Changes vs Freo

[HoldenMCaulfield]

I know that we are all entitled to our opinion, but I just cannot understand the following classifications and would be interested to hear your reasoning for them:

The first group make up the core of this team:

Shane Birss [I agree that he's had a few really good games this year and he's one of the few that can kick the ball straight. But then again, he is not a born forward and was used mainly as a tagger against running backline players. His omission this week may have been unfair, but I would not consider him part of the core group - yet.]

Jason Gram [I would have considered him on his last chance for the Melbourne game. He has played well since, possibly justifying your classification, but was a major disappointment in the earlier rounds and will have to finally stop blindly bombing it into the forward line - his torp to Riewoldt in the dying seconds of the drawn game against the Bulldogs last season was great, but there is no reason to try to repeat this several games throughout every game now.]

Steven King [King is a natural leader and should have a major influence on the team. But - his form has been poor lately and I feel that he does not want to assume a leadership role in his first year yet]

and from this second group come most the rest of our team:

Justin Koschitzke [He may not have developed into the divine 100 goal full forward this year that we were hoping for (in fact, it will be fair to say that he has never come close to his 2005 form after the Giansiracusa incident) and he has admitted to having had motivational problems in late 2006. But he is still a raw force and his pure presence and potential should make him a clear member of the core group.]

while the players in this third group have been tried and have been found disappointing:

Sam Gilbert [He may have been disappointing this year prior to his injury, but he was played out of position. He was nominated for Rising Star last year when playing a more attacking role and, in my view, is St Kildas most likely prospect to develop into a real star.]

Stephen Milne [Our leading goal kicker, having his best season ever in a totally disfunctional forward structure has been found to be disappointing ? No ! He may be unreliable and for some reason, does not manage to perform out of Melbourne, but he can still win a game off his boot (e.g. Richmond) and will always, if not in the core group anyway, justify selection for Telstra Dome games.]

Jarryn Geary [It is too early to make a definite call on him - even though I admit that he has not stood out in the games that he got so far.]

Michael Rix / Matthew Ferguson [Both had very limited time to prove themselves and, especially in the case of Rix, have played very well for Casey. That itself does not make them good AFL players, but they had very little opportunity (this year) to show us otherwise. Ferguson, despite awful accuracy, played well against Melbourne and had a shocker against the Bulldogs. Rix had limited game time against Port Adelaide in a generally poor performance of the entire team. Based on performance during limited game time, Baker would have to be in this category, too.]

 

[Squizz]

May be better to classify the guys as :
First choice
Reliable (including those playing with injuries below their best)
Inconsistent
More bad games than serviceable ones
Perpetually injured
Untested
?

Some guys are falling out of the first choice category into the inconsistent one!!!

 

[TassieSaint]

Injury list as of Monday June 16, 2008:
Jayden Attard – ACL reconstruction, 1-2 weeks
Steven Baker – Knee (surgery last Thursday), 2-3 weeks
Xavier Clarke – Hamstring, 1-2 weeks
Glenn Chivers – Foot, 1-2 weeks
Eljay Connors – Shoulder (reconstruction), season
Matthew Fergusson – Groin, test
Michael Gardiner – Hamstring, 1-2 weeks
Justin Koschitzke – Knee, test
Matt Maguire – Foot (fractured fourth metatarsal), season
Luke van Rheenen – Foot, season

So no X or Bakes for next, but Kosi and Ferg might be back. Also Harves wasn't listed as injured, will he play?

 

[Squizz]

I know that we are all entitled to our opinion, but I just cannot understand the following classifications and would be interested to hear your reasoning for them:

Agree with quite a few comments.

It's clear why Birss doesn't fit into the Dogs team. They don't need his kicking skills as much as we do.

We could have done more with Gram. It's like we will keep playing him in the same spot, and even though other teams have worked him out it will be alright on the night. He is one player who should be an X factor - up forward, on ball, and wing.

King did some great work early but his body is a bit fragile for the game he plays. Agree he should be looked up to regardless of being his first season.

Koschitzke has struggled with losing his FF spot initially, then going into the ruck and getting smashed.

Gilbert - agree could be a gun (if he can improve his kicking).

Milne - agree he has been OK except interstate where he has been awful.

Geary will be OK.

Rix and Ferguson (imo) have been treated poorly by the club, Rix right from the day he was drafted and told by Thomas something like "don't get too excited - I doubt whether you'll get a game". Fergie is not a backman, and should be persisted with up front and given some room.

