Get some zen

[Fehring]

I understand fear, paranoia, superstition and desperation as well as any St Kilda supporter, but I would like to make the case for taking it easy this week. Get out, have lunch with a friend, hug your kids and smell the first blossoms of Spring.

If ever there was a year not to fear, this is it. This is perhaps the best team to ever run around in Saints jumpers. Great players, great gameplan, great coach, great support staff and, most of all, great confidence. You can see it in their eyes - this team and this coach believe they will win. There's a chance it could all go pear-shaped, but they're not worrying about that. They're just getting on with it. I think we should all do the same.

Deep in my soul, there are little demons whispering "you know they'll fall when it counts. Your ruckmen will go down, your goalkicking will desert you and a bunch of hacks will come from behind, mow you down and take the premiership cup from your grasp. But I'm not listening. Not this week, not this year. If it all goes wrong, I'll deal with the fallout then. But for now, my heart is on my sleeve and not in my mouth.

Go you Sainters.

 

[Big Carl]

I understand fear, paranoia, superstition and desperation as well as any St Kilda supporter, but I would like to make the case for taking it easy this week. Get out, have lunch with a friend, hug your kids and smell the first blossoms of Spring.

If ever there was a year not to fear, this is it. This is perhaps the best team to ever run around in Saints jumpers. Great players, great gameplan, great coach, great support staff and, most of all, great confidence. You can see it in their eyes - this team and this coach believe they will win. There's a chance it could all go pear-shaped, but they're not worrying about that. They're just getting on with it. I think we should all do the same.

Deep in my soul, there are little demons whispering "you know they'll fall when it counts. Your ruckmen will go down, your goalkicking will desert you and a bunch of hacks will come from behind, mow you down and take the premiership cup from your grasp. But I'm not listening. Not this week, not this year. If it all goes wrong, I'll deal with the fallout then. But for now, my heart is on my sleeve and not in my mouth.

Go you Sainters.

 

[bubblegoose]

hear hear

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Very nice work from you Fez man.

I'm with you brother.

Soak up the atmosphere. If there isn't any nerves, it isn't fun.

After seeing the way the boys conducted themselves after the win against the Pies, they are totally focused.

It's up to us. If we bring our pressure and intensity like we know we can, it's going to take something very special to defeat us.

It's our time brothers.

Bring on Friday. I can't wait.

 

[AFaiL]

Great call.

For too long, us loyal fans have been too scared of failure and have let it consume us.

Have it in you to be prepared to be great.

Anyone

Anywhere

Anytime

Go you Sainters, we're behind ya.

 

[TassieSaint]

yeah +1

I've been pretty calm ever since the Collingwood game. Deep down I'm probably shitting myself a bit and that will come out during our next final no doubt but right now I'm loving it and all my mates attempting (and failing) to give me shit saying we're gonna choke can get ****ed.

Go Saints!

 

[Cuz2Plugger]

Get some Zen? GET SOME NUTS!


I'm not scared of losing, I'm scared of not winning......

But seriously, as long as we give our best effort, tackle like we do best, stick to the structures and the trademark, Kosi has a fairdinkum crack, Beat them for contested ball (Go Lenny and Luke) and we all play for each other, then I'll be happy.

 

[Plugger35]

I'm probably more confident now than I was before the Collingwood game. There was some question marks then about our form and how we would go at the 'G in a big final against an in-form top 4 opponent. However we answered all those questions pretty emphatically in that game, after we settled down halfway through the 2nd quarter we never looked like losing.

Providing we bring that same intensity and desperation on Friday night we should be right. The anxiety is more due to the fact that it is a prelim final with a lot more riding on it and there are no second chances. Surely after 3 prelim final losses in the past 6 years our time has come to win one.

 

[Murraj1966]

What's wrong with you!? YOU'LL DOOM US ALL!

I love your optimism... but I'm sitting in a fear-proof bunker escaping the fear cos I'm frightened AGAIN. If we're 25 points up a minute to go in the GF... then I'll throw open the doors and go nuts... but until then...

 

[StFly]

What's wrong with you!? YOU'LL DOOM US ALL!

