Have we turned the corner?

Kildonan

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I know that some of the superstitious on here would be groaning at me asking the question, but I throw it up for discussion.

The players seem to have a new resolve to play out matches. This (in my mind) has been a weakness of ours during the Thomas era. Once on top - if the opposition showed any resilience at all we seemed to fail to put them away.

Our "killer instinct" wasn't ever really displayed. Our biggest wins were more due to the capitulation of our opponents than our merciless destruction of them.

If we don't learn another lesson under Lyon, I will still see this progress as a major positive.
 

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bubblegoose

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#2
I know that some of the superstitious on here would be groaning at me asking the question, but I throw it up for discussion.

The players seem to have a new resolve to play out matches. This (in my mind) has been a weakness of ours during the Thomas era. Once on top - if the opposition showed any resilience at all we seemed to fail to put them away.

Our "killer instinct" wasn't ever really displayed. Our biggest wins were more due to the capitulation of our opponents than our merciless destruction of them.

If we don't learn another lesson under Lyon, I will still see this progress as a major positive.
... grooooooooooan *cold sweats* eyes shifting, nervously backs away from the door ... can't - stop - hands - shaking ... don't listen to the man in the long white beard, do not listen to him ... ;)

Yep, that's me - the superstitious one. Like most of us I've lived with the pain, the schoolyard and office taunting, we know the heartbreak of following the Saints & I know the guilt of ignoring my superstitions and see our team lose (back in the day though, I'm sure it wasn't just me) ... I know this team isn't of the olde St Kilda mould but pessimism is ingrained in my bones.

I reckon it will take a few more well fought out games for me to acknowledge any turning of corners - as magnificent as beating the Eagles over there was. Each week is pretty much a final for us, so not even referring to reaching finals here, more getting the team back on track.

I'll also stray from the topic slightly & wonder out loud why it takes a mid season break for our boys to look like they are ready to play.
 
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#3
I reckon it will take a few more well fought out games for me to acknowledge any turning of corners - as magnificent as beating the Eagles over there was. Each week is pretty much a final for us, so not even referring to reaching finals here, more getting the team back on track.
Yeah thats right - every game from here on in is a mini-final. Unfortunately, there is not much margin for error at all for us.

The next two or three weeks will give us a better indication of whether we have "turned the corner". Richmond are a young up-and-coming side, but the next few weeks are true finals teams (collingwood, adelaide, hawthorn).

One of the most pleasing aspects of saturday nights win was how for periods of the games (esp. in the first half) we really weren't playing that well...but unlike games earlier in the season we didnt let the game get away from us and then were able to hit our straps when in counted and take control.
 

Fehring

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#4
Oh, we've turned the corner because of a new attitude and new bootlaces and daily yoga sessions and bbqs at Ross' house and bla bla bla.

Can anyone spell injuries? I-N-J-U-R-I-E-S. Less injuries = better performance. The last two weeks have been the first time since about round 3 (I think) where we've had Ball, Dal, Harvey, Hayes and Montagna playing in the one team.

Xavier's and Raph's returns to the team have given important hardness (yes. Raph. Hard. Still can't believe I'm saying it). Gram's return is starting to pay dividends.

There are still issues though - Hudghton's return had allowed the Fishers to push up the ground, so we're likely to take a step backwards this week in that regard. I fear that playing Goose (who, it appears, was underdone for Casey) could be worse than not playing him.

But, yeah. Don't over-think it folks. More good players = more victories.
 
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There are still issues though - Hudghton's return had allowed the Fishers to push up the ground, so we're likely to take a step backwards this week in that regard. I fear that playing Goose (who, it appears, was underdone for Casey) could be worse than not playing him.
Maxy's injury was a big blow no doubt - just when we were starting to get some continuity with our back 6!

Its going to be interesting to see what the match committee decides this week in regards to whether Goose and Hamill come back this week.

My gut feeling is to give both AT LEAST another game with Casey. We are playing a Rocca-less Collingwood this week so i don't think the Hudghton injury hurts us as much because of that. Also, i really think we need to take a longer-term view with Goose and Hamill - we don't want to bring them back too early, get injured again and then have them miss pre-season for 2008...

We need to be especially cautious with Hamill - hes getting older and is such an important player so we need to ensure that when he does return to the AFL that its for good.
 

MC_Gusto

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#6
solid win against the pies this week and i will be talking finals...we need a few more on the trot...at least 4 in a row to equal our losing streak and put it behind us.

i have a good feeling about this week as well as the rounds that follow.

Coooomooooonn you Sainters:thumbsu:
 

MC_Gusto

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#7
actually we really should be able to win through to rnd 20 when we play syd in syd and on current form we should beat them. that would give us huge momentum into the finals...
 

Kildonan

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Oh, we've turned the corner because of a new attitude and new bootlaces and daily yoga sessions and bbqs at Ross' house and bla bla bla.

Can anyone spell injuries? I-N-J-U-R-I-E-S. Less injuries = better performance. The last two weeks have been the first time since about round 3 (I think) where we've had Ball, Dal, Harvey, Hayes and Montagna playing in the one team.

Xavier's and Raph's returns to the team have given important hardness (yes. Raph. Hard. Still can't believe I'm saying it). Gram's return is starting to pay dividends.

There are still issues though - Hudghton's return had allowed the Fishers to push up the ground, so we're likely to take a step backwards this week in that regard. I fear that playing Goose (who, it appears, was underdone for Casey) could be worse than not playing him.

But, yeah. Don't over-think it folks. More good players = more victories.
Hee hee. Way to get your point across.
Although - I don't think there is a single Saints supporter who isn't aware of our injury situation.

Also I have to agree re: Raph - is really putting the body in to protect his team mates. It is lovely to see. How better can he answer his critics ?
Played a very nice match last week too (I had him in my votes :eek:)
 

JeffDunne

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#9
My only concern early in the year with Lyon was his ability to motivate the team. Not a criticism of him as a coach, simply a reality whenever you have a new coach it takes time for players to develop the belief. The previous coach could be criticised for many things but this was one area he excelled in.

The Kangaroos game really had me doubting.

However, since then this is one area in which I think we've turned the corner. The challenge now is improve our skills and options by getting consistency into team.
 

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#10
As has been alluded to before, we must remember that the Saints, bless'em, have an amazing capacity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, so talks of a turnaround are a bit premature (sorry StKildonian...). I've loved the change in form, but I think it is the culmination of (as we've said) returned players from injury, but ALSO Harvey's testimonial games. The effect these had on the players was obviously (well, there's no better word than) PROFOUND. Harv's dinner restored a sense of nobility, that is going to be stronger after 2 wins, but it will still be a little fragile - if we lose to Collingwood by anywhere between less than 6 (which is agonising) or more than 30 (which is demoralising), we could crumble back into our holes again. Of course if we win (which I think we most certainly should), then there's no problem.

One of the big differences, I'm saying, is confidence in your teammates - that they're strong, dependable, capable. Having seen these last two games, that's the difference: the midfield TRUST the forwards enough to kick it into them with precision. For whatever reason, that hadn't been there before the break.
 

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#11
Hee hee. Way to get your point across.
Although - I don't think there is a single Saints supporter who isn't aware of our injury situation.
Hope I wasn't too harsh. I will say that I was simplifying things a bit - there is definitely a greater sense of purpose which can be attributed in part to the Harvey testimonial/match/melbourne homecoming match but I also think that endeavour and commitment are easier to find when you have your best team around you.
 

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