Everyone just relax

[Fehring]

I'm hurting after having to watch that crap last night but have been having a good think about it the last few hours and there is some upside.

First, our rucks last night were absolutely killed and yet we still split the clearances (in fact we had one more than Port). So, first when we have real tap ruckmen back, we will pretty much always win more than 50 percent of the ball from stoppages which will help us getting the ball forward.

Second, having our rucks back will allow Kosi to settle in the forward line. I think that really made it difficult for us last night and the only way that our forward line will function is if Kosi and Roo play next to each other for four quarters week after week like O'Loughlin and Hall have.

Third, Schneider will make a big difference to our forward line when he comes back.

Fourth, game time for Goose and BJ (who was disgraceful last night) will allow them to get better - last year, Lenny's second half of the season was better than his first.

That having been said, last night was still pitiful. So as much as anything, I write in hope.

 

[jbazzle]

I know we have the potential, thats really what keeps me hooked I suppose.

 

[CHBench]

I know we have the potential, thats really what keeps me hooked I suppose.

Same here, plus the added bonus of our game plan possibly changing.

 

[BrianSpeaking]

We are in strife, real strife.

 

[sainter]

I'm hurting after having to watch that crap last night but have been having a good think about it the last few hours and there is some upside.

First, our rucks last night were absolutely killed and yet we still split the clearances (in fact we had one more than Port). So, first when we have real tap ruckmen back, we will pretty much always win more than 50 percent of the ball from stoppages which will help us getting the ball forward.

Second, having our rucks back will allow Kosi to settle in the forward line. I think that really made it difficult for us last night and the only way that our forward line will function is if Kosi and Roo play next to each other for four quarters week after week like O'Loughlin and Hall have.

Third, Schneider will make a big difference to our forward line when he comes back.

Fourth, game time for Goose and BJ (who was disgraceful last night) will allow them to get better - last year, Lenny's second half of the season was better than his first.

That having been said, last night was still pitiful. So as much as anything, I write in hope.

Good post Fehring.

I don't know if it's a positive or negative because I'm not sure how often we'll actually see of them this year but King and Gardiner do make a massive difference to our side. Gardiner's 1 week injury better not stop him from playing next week because if he's out again it's about time the club came clean to the supporters. King has been immense in the middle of the ground and we really need him in the centre of the ground. There were a few instances in that third quarter were their ruckman just stuck the knee into Kosi and manhandled him and that wouldn't happen with Kingy in there. Schneider is important too. We need to spread the load in the midfield and he'll give us some of the run and carry that we need. Oh, and he can kick a goal.

I wasn't convinced about Goose before he returned and there's been nothing to suggest that my fears weren't warranted. I just think he's a victim of where the game is heading and the kind of player he is. Again I really hope I'm wrong. BJ will be alright though. He was uncharacteristically poor last night but I don't think it's anything to worry about. We just have to be patient and not expect too much too soon after a knee reconstruction.

We've seen glimpses of good footy this season. Hopefully it might just click as it did for Geelong from round 6 last year.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Put the finest players on the park, with the best fitness, and we would have still lost last night, because the coach's strategy was an embarrassment to everything that football stands for.

 

[NeXus_Helen]

Put the finest players on the park, with the best fitness, and we would have still lost last night, because the coach's strategy was an embarrassment to everything that football stands for.

Agreed, while we employ that stupid Sydney shite we will remain the laughing stock of the AFL. Please refer to my other post regarding re-instating GT.

 

[Disco7]

I don't think GT's the answer, but it makes me furious when i read Lyons post match conference explaining how he's not sure why they handball and not kick and why they slow the game down..........

If he's not teaching them, then who is?????????????

Kick long to Nick and Koz it just might work, I mean the rest of the comp bar Sydney seem to do it with effect.

I agree with Sainter if Gardy isn't right for this week it's time the club came clean and starts looking for something more stable in the middle. We got slaughtered in the ruck last night but again still came out even in the clearances, we've all seen how much we can dominate the clearances early this season with King/Gardy in there.