I love your optimism... but I'm sitting in a fear-proof bunker escaping the fear cos I'm frightened AGAIN. If we're 25 points up a minute to go in the GF... then I'll throw open the doors and go nuts... but until then...

I hear that, '97 was barely recoverable and 12 years later despite how well we may be going it's tempting fate to go all out in support without being a nervous wreck. During the games sure I'll be cheering as anything, outside I'm in my own bunker going lalalala not listening.

 

[Squizz]

'97 was pretty freaky - Lazar doing his knee in Round 22, Spider doing his shoulder in the Qualifying Final, Stewie Leowe's sister dying in the lead-up to the GF along with Wiz's father, and Stan Alves being the only person in Victoria who thought playing Shaners on Jarman in a vacant F50 was a good idea.

Where was the _ucking zen then?

This will be a good game on Friday - we can start the dream sequence after that if we get over the line.

 

[Fehring]

'97 was pretty freaky - Lazar doing his knee in Round 22, Spider doing his shoulder in the Qualifying Final, Stewie Leowe's sister dying in the lead-up to the GF along with Wiz's father, and Stan Alves being the only person in Victoria who thought playing Shaners on Jarman in a vacant F50 was a good idea.

Where was the _ucking zen then?

This will be a good game on Friday - we can start the dream sequence after that if we get over the line.

If Riewoldt does his knee standing up after a media conference, or Lenny goes down while conducting a footy clinic, then you can get nervous. Until then, smell the roses.

 

[Zinixa]

I understand fear, paranoia, superstition and desperation as well as any St Kilda supporter, but I would like to make the case for taking it easy this week. Get out, have lunch with a friend, hug your kids and smell the first blossoms of Spring.

If ever there was a year not to fear, this is it. This is perhaps the best team to ever run around in Saints jumpers. Great players, great gameplan, great coach, great support staff and, most of all, great confidence. You can see it in their eyes - this team and this coach believe they will win. There's a chance it could all go pear-shaped, but they're not worrying about that. They're just getting on with it. I think we should all do the same.

Deep in my soul, there are little demons whispering "you know they'll fall when it counts. Your ruckmen will go down, your goalkicking will desert you and a bunch of hacks will come from behind, mow you down and take the premiership cup from your grasp. But I'm not listening. Not this week, not this year. If it all goes wrong, I'll deal with the fallout then. But for now, my heart is on my sleeve and not in my mouth.

Go you Sainters.

Top post

 

[Fehring]

I've realised part of my zen master calm this week is because I feel like my journey is drawing to a close.

I'm 36 and have followed the Saints since I was old enough to be told what to do. I grew up at Moorabbin every second week, playing with the stones, collecting cans, watching my team get mercilessly flogged as f-bombs rained down around me and yet somehow loving it. Back then, I thought the destination of my journey would be heartbreak hill. I spent many hours debating with myself whether it would be more honourable to merge or fold (fold, obviously - and isn't that a heartbreaking conclusion for a 12 year old to come to?), and I remember the moment that the first shoots of hope exploded into a full-blown tree. Round 2, 1989 against Carlton. Daniels to Winmar to Lockett to pure, unadaulterated joy.

Since then I've known beyond doubt that the journey would have a happy ending. It could have been 91 or 92. It could have been 97, 04 or 05 but I know that it will be one day. And that day feels very close now.

So I can't help looking back on the crazy adventure that is following the Saints and thinking that the train is almost at the station. And if I'm right (please God, let me be right) I'll kind of miss the anticipation in a stupid sort of a way. But not too much.

 

[Murraj1966]

Yeah I see what your getting at.
I know people who have been following the Saints for decades... and if we win, what do we as Saints fans have to look forward too more than a possible second flag which would be absolutely awesome, but it wouldn't be a drought breaker like the first.

 

[John Bonney]

I've realised part of my zen master calm this week is because I feel like my journey is drawing to a close.

