Strategy Changes: Round 8 St. Kilda vs Fremantle

[Cobbler]

Their half backers are elite. If we can’t lock it in our forward half (which we don’t) we’re in trouble against the transition

Yep. They’ll concede clearance. Clog up the defensive half. Look to springboard out and they have an open forward line.

I’d hope our clearance numbers will be enough to keep sustained pressure.

Saints can be hot or cold. The one against Geelong was elite. The one I watched against Dogs and Lions were pretty poor.

 

[s_wd6]

Their half backers are elite. If we can’t lock it in our forward half (which we don’t) we’re in trouble against the transition

That still has a lot less impact on the game then a dominant midfield would

 

[dropbear101]

mcdonald went to the coach's in the off season asking to develop as a forward and a back-up ruck. given his positional flexibility. i reckon hes worth keeping on the list till he 30.

 

[freo84]

Freddy for kozzie wasn't what I was expecting to see in my bingo card today.

Stuff the Hawks. If we're selling him sell him elsewhere for a better price.

 

[Farrand]

Cute. Perhaps people should try being less bias and use commonsense.

Thank you. I don't know how I am being bias and how I should exert more common sense, but I'm sure you have a good reason lined up.

Think you need to look at the bigger picture. Johnson in reality wasn't the only one making poor decisions, and he was better involved than some of those others. He is 22 and has a future.

 

[_007_]

I think it is as clear as daylight that Johnson is coached to draw the tackle and get a handball out. He ends up looking silly when he has time or the tackle doesn't come. I am certain that making the right decision about when to try and draw the tackle and when to give it off can be coached and he will end up nailing one of those thankless inside mid role player type positions for us.

 

[dropbear101]

I think it is as clear as daylight that Johnson is coached to draw the tackle and get a handball out. He ends up looking silly when he has time or the tackle doesn't come. I am certain that making the right decision about when to try and draw the tackle and when to give it off can be coached and he will end up nailing one of those thankless inside mid role player type positions for us.

I'd rather he learns to be exceptional than be conservative.

take on the tackler. learn restraint later.

 

[StingBitten]

Ah Erasmus - if only your potential blossomed speedily and with the same stoicism as Young, Serong and Brayshaw.

Hia physical attributes really are the missing link - 190cm, a bullocking mid who could form a Bash Brothers duo with Johnson, to enable the silky mids to do the work they were born to do.

Can't win em all - but we really are a 2019 Nat Fyfe away from being a serious competitor.

 

[Cobbler]

I think it is as clear as daylight that Johnson is coached to draw the tackle and get a handball out. He ends up looking silly when he has time or the tackle doesn't come. I am certain that making the right decision about when to try and draw the tackle and when to give it off can be coached and he will end up nailing one of those thankless inside mid role player type positions for us.

I 100% agree with this. Part of the problem is, early days he seemed to have that elusiveness and could work in a phone booth.

Now it’s like he seeks it.

Think he’ll find the balance.

 

[theGav56]

Oh he’s not cheap. But players don’t need to be involved if it’s played right.
Voss is still required and would be stupid to just trade away.

Nicholls OMac and Riddle are not forward depth. Riddle is still 2-3 years away. Nicholls is raw. They won’t be playing in 2026.

I'm pretty sure the club thinks OMac is forward depth. In fact he's better forward depth than Voss because Voss is very close to being best 22 if he sorts out a couple of issues, and then he will be gone. He's a developing player, not a depth player. OMac wouldn't be in any teams best side = depth.

Treacy and Amiss were both raw when the made their debuts. Younger as well.

For perspective, this is what you are disagreeing with:

Would like to keep Voss but if he is part of a trade for Pickett, I could live with it.

Yes, I would be open to including Voss in a trade for Pickett.

 

[Superkoops]

No thanks.
We need forward depth.
I would out Switta, second rounder and first rounders for Kozzie.
If Pickett comes, Switkowski is done. Might as well just push him back to Victoria if he wants

I agree we keep Voss. He actually started to develop his ruck craft.

OMac if being honest isn’t much chop as a ruck. He does have footy smarts though around the ground and I trust him more with ball in hand than Voss around the middle of the ground. But Voss is developing and started to form some chemistry with Amiss and Treacy in terms of blocking etc.

Melbourne unlikely to have interest in Switta. There will be a Vic club with interest and we could secure a draft pick to bolster our mid range picks because everything early we have for 2025 and 2026 will go to Kozzie.

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

When was the last time we played well on a Friday night at Marvel? 2015 against Carltank?

 

[Deveraux]

don't narrow it down... pick one, it's either Friday night or at Marvel.. when was the actual last time we played Friday night at Marvel... ffs

When was the last time we played well in NSW when it was 24deg or over on a sunday?

