Review Round 15, 2023 - St. Kilda vs. Brisbane Lions

[SRH17]

I don’t think I have ever seen anyone enjoy playing footy as much as Josh Dunkley .
He seems to have a smile on his face all the time . Smiling assassin and he is ours .

What a wonderful addition to our team .

Agree. Add Cam to that and it looks like a happy place to be.

 

[AFLQLD]

Hipwood’s game wasn’t just good, it was mature. He made good decisions with and without the ball. He knew when halving the contest was all he needed to do. He found acres of space several times because he understood the Saints’ defensive pattern and picked his time to move. They were clearly thinking they had him covered and are a well drilled defensive unit regardless of individual skill. He actually made them look at each other in confusion a couple of times.

He will have a tougher time next week against the likes of Grimes and Vlaustin. But he is hopefully confident enough now that he can hold even very solid defenders accountable.

 

[On the quiet]

We were sitting on the wing right where he was having his run. Awesome and smart play to take it on, he had no obvious kick to go to.

i am so glad he is going well and being played (currently) in his best position. A few posters doubted him at the beginning of the year but for me and many other posters he played well in finals last year and just had that type of personality to take it on and he is developing nicely.

Also impressed with Fletcher, so glad the younger guys are performing well.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Yeah Joe Daniher, what a disgrace. Only 19 possessions, 2 goals and 8 marks. Wish we had Kings 7 possessions, 2 behinds, zero goals zero marks and the 2 fifties he gave away. He plays full forward, you lot that like to target Joe genuinely have no idea.

 

[KissKiss]

I was uncertain about the Fort sub selection pre game but could kinda understand the logic with us going with a smaller formation. But if you are going to bring a ruck on late in the game why wouldn't you put them a fresh legs in the middle of the ground?

Such a waste parking them at full forward where the contested marking is useful but was wasting the fresh body. Why not throw Oscar to full forward and add the fresh ruck to the middle?

We constantly waste our subs by using weird selections, using them or weird times or just hiding the fresh player in a section of the ground that isn't being used.

Its a glaring tactical weakness in our coaching

 

[Thomasno]

Hipwood’s game wasn’t just good, it was mature. He made good decisions with and without the ball. He knew when halving the contest was all he needed to do. He found acres of space several times because he understood the Saints’ defensive pattern and picked his time to move. They were clearly thinking they had him covered and are a well drilled defensive unit regardless of individual skill. He actually made them look at each other in confusion a couple of times.

He will have a tougher time next week against the likes of Grimes and Vlaustin. But he is hopefully confident enough now that he can hold even very solid defenders accountable.

That snap pass from the pocket to set up a shot on goal directly in front was a beautifully mature decision (and great kick!!).

Love how he’s been playing recently, keep the eel train rolling on

 

[Gadzorks]

We were sitting on the wing right where he was having his run. Awesome and smart play to take it on, he had no obvious kick to go to.

While Motty was running and bouncing and burning his opposition player he even managed to beckon a forward to lead.

That's some serious calmness. Not often seen in young players, especially those known for their crazy energy.

 

[martinson]

I was uncertain about the Fort sub selection pre game but could kinda understand the logic with us going with a smaller formation. But if you are going to bring a ruck on late in the game why wouldn't you put them a stress legs in the middle of the ground?

Such a waste parking them at full forward where the contested marking is useful but was wasting the fresh body. Why not throw Oscar to full forward and add the fresh ruck to the middle?

We constantly waste our subs by using weird selections, using them or weird times or just hiding the fresh player in a section of the ground that isn't being used.

Its a glaring tactical weakness in our coaching

I felt sure once Fort came on late in the 3rd that we'd ruck him and park Oscar who would be a huge threat to their smaller defence.

We won the game so no drama but did bamboozle me at the time.

 

[Pride of lions]

I don’t think I have seen such a talented player as Rayner disappear from games for such long periods. If he could manage to stay involved and get 15 to 20 possessions a game he would be an absolute match winner. His ball use is top shelf as is his football iq. If he could take the next step we would be a much better chance of getting where we want to.

 

[3KZ is Football]

B: Starcevich, Payne, Lester
HB: Coleman, Andrews, McKenna

This really is a balanced and potent defensive unit. Our back six were sensational tonight. They have really developed a strong understanding and compliment each other perfectly. My only concern would be that sometimes Coleman can hesitate when he needs to go.

