Prediction Best 22 Predictions

[Yabadoo22]

If someone said to pick your best saints side to win a grand final right now this is what I'd roll with.

B: Dempster Goddard geary
Hb: Webster fisher roberton
C: Montagna armitage newnes
Hf: billings Riewoldt Weller
F: lonie Bruce Sinclair
Foll: longer dunstan Steven
Int: savage hickey Ross Gilbert
Emer: McCartin membrey acres

But I'd like to see games pumped into Gresham, Mckenzie, okearney, Templeton, freeman( as long as his body allows) and these likes.

 

[Phoenix_9]

That's gotta be the best 22, come round 1!

Shenton is a Richo favourite and I wouldn't be surprised if he's in (I wouldn't mind it too much if there's a specific role he excels at, but would rather not).

However, I hope Acres/McCartin/Gresham/Lee show form in the NAB cup games that forces them into the side. If this happens, you know we'll be bloody competitive!

 

[aussierulesrules]

I'd be pretty shocked if Shenton was all that close to our best team at the moment unless he's improved out of sight over the preseason. While I didn't see the first quarter and half the other day, I really didn't see him much in the last 2 a half quarters and it was pretty much the sort of game that I'd expect from him.

Hard to imagine he'd get a game up forward when we already have Billings, Weller, Lonie and Sinclair and with needing to fit in all of Armo, Steven, Joey, Gilbo, Dunstan and possibly one or two of Ross and Acres, not to mention Freeman if/when fit and Gresham.

I suspect he was playing in the main team the other day because Membrey in particular was missing, along with Armo and Steven and with wanting Sinclair to play in the yellow team so that he could play midfield.

Cam is probably Weller's back-up. If Mav happens to miss then Shenton is probably next in line for that role.

 

[Phoenix_9]

I'd be pretty shocked if Shenton was all that close to our best team at the moment unless he's improved out of sight over the preseason. While I didn't see the first quarter and half the other day, I really didn't see him much in the last 2 a half quarters and it was pretty much the sort of game that I'd expect from him.

Hard to imagine he'd get a game up forward when we already have Billings, Weller, Lonie and Sinclair and with needing to fit in all of Armo, Steven, Joey, Gilbo, Dunstan and possibly one or two of Ross and Acres, not to mention Freeman if/when fit and Gresham.

I suspect he was playing in the main team the other day because Membrey in particular was missing, along with Armo and Steven and with wanting Sinclair to play in the yellow team so that he could play midfield.

Cam is probably Weller's back-up. If Mav happens to miss then Shenton is probably next in line for that role.

I hope you're right (y) not that I'm knocking Shenton, just hope that he's behind all those talented kids

 

[dct66]

I'd be pretty shocked if Shenton was all that close to our best team at the moment unless he's improved out of sight over the preseason. While I didn't see the first quarter and half the other day, I really didn't see him much in the last 2 a half quarters and it was pretty much the sort of game that I'd expect from him.

Hard to imagine he'd get a game up forward when we already have Billings, Weller, Lonie and Sinclair and with needing to fit in all of Armo, Steven, Joey, Gilbo, Dunstan and possibly one or two of Ross and Acres, not to mention Freeman if/when fit and Gresham.

I suspect he was playing in the main team the other day because Membrey in particular was missing, along with Armo and Steven and with wanting Sinclair to play in the yellow team so that he could play midfield.

Cam is probably Weller's back-up. If Mav happens to miss then Shenton is probably next in line for that role.

Cam didn't look too bad playing forward in the first half of NAB1 but was floundering when he went back to defence. I think you are spot-on that he is Mav's back-up in a defensive forward role. Not the worst kick for goal either.

 

[Barrels]

After yesterday I'm going with;

FB: Geary - Fisher - Dempster
HB: Savage - Lee - Webster
RK: Longer - Ross* - Steven
CR: Billings - Newnes - Montagna
HF: Weller - Riewoldt - Sinclair
FF: Lonie - Bruce - Membrey
IC: Goddard Acres Gresham Gilbert

Em: Dunstan Hickey Templeton Curren

Armitage out until we know more about his back, same goes for Robbo with his ankle, and Paddy questionable.

Potentially Goddard could even be our chop-out ruck with his massive frame and aggressive attitude.

I really want to see McKenzie and Pierce play, and dearly hope that Murdoch and Wright make a serious jump in form, but right now those two are way down the pecking order.

 

[gringo2011]

Cam didn't look too bad playing forward in the first half of NAB1 but was floundering when he went back to defence. I think you are spot-on that he is Mav's back-up in a defensive forward role. Not the worst kick for goal either.

I reckon he is a better kick on goal on the run. At VFL level he likes to drift forward and kick from just inside 50. He was in the backline when they were under siege but still looks better forward.

