Training 2023 Pre Season

[XhazzafootyX]

Higgins looks in great shape

 

[Ephemeral Hope]

If they

Nice in principle but Owens and Pou in the same side might be taking it a bit far. Without Max or Hayes they need to find some reliable goal kickers..

can both play as a goal kicking forward mid then we’re laughing. Like when dusty and bont would kick more goals then the forwards

 

[CursingFijian]

Higgins looks in great shape

 

[Yawkey way]

Nah they dont taste the same and anyway Vilis pies are so much better than both thats unless you want to really up the anti, Keith's rule

Herbert adams are the best pie from the supermarket freezer, national pies steak and onion is a good pie as well but not in the same class. Is that the same mob as Keith’s cakes ?.

 

[SaintSteele9]

I’m no great Seb Ross fan but I think it’s a stretch to suggest sitting off a contested ball situation brings his commitment into question, that could easily be his specific role in those scenarios and he’d get harsher feedback internally for entering the contest if he was meant to be the outside option. Few things give me the s***s like multiple Saints players going in for the same contested ball, leaving no option or coverage when it spills out. Commitment can be measured in a number of ways, but just playing your role (hypothetically in this case, as I could never know for sure of course) surely isn’t one.

 

[hayes]

I’m no great Seb Ross fan but I think it’s a stretch to suggest sitting off a contested ball situation brings his commitment into question, that could easily be his specific role in those scenarios and he’d get harsher feedback internally for entering the contest if he was meant to be the outside option. Few things give me the s***s like multiple Saints players going in for the same contested ball, leaving no option or coverage when it spills out. Commitment can be measured in a number of ways, but just playing your role (hypothetically in this case, as I could never know for sure of course) surely isn’t one.

I’m not sure where that comes from but it’s completely wrong. He averaged almost 10 contested touches a game which is fine for a midfielder.

 

[AirWinmar]

I’m no great Seb Ross fan but I think it’s a stretch to suggest sitting off a contested ball situation brings his commitment into question, that could easily be his specific role in those scenarios and he’d get harsher feedback internally for entering the contest if he was meant to be the outside option. Few things give me the s***s like multiple Saints players going in for the same contested ball, leaving no option or coverage when it spills out. Commitment can be measured in a number of ways, but just playing your role (hypothetically in this case, as I could never know for sure of course) surely isn’t one.

100%. If anything of a criticism, I think Seb is the type of player who is so focused on the role he has to play to the point that it takes out his game instinct at times

 

[Tyrian Lonestar]

the howard love from some in here is madness. He's a fraud. Send him forward or make him fight for his spot.

I like Howard but if I was RTB, Howard would never kick out from goal again... EVER!
Others are more precise kicks and Howard could be a target to kick further out from goal imo.

 

[stavro#4]

I like Howard but if I was RTB, Howard would never kick out from goal again... EVER!
Others are more precise kicks and Howard could be a target to kick further out from goal imo.

It was always the likes of Joey BJ Gram Gwilt, maybe fisher from memory under RTB the first time.

Probably see Coffield Sinclair Webster Hill etc this time

 

[FQFjt]

I like Howard but if I was RTB, Howard would never kick out from goal again... EVER!
Others are more precise kicks and Howard could be a target to kick further out from goal imo.

Getting the kicker right is important, but more important is getting the game plan from the kick out down pat. We so often seemed completely clueless in that situation, which is inexcusable given that it is a situation which inevitably occurs hundreds of times through the season and which can be planned for to a tee.

 

[Tyrian Lonestar]

It was always the likes of Joey BJ Gram Gwilt, maybe fisher from memory under RTB the first time.

Probably see Coffield Sinclair Webster Hill etc this time

Exactly. Naz would be great at it but doubt he plays back and prefer him on the wing

 

[Tyrian Lonestar]

Getting the kicker right is important, but more important is getting the game plan from the kick out down pat. We so often seemed completely clueless in that situation, which is inexcusable given that it is a situation which inevitably occurs hundreds of times through the season and which can be planned for to a tee.

Could have several set plays for this imo

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I like Howard but if I was RTB, Howard would never kick out from goal again... EVER!
Others are more precise kicks and Howard could be a target to kick further out from goal imo.

That's always been odd to me, that we didn't use someone who is a contested marking option to kick "TO", and kick out using someone like Paton or Long or whatever.

 

[gringo2011]

I’m no great Seb Ross fan but I think it’s a stretch to suggest sitting off a contested ball situation brings his commitment into question, that could easily be his specific role in those scenarios and he’d get harsher feedback internally for entering the contest if he was meant to be the outside option. Few things give me the s***s like multiple Saints players going in for the same contested ball, leaving no option or coverage when it spills out. Commitment can be measured in a number of ways, but just playing your role (hypothetically in this case, as I could never know for sure of course) surely isn’t one.

That's not what I'm saying. It's his efforts last year when he stood off when the ball was in dispute in defence. He was highlighted a few times not going when it was his turn. An extra surge of effort could have saved goals. He improved a lot this year and had his best season in years. I just think he's the one mid that could be in trouble as we try to feed kids in. Bytel is the only pure inside mid and he probably has to wait for Steele or Crouch to get injured to win a spot. Windhager, Byrnes, Owens, Hotton, Connolly and Phillipou all capable of playing a more running midfield role if needed. Obviously some will play a more high half forward defensive wing or flank type role but he's vulnerable IMO.