Lets hope a different St Kilda turns up Sat night

 

[Asgardian]

Put the finest players on the park, with the best fitness, and we would have still lost last night, because the coach's strategy was an embarrassment to everything that football stands for.

Not possible, Freo owns that title.

 

[Papa Juggs]

The Saints got some good decisions and dominated the midfield. Whenever the ball went inside 50 we lost it and when we did get shots on goal they got sprayed and lost.

I'd say maybe Kozza getting a knee in the chest at the centre bounce should have been a free kick.

How can you put C Cornes out of the game and fail to kick in goal in the quarter he is off? They choked under pressure infront of the big sticks at AAMI. 5 Dome games in a row made them soft.

The game was lost in rebound 50. If you are gonna flood you need to run into the forward line to create options. They failed to do so.

Fix that forward line Rossy. Less than 100 points per game is unacceptable.

 

[Axcellence]

The Saints got some good decisions and dominated the midfield. Whenever the ball went inside 50 we lost it and when we did get shots on goal they got sprayed and lost.

I'd say maybe Kozza getting a knee in the chest at the centre bounce should have been a free kick.

How can you put C Cornes out of the game and fail to kick in goal in the quarter he is off? They choked under pressure infront of the big sticks at AAMI. 5 Dome games in a row made them soft.

The game was lost in rebound 50. If you are gonna flood you need to run into the forward line to create options. They failed to do so.

Fix that forward line Rossy. Less than 100 points per game is unacceptable.

Totally agree on the less than 100 points bit. Usually, %age is a good indicator of where the team is likely to end up at the end of the season. Unfortunately, 95% doesn't quite cut it in terms of making the 8.

Oh... and going is it me, or is anyone else also look at Hawthorn's %age and think.... chee... "We used to be that good!?"

 

[Axcellence]

I'm hurting after having to watch that crap last night but have been having a good think about it the last few hours and there is some upside.

First, our rucks last night were absolutely killed and yet we still split the clearances (in fact we had one more than Port). So, first when we have real tap ruckmen back, we will pretty much always win more than 50 percent of the ball from stoppages which will help us getting the ball forward.

Second, having our rucks back will allow Kosi to settle in the forward line. I think that really made it difficult for us last night and the only way that our forward line will function is if Kosi and Roo play next to each other for four quarters week after week like O'Loughlin and Hall have.

Third, Schneider will make a big difference to our forward line when he comes back.

Fourth, game time for Goose and BJ (who was disgraceful last night) will allow them to get better - last year, Lenny's second half of the season was better than his first.

That having been said, last night was still pitiful. So as much as anything, I write in hope.

I think it needs to be mentioned that our midfield must be working well to an extent to get the clearances. Schneider will make a difference and as well the rucks.

I do think the midfield does need some development. If you look back to the prior years, you'll see even the backup midfield was pretty good (despite their flaws, which crept up with age).

Andrew Thompson - Good Team player and value as a backup midfielder. Good at 1%ers and tackles. Avg. 14-15 disposals.

Justin Peckett - Had some pretty good seasons towards the end of his career...almost his personal best. Kept us in touching distance towards the end - his ability to kick long to a good position was exceptional. He did lack awareness or panicked at times... but towards the end of the career that wasn't so common. Avg. 14-15 disposals.

Stephen Powell - was a good hard nut. And towards the end played a tagging role in which he was pretty good. Towelled up Scott West and some other players. Also, hardness was an asset. Good Tackler. Avg. 14-15 disposals.

Honorary Mention - Heath Black Was great when played in the 2004 year. 21 odd disposals in midfield / back pocket is worth having. Oh, and he took biffo with the opposition as well.

Let's look at the replacements:-

Clint Jones - 12 very average disposal average. Zero Impact as of yet.

Leigh Fisher - playing as a midfielder... tagger... took some scalps, but zero impact of his own with 8 disposals average.

Shane Birss - finds the footy... but still very little impact on the match. had 16 disposals... which are sort of OK.

Aaron Fiora - supposedly a replacement for Heath Black... 12 avg disposals combined with a pea heart for Ms. Fiona.


Just shows how much of a impact St Kilda's fringe players were having.

 

[Squizz]

???

