and looks like stringer is doubtful, I think we are a chance against them, i penciled this game as a loss when i first saw the fixture.

Mate if Dunstan isn’t a chance to be dropped then we are stupid.

Joyce just isn’t ready to play on Key Forwards. That’s no issue. He has had a taste. Now go dominate and hone your craft at VFL level.

 

[Mikka84]

I don’t mind a few changes even though we’ve won. I look at it from the angle - what separates us from the top few teams? Simple terms, our top 6 players aren’t anywhere near the top 6 of the best teams. The only way this can improve, is the hope our young kids coming through become that elite talent.

I love the boys, but really only Stuv would get a gig in the better teams midfield. So I’m not opposed at all getting the younger kids through the systems with games. I guess Richo is though, as we saw on the weekend.

 

[stavro#4]

Ross was the only player not to have a tackle. Not something you want on your stats sheet....

And yet he was the only player who backed himself to take the game on and break lines...... pros and cons. But he is a gun Mid and looked like he was on his way to being his best

 

[stavro#4]

I don’t mind a few changes even though we’ve won. I look at it from the angle - what separates us from the top few teams? Simple terms, our top 6 players aren’t anywhere near the top 6 of the best teams. The only way this can improve, is the hope our young kids coming through become that elite talent.

I love the boys, but really only Stuv would get a gig in the better teams midfield. So I’m not opposed at all getting the younger kids through the systems with games. I guess Richo is though, as we saw on the weekend.

Agreed our top 6 isn’t at that level. But I think you create standards with expectations and form. If we are replacing people after a win with players who dominated at Sandy then it means those dropped need to raise it to get back in. Eventually you bridge that gap between the best and worst because you set new standards.

I think it’s a good learning curve for Coffield. Similar to Joey. Hunter needs to impact the game more, so dominate at VFL and you will feel a lot more confident to do so at AFL level. I think Lonie has shown that this method works. He had a very good game on Sunday and great end to last season off the back of fantastic VFL form.

 

[Saintbloke]

Joyce seems more athletic than Brown, although Brown offers a bit more strength, there's not much much between them right now. It will be won or lost in the midfield, and I would hope that all our mids are very switched on and running hard from the first bounce.

 

[bird_man]

Mate if Dunstan isn’t a chance to be dropped then we are stupid.

Joyce just isn’t ready to play on Key Forwards. That’s no issue. He has had a taste. Now go dominate and hone your craft at VFL level.

I agree about Dunstan, although I do see the point that we don't have a lot of decent contested options outside of Steele. Clark's body just isn't up to it yet. Can we throw Acres in there a bit more?

Koby Stevens was probably a bigger loss than what we though it reality.

 

[stavro#4]

I agree about Dunstan, although I do see the point that we don't have a lot of decent contested options outside of Steele. Clark's body just isn't up to it yet. Can we throw Acres in there a bit more?

100% you could and you would get spread. Acres is the closest thing we have to a Fyfe or Cripps. Let’s see what we actually have in Acres the bonafide midfielder.

 

[BrutThough]

I still think omitting Dunstan would leave us vulnerable in the middle to win the contested ball, which is an area we can hurt the Dons.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

OK so we had the claim earlier that ( i'll tone it down ) , the Saints are relatively fit.
We have information that maybe Essendon are not so fit at the moment.

I'm thinking that if "any" of the marginal players pull up sore after this weekend, we should bring in relatively fresh legs, focusing on those with good tanks.

Marshall , Acres, Hind, Young , Clark Brown, Phillips in the mix.

Try to play high intensity and run the bastards off their feet.

From the weekend.
Most disposals. Billings , Ross, Steven , Newnes , Lonie, Steele :: Least Pierce , Kent , Wilke , Membrey Long.
Contested possessions: Steven, Dunstan, McKenzie , Ross, Steele, Joyce, Long ,Parker , Bruce ::Least Savage Membrey Kent Ross Newnes.
Disposal Efficiency : Wilkie, McKenzie, Battle, Newnes , Billings. :: Worst Dunstan , Sinclair , Pierce, Kent ( all 50% -- Pierce 6 disposals all contested ).
Clangers :: Joyce, Kent , Parker , Bruce , Long.
Marks :: Membrey , Battle , Lonie, Savage, Steele , Parker. :: Pierce the only player without a Mark.
Contested Marks :: Battle, Bruce , Wilke , Steven, McKenzie , Geary ,Long ( No-one else took one ).
Marks inside 50 :: Membrey , Lonie, Kent , Bruce.
Hitouts : Pierce 27, Bruce 6
Clearances : Steven, Gresham , Dunstan, Steele , Long, Sinclair Least::
Centre Clearances : Steven, Ross then nine single clearances.
Stoppages, : Gresham , Dunstan , Steven , Steele
Rebounds:: Newnes, McKenzie , Savage ,Ross. Wilkie, Geary , Webster.
Free kicks awarded : Steven, Geary , Parker
Free kicks away. :: Joyce , Bruce , Lonie.
Tackles: Steele, Dunstan, McKenzie , Long , Newnes. :: Least Ross, Savage, Battle, Webster , Billings.
1% ers Joyce, Wilkie, Webster, Battle , McKenzie.
Inside 50's , Newnes , Ross , Parker, Steven , Lonie, Sinclair.
Goal Assists, Newnes and Parker 2 each.

Time on ground
Best :: Joyce 94.7, Savage 94, Steele 90.9, Billings 90.5
Worst :: Kent 63.5 , Steven 70.9, Dunstan 71.8, Long 72.3, Gresham 72.9

Joyce: Did a great job, thrown into the hot seat he earned plenty of respect and has a bright future. But for now, we can't afford to have the clangers, and the free kicks away. I want Brown in against Essendon.
Pierce. 6 disposals at 50% effectiveness. No Marks. Got about 3 hitouts per 1/4 more than Bruce would have on his own. Marshall will do more.
Kent: Took time on the bench from those who were doing the bulk of the work, 50% disposal of a low total. Young in or bring Battle forward.

Ross seemed to be playing a very outside roll. Not sure why. Maybe we put him back in the guts , bring in Hind and drop Dunstan.( 50% disposal ...)
Not sold on Savage, doesn't win contested ball, Wilkie is above him in the pecking order for the roll he plays in my book. ( with Wilkie able to cover for a tall ).
Sinclair is a hard one to me. He was doing a lot right but messing up the disposal. Do we give him a chance to do better or bring in Phillips?