 

[lewdogs]

Surely it is time to drop Jason Blake, he has missed crucial easy shots at goal in the first quarter of the last four games, he isn't up to it.

 

[just a line monkey]

Out: whole team.

In: John West (apparently, He's the best.)

 

[MilneyLoves2Snap]

Out: whole team.

In: John West (apparently, He's the best.)

mmm fresh tuna

 

[Sir Robert]

Rix and Ferguson (imo) have been treated poorly by the club, Rix right from the day he was drafted and told by Thomas something like "don't get too excited - I doubt whether you'll get a game".

Is that close to an exact quote from Thomas? Yeah bring him back now Nexus he is great. Single handedly bashed the confidence out of the best ruckman in the VFL. I recall reading somewhere that Rix's proudest moment in his life was when he was drafted... I bet the lowest point was probably meeting Grant Thomas.

Out of interest how many games has Rix played for the Saints and how many did Thomas play?

Also agree Birss is clsoe to an automatic inclusion with the Saints. I think he has taken a bit to come on but has gotten better and can get even better still. And we have enough players in the side that cannot kick:

Blake, L Fish, Maxi, Milne, Dempster, Gilbert... List goes on but I can't be stuffed.

 

[Squizz]

Well Rixy didn't tell me direct, but did ring a friend at draft time who passed it on. Can't swear those were the exact words, but the flavour of the conversation was not exactly uplifting.

I actually didn't mind GT as a player - I think he played around 70 for us and then a few at North and Fitzroy.

Rix has played 29 games, so that's 29 more than Thomas told him he'd play.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I don't really rate Rix, since he played a lot last year ( in the ruck ) and didn't really achieve much at all between the stoppages.
However if he was serviceable in, maybe centre half back, it could free up Sam Fisher for a higher impact role.

 

[Squizz]

I just don't think Gwilt has got the height, although alot of posters say he shouldn't be down back anyway (which I don't disagree with). So that's where I think Rix comes in to the equation (just maybe not every week depending on the opposition).

With BJ, Gram and Gilbo (and even Dal lately) we should already have enough rebounding options. I'd just wish they would give Sam F a run at it up forward to take some pressure off Riewoldt and allow Kosi to stay at home more or do a different role.

 

[Sir Robert]

Well Rixy didn't tell me direct, but did ring a friend at draft time who passed it on. Can't swear those were the exact words, but the flavour of the conversation was not exactly uplifting.

I actually didn't mind GT as a player - I think he played around 70 for us and then a few at North and Fitzroy.

Rix has played 29 games, so that's 29 more than Thomas told him he'd play.

Geebus. What a tosser. What a way to welcome a player to a club. Well Rix has played nearly half the amount of games GT did which is why I asked. I just want him played now so he can overtake 70

SS, I agree Sam Fisher up forward is a must try I reckon.

 

[SOLMAN86]

Geebus. What a tosser. What a way to welcome a player to a club. Well Rix has played nearly half the amount of games GT did which is why I asked. I just want him played now so he can overtake 70

SS, I agree Sam Fisher up forward is a must try I reckon.

Its about time to try a few new things but S Fisher is one of the best Rebounding Half backs in the league - dont change something that does not neccesarry need changing - side for the Freo game

In Koschitzke Armitage Birss
Out M Gardiner(hamstring) Blake Gwilt

B Dempster Hudghton Birss(we need to try and find a small defender in the Absence of X Clarke Attard Baker etc) HB S Fisher Gilbert Goddard C Montagna Hayes Armitage(must play each week) HF Dal Santo Riewoldt Jones F Milne C Gardner Schnider R Koschitzke Ball Gram INT King Harvey Geary Mc Qualter EMG Mc Evoy Allen Howard

Probably some big WTFs

Birss is a fine kick and is in the best 22, we need a small defender and the time is now to experiment

Jason Blake is useless and soft as with Fiora and L Fisher

Charlie deserves another crack despite fading in the Sydney game 3 goals

Gram needs time in the middle as does Goddard, its a pity that X Clarke and Bakes(small defenders half backs) are not avbailable as Gram Sam Fisher & Goddard could all run through there(Mid field injecting some pace

 

[Rough_Edges]

From the media + injuries my guess is

In; Armitage Birss Koschitzke
Out; Schneider Dempster Gardiner

 

[ChrisFooty]

Why do people want Rix playing in the backline? It does not sound like a very good idea.