I'm 36 and have followed the Saints since I was old enough to be told what to do. I grew up at Moorabbin every second week, playing with the stones, collecting cans, watching my team get mercilessly flogged as f-bombs rained down around me and yet somehow loving it. Back then, I thought the destination of my journey would be heartbreak hill. I spent many hours debating with myself whether it would be more honourable to merge or fold (fold, obviously - and isn't that a heartbreaking conclusion for a 12 year old to come to?), and I remember the moment that the first shoots of hope exploded into a full-blown tree. Round 2, 1989 against Carlton. Daniels to Winmar to Lockett to pure, unadaulterated joy.

Since then I've known beyond doubt that the journey would have a happy ending. It could have been 91 or 92. It could have been 97, 04 or 05 but I know that it will be one day. And that day feels very close now.

So I can't help looking back on the crazy adventure that is following the Saints and thinking that the train is almost at the station. And if I'm right (please God, let me be right) I'll kind of miss the anticipation in a stupid sort of a way. But not too much.

This is a truly splendid post Fehring and now is the time for me to apologise to you and others for my sometimes niggardly and annoying harpings on about Armitage.
He probarbly deserves to be about where he is in the scheme of things but realistically now individuals dont count it is the only the team and ultimately the Club that matters.
An almost eerie calm has descended over me now on the eve of our pentultimate step.
Go Saints.

 

[Fehring]

This is a truly splendid post Fehring and now is the time for me to apologise to you and others for my sometimes niggardly and annoying harpings on about Armitage.
He probarbly deserves to be about where he is in the scheme of things but realistically now individuals dont count it is the only the team and ultimately the Club that matters.
An almost eerie calm has descended over me now on the eve of our pentultimate step.
Go Saints.

Goodness, Bonney. Are we going to hug? I think the angst over Armo is natural for a first-rounder, and I find myself often hoping that he can cement his spot in the side, as I see him as a natural replacement for Lenny or Ball in due course and I hope he doesn't leave. BJ took time. But that's something to keep us going in the off-season.

Here we go...

 

[Cuz2Plugger]

An almost eerie calm has descended over me now on the eve of our pentultimate step.
Go Saints.

Yes I feel it. And soon they will feel it.

 

[sainter]

Great stuff Fehring.

I haven't been around all week because I've been so nervous that I've worked myself into such a negative state that I thought it was better to say nothing.

Now that we're less than 24 hours away, I just can't wait for it start.

It's going to be a very special and emotional night for one team. C'mon Sainters!

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Great stuff Fehring.

I haven't been around all week because I've been so nervous that I've worked myself into such a negative state that I thought it was better to say nothing.

Now that we're less than 24 hours away, I just can't wait for it start.

It's going to be a very special and emotional night for one team. C'mon Sainters!

Yes brother.

It's our time now.

OUR TIME BROTHERS.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

This is a truly splendid post Fehring and now is the time for me to apologise to you and others for my sometimes niggardly and annoying harpings on about Armitage.
He probarbly deserves to be about where he is in the scheme of things but realistically now individuals dont count it is the only the team and ultimately the Club that matters.
An almost eerie calm has descended over me now on the eve of our pentultimate step.
Go Saints.

Very nice work from you JB.

We all want Armo to succeed and he will, but it's about the team now as you said.

Let's get the boys over the line brothers.

GO YOU MIGHTY SAINTERS.

 

[Kildonan]

As an ex-Mackay boy and one who also watched Armo play for Morningside, I was very hyped up about his selection by the Saints. I too can feel the frustration of his career failing to take off, like it should based on pure ability.

Lyon brings a different mindset to the Saints on-field philosophy. Maybe its a new approach, maybe its an old-fashioned one, but he favours the players hardened by years over those that offer pure brilliance.

It seems that every player must serve their apprenticeship before being promoted to the A-grade.

A problem may arise when trades are made. Players who have been toiling away in the hope of making it see their spot go to a newcomer. This is why I would like to see some stability in the team now. It would be nice to be able to make only the minimum changes this year and show faith in the youngsters we have working, developing, hardening

I suppose that all depends too on us performing as expected in the next two matches...or we may end up reacting by trading to fill the perceived hole.

Beautiful words Fehring, and very heartening to see JB stick out the olive branch and both of you effectively end this silly Armo feud

I am the pinacle of zen coolness. My calm cannot be flustered.

This is our year, brother and sister Sainters, I feel it in my ying and yang