Autopsy Round 2, 2019: Essendon v St.Kilda

[CursingFijian]

Gary Lyon said in commentary that he was surprised by how Lonie, Sinclair and Gresham have all been able to become more than small forwards and were impacting through the midfield.

Not news to us Saints fans though right? We have seen them all play strong midfield roles at Sandy.

I think this speaks to the Captain’s conversation with the coach at the end of last year. LET US PLAY TO OUR STRENGTHS, he asked.

I think Richo will be more than pleasantly surprised with what Lonie is providing.

Also that penalty against Lonie for running the ball through if you go back and watch he runs hard from the centre square to be there for that crumb. Seriously good effort.

 

[cooperrules]

I think that’s the hope for Battle

Battle needs to go forward wilkie can play his role

 

[Sir Skid]

we need 9 more wins to play ######, i think.

Ban please!

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

For your viewing pleasure.

 

[bennymc7]

For your viewing pleasure.

Love it... got Parker murdering McGrath in front of 45,000?

 

[mad-saint-guy]

We absolutely could and should have put this game away in the first quarter, but at least we were able to hold our ground and never concede the lead once Essendon were up and running. We played brilliantly in the first quarter and I was expecting yet another game in which we dominate early play, waste our shots on goal and then get overrun. Credit where its due though, our midfield never stopped fighting and our defensive structures held up pretty well.

Bruce and Gresham are the huge positives for me. Bruce looks in career best form and shape which is absolutely huge for us; he has a massive physical presence and is throwing everything he has at every contest. Doesn't hurt that he just took the mark of the year either. I had my doubts about Gresh in the midfield but he has matured physically and lifted his running game to the point where he is going to win us a lot of clearances and still has the ability to push forward and hit the scoreboard. I expect many more 25 disposal, 2 goal games from him.

Marshall had an interesting game. No doubt he's the best option we have in the ruck right now but he is going to get beaten most weeks by other starting rucks. He is very handy around the ground, although Bellchambers beat him with strength and experience in a few marking contests. He would be a brilliant second ruck to Rhys Stanley or Tom Hickey who both played well for top 4 teams this weekend. Incredible to think that we've traded away McEvoy, Stanley and Hickey who would all be our number one ruck right now.

Parker really impressed me again. His production isn't as consistent as I'd like it to be, but he's just about our most dangerous player around the contest. Loved his hit on McGrath and his smarts to play on and make a sure this of his shot on goal when the Essendon defenders weren't paying attention. With Billings and Gresham predominantly playing as mids now, Parker is our best small forward.

Kent was very disappointing again. Outside of converting the crucial set shot last week, he hasn't done much right. He has consistently fumbled the ball and has 9 clangers from 24 disposals over 2 games. I'd send him to Sandy to find some form before he gets another look.

I have been a fan of what McKenzie has done since mid last year, but he had a shocker today. I'd give him one more game to redeem himself though.

Newnes is being praised by many and there's no doubt that he ran hard and got into a lot of contests, but geez he butchered the footy all night and was pushed out of the contest far too easily several times. At his best Newnes has been a neat if unspectacular half back/wingman, and I wouldn't say he has recovered the neat aspect yet.

Wilkie is also getting a lot of love, but he was no better than serviceable. Statements of Sam Fisher MK2 are very, very premature considering Fisher in his prime was a 23 disposal, 9 mark per game player and Wilkie so far has 20 disposals and 8 marks from his 2 games. I would keep him in the team, but I think some people are getting carried away.

I am not at all a fan of Lonie but I agree that he had a good game against Essendon. The tackle against Hurley was a big moment, but the deliberate rushed behind was a massive brain fade as well. His overall intensity at the contest and ball use was much improved on his usual standard.

Dunstan's stats are okay considering his TOG but why the hell are we carrying a midfielder who can barely play half the game? I still think that we need to move on from Dunstan in order to improve.

