Dal Santo's been given the...

[Lach72]

cherry sarse.

What the hell is going on down at Saintsland?

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23888765-19742,00.html

Nick Dal Santo dropped
| June 19, 2008 12:53pm

ST KILDA onballer Nick Dal Santo looks like becoming a high-profile casualty of his side's struggles, being dropped for Friday's match. After the Saints' loss to Sydney last weekend, coach Ross Lyon promised that he would give younger players the chance to make good in place of struggling veterans.

The silky-skilled midfielder has played 114 matches in a row and was the Saints' leading vote-getter in last year's Brownlow Medal count.

However, it looks like he may be the first victim of Lyon's desire to shake up the team. Dal Santo collected just 17 touches against the Swans, at just 59 per cent efficiency.

 

[estibador]

First person to say we should chase him at the end of the year gets a kick in the ass.

He'd cost too much and if he played for us everyone would whinge about how soft he is.

 

[Belnakor]

too soft, too slow.

Straight swap for Mundy

 

[Bradesmaen]

He's softer than Mundy and he's not slow.

 

[SupersonicDocker]

Seems its not just the Eagles who are tanking for games now.

This is getting beyond ridiculous now.

 

[Shaymuhz]

good news for us

 

[Ogrebait]

His and Milne's non-selection smacks of over-confidence.

I think St. Kilda want to send a message to the playing group before their season unfolds any further. If you check out their remaining draw you could understand why they've chosen this game as the one to do it.

'Interstate team at the foot of the ladder... pencil it in.'

They do this at their peril. Harvey is right, we are dangerous.

 

[Ogrebait]

Having said that, Dal Santo is named as an emergency and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he finds a way into the team come friday night. Maybe they figure this public scrutiny will be just the kick in the arse he needs.

 

[BigFurryWhale]

Seems its not just the Eagles who are tanking for games now.

This is getting beyond ridiculous now.

Agreed. Some strange stuff going down in football right now.

 

[pistol17]

Having said that, Dal Santo is named as an emergency and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he finds a way into the team come friday night. Maybe they figure this public scrutiny will be just the kick in the arse he needs.

Yea was thinking the same thing. If he was going to be dropped he wouldnt be in the 25.

 

[PalaceGun]

Agreed. Some strange stuff going down in football right now.

Strange to drop a player who has been rubbish for most of the season?

I'd be happier if he was playing.

 

[PapaJ]

Seems its not just the Eagles who are tanking for games now.

This is getting beyond ridiculous now.

There's no way they're in tanking mode, they are pushing for the 8 for pete's sake. It is one of the stranger moves that's for sure. He's a touch down on workrate, but he is still a very good player even if apparently 'soft' and an offensive threat even if a defensive liability. I would be very surprised if he doesn't come in as an emergency, just a desperate ducks and drakes move from Lyon I reckon.

 

[SupersonicDocker]

There's no way they're in tanking mode, they are pushing for the 8 for pete's sake. It is one of the stranger moves that's for sure. He's a touch down on workrate, but he is still a very good player even if apparently 'soft' and an offensive threat even if a defensive liability. I would be very surprised if he doesn't come in as an emergency, just a desperate ducks and drakes move from Lyon I reckon.

Don't know how you can justify they are trying to win a game of football by dropping their No.1 mid and Leading goal scorer?

But wait... If we dropped Palmer and Pavlich... We are trying to win

 

[PapaJ]

Don't know how you can justify they are trying to win a game of football by dropping their No.1 mid and Leading goal scorer?

But wait... If we dropped Palmer and Pavlich... We are trying to win

I'm not sure what they're doing, but it's not tanking. We're not even tanking (yet) and we're no chance to make the finals, they are a still a real shot so it doesn't make sense. I think it's just a statement to his own players more than anything.

BTW, if Lyon was serious about dropping Nick Dal, he wouldn't be named as an emergency ... I still think he'll play ... unless there's some unknown injury or something.

Milne is a different story of course, but memory is that Hayden has always shut him down with ease, no great gamble on Lyon's behalf I reckon.

 

[Tundrawolf]

I'm not sure what they're doing, but it's not tanking. We're not even tanking (yet) and we're no chance to make the finals, they are a still a real shot so it doesn't make sense. I think it's just a statement to his own players more than anything.

BTW, if Lyon was serious about dropping Nick Dal, he wouldn't be named as an emergency ... I still think he'll play ... unless there's some unknown injury or something.

Milne is a different story of course, but memory is that Hayden has always shut him down with ease, no great gamble on Lyon's behalf I reckon.

Spot on PapaJ.

Dal Santo averages 24 possessions and 5 inside 50's a game at Telstra Dome.

I hope Freo's match committee's game structure is based on him lining up for the Saints.