I hope Ross holds his spot because he's been a long term servant but practically he's going to have to keep up his pressure on every contest to keep his spot.

 

[Tyrian Lonestar]

That's always been odd to me, that we didn't use someone who is a contested marking option to kick "TO", and kick out using someone like Paton or Long or whatever.

Maybe it was Howard showing his own leadership

 

[puppy_dog7]

That's not what I'm saying. It's his efforts last year when he stood off when the ball was in dispute in defence. He was highlighted a few times not going when it was his turn. An extra surge of effort could have saved goals. He improved a lot this year and had his best season in years. I just think he's the one mid that could be in trouble as we try to feed kids in. Bytel is the only pure inside mid and he probably has to wait for Steele or Crouch to get injured to win a spot. Windhager, Byrnes, Owens, Hotton, Connolly and Phillipou all capable of playing a more running midfield role if needed. Obviously some will play a more high half forward defensive wing or flank type role but he's vulnerable IMO.

I hope Ross holds his spot because he's been a long term servant but practically he's going to have to keep up his pressure on every contest to keep his spot.

And that’s the thing. Ross is reliable. You know what you’re gonna get consistently with Seb and he’s still only 29.
We don’t know what we’re gonna get week in week out from Byrnes/Bytel/Clark even Windhager at times cos he’s still young and especially Phillipou.
They would have to have a stretch of very good games to solidify their spot and trust within the team.

As much as I’d love the young guys to take the next step this year. Realit is most of them still won’t be performing to the consistent level of Ross. Even though they may be more talented.

 

[ScrappyDo]

If they can both play as a goal kicking forward mid then we’re laughing. Like when dusty and bont would kick more goals then the forwards

So our unproven 1st and 2nd year players with a combined total of 7 games between them are going to be our Dusty and Bont?

 

[Barrels]

Poo off the bench.

No point not playing him without king. Just get games into him.

Not sure he’s a “straight in”.

Don’t go too hard too early with the kid; there are other options at the moment. When he’s ready, he’ll play.

 

[sunny3193]

That's always been odd to me, that we didn't use someone who is a contested marking option to kick "TO", and kick out using someone like Paton or Long or whatever.

Yeah, but logic or something?
I couldn’t understand either.

 

[AirWinmar]

That's not what I'm saying. It's his efforts last year when he stood off when the ball was in dispute in defence. He was highlighted a few times not going when it was his turn. An extra surge of effort could have saved goals. He improved a lot this year and had his best season in years. I just think he's the one mid that could be in trouble as we try to feed kids in. Bytel is the only pure inside mid and he probably has to wait for Steele or Crouch to get injured to win a spot. Windhager, Byrnes, Owens, Hotton, Connolly and Phillipou all capable of playing a more running midfield role if needed. Obviously some will play a more high half forward defensive wing or flank type role but he's vulnerable IMO.

I hope Ross holds his spot because he's been a long term servant but practically he's going to have to keep up his pressure on every contest to keep his spot.

There were a few games last season where you could say pretty much the whole team weren't giving there most effort. There was definitely a couple of games where Seb was one of the very few who cracked in until the end.

 

[pebblesofsand]

And that’s the thing. Ross is reliable. You know what you’re gonna get consistently with Seb and he’s still only 29.
We don’t know what we’re gonna get week in week out from Byrnes/Bytel/Clark even Windhager at times cos he’s still young and especially Phillipou.
They would have to have a stretch of very good games to solidify their spot and trust within the team.

As much as I’d love the young guys to take the next step this year. Realit is most of them still won’t be performing to the consistent level of Ross. Even though they may be more talented.

Bang!!! Nailed it with this post.

People get excited about "shiny new things" but Seb delivers at a very consistent rate.

Not "elite" but pretty damn good.

 

[SaintSteele9]

That's not what I'm saying. It's his efforts last year when he stood off when the ball was in dispute in defence. He was highlighted a few times not going when it was his turn. An extra surge of effort could have saved goals. He improved a lot this year and had his best season in years. I just think he's the one mid that could be in trouble as we try to feed kids in. Bytel is the only pure inside mid and he probably has to wait for Steele or Crouch to get injured to win a spot. Windhager, Byrnes, Owens, Hotton, Connolly and Phillipou all capable of playing a more running midfield role if needed. Obviously some will play a more high half forward defensive wing or flank type role but he's vulnerable IMO.

I hope Ross holds his spot because he's been a long term servant but practically he's going to have to keep up his pressure on every contest to keep his spot.

Misread your initial post/context sorry Gringo, and agree with the above. When Ross is legitimately pushed out of our best 22 I think we’re in good shape at that point

 

[PoppedCorn]

Gresh fwd (snaffle some crumb snaps thru the sticks)

Villis pies or gtfo

Mrs Mac's lol

 

[saintmike65]

Agree with all that. The way I see it, if Ross is being kept out of the team then our midfield must be really firing.

I like Howard but if I was RTB, Howard would never kick out from goal again... EVER!
Others are more precise kicks and Howard could be a target to kick further out from goal imo.

Plus the odd brain fade!!

 

[Dard Ball Get]