Battle still looks a bit lost as a defender and we looked a bit undermanned in the forward line, so I think the solution is obvious.

If I were selecting for next week vs Freo:

Out: Kent, Dunstan
In: Joyce, Clark

B: Wilkie, Brown, Geary
HB: Savage, Joyce, Webster
C: Billings, Steele, Sinclair
HF: Parker, Bruce, Gresham
F: Lonie, Battle, Membrey

Foll: Marshall, Steven, Ross
Int: Acres, Clark, McKenzie, Newnes

I'm expecting no change though.

 

[triggering bro]

Anyone got a gif of Parker humiliating McGrath?

 

[StCicatriz]

Im watching the game now & what is noticeable is our structure & displine for the defence (across the whole field) to keep its shape has drastically improved. Pretty much shutting Essendon down when they try & counter. Playfair might now be getting the support from other line coaches & the players?

great call

some real maturity starting to come through

 

[SaintSteele9]

On the umpiring, I thought by and large it was fairly even. Couple of average “deliberate OOB” calls went against us, and when Heppell marked and kicked a point, Bruce got an almighty shove in the back that took him out of possibly impacting the contest (seriously, watch it if you can!). But we mostly got the ones we should have, which was something in itself.

 

[StCicatriz]

Beating Essendon, North and Fremantle are important if we are going to be around the September mark. So this was an important win. If we can back it up next week then I think the ECO bus will be empty and driverless.

we play melbourne twice. if we can play some great football and put them to the sword then i don't think the fremantle game is that important. they're a top 6 side IMO at home. very hard to beat.

so:
melb x 2
carlton x 2
GC one more to come
norf
dogs

that gives us 9 wins for the year. we need to find 2 more.

sydney at home, last round of the season could be gettable. then we have brisbane, adelaide, hawthorn, richmond at home. so if we can beat sydney and take brisbane. we could be there!!!

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Anyone got a gif of Parker humiliating McGrath?

When did it happen? Software I'm using isn't fantastic but I'll have another crack!

 

[Connorn99]

Geez Sinclair is a bloody good player. We need to accept him as a player who is going to impact the game from his 15 disposals, he's not going to get his 30 disposals

 

[Flandersss]

When did it happen? Software I'm using isn't fantastic but I'll have another crack!

2 mins into last quarter

 

[Premium]

I reckon there is every chance we can play finals if we keep this up. Freo, Hawks, Melbourne, Port, GWS, WCE at home and the Pies, before the Carlton game. That's the hardest part of the season to me and after that the draw gets easier. Our form against every one of those teams in recent times has been good. If we take wins from half of those games we are every chance IMO. Freo is probably one of the harder ones because of the home ground umpiring and improved form but not impossible.

It would be good if GC could take some of the wind out of Freo's sails.

Your right Gringo , there is no reason the guys can't give the finals a shake , the belief has to be there.

This is why we have to keep winning and with more wins the confidence will grow with these kids.
Our squad is full of potential and they are only just starting to show cohesion.

The big plus from yesterdays game was we can play far better than that.
It also looks our guys who we have been pinning our future on are starting to produce the goods.

Gresham showed he might just be more than a forward , Steele if continuing on the way he is he will be elite by the end of the round , Billings looks to have become the outside run we have been screaming for and we actually have a forward line.

Anyway the Fremantle game is going to be tough , the team looks far stronger than the Bombers - but as you say - hope the Coasters smash the Dockers today.

 

[Aussieviking1]

Thought Kent contributed well last week. Two assists and a clutch goal and while I didnt see it, someone said he had a role on Harbrow who did nothing.

Thought he added a lot yesterday and has been a great addition.

Is not unfit, has not replaced Mav and is a very good addition.

I personally think Kent is going ok.
Opposition definitely worried by him.
Thus far has, 22 possies, 6 marks, 2.3 goals, 4 assists resulting in goals and 6 inside 50's.
Not bad for a new player. Only 4 tackles thus far but can improve in that area.