 

[gringo2011]

I'd be pretty shocked if Shenton was all that close to our best team at the moment unless he's improved out of sight over the preseason. While I didn't see the first quarter and half the other day, I really didn't see him much in the last 2 a half quarters and it was pretty much the sort of game that I'd expect from him.

Hard to imagine he'd get a game up forward when we already have Billings, Weller, Lonie and Sinclair and with needing to fit in all of Armo, Steven, Joey, Gilbo, Dunstan and possibly one or two of Ross and Acres, not to mention Freeman if/when fit and Gresham.

I suspect he was playing in the main team the other day because Membrey in particular was missing, along with Armo and Steven and with wanting Sinclair to play in the yellow team so that he could play midfield.

Cam is probably Weller's back-up. If Mav happens to miss then Shenton is probably next in line for that role.

I reckon he's probably competing for a spot with members more than those smaller forwards. He's more a marking player than a crumber but would be expected to be pretty defensive like Mav. I reckon Mav will be seeing more midfield time this year and they probably started rotating a few in the forward line to practice for capped interchange. Cam can't seem to get the endurance up, he has a good half in him but he looks stuffed after that. He has some good qualities but the backline makes him a bit of a liability when under pressure.

 

[DarkSaint]

I reckon he's probably competing for a spot with members more than those smaller forwards. He's more a marking player than a crumber but would be expected to be pretty defensive like Mav. I reckon Mav will be seeing more midfield time this year and they probably started rotating a few in the forward line to practice for capped interchange. Cam can't seem to get the endurance up, he has a good half in him but he looks stuffed after that. He has some good qualities but the backline makes him a bit of a liability when under pressure.

Seems like a good bloke and all, but i just cant see him cutting it at afl level unfortunately.

 

[The Punter]

DarkSaint

Can I assume you mean that you cannot see Weller being in our next premiership tilt? Because surely at 36 games out of 44 since arriving at St Kilda he has cut it at AFL level and forged a career.

 

[DarkSaint]

DarkSaint

Can I assume you mean that you cannot see Weller being in our next premiership tilt? Because surely at 36 games out of 44 since arriving at St Kilda he has cut it at AFL level and forged a career.

I was actually referring to Shenton.

 

[Highlander35]

Think Shents may continue to get a list spot ahead of others we'd (us forumites) potentially prefer.

He's a nice size at about 188cm, in that age bracket we are lacking in, "capable" both forward and back, aggressive in both defence and in attack.

Others we may prefer like TC and Meatball are small, plus have individual weakness' like disposal and tank respectively. Murdoch can't get involved in the game. Wright is injured on the regular. Saunders is already on the rookie list, and the Fisher - Dempster duo can't be far from retirement.

I'm not saying I agree or disagree, I just think that having looked at our age bracket, Shenton is something like the 14th oldest player on our list, with blokes like Delaney and Holmes older than him too. I think they'd be reluctant to let him go from that side of things, especially if say Fisher, Dempster and Delaney (rumours somewhere else on the board) were to all go at once.

 

[sonnywalters]

I reckon Seb Ross is an absolute lay down Sally for top 5 in the B & F this year. Put down your glasses.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I reckon Seb Ross is an absolute lay down Sally for top 5 in the B & F this year. Put down your glasses.

A good inside mid would only rarely get less than 15 touches, and 15 would be considered a quiet day. They get 10 contested possessions as often as not.
They get a handful of clearances or more.

Ross is looking the goods.
After a late start to last season his worst game was probably his second ... 14 touches.
His last 5 games averaged more than 20 disposals ( 19 - 25) and he didn't have less than 6 contested.

We know he's a bit fitter this year, and if that can translate to him winning more of the ball or getting a couple more clearances the signs are good.

 

[plugger66]

A good inside mid would only rarely get less than 15 touches, and 15 would be considered a quiet day. They get 10 contested possessions as often as not.
They get a handful of clearances or more.

Ross is looking the goods.
After a late start to last season his worst game was probably his second ... 14 touches.
His last 5 games averaged more than 20 disposals ( 19 - 25) and he didn't have less than 6 contested.

We know he's a bit fitter this year, and if that can translate to him winning more of the ball or getting a couple more clearances the signs are good.

The problem we have is that Ross, Dunstan and Armo are very similar Armo got a bit more outside last year which helped his game but I'm unsure how all 3 could possibly play in the same side. Even last week Ross was good but that probably meant Dunstan couldn't get his hands on the ball and none of them can play forward because of lack of leg speed. I suppose pre season form will determine if its Dunstan or Ross who plays with Armo in round one.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

The problem we have is that Ross, Dunstan and Armo are very similar Armo got a bit more outside last year which helped his game but I'm unsure how all 3 could possibly play in the same side. Even last week Ross was good but that probably meant Dunstan couldn't get his hands on the ball and none of them can play forward because of lack of leg speed. I suppose pre season form will determine if its Dunstan or Ross who plays with Armo in round one.