 

[The Punter]

Well, big Ben McEvoy has been confirmed as an in, coming in for Michael Gardiner.

 

[Squizz]

Why do people want Rix playing in the backline? It does not sound like a very good idea.

CF - Rixy didn't steal your lunch money at school did he (you've hopped in every time his name gets raised)?

I just don't think they guy has been given a go at it. Pretty rough start from GT, and then seems to be the scapegoat for any loss when there are players capable of much more who don't give their all.

We've been critical of tackling pressure and blocks/shepherds - well he brings that to the table.

We are down a basher in the backline with Goose out.

Sam F is a good long kick, and we have sucked in front of goal all year. I'd like someone up front who (if within 45 on reasonable angle) you expect to kick the goal - rather than expect to miss.

We have other rebounding defenders, and it is time to try a change with the same guys - rather than hoping for the best or throwing the whole team upside down.

 

[_Interpol_]

tough week for changes in a way, want to get kids in, but who do you drop?

OUT: Gardiner, Gwilt, Geary (to regain some confidence in VFL), ??????, Blake (won't happen)

IN (Potentials): McEvoy, Armitage, Allen, Koschitzke, Birss, Fergo

Fergo Allen up forward, Kosi in the backline... won't happen but i'd love to see it... Roo on the wing running forward could be damaging...

Let's see what the selection panel does....

Rix has been doing very well in the VFL forward line (in a team sitting 2nd), good pressure and tackling... another option for the forward line? Free up roo and kosi...

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Injured are : M Gardiner, Schneider, Dempster.
Under test are: Kosi, Ferguson, Harvey.
Assuming Kosi and Harvey test OK.
So for me outs are. Gardiner, Schneider, Dempster, C Gardner.
( Rough on C Gardner but I think he is the weakest link )
In McEvoy, Armitage, Birss Kosi.

I don't think it is good management to play the likes of Gwilt and McQualter one week only then back to AFL, I think they need to string a few together to see how they will go, But these would be the ones to drop if we wanted to play Howard, Eddy, or Allen.

 

[_Interpol_]

Injured are : M Gardiner, Schneider, Dempster.
Under test are: Kosi, Ferguson, Harvey.
Assuming Kosi and Harvey test OK.
So for me outs are. Gardiner, Schneider, Dempster, C Gardner.
( Rough on C Gardner but I think he is the weakest link )
In McEvoy, Armitage, Birss Kosi.

I don't think it is good management to play the likes of Gwilt and McQualter one week only then back to AFL, I think they need to string a few together to see how they will go, But these would be the ones to drop if we wanted to play Howard, Eddy, or Allen.

Gwilt has been given plenty of chances... 3 games now in the 1's and does not use his top kick well enough..

 

[Sir Robert]

Gwilt has been given plenty of chances... 3 games now in the 1's and does not use his top kick well enough..

Yeah I'm thinking Gwilt will be dropped before Chucky G.

 

[CHBench]

I'm not too worried playing too many kids, i'd rather lose to Freo knowing we're developing kids in the 22 rather than playing our usual 22 and losing horribly.

IN: Birss, Armitage, McEvoy, Allen
OUT: Blake, McQualter, M. Gardiner, Gwilt

ST KILDA
B: Gilbert, Hudghton, Dempster
HB: Goddard, S.Fisher, Gram
C: Dal Santo, Ball, Montagna
HF: Schneider, Gardiner, Jones
F: Milne, Riewoldt, Allen
FOLL: King, Hayes, Harvey
I/C: Geary, Armitage, Birss, McEvoy
EMG: Howard, Blake, Eddy

If they are injured:
Eddy > Dempster
Howard > Schneider

Either Eddy or Howard could replace Gwilt as well.

 

[wheels4]

there was an article in the herald sun today
mcevoy is a certainty to play this week
good on ya ross for some smart selections if he picked rix jeez i would have been angry

 

[CHBench]

Lyon confirmed that Justin Koschitzke, a late withdrawal from last week's clash with Sydney, would miss again because of his jarred and hyper-extended knee.

LINK

Rix could still be an inclusion if they decide to play McEvoy predominately up forward.

 

[TassieSaint]

Rix could still be an inclusion if they decide to play McEvoy predominately up forward.

Allen up Forward and McEvoy in the ruck?