VFL 2025 Sandringham Zebras

[thekizzler]

It's not about giving him a game for the sake of it, he is never going to be a star BUT is our best tall forward/ruckman not playing AFL.

Keeler is a lead up style forward and doesn't have the body to stand and hold his ground against big defenders. Neither does Sharman and Owens is not up to it either.

Plus we don't have skills or game to deliver the ball lace out like the better teams. It's just footballing sense to give the team a reasonable target forward. Unfortunately Heath is out best option.

I'm with you on this one, Steeley boy.

Time to give Heath a crack and see what he has got. Keeler can work on his leading patterns and positioning in the VFL. There is no rush on his development. Time to see if big Maxy can play in the big time.

 

[SG34]

It's not about giving him a game for the sake of it, he is never going to be a star BUT is our best tall forward/ruckman not playing AFL.

Keeler is a lead up style forward and doesn't have the body to stand and hold his ground against big defenders. Neither does Sharman and Owens is not up to it either.

Plus we don't have skills or game to deliver the ball lace out like the better teams. It's just footballing sense to give the team a reasonable target forward. Unfortunately Heath is out best option.

That's an argument.

Play him and give ourselves the absolute best chance of winning. Nevermind the future thing. Week by week. I actually lean into that philosophy in general. But honestly, I can't figure out the 'St Kilda way'. What is our philosophy?

I think it is generally based on being competitive with experienced players, like a scaffolding, even as they age and decline, whilst merging in promising youth. Heath doesn't fit into either category. He can't be a Jones or a Hill. He's not gonna be a star. (I have barely seen him play, so go on and quote that ..will make certain types happy). But reading between the lines, that is my honest impression of Heath so far.

 

[akaifu]

I've been strong all season on Heath being a pure backup to Row - or a ruck enabler for Row to go forward

But our season is cooked and Keeler's just played so bad that he was told to tag a key defender. Absolutely no reason to not give Moose a go at some point and just see what he has. Even if he gets 0 disposals and the oppo score 10 goals from defensive half, it gives us clarity. Playing him also lets us have a look at how Row goes as a FF and whether it could work when TDK arrives - or if we should trade him

Against Grundy this week might be tough but Stanley looks a solid option next week before Gawn & Xerri back to back

 

[The Jack]

I've been strong all season on Heath being a pure backup to Row - or a ruck enabler for Row to go forward

But our season is cooked and Keeler's just played so bad that he was told to tag a key defender. Absolutely no reason to not give Moose a go at some point and just see what he has. Even if he gets 0 disposals and the oppo score 10 goals from defensive half, it gives us clarity. Playing him also lets us have a look at how Row goes as a FF and whether it could work when TDK arrives - or if we should trade him

Against Grundy this week might be tough but Stanley looks a solid option next week before Gawn & Xerri back to back

Are we seriously playing the Dogs, Freo, Cats & Melbourne all twice before we even meet the Roos. Add the Tigers twice as well before the Bombers once?

Surely not. Were the AFL drunk?

 

[Saintbloke]

Are we seriously playing the Dogs, Freo, Cats & Melbourne all twice before we even meet the Roos. Add the Tigers twice as well before the Bombers once?

Surely not. Were the AFL drunk?

Hope we don't play WCE again

 

[SG34]

I've been strong all season on Heath being a pure backup to Row - or a ruck enabler for Row to go forward

But our season is cooked and Keeler's just played so bad that he was told to tag a key defender. Absolutely no reason to not give Moose a go at some point and just see what he has. Even if he gets 0 disposals and the oppo score 10 goals from defensive half, it gives us clarity. Playing him also lets us have a look at how Row goes as a FF and whether it could work when TDK arrives - or if we should trade him

Against Grundy this week might be tough but Stanley looks a solid option next week before Gawn & Xerri back to back

I’ve only watched Keeler three times. Looked hopeless in the first, a shining new star in the second, and now a dud in the third. Who is to say what Heath might produce? My hunch is that if he’s one of those solid troopers, draft horses whatever, he won’t be a revelation. We already know. He will just be that old truck. Nothing to see. But if he’s a potential star he might be good or terrible, a la Keeler.

 

[Saint Ray]

Are we seriously playing the Dogs, Freo, Cats & Melbourne all twice before we even meet the Roos. Add the Tigers twice as well before the Bombers once?

Surely not. Were the AFL drunk?

No, corrupt and very vindictive.

 

[SG34]

No, corrupt and very vindictive.

Is there any point for St Kilda to try and redeem themselves in the eye of the general football public and the media-AFL house cartel? Maybe we will just become that ‘bad egg’ who hangs around - like Dr Smith in Lost in Space?

 

[Eldridge Mali]

I’ve only watched Keeler three times. Looked hopeless in the first, a shining new star in the second, and now a dud in the third. Who is to say what Heath might produce? My hunch is that if he’s one of those solid troopers, draft horses whatever, he won’t be a revelation. We already know. He will just be that old truck. Nothing to see. But if he’s a potential star he might be good or terrible, a la Keeler.

No objection to Heath getting a game or 2 before the end of the season, many players get their first opportunity purely as a result of injuries, one-off match-ups etc.

BUT let’s not forget his attributes, significant factors in why we opted both to draft another ruckman and top up with a SANFL ruckman at the start of the season.

