B Goddard

[BloodsCoach]

What are Saints fans expecting of young Goddard this year?
I am probably one of the minority of people who have seen this kid play well (TAC Level) and think he might suprise.

Hows his training been?

 

[Bourky23]

needs a big year and there is no doubt about it make or break time for BJ hope he fires, probably being a tad harsh on him but yeh its gotta be this year

 

[kosi_23]

Yeah hopefully he steps up this year..

Possibly a future captain of the club

 

[Kildonan]

Goddard is sublimely skilled, he's now had 4 preseasons under his belt and the expectations are high. Most Saints supporters would be disappointed with seeing him go backwards this season. In fact we would be disappointed in not seeing further improvement this year.

This is the same stage of his career as Luke Hodge, had last year.
I don't expect that Brendan will attain the same stats as Hodge, but it is possible that he will have a similar improvement to his game.

If we do see that scale of improvement, watch out each and every other club!

 

[BloodsCoach]

I think he is his own worst enemy...seems to carry the world on his shoulders. I think he could be anything...

 

[sainter]

I think he is his own worst enemy...seems to carry the world on his shoulders. I think he could be anything...

If you saw him play at TAC level would you agree that his best position is in the midfield?

 

[Kildonan]

...and if you guys want a laugh, why not check out this thread from the Carlton wannabe's (April '04)where they thought he might be snapped up in the preseason draft.

 

[sammm]

...and if you guys want a laugh, why not check out this thread from the Carlton wannabe's (April '04)where they thought he might be snapped up in the preseason draft.

yes i do like to see how they whinge!!!!!

 

[BloodsCoach]

Lets just say that I have not seen many better midfielders than BG (as far as the TAC goes)...that includes Deledio.

That said, with Ball, Dal Santo etc...bit hard to demand time in there?

I hope he can lift. A good kid!

 

[Stoney]

does anyone know how Goddard has been training?

im not having a go at him because he's one of my fav sainters - but last yr he had a poor season and at times looked like he was moving around the half back line like plugga lockett in a 200m sprint

i know he went all out to increase his mass last pre season, surely he'd b trying to loose some this yr, he was too heavy in my opinion in 2005 and doesn't have the engine of a mark ricciuto, cameron ling etc who play regularly through the middle at 90kg

 

[Kildonan]

Best yet to come
26 February 2006 Sunday Herald Sun
Jon Ralph

Goddard on pace for midfield role
CONSIDER for a moment that Brendon Goddard's glass is half full, rather than approaching the half-empty status some St Kilda fans would have you believe.

Compare him not to the No.1 picks of previous and recent drafts, but his alumni from the class of 2002.

His resume reads something like this -- 61 of a possible 67 games since his first-year debut, steady improvement as an adaptable and multi-dimensional team member, yet to fully blossom but with boundless potential.

He might still be behind the 2002 draft's dux, Daniel Wells, but comprehensively eclipses that year's top 10 by a long way.

Yet while Goddard has already played four finals and achieved much, he is one of the many who cannot hope to live up to the exploits of the superb troika of Chris Judd, Luke Ball and Luke Hodge.

There are mountains still to climb -- winning contested ball, fighting for a place in the midfield, becoming the A-grade player he hopes -- but Goddard preaches patience as he enters his fourth season.

This year he hopes to settle into the midfield and use a pre-season in which he has worked on his change of pace to rid himself of perceptions he is a one-paced flanker not yet crucial to St Kilda's fortunes.

Goddard, still only 20, understands the best way to quieten negative talk is by on-field performances, but says the critics are too impatient.

"That's the way it is and it puts a bit of pressure on me when Daniel (Wells) is playing so well," Goddard said.

"I know everyone keeps comparing us, but hopefully, in a couple of years, we will all blossom and fulfil the potential we have."

The flashpoint came last year when Goddard was pictured in a Herald Sun article as an astronaut under the headline Lost In Space.

"I was playing golf that day and the guy in the pro shop said, 'There is a nice article of you in today's paper', and I said, 'What are you talking about?' " Goddard said.

"I read the headline and said, 'It's not worth it'. So I went out and played golf and took my mind off it. And when you are at the footy club, people know the truth. A few of the boys and the coach rang up. They know where I am at and that's all the matters."

