grant thomas' article

[Gavin Excell]

Did anyone read it in the Age Sunday. It was basically a piece about how great St kilda is and how good there win was over Adelaide. Anyway it concluded with this:

St Kilda can have a significant impact from this point on. It wasn't too long ago that comparisons with Geelong were being talked about constantly in all football circles. In fact, the similarities over the past few seasons have been quite interesting. Fast-forward to today and Geelong is the premier team in the competition, notching its 10th straight win in accounting for Collingwood yesterday.
I know who Geelong is most concerned about — a fit, healthy and confident St Kilda. They are not there yet, but I have a sneaking suspicion that last Friday night lit a candle that just may turn into something a bit more substantial.
If St Kilda can keep its players on the park and build on the spirit and enthusiasm that was evident on Friday night, it will cause an enormous amount of heartache for teams aspiring to make the eight.
First things first, and that means a focus this week on the Hawks, who will provide another tough test. I do not expect the game to mirror anything like their round-eight match, when both were cautious. The formula is now clear — the Saints need to roll the dice and play to their strengths. Don't expect them to die wondering.
If every team currently in the eight had a token that eliminated one team from getting in the eight, I am certain who they would name. St Kilda rarely has had things going for it at the right end of the season, but if that situation changes from here on in, look out!

Sure Geelong and St Kilda may have been at each other 2 years ago but despite their recent wins reckon their side is deeply flawed.

 

[The Hulkster]

Did anyone read it in the Age Sunday. It was basically a piece about how great St kilda is and how good there win was over Adelaide. Anyway it concluded with this:

St Kilda can have a significant impact from this point on. It wasn't too long ago that comparisons with Geelong were being talked about constantly in all football circles. In fact, the similarities over the past few seasons have been quite interesting. Fast-forward to today and Geelong is the premier team in the competition, notching its 10th straight win in accounting for Collingwood yesterday.
I know who Geelong is most concerned about — a fit, healthy and confident St Kilda. They are not there yet, but I have a sneaking suspicion that last Friday night lit a candle that just may turn into something a bit more substantial.
If St Kilda can keep its players on the park and build on the spirit and enthusiasm that was evident on Friday night, it will cause an enormous amount of heartache for teams aspiring to make the eight.
First things first, and that means a focus this week on the Hawks, who will provide another tough test. I do not expect the game to mirror anything like their round-eight match, when both were cautious. The formula is now clear — the Saints need to roll the dice and play to their strengths. Don't expect them to die wondering.
If every team currently in the eight had a token that eliminated one team from getting in the eight, I am certain who they would name. St Kilda rarely has had things going for it at the right end of the season, but if that situation changes from here on in, look out!

Sure Geelong and St Kilda may have been at each other 2 years ago but despite their recent wins reckon their side is deeply flawed.

We are 1st they are 11th i dont think we are to concerned about anyone else but ourselves let alone a team that is in 11th spot on the ladder.

Just shows you can take the man out of St Kilda but cant take St Kilda out of the man.

I thought journos were supposed to be impartial. Thomas obviously showing his true colors here.

 

[afl genius]

St kilda ha, the sides i am worried about would be sydney and the costers

 

[CF]

Cornflakes is a tosser, take what he says with a grain of salt.

 

[Duskfire]

I don't think we would be too concerned about a fit St Kilda if that did come to be. We have the defense and the determination to finish them off; throw Ling on Harvey and thats a good chunk of their possession out of the midfield. Hawthorn I imagine would be the biggest of our concerns, or maybe even Sydney. The Hawks seem to match up incredibly well against us and Sydney is well... Sydney.

 

[jimvales]

i agree the only threat geelong should have is Hawthorn
i think we can take them with the backline we have and midfield
but
if collingwood had buckley would the score/outcome have been different

 

[CF]

i agree the only threat geelong should have is Hawthorn
i think we can take them with the backline we have and midfield
but
if collingwood had buckley would the score/outcome have been different

we don't have to fear Hawthorn at all as far as I am concerned. Buckley will never be the footballer he was and if he does return will probably only play HF/HB pocket. What you are forgetting is that Collingwood has been successful this year without their supposed top players. I really think if Clements & Buckley etc were in they would pretty much be in the same position they are now.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

we don't have to fear Hawthorn at all as far as I am concerned. Buckley will never be the footballer he was and if he does return will probably only play HF/HB pocket. What you are forgetting is that Collingwood has been successful this year without their supposed top players. I really think if Clements & Buckley etc were in they would pretty much be in the same position they are now.