 

[Browny2Carlisle]

For your viewing pleasure.

Love how he stares down the umpire too

What is seb doing?

 

[Greg1853]

Marshall was so good in general play that I’d go so far as to suggest that if we really want Longer to come into the team then Marshall should play as a ruck rover who can provide a contested marking target between the flanks.


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I don't ever want to see Longer in our side, but I believe Marshall could play part of a game as a wingman, doing what Richo did in the twilight of his career, and what Roo did at the very end. Can still be our 2nd ruckman in that role, just need to play a proper 1st ruckman.

I see the Eagles have a new ruckman, took marks at both ends of the ground. Would he be worth nabbing. His name was Tom Hickey. Maybe we could discuss the merits of Tom Hickey vs Longer. Don't think anyone has had that conversation before.

 

[triggering bro]

When did it happen? Software I'm using isn't fantastic but I'll have another crack!

18.34 in the last!

 

[Keg on legs]

So next Friday night....

Melb vs methendon. Both 0-2.

Melb with all the inside mids and nobody to feed it out to

Meth with everyone skirting around trying to seagull a chip but nobody brave enough to get the pill


Could be a nil all draw

 

[Premium]

Geez Sinclair is a bloody good player. We need to accept him as a player who is going to impact the game from his 15 disposals, he's not going to get his 30 disposals

he played good yesterday - he fills the gaps in the back line - you will see him running around pressuring players - 9 tackles is a hell of a effort for a winger - and he is a bloody good kick - and just look who he played on - Zaharakis and kept him to only 6 kicks.

 

[Brains Trust66]

It was Shane Savage’s boy. Had no 5 on his back. The angle on the camera had Parker greeting him, but his Dad was on the other side. Lovely touch.

Definitely Savages boy , Parker's kid is younger.

Who played on Tippa and Fantasia?

I think Dmac played on Tippa , although its hard working it out watching it on tv . Maybe Gears was on Fantasia , not really sure.

 

[Brains Trust66]

he played good yesterday - he fills the gaps in the back line - you will see him running around pressuring players - 9 tackles is a hell of a effort for a winger - and he is a bloody good kick - and just look who he played on - Zaharakis and kept him to only 6 kicks.

Great to see Sinclair back to great form . Lets hope he contiues for the whole season.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Click for full size.

 

[Aussieviking1]

A lot of these taller mobile blokes played midfield in juniors before their growth spurt, so their skill at ground level is miles apart their direct opponent. If I'm not mistaken Roma is in that basket, as is Max King. I trust Ro when he has the ball in his hands. Makes good decisions, impacts the contest. Only 13 or games into his career too.

Just throwing one out there but, after your comment I am excited to see what Johnathon Marsh will bring.
From all reports he is a strong mark, has great speed and could play on ball.
At 194 cm could pose another dimension to the on ballers, half forwards and importantly, backs with run and carry.
Thoughts?

 

[hayes]

Seriously awesome win. Should have been 10 goals up at half time. Make no mistake about it last year that would’ve been a loss and a big one at that, especially against a team that has been flogging us for years.

Smaller, quicker, more agile forward line and a ruckmen that doesn’t play like a dinosaur. What a difference it makes. And how long have we been calling for it. Obviously talent matters but system is just as important and last year ours was the worst in the AFL. So far it’s much better.

Most have been covered but Gresh is building into something special. 9 contested at half time imagine when he gets a tank.

Not sure what people expect from Kent. Did we recruit him to be a prime Robbie Gray? Far from it. 4 shots on goal, set up Membrey’s early one and his pressure is good. It’s also allowing Billings and Gresham to play up the ground. He’s safe.

Marshall is our ruckmen for now and the future. Longer and Pierce are backup and we are kidding ourselves if we think otherwise.

Dunstan. Strike 1 for him. We’ve seen that type of game from him so many times before. Hannebery or even Clark, it’s just a matter of time until they take his spot imo.