To fast-track the midfield berth he knows he is capable of securing, junior prodigy Goddard has spent the pre-season pounding the track with midfield dynamos Robert Harvey and Lenny Hayes.

Some have questioned his pace but Goddard recently clocked 2.98sec for the 20m burst and says it is more a case of taking advantage of that speed.

"The funny thing is with all our testing, I am running pretty well. It's just a matter of utilising it during a game. You look at blokes like Daniel Wells, who is one of the best at it, and 'Dal' (Nick Dal Santo) and 'Bally' (Luke Ball), and I just have to do it in a game," he said.

"I have had no problem running with blokes like 'Harves' at training, with his cruising speed. It's just that change of pace and his repeated effort, the three or four times he goes really quick. I have to work on that."

Coach Grant Thomas has signalled a greater midfield role for the former Caulfield Grammar star, whose flexibility as a 191cm, 95kg player may have contributed to criticism of him.

"To be honest, I seriously played every position on the ground last year," Goddard said.

"It is probably my biggest strength, but my biggest weakness, and it plays against me. When the coach says we need someone here, they say, 'We will give it to Goddard'. It's just about finding that position and hopefully it's this year that I string together some games in the one position."

Goddard knows he will never rival Ball in his frenzied attack on the ball, but has worked diligently to right an equation which has seen most of his possessions won away from the white-hot heat of traffic.

"We have spoken about that and I will be honest and say that I need to improve on it," he said.

"I guess I got away with it in junior footy and came here, and if I want to play midfield I have to do it. There are different players who play the game differently. I was one of the outside players but the midfield group has a requirement that they win contested ball."

Goddard (background) seems to have trimmed off a little

 

[thegoldenbear]

From last night's game he looks good. Confidence going for goal, great skills (I know it's only pre-season but the skill level was shocking), took a strong mark. His is deceptively tall a bit like Max, so opposition's won't be inclined to put their biggest men on him.

I think if he plays a semi-constant role in the forward line, I reckon he can jag 30 - 35 goals for the season. Add that to the firepower already there (when they get their kicking woes sorted - you know who you are) and that's a side that's gonna kick more goals that most oppostion. This would aleveate any percieved inadequacies in the backline.

I can't see it myself, I mean how many games did Penny play last year albeit on leg anyway. Wait...getting offthe track again. Goddard = good last night, Saints = very rusty, Pies = Carlton v2.06

 

[JeffDunne]

The signs from BJ were certainly positive. His first contest was a little disappointing but after that he stated attacking the ball and contest at a level we haven't seen from him before.

 

[sainter]

I'd like to see him in the midfield a lot more this year but I can't see why he couldn't spend some time in the forward line. When you kick a footy like BJ it's not as if he will waste many of his chances. At around 6'2 the potential to create a mismatch is always going to be there.

He was impressive last night. Certainly one of the bright spots for me.

 

[=KaNga=]

yes i for another would like to see the young man do well.

I think he is a good kid with a good head on his shoulders, but i reckon we wont find out how good he will be this season until he has played 4-5 games in the season proper. I remember last season where BJ dominated in the pre-season games and then went on to have an inconsistent year.

Lets hope he has a good one, he deserves it.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

I remember last season where BJ dominated in the pre-season games and then went on to have an inconsistent year.

I don't recall him ever dominating pre-season games...

 

[=KaNga=]

using the word "dominate" loosely there my friend.

but he was very very impressive last season in the wizard cup, like he was yesterday.

 

[Rough_Edges]

Played a huge match yesterday, he was our best for me.

He can't play in the backline seems to hold on to it for a bit to long, played well along the half foward flank.

Hopefully can keep improving this year.

 

[hamill02]

is too soft to play in the midfield. should be sat on the wing where he can do what he does best. recieve the ball from someone else in the pack so he can kick it long to the forwards. cant play backline. he gets caught with the ball to many times because of his lack of peripheral vision and cant play forward line. he would get in the road of gehrig,riewoldt,kosi,watts etc. to many players over 190cm as it is. needs to be not scared to go in and get the ball if he is to play midfield.