He is by some distance the slowest player at the club. Resting forward he can’t offer any defensive effort and defenders just run straight past him. At the contest when he’s been matched on AFL standard ruckman they’ve beaten him in the air and at the fall. He’s 204cms but doesn’t have much of a leap. He’s a v average kick. As we have Collard on the list his listless and negative body language is only the second worst at the club. He’s a Tom Campbell style dinosaur without Campbell’s skills in a game with an increasing premium on speed.

Looking forward to his debut.

 

[beside the seaside]

I reckon it's much more likely we debit Dodson than Heath.

 

[akaifu]

I reckon it's much more likely we debit Dodson than Heath.

No chance. Dodson has a long way to go with his forward craft. The only way he's kicking goals atm is from outreaching defenders like its U18s

Also wouldn't be able to run out an AFL game imo. He's a next year debut hopeful

 

[Dr Spaceman]

Is there any point for St Kilda to try and redeem themselves in the eye of the general football public and the media-AFL house cartel? Maybe we will just become that ‘bad egg’ who hangs around - like Dr Smith in Lost in Space?

 

[SG34]

This is why I love being a Saints fan!

 

[True Believer]

Is there any point for St Kilda to try and redeem themselves in the eye of the general football public and the media-AFL house cartel? Maybe we will just become that ‘bad egg’ who hangs around - like Dr Smith in Lost in Space?

Why should we try and "redeem" ourselves in their eyes?

**** the the general football public and the media-AFL house cartel.....

 

[pebblesofsand]

No objection to Heath getting a game or 2 before the end of the season, many players get their first opportunity purely as a result of injuries, one-off match-ups etc.

BUT let’s not forget his attributes, significant factors in why we opted both to draft another ruckman and top up with a SANFL ruckman at the start of the season.

He is by some distance the slowest player at the club. Resting forward he can’t offer any defensive effort and defenders just run straight past him. At the contest when he’s been matched on AFL standard ruckman they’ve beaten him in the air and at the fall. He’s 204cms but doesn’t have much of a leap. He’s a v average kick. As we have Collard on the list his listless and negative body language is only the second worst at the club. He’s a Tom Campbell style dinosaur without Campbell’s skills in a game with an increasing premium on speed.

Looking forward to his debut.

Well said Ross - don't wilt - we're all loving the current super successful turnover methods that you've employed all year.

You know - kick it long to Higgo against two defenders or the other beauty - get Higgo to push further up the field and then we can just kick it long straight to the opposition defenders.

Working a treat!!!

 

[Dr Spaceman]

Why should we try and "redeem" ourselves in their eyes?

**** the the general football public and the media-AFL house cartel.....

 

[Saintbloke]

Well said Ross - don't wilt - we're all loving the current super successful turnover methods that you've employed all year.

You know - kick it long to Higgo against two defenders or the other beauty - get Higgo to push further up the field and then we can just kick it long straight to the opposition defenders.

Working a treat!!!

Yeah I think it's time to put some of these forward structures/ tactics to bed. I'm sure if Jack Lonie was still with us, Lyon would have him at CHF as a marking target.

 

[SG34]

Yeah I think it's time to put some of these forward structures/ tactics to bed. I'm sure if Jack Lonie was still with us, Lyon would have him at CHF as a marking target.

Lyon said. "Corey is head of strategy and really works closely with me in linking to the other coaches.”

So who is driving the strategy.
Media: ‘Ross Lyon teams always….bla bla

Lyon: Corey does it it.

My TV Screen: Bolton, Lyon, Enwright

My imagination: where is Robert Harvey?

 

[MOLTEN GANGLANDS]

I reckon it's much more likely we debit Dodson than Heath.

that'll be one debut thanks, card or cash?

 

[Dr Spaceman]

I reckon it's much more likely we debit Dodson than Heath.

that'll be one debut thanks, card or cash?

Will Dodson play CHF or EFT?

 

[AirWinmar]

I've been strong all season on Heath being a pure backup to Row - or a ruck enabler for Row to go forward

But our season is cooked and Keeler's just played so bad that he was told to tag a key defender. Absolutely no reason to not give Moose a go at some point and just see what he has. Even if he gets 0 disposals and the oppo score 10 goals from defensive half, it gives us clarity. Playing him also lets us have a look at how Row goes as a FF and whether it could work when TDK arrives - or if we should trade him

Against Grundy this week might be tough but Stanley looks a solid option next week before Gawn & Xerri back to back

It will also give us the chance to structure up properly and free up Owens and Sharman. Sharman looks terribly down on confidence. We can also then rotate Wood back to the wing.

Its been fairly strange they haven't given Heath a go earlier imo.

 

[g_TRAIN]

I would also give Heath a go.

He was asked to work on his aerobic fitness last offseason and did.

He's worked hard and been in some decent form at VFL level.

But the main thing is we've been murdered with opposition contested marks. His height and marking could help counter that and create more contests.

 

[Falchoon]

put them both in and say he does best gets a gig next week.

There's enough to drop with Henry, Hill, Webster, Keeler and one of Butler & Wilson after last week.

 

[Falchoon]

I’ve only watched Keeler three times. Looked hopeless in the first, a shining new star in the second, and now a dud in the third. Who is to say what Heath might produce? My hunch is that if he’s one of those solid troopers, draft horses whatever, he won’t be a revelation. We already know. He will just be that old truck. Nothing to see. But if he’s a potential star he might be good or terrible, a la Keeler.

all we need is someone to bring the ball to ground.

 

[SG34]

all we need is someone to bring the ball to ground.

Like say the Collingwood American?
But why bother with him if he’s slow?
Can’t the others bring the ball to the ground?
He might not get to the contest?