Powell was as slow as treacle and kicked more floaters than Stephen Kernahan. Heath Black didn't want to stay.

Clint Jones was a rookie, people have been signing Leigh Fisher's praises this year, and Birss is a depth player and did OK.

I thought there was some sort of agreement with the nicknames for Fiora - pretty tough on a guy who didn't even play in this disgusting game.

Said it before, we are one-trick ponies and there are ways to get it down field without kicking down the throat of a Port Player. Ross Lyon can't kick the ball for them, but the strategy was rubbish. Rix was not getting beaten in the ruck, so put the friggin thing over the line if there are no options 50m downfield. Again we kept kicking to small forward line targets.

Ross Lyon's comments :
"I don't think they'd walk away saying "Gee, we smacked St Kilda" - wow, that's a comfort Ross. Did Port ever look like losing?
"We're 3-3 and what are they? 2-4 - so its not panic stations" That's the point Ross, Port are playing rubbish this year and we should have beaten them.
"The first quarter we were a bit conservative with our ball use" What??? We continually coughed it up!!! That last goal in the first quarter was a disgrace, and I am still hung over from hitting the bottle at quarter time.

 

[Monika72]

The year is slipping away, and they need to do something quick to stay in touch. Our Forwards haven't got a clue. We are the lowest scoring team in the league. With the forwards we have it may be time that we looked at our Forward coach and ask questions there. Surely with all these players we can kick more goals.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I couldn't get visual on the game so cannot comment too much, but it sounds like we were smashed in the ruck. Based on the stats Koshi actually did better than Rix. If we had played anyone else ( McEvoy, Gehrig, Fiona, Raph, Allen ) instead of Rix and used blake or someone to ruck we still would have been smashed in the clearances but would have had another useful player on the ground between the stoppages.

 

[bubblegoose]

Agreed, while we employ that stupid Sydney shite we will remain the laughing stock of the AFL. Please refer to my other post regarding re-instating GT.

If GT is the omniscient go-to man, how do you feel about him tipping the Saints (just after Hawks) to still challenge for the flag this morning on SEN?

 

[Squizz]

I couldn't get visual on the game so cannot comment too much, but it sounds like we were smashed in the ruck. Based on the stats Koshi actually did better than Rix. If we had played anyone else ( McEvoy, Gehrig, Fiona, Raph, Allen ) instead of Rix and used blake or someone to ruck we still would have been smashed in the clearances but would have had another useful player on the ground between the stoppages.

I thought Rix was OK and for a change Lade and Brogan had limited impact (8 possessions each and nothing really creative bar one play to Burgoyne against Kosi). No idea why Rix could not ruck more than 57% of game time to allow us to keep our structure down forward (not a fitness issue with Rix).

Chucky G was OK but we really need another good lead up forward closer to goal who works hard off the ball. Is Hamill available?

 

[Axcellence]

???

Powell was as slow as treacle and kicked more floaters than Stephen Kernahan. Heath Black didn't want to stay.

Clint Jones was a rookie, people have been signing Leigh Fisher's praises this year, and Birss is a depth player and did OK.

I thought there was some sort of agreement with the nicknames for Fiora - pretty tough on a guy who didn't even play in this disgusting game.

I was talking about midfield in general over the course of 2008 season compared to 2004-05. Powell was slow and kicked floaters but still was OK in & under and got some clearances / did OK tagging jobs.

Heath Black didn't want to stay but compared to Fiora is a much better footballer. Again, Fiora's comparison is more on the lines of what we got instead of heath black (they were a three way swap at trading).

Birss is a depth player... but again, so was peckett / thompson, etc. St Kilda always had one or two players out in the midfield so they played.

Again, my point was trying to compare the last 4 of St Kilda's standard 22 against the people they replaced / were there back in 04-05 period.