 

[mojo31]

I'd like to see him in the midfield a lot more this year but I can't see why he couldn't spend some time in the forward line. When you kick a footy like BJ it's not as if he will waste many of his chances. At around 6'2 the potential to create a mismatch is always going to be there.

He was impressive last night. Certainly one of the bright spots for me.

I think Goddard is 191cms now. To bulky last year and hopefully trimmed down. Is an absolute class kick of the ball with either foot and can pinpoint a kick of 50m of 1 step with ease. Something very very few players can. He has not settled yet but he was bottom aged when he was drafted and is still only 20. Give him some time and dont compare him to Dal Santo, Ball, Riewoldt and Kozzy. The club clearly does not have a problem developing young talent and Goddard just needs to be persevered with and find his position.
I would like to see him on the wing and in space. Does not seem to be suited to packs and congestions. Lacks a good quick change of direction and acceleration. Okay in a straight line but not having to turn, chase or move sideways and always been a good mark. 10 kicks a game is all that he needs to have a pretty big impact. Goddard is quality with the ball and should be measured that way and not so much about quantity.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

cant play forward line. he would get in the road of gehrig,riewoldt,kosi,watts etc. to many players over 190cm as it is.

Well he Played on a HFF on Sunday and everyone's saying it's the best game he's ever played for us, so that'd indicate he CAN play forward.

As for getting in the way of Riewoldt, Roo usually leads 40-70m from goal, so I can't see Gods clogging up that area, while Watts shown on Sunday that he still has a long way to go and will not be regular in 2006, Kosi will play ruck and Gehrig rarely leads at all these days, so Goddard certainly wouldn't get in their way if he plays 30-70m from goal as he did on Sunday.

IMO Gods has finally found a spot he can settle into, and that is on a HFF.

 

[Kildonan]

I think Goddard is 191cms now. To bulky last year and hopefully trimmed down. Is an absolute class kick of the ball with either foot and can pinpoint a kick of 50m of 1 step with ease. Something very very few players can. He has not settled yet but he was bottom aged when he was drafted and is still only 20. Give him some time and dont compare him to Dal Santo, Ball, Riewoldt and Kozzy. The club clearly does not have a problem developing young talent and Goddard just needs to be persevered with and find his position.
I would like to see him on the wing and in space. Does not seem to be suited to packs and congestions. Lacks a good quick change of direction and acceleration. Okay in a straight line but not having to turn, chase or move sideways and always been a good mark. 10 kicks a game is all that he needs to have a pretty big impact. Goddard is quality with the ball and should be measured that way and not so much about quantity.

Have to agree with most of what you have said there, Mojo, and yes his value to our team is through making use of his excellent skills.
It's too easy to look at stats and say he didn't have an impact.
Goddard is one of the best kicks in the team (only Dal Santo could challenge him), he is one of the better handballers and he is an excellent mark of the ball. He has fair pace too, but he is deceptive because he appears to be just lolling along. Sometimes he seems to try and play like a smaller man, it's almost as if he hasn't adjusted to his bigger body, but that may just be a perception.

 

[saints]

Brendan Goddard

For a number 1 pick we should have got someone who is willing to put his body on the line. Goddard is nearly 100kg and refuses to get the hard ball.
He constantly gets caught with the ball and kicks the ball straight up in the air. When will the saints coaching staff relise he is producing nothing as send him back to the scorpians reserves, or even better trade him to Carlton for absolutely anybody who is willing to do at least one hard thing.
Useless is the only word to describe Brendan Goddard #1 pick. Should of re-drafted Joe McClaren.

 

[Kildonan]

I don't think you are right about Goddard, Saints.

Grant Thomas said in his Saints Chat Interview on 19/04/06: "Brendon for one reason or another be it the media, opposition, attracts a lot of criticism. We forget he is still just 20 years of age, has played around 64 games, he is a developing midfielder. He is nearly 100 kilos and 6'3" and will be a very damaging and dominant long term player at our Club. We need a bit more patience with him, he is rarely beaten and uses the ball extremely well."

 

[saintfreddy]

I have no doubts after seeing him play a lot of games, Goddard will be one of the elite footballers for the Saints in the next few years.