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

When was the last time we played well on a Friday night at Marvel? 2015 against Carltank?

Turns out it was 2014 against the Pies.



Sheridan kicked a goal and was one of the last of Barlow's great games for us I think...



We had a draw on Friday night in 2022 against Richmond too.

 

[Deveraux]

When was the last time we played well on a Friday night at Marvel? 2015 against Carltank?

Actually, was that the night that Ballas went bonkas and kicked 4... had a ripped shirt etc?

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

Our record against the Saints at Docklands is really quite depressing, 15 games played for 4 wins, and only once have we scored 100pts against them.

Only worse venue record is against Essendon, who we have played 15 times at Docklands for a paltry 2 wins.

Sigh.

 

[Deveraux]

Sorry if it's been discussed already, but who was backup rucking today for St Kilda? LJ should destroy them right? Also.. I think Mason Wood

32

Mason Wood

Age

32

Ht

192cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.2

3star

K

7.8

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.3

2star

D

8.3

2star

K

2.7

1star

HB

5.7

3star

M

1.7

2star

T

1.3

2star

CL

0.0

1star

D

15.8

4star

K

8.6

4star

HB

7.2

5star

M

4.6

5star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.6

3star

copped a HIA late in the game, could be out?

 

[ilikepotatoes]

Sorry if it's been discussed already, but who was backup rucking today for St Kilda? LJ should destroy them right? Also.. I think Mason Wood copped a HIA late in the game, could be out?

Isaac Keeler

 

[Righteo]

It's just so funny seeing a bloke out there so clever but physically looks like he was just recruited from Saturday ammos.

with a couple more preseasons working with our S&C team he is going to be an absolute weapon.

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

Isaac Keeler

IK played 78% game time for 5 hitouts, 3 disposals, 0 marks, 1 clanger and 1 turnover.
But did have a goal and 3 score involvements.

May go out for Phillopooooo. Or Boxshall, different sorts of players but could fill in much better as ruck backups and do more damage elsewhere against us.

 

[malpaso]

I think it is as clear as daylight that Johnson is coached to draw the tackle and get a handball out. He ends up looking silly when he has time or the tackle doesn't come. I am certain that making the right decision about when to try and draw the tackle and when to give it off can be coached and he will end up nailing one of those thankless inside mid role player type positions for us.

He has been doing it since debut, there is nothing wrong with that and in fact he's pretty good at it. The problem is him being aware that there is a better option beforehand and when he's marked the ball to be smarter with it.

 

[BStaff17]

Our record against the Saints at Docklands is really quite depressing, 15 games played for 4 wins, and only once have we scored 100pts against them.

Only worse venue record is against Essendon, who we have played 15 times at Docklands for a paltry 2 wins.

Sigh.

And both teams have won 1 final between them since 2010

 

[Confucius]

Their half backers are elite. If we can’t lock it in our forward half (which we don’t) we’re in trouble against the transition

Yep. They’ll concede clearance. Clog up the defensive half. Look to springboard out and they have an open forward line.

I think this is likely. I'd bring in Narkle so that he and Switta can keep an eye on the Saints slingshot counter-attack. I'd trust them both defensively over Reid and Dudley. (Also just interested to see what Narkle can do with a full game.). Give Reid or Duds the sub vest and then unleash them late in the 3rd. I suspect Reid would benefit from the sub vest to freshen up the legs.

 

[E Shed]

I think this is likely. I'd bring in Narkle so that he and Switta can keep an eye on the Saints slingshot counter-attack. I'd trust them both defensively over Reid and Dudley. (Also just interested to see what Narkle can do with a full game.). Give Reid or Duds the sub vest and then unleash them late in the 3rd. I suspect Reid would benefit from the sub vest to freshen up the legs.

I wouldn’t trust anyone to read (pun intended) the game better than Reid and position accordingly.

Guys like Freddy are clueless at knowing when and where to run to anticipate avenues of transition. He can follow the instructions but there’s no instinct the way there is for a Bolton or Fyfe who know where it’s going to be.
Reid plays chess a move ahead.

Narkle is a good footballer though, would like to see what he can do with a full game.

 

[Deveraux]

From Hase in the West, seems to go against the Johnson haters...

Johnson Makes His Mark

Matt Johnson might have finally arrived for Fremantle.

His performance against Adelaide was arguably the best of his career for so many reasons and his emergence could be pivotal to the midfield balance at the Dockers.

Not only did he have an equal career-best 27 disposals, but Johnson was tough in the contest and laid several big tackles. Consistency is now the key for the young Docker.