Interesting to look at :

Last season
Round 14 ( Win against bummers ) Ross gets his game high 25 disposals. Armitage 38. Dunstan is sub .
Round 19 ( Loss against Freo ) Ross 20, Armo 22, Dunstan didn't play.
Round 20 ( Loss to North ) Ross 20, Armo 28, Dunstan didn't play.
Round 21 ( Draw to Cats ) Ross 22, Armo didn't play , Dunstan 19.
Round 22 ( Loss to Sydney ) Ross 19, Armo 25, Dunstan 9 (sub)
Round 23 ( Loss to west coast ) Ross 25 , Armo 27, Dunstan 25 *** Dunstan got 6 contested, Armo and Ross 12 and 11.
Armo and Ross got 5 clearances , Dunstan 2.

I guess that last one shows that they CAN all play in the team. I guess its just a matter of working out who to use in the middle on the day.

 

[plugger66]

Interesting to look at :

Last season
Round 14 ( Win against bummers ) Ross gets his game high 25 disposals. Armitage 38. Dunstan is sub .
Round 19 ( Loss against Freo ) Ross 20, Armo 22, Dunstan didn't play.
Round 20 ( Loss to North ) Ross 20, Armo 28, Dunstan didn't play.
Round 21 ( Draw to Cats ) Ross 22, Armo didn't play , Dunstan 19.
Round 22 ( Loss to Sydney ) Ross 19, Armo 25, Dunstan 9 (sub)
Round 23 ( Loss to west coast ) Ross 25 , Armo 27, Dunstan 25 *** Dunstan got 6 contested, Armo and Ross 12 and 11.
Armo and Ross got 5 clearances , Dunstan 2.

I guess that last one shows that they CAN all play in the team. I guess its just a matter of working out who to use in the middle on the day.

I'm sure they can play together but it is how successful will it be for the team. That last game was probably our worst for the year and I'm sure there was various reasons for that but those 3 playing in the midfield together makes us awfully slow and doesn't give enough outside run.

 

[Phoenix_9]

I know different ball up situations will have different amounts of midfielders at a stoppage (especially centre bounces). However a simplistic situation would have a couple ball winners, a couple receivers, and probably a couple defensive covers (one goal side, one corridor side). If someone's played at a high level/knows more about structures, please inform me if possible!

Anyways, I'll just run with 6 midfielders on average over a whole game. In brackets is time on ground %, with the rest of their game spent in another position or the bench.

A combination of about 14 players will rotate through the 6 midfield roles.

Armitage (70), Steven (70), Ross (70), Dunstan (70), Montagna (60), Gilbert (50), Newnes (40), Billings (35), Riewoldt (30), Savage (30), Roberton (25), Weller (20), Sinclair (20), Lonie (10).

Something like the above adds up to six midfield roles over the course of a game. With Dunstan and Ross fitting in together fine.

Anyways the point of this exercise was to see if they all could play together, and I think they can.

The big problem is, where does Acres fit in!?! Freeman if fit probably has more chance of playing an inside/outside role, Acres seems a lot more inside to me and behind quite a few.

 

[plugger66]

I know different ball up situations will have different amounts of midfielders at a stoppage (especially centre bounces). However a simplistic situation would have a couple ball winners, a couple receivers, and probably a couple defensive covers (one goal side, one corridor side). If someone's played at a high level/knows more about structures, please inform me if possible!

Anyways, I'll just run with 6 midfielders on average over a whole game. In brackets is time on ground %, with the rest of their game spent in another position or the bench.

A combination of about 14 players will rotate through the 6 midfield roles.

Armitage (70), Steven (70), Ross (70), Dunstan (70), Montagna (60), Gilbert (50), Newnes (40), Billings (35), Riewoldt (30), Savage (30), Roberton (25), Weller (20), Sinclair (20), Lonie (10).

Something like the above adds up to six midfield roles over the course of a game. With Dunstan and Ross fitting in together fine.

Anyways the point of this exercise was to see if they all could play together, and I think they can.

The big problem is, where does Acres fit in!?! Freeman if fit probably has more chance of playing an inside/outside role, Acres seems a lot more inside to me and behind quite a few.

Just because it adds up doesn't mean it works. As shown last year it looks like we didn't want to play them together. It makes the midfield far to much inside and far to slow. Armo has shown what you can do if you get fit enough and learn to run a bit more outside. At the moment neither Dunstan or Ross have shown they can do that. Not saying they wont eventually but I think it makes our midfield very slow when at least 2 of them are in together. And I do agree 6 mids are played at the same time except obviously after a goal but the 5th is usually an offensive runner and the 6th is more a defensive runner. None of those 3 can fill that role.