It was late when I posted the original and I just want to unpack this a little more. The balance in this backline is perfect. Andrews is arguably the competition’s best defender in the air. His intercept marking and capacity to spoil are first rate. Payne is also a sensational aerial defender and Lester also reads the play beautifully and thwarts opposing players. Starcevich is a brilliant negator, given the task of picking up the most dangerous small forward each week, he is rarely beaten. McKenna is quick and he provides excellent run and carry out of defence. Lester is a great ‘utility’ type defender. He is an elite ball user, his precision kicking means our exits completely carve oppositions and he is hard at it in contests on the deck. His intercept marking and aggressive spoiling are also strong weapons. He is a great tactician and he is the backline general we have desperately needed. For the last couple of seasons many have pointed to the need to get our defence right and Lester has been the X-Factor that has made that happen. Finally Coleman provides us with great run and carry and an ability to move the ball out of defence with aggressive kicking. Add Wilmot to the list when he plays as a half back and we have a fantastic backline. Barring injury, Fagan must keep this unit together. There is not a single player you could drop for Rich or Gardiner, even when they are both fit.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Just listened to the Presser......what's going on.....could hear every question loud n clear. A pleasant change.

Mike Whiting said on the roar deal that channel 7 mike up the Friday night games while most other games the broadcasters don’t. or something like that

 

[beardancer]

You give us the usual load of crap about Joe.

He has some great games and some poor ones. Just like every other player in our side.

His positive contributions outweigh his poorer games so come off it with your incessant carping.

mate im not doing this to annoy you......i want our team to reach its potential,winthe premiership and the next 4 or 5. One of the main obstacles to this is our key forward and his glaring deficiencies. i doubt we can make it with Joe as our spearhead

 

[Dalions]

It was late when I posted the original and I just want to unpack this a little more. The balance in this backline is perfect. Andrews is arguably the competition’s best defender in the air. His intercept marking and capacity to spoil are first rate. Payne is also a sensational aerial defender and Lester also reads the play beautifully and thwarts opposing players. Starcevich is a brilliant negator, given the task of picking up the most dangerous small forward each week, he is rarely beaten. McKenna is quick and he provides excellent run and carry out of defence. Lester is a great ‘utility’ type defender. He is an elite ball user, his precision kicking means our exits completely carve oppositions and he is hard at it in contests on the deck. His intercept marking and aggressive spoiling are also strong weapons. He is a great tactician and he is the backline general we have desperately needed. For the last couple of seasons many have pointed to the need to get our defence right and Lester has been the X-Factor that has made that happen. Finally Coleman provides us with great run and carry and an ability to move the ball out of defence with aggressive kicking. Add Wilmot to the list when he plays as a half back and we have a fantastic backline. Barring injury, Fagan must keep this unit together. There is not a single player you could drop for Rich or Gardiner, even when they are both fit.

We have a back 7 and you have forgotten Darcy Wilmot on both occasions, could potentially be better than the lot of them.
On current form I would have Wilmot starting over Kiddy and if/when Daniel Rich comes back into the team I would have Wilmot over Kiddy in the backline.

 

[Dalions]

mate im not doing this to annoy you......i want our team to reach its potential,winthe premiership and the next 4 or 5. One of the main obstacles to this is our key forward and his glaring deficiencies. i doubt we can make it with Joe as our spearhead

Is he actually our spearhead when he plays decent Ruck time?

 

[beardancer]

It was late when I posted the original and I just want to unpack this a little more. The balance in this backline is perfect. Andrews is arguably the competition’s best defender in the air. His intercept marking and capacity to spoil are first rate. Payne is also a sensational aerial defender and Lester also reads the play beautifully and thwarts opposing players. Starcevich is a brilliant negator, given the task of picking up the most dangerous small forward each week, he is rarely beaten. McKenna is quick and he provides excellent run and carry out of defence. Lester is a great ‘utility’ type defender. He is an elite ball user, his precision kicking means our exits completely carve oppositions and he is hard at it in contests on the deck. His intercept marking and aggressive spoiling are also strong weapons. He is a great tactician and he is the backline general we have desperately needed. For the last couple of seasons many have pointed to the need to get our defence right and Lester has been the X-Factor that has made that happen. Finally Coleman provides us with great run and carry and an ability to move the ball out of defence with aggressive kicking. Add Wilmot to the list when he plays as a half back and we have a fantastic backline. Barring injury, Fagan must keep this unit together. There is not a single player you could drop for Rich or Gardiner, even when they are both fit.

great post. Ryan was excellent last night

 

[martinson]

I did note in Fages presser that he seemed to have no doubt that Rich and Gunners will be coming back , 'whether they have to play half a game in the reserves or not '

This could get interesting if we keep winning.