 

[sackers5]

We are in strife, real strife.

could not have put it any better .... I am not going to get into gameplans and tactics. At the present moment in time - we are the worst disposers of the ball by foot in the league (including kicking for goal) - and it doesn't matter if we had Leigh Matthews as coach, if you can't hit a target you are going nowhere

 

[Axcellence]

could not have put it any better .... I am not going to get into gameplans and tactics. At the present moment in time - we are the worst disposers of the ball by foot in the league (including kicking for goal) - and it doesn't matter if we had Leigh Matthews as coach, if you can't hit a target you are going nowhere

I'd like to see this team under Leigh Matthews - he gave Travis Johnstone a rev-up... at the same time conceding he over-played Jonathan brown (and apologised).

 

[Squizz]

Again, my point was trying to compare the last 4 of St Kilda's standard 22 against the people they replaced / were there back in 04-05 period.

OK - I see you are talking the last 4, although would query that Fiora, Birss & Jones are in it. I've no idea why they flew Geary and Allen over to not play. Geary should have been in anyway (in front of the above), and if they wanted to play Kosi in the ruck instead of Blake then Allen should of played.

No argument from me that depth is a critical issue, and we were not able to cover injuries to Ball, Goddard, Hayes, X Clarke, and Harvey in more recent times. Schneider is good, but he too is injured and only one person.

 

[NeXus_Helen]

If GT is the omniscient go-to man, how do you feel about him tipping the Saints (just after Hawks) to still challenge for the flag this morning on SEN?

He is just trying to be positive. If we lose to Richmond, the season is gone beyond recall. It's what I term the AR$E falling out of the club.

 

[subanwallan]

I thought Rix was OK and for a change Lade and Brogan had limited impact (8 possessions each and nothing really creative bar one play to Burgoyne against Kosi). No idea why Rix could not ruck more than 57% of game time to allow us to keep our structure down forward (not a fitness issue with Rix).

Chucky G was OK but we really need another good lead up forward closer to goal who works hard off the ball. Is Hamill available?

Hamill is finished he is in retirement it would be a bad idea to bring him bac his knees wouldnt hold up n yett will tak a full pre season to get fully fit again

 

[bubblegoose]

Good news all!

Word is that the playing group is heading off to Bonnie Doon before the weekend to sort out a couple of minor kinks within the team. There will be tea, scones, sitting round the campfire with a fine rendition of Kum-Ba-Ya*, followed by a couple of tears & a group hug.

This should shake out any remaining cobwebs & we can then all marvel at the Saints winning ways as per 2nd half of last season.

Rejoice!

*What does Kum-Ba-Ya mean? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumbaya

 

[Mick_15]

To echo some of the comments in here already i believe we are in real trouble.
Ross Lyon has got us playing the worest brand of footy in the comp! at least Sydney play there style well and use it to good affect!
I myself dont like to look back, but im only 22 and miss the days of Stan eles letting the boys play with freedom often letting them coach themselves and giving them the responsiblity of how they want to play, and Grant empowering the group letting them play they wanted to play.
The saints could well be the worest team in the comp to watch at the moment.
I prey that Armo gets more time on ground and is allowed to play exciting footy! the kids has talent, Let X jump on heads and wheel around and play on at all costs, let dal try to weave through a pack of 3 opponents to release Joey to deliver a perfect ball to Roo with out streached dukes with his opponent 10m behind trying desperatly to catch his breath.(only mentioned a couple)
If Ross wants them to do these things, he is not getting through to them and is not the man for the job.

As far as i can see the boys are playing with a lack spirt, heart, guts, desperation, intensity and as much mungrel as the yellow wiggle. (compared to previous years, hopefully Bakes can put a bit of mungrel back into the group)

the tigers are playing with a furosity at the contest they haven't had in years and i for one am not wondering who can run with Dal, joey, Lenny...Im worried about who the hell can stop Foley's pace, Richo's roaming groud dominace, Kane johnsons career best form.

I really think we have to get on top of the tigers early and really put them away (sounds a little dogy haha)
I really want the boys to have a massive win..talking 10 goals, to instill some confidence

I think a close win will do nothing for the group and a lose will be devistating and will sound out to the league that we are vulnrable and ripe for the picking!

Good Luck Boys
Will be watching every minute and cheering you on regardless, its what a good saint supporter does

Ps: apologies for any poor spelling, not my strong point! and for the long post just wanted to get it off my chest.