 

[Phoenix_9]

Just because it adds up doesn't mean it works. As shown last year it looks like we didn't want to play them together. It makes the midfield far to much inside and far to slow. Armo has shown what you can do if you get fit enough and learn to run a bit more outside. At the moment neither Dunstan or Ross have shown they can do that. Not saying they wont eventually but I think it makes our midfield very slow when at least 2 of them are in together. And I do agree 6 mids are played at the same time except obviously after a goal but the 5th is usually an offensive runner and the 6th is more a defensive runner. None of those 3 can fill that role.

I do agree but I just think we need Ross and Dunstan both getting game time. Maybe if Armo became more inside/out and Steven more outside it would work. But then, how would Ross and Dunstan hold up?... And are we taking away our best ball winners?

That above analysis of them not playing together much, I think was more a result of injury than anything. Armo missed those few games, and Dunstan was struggling with fitness. Although you could be right, that 3 ball winners is too many... Ross Lyon didn't even like Hayes and Ball together towards the end...

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I know different ball up situations will have different amounts of midfielders at a stoppage (especially centre bounces). However a simplistic situation would have a couple ball winners, a couple receivers, and probably a couple defensive covers (one goal side, one corridor side). If someone's played at a high level/knows more about structures, please inform me if possible!

Anyways, I'll just run with 6 midfielders on average over a whole game. In brackets is time on ground %, with the rest of their game spent in another position or the bench.

A combination of about 14 players will rotate through the 6 midfield roles.

Armitage (70), Steven (70), Ross (70), Dunstan (70), Montagna (60), Gilbert (50), Newnes (40), Billings (35), Riewoldt (30), Savage (30), Roberton (25), Weller (20), Sinclair (20), Lonie (10).

Something like the above adds up to six midfield roles over the course of a game. With Dunstan and Ross fitting in together fine.

Anyways the point of this exercise was to see if they all could play together, and I think they can.

The big problem is, where does Acres fit in!?! Freeman if fit probably has more chance of playing an inside/outside role, Acres seems a lot more inside to me and behind quite a few.

Interestingly , prior to the draft he was described as a midfielder/medium forward, and he's actually taller than Membrey.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/blake-acres

 

[Barrels]

Interestingly , prior to the draft he was described as a midfielder/medium forward, and he's actually taller than Membrey.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/blake-acres

It's funny isn't it, we talk about how small our mids are, but I'm watching the Essendope shellacking, and Armo, Weller, Dunstan have all kicked goals, and Rossy announced himself in a big way in that game.

When you add in Acres to that, we've got:

Weller - 182cm 88kg
Armitage - 183cm 86kg
Dunstan - 184cm 84kg
Ross - 187cm 87kg
Acres - 190cm 90kg

All comfortable resting forward, and as an average, 185.2cm and 87kg. That's a powerful presence inside forward 50.

Add in Membrey at 188cm 88kg and it starts to look very difficult for opposition defences to man up on; they're simply too big for a lot of the small defenders, and too mobile for the mediums.

Interesting.

 

[plugger66]

It's funny isn't it, we talk about how small our mids are, but I'm watching the Essendope shellacking, and Armo, Weller, Dunstan have all kicked goals, and Rossy announced himself in a big way in that game.

When you add in Acres to that, we've got:

Weller - 182cm 88kg
Armitage - 183cm 86kg
Dunstan - 184cm 84kg
Ross - 187cm 87kg
Acres - 190cm 90kg

All comfortable resting forward, and as an average, 185.2cm and 87kg. That's a powerful presence inside forward 50.

Add in Membrey at 188cm 88kg and it starts to look very difficult for opposition defences to man up on; they're simply too big for a lot of the small defenders, and too mobile for the mediums.

Interesting.

I've never thought dunston
, Arno or Ross as likely resting forward and that is the problem with all 3 in the one side


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Barrels]

I've never thought dunston
, Arno or Ross as likely resting forward and that is the problem with all 3 in the one side


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Armo rested there to good effect in that game. Dunstan has also proved capable in front of goal.

Weller's forward pressure is excellent.

 

[aussierulesrules]

I thought Armo was good when playing mostly forward in the last several games of the 2014 season. Kicked 8 goals in those last 7 games (after 3 in the previous 8 he played for the year)- in spite of us losing all bar one of those games, on the way to the wooden spoon)- got a bunch of tackles and inside 50's, had 20 or more disposals in every one of those last 7 and he also took a number of really strong overhead marks. I'm very comfortable with him spending time forward after how he went when playing there then and I'd expect him to be better there now that he's better and more confident overall.