 

[beardancer]

Is he actually our spearhead when he plays decent Ruck time?

fagan just gives Joe ruck time for the comedy effect.

 

[martinson]

We have a back 7 and you have forgotten Darcy Wilmot on both occasions, could potentially be better than the lot of them.
On current form I would have Wilmot starting over Kiddy and if/when Daniel Rich comes back into the team I would have Wilmot over Kiddy in the backline.

Wilmot and McKenna are a long way ahead of Kiddy on current form and impact.

And I think Lester is a long way ahead of Gardiner. Lester is doing things I never thought he was capable of. The test will come when we play other Top 4 teams.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I did note in Fages presser that he seemed to have no doubt that Rich and Gunners will be coming back , 'whether they have to play half a game in the reserves or not '

This could get interesting if we keep winning.

The question then becomes, who do you drop and seriously, you could not drop a single player in our backline. All are in match winning form. It would be a massive display of double standards if either player went straight in when they were fit, given other players are battling away in the reserves week after week trying to break into the seniors.

 

[Sanchez365]

I thought in general the young guys who played with so much energy last week were all a little down. Lohmann couldn't really get near it, Robertson got parked in the F50 the whole game, Fletcher was quieter (than last week) but still had some strong moments showing he will be a good player.

What was frustrating to me was the lack of rotations in the middle. Bailey had a terrible game and rather then give Rayner or Robertson a chance to get involved, Fages just let him stink it up in there. Won't be surprised to see Robertson dropped for Zorko, even if I felt he didn't get much of a chance in his preferred position.

The sub and our use of it was also strange. Oscar had a monster 10min patch in the first where he was manned up against a half forward and took complete advantage. He was great in the first half but I felt in the second Marshall comfortably beat him. When we needed the change I don't know why Fort didn't just go into the ruck straight away in the third. We should of tried to manufacture that mismatch again of Oscar v Owens, poor coaching to not exploit that advantage and instead let Owens beat Danniher in the ruck (lol).

The great things are what has been mentioned. Hipwood was amazing and tbh his leading patterns have been great ever since Gunston dropped out. His attack was always great but now he's finding holes in zone defenses, maybe he did learn something from the old timer before he got put out to pasture...

Andrews obviously dominated when he (effectively) didn't have an opponent. As has been mentioned if only we had Adams still, we could get Andrews playing as a roaming 3rd tall all game.

Our team as a whole still seem to have a few players that don't really crack in all game. We had moments where there was 4 players around one saint player under pressure, but we allowed them to get the ball forward and out into space. We need to be way more switched on them that against a better team.

 

[irel]

All in all a shiteful game of foot-ball; wouldn’t watch again.

Naah Mr Rip. Watching it again is "resilience building."

 

[martinson]

The question then becomes, who do you drop and seriously, you could not drop a single player in our backline. All are in match winning form. It would be a massive display of double standards if either player went straight in when they were fit, given other players are battling away in the reserves week after week trying to break into the seniors.

I agree with you.

Let's wait till it happens and we can do a full meltdown.

I don't mind if they win their way back , but you couldn't have either ahead of anyone currently in the team on this season's form.

 

[beardancer]

I did note in Fages presser that he seemed to have no doubt that Rich and Gunners will be coming back , 'whether they have to play half a game in the reserves or not '

This could get interesting if we keep winning.

remember , earlierin his career when he played as a centerman.......his delivery to the forwards was devastating. he doesnt have his speed anymore to mind a forward but he still has his vision and that kick

 

[Dalions]

I did note in Fages presser that he seemed to have no doubt that Rich and Gunners will be coming back , 'whether they have to play half a game in the reserves or not '

This could get interesting if we keep winning.

We are missing a genuine third tall forward that much is obvious.
When I was at training on Thursday, I though that Gunston in particular looks genuinely committed to getting himself fit and ready for action again.

 

[3KZ is Football]

fagan just gives Joe ruck time for the comedy effect.

I agree. It is the misuse of one of our biggest assets to have Daniher in the ruck. It also increases the likelihood of him sustaining serious injury, which is why I think he is “soft” at many of his ruck contests. He doesn’t want to be injured and I think that this is in the back of his mind.