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

[Premium]

Exactly what I was going to say.

Whatever dribble Garry Lyon said will be plastered on the whiteboard in the team meeting this week.
Thanks Garry for giving us some extra ammunition for this game.

To beat the Bombers all we have to do is win the midfield contest - if we do that we win.
So we need big games from Steele , Ross , Steven , Acres , Dunstan , Marshall

 

[Premium]

Pierce didnt play well on the weeknd but lets nots forget it was just his 6th game. If anyone should be critcised for his efforts it is the selection committee for not playing two ruckman and leaving the responsibility to a kid in his 6th game. They have to play Marshall this week and give them both a chance to develop their games. It also leaves Bruce forward which is when we look our best going forward.

Dunstan is another who had a shocker but who replaces him?

Brown for The Irishman who didnt do a lot wrong but still has some learning to do.

Lets beat the shit of the Bombers and start earning some respect back in the industry - rather than everyone thinking we are easy beats.

agree - and Acres has to come into the side

 

[Jade Buddha]

In all likelihood there will be about 2 changes, don’t expect a guy getting 13 contested possessions to be on the out.

 

[Mattysaints]

Live in Sydney and went out to the Essendon gws match Sunday. (Might have ducked out to watch the last ten minutes of saints on my phone, you gota have priorities).

The thing that stood out watching Essendon live was the lack of intensity and players around the ball. Always looked like it was 19 players vs 17 players.

Our intensity on the ball and our talk about fitness has been positive so far this season, particularly because of what I saw in jlt. If we bring that intensity and pressure this week we are a good chance this weekend. Here’s hoping we can bring a high intensity and clean up our ball movement and we are going to be in this match.

 

[Stewart66]

Dunstan didnt have a shocker.

In fact his desperation in last quarter helped avoid defeat .

 

[DT_35]

We usually play Essendon into form, don’t think we’ll get close.

Tippa didn’t give a yelp yesterday (not many did), but he torches us every year. Daniher smashes us every time, glad he’s not playing.


But hey, stranger things have happened.

 

[tim_saints]

We usually play Essendon into form, don’t think we’ll get close.

Tippa didn’t give a yelp yesterday (not many did), but he torches us every year. Daniher smashes us every time, glad he’s not playing.


But hey, stranger things have happened.

That’s the spirit!!!

 

[Verdun66]

Just watched the two Fox shows. Not a mention on 360 and just backhanded stuff on the Couch. At the moment we are irrelevant so this week is a massive opportunity for our guys to make a statement. I would very surprised if there are many changes to the team. Not that they aren't perhaps warranted but they will be looking to develop more team cohesion. And maybe we will look at a bit of horses for courses again. Marshall maybe more suited and maybe Brown isn't.

To play again at Marvel is good for us. The newer guys will be more comfortable and we will be way better for the run. Dons will react for sure. They are back at 'home', not in the graveyard. And even if their team or club is 'fractured' personal pride will make them more competitive. Just saw Merrett highlighted by Tim Watson on Footy Classified do (or not do) something that we would absolutely go ballistic over. I expect that guy to come out with a strong purpose....sadly.

But a great opportunity for us. If our team spirit and pride has developed I reckon we are going to give it a massive shake. Hope our supporters turn up with lots of volume.

 

[DT_35]

That’s the spirit!!!

We beat GC by a point lol. What other spirit should I have?

 

[tim_saints]

We beat GC by a point lol. What other spirit should I have?

Maybe Gold Coast are better than you think.... Essendon got beaten by 13 goals! Does that mean we are going to be beaten by 26 when we play GWS?!

We drew with GWS last year too, they should’ve smashed us, we finished 3rd last they finished top 8. Not every game goes to plan dude.

 

[The_J_rod]

In fact his desperation in last quarter helped avoid defeat .

Dunston didn’t have a shocker your right, he played to his usual standard.....I’ll just leave that one there

 

[Verdun66]

Maybe Gold Coast are better than you think.... Essendon got beaten by 13 goals! Does that mean we are going to be beaten by 26 when we play GWS?!

We drew with GWS last year too, they should’ve smashed us, we finished 3rd last they finished top 8. Not every game goes to plan dude.

I think Gold Coast played well, and were cleverly coached. Age and experience of the teams was quite close. Their JLT had been good and the fact is we have always had trouble with their pace. Reckon they have set themselves to have a big start to the season. They could well slope off later in the year. More context might be possible after a few rounds.

 

[The_J_rod]

There is only 1 game a year you need to win.......unless you play them twice in a year.....and that’s this week

 

[NarklesHelmet]

I think Gold Coast played well, and were cleverly coached. Age and experience of the teams was quite close. Their JLT had been good and the fact is we have always had trouble with their pace. Reckon they have set themselves to have a big start to the season. They could well slope off later in the year. More context might be possible after a few rounds.

Yeah I think you're right.

And even though they were ordinary last year, they started the year pretty well... I remember they absolutely smashed the Blues in Victoria early in the season.

Dew seems good at getting them up and about early in the year. I think he's a decent coach.

 

[VDS66]

Any chance that Hind gets a game?

Hard to see both Clark and Acres getting the nod TBH. Will be one or the other.

 

[Verdun66]

There is only 1 game a year you need to win.......unless you play them twice in a year.....and that’s this week

Carlton are good to beat I must say. Any supporter who lived through the late 70's, 80's and into the 90's LOVE beating them. Let them rot....!

 

[theprospect]

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.

 

[saint_]

Ironic that Brown is available to play against Essendon first up considering he got suspended for bumping a Essendon player last year.

 

[Premium]

Yeah I think you're right.

And even though they were ordinary last year, they started the year pretty well... I remember they absolutely smashed the Blues in Victoria early in the season.

Dew seems good at getting them up and about early in the year. I think he's a decent coach.

Dew is a very good coach , pity we never nabbed him.

But I'm happy with our coaching set up now with Richardson , Ratten , Lade , Playfair - the 4 of them together will form the best coaching team we have had for a while.

Add in Lethlean , Chancellor , O'Shaughnessy , McKay , Willis , Slatter , Gubby and we have a good management and coaching team.
guys in bold have been at the club 2 or less seasons.

All we need now are our guys to really belief in themselves and deliver on game day.

I really rate our team and there is no reason we can't make the 8.

There are a couple guys I would leave out of the team , but I will go with whoever the selectors pick.

 

[Present Not Past]

Free kick count: Bombers 150 Saints 7
Match already decided

 

[Premium]

Ironic that Brown is available to play against Essendon first up considering he got suspended for bumping a Essendon player last year.

I hope Brown has a big game and to tell you the truth I would like Hind to get a game just to show them they lost a player they should of had on there list.

 

[Sir Skid]

That's why I'd drop Kent for Young, at the Intra Young was equal to Parker in his defensive efforts, he's quick and manic. If Long, Young and the Predator were all in one forward line it would be hell for opposition defences.

Yep. Keen to see this.

 

[VDS66]

You need one accountable forward to negate their running back - Saad?

I'd also put Steele head to head with Shiel.

 

[Groater]

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.

 

[VDS66]

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.

But he does have the tank...