You've got your head in the sand if you think that. They are second and have a good record against us and beat us this year.

 

[Mr.Chicken]

I think we're concerned about everyone in finals' contention. and St.Kilda does not fit into this catreogy. I think Thomas is going mad, seriously how can u be called a football journalist if u suggest St.Kilda is the team Geelong are the most worried about especially considering we aren't playing them again this season!

 

[geelong_boy]

I was driving to the game Saturday and listening to Thomas and co on SEN talking about the Saints game the night before. I almost smashed the car radio given the way Thomas was crapping on about the Saints, how good they were, you'd think they were two games clear on top FFS!

Yes, they are a talented team, but bloody hell they were lucky to win given Adelaide's injuries (Rucciuto and Rutten).

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I think we're concerned about everyone in finals' contention. and St.Kilda does not fit into this catreogy. I think Thomas is going mad, seriously how can u be called a football journalist if u suggest St.Kilda is the team Geelong are the most worried about especially considering we aren't playing them again this season!

Agree. In all likelihood the Saints will not make the finals. If they do it will be bottom half of the 8 and are unlikely to proceed further from there. But as you say any side in the top 4 will be tough to beat. Not sad at all that Grant Thomas' career ended up in the toilet, ironically ended by his chum you wrongfully gave him the job in the first place. He joins the long and illustrious list of sacked coaches Ayres, Walls, Judge and co. still unable to come to terms with their failures.

 

[CF]

You've got your head in the sand if you think that. They are second and have a good record against us and beat us this year.

I disagree. The hawks have a great team and if we have to play them again it will be a tough hard game but that doesn't mean we have to fear them. We have a game plan and a team that plays for each other and we can match any side in the competition including hawthorn. I hope we play them in the finals and all this "They own us" crap can be buried once and for all. But why would we fear them? We should respect them, but not fear them. pfft.

 

[And_ROOS]

Theres a few teams that will worry us... IN SEPTEMBER... and St Kilda will not be one of them.

Granty boy is a little bit jealous, im guessing he came onto BigFooty and saw the "Chapman was right all along" thread .

 

[Sttew]

I think you will find Thomas has yet to pick against the Saints this year. He is deluded, and could not possibly coach any other side.

 

[Ling Sting]

he just can't let the saints go can he. Boarderline obsession.

I like his line about a fully fit Saint Kilda team. Is that even possible?

 

[Partridge]

I think we're concerned about everyone in finals' contention. and St.Kilda does not fit into this catreogy. I think Thomas is going mad, seriously how can u be called a football journalist if u suggest St.Kilda is the team Geelong are the most worried about especially considering we aren't playing them again this season!

It's football culture. Half the football "experts" are failed coaches after all. The list is long and not distinguished - Grant Thomas, Danny Frawley, Tony Shaw and so on. All are treated like they actually know what they are talking about but their time in charge indicated something vastly different.

 

[sarah.13]

It's football culture. Half the football "experts" are failed coaches after all. The list is long and not distinguished - Grant Thomas, Danny Frawley, Tony Shaw and so on. All are treated like they actually know what they are talking about but their time in charge indicated something vastly different.

Hit the nail on the head there Partridge!

 

[Tonycam*]

Apparently Thomas is in the process of making up his lovers tiff with the Saint president , maybe he is just doing a job on him.

 

[sarah.13]

Apparently Thomas is in the process of making up his lovers tiff with the Saint president , maybe he is just doing a job on him.

Might be looking for a discount!

 

[Tonycam*]

Might be looking for a discount!

worth few thousand of the debt u think Sarah

 

[sarah.13]

worth few thousand of the debt u think Sarah

Apparently Buttress likes to have his ego (amongst other things) stroked.

 

[Ricketts]

*bump*

Grant Thomas - quality media performer.

 

[Brasil2007]

*bump*

Grant Thomas - quality media performer.

Heard he was sacked this week from his job with the Age for dissing Caro (saying she made stuff up). Quality!

I thought he was a terrible coach who would never see the Saints to a gf but I've got a soft spot for him in the media. I think though it has more to do with amusement than respect, although he sometimes hits on something (I thought some of his observations on how to play the Bulldogs were good earlier in the year). I don't think there are too many teams that keep Bomber and the boys awake at night. The Saints are definitely not one of them. To be honest I doubt they ever have been.