How did Saints get so bad again???

[Barry Zuckercorn]

I think this thread completely misses the mark. Back in the glory days of 04-05 the Sainters unfortunately peaked a bit too early in each of those seasons and ran out of puff towards the business end (that and other teams cheating didnt help).

2007 has seen the shrewd appointment of Mr Lyon who has brilliantly picked up on this anomaly and has purposely gone about making sure we peak at the right time (i.e. as of round 19 onwards). Even the draw against the Doggies was carefully orchestrated by Mr Lyon who astutely noted confidence in the playing group was abnormally high after 4 wins from 5 going into this match. The draw was the perfect tonic to bring the players back down to earth and onto certain premiership glory in 2007. Bookmark it!

 

[Atomboy]

I think this thread completely misses the mark. Back in the glory days of 04-05 the Sainters unfortunately peaked a bit too early in each of those seasons and ran out of puff towards the business end (that and other teams cheating didnt help).

2007 has seen the shrewd appointment of Mr Lyon who has brilliantly picked up on this anomaly and has purposely gone about making sure we peak at the right time (i.e. as of round 19 onwards). Even the draw against the Doggies was carefully orchestrated by Mr Lyon who astutely noted confidence in the playing group was abnormally high after 4 wins from 5 going into this match. The draw was the perfect tonic to bring the players back down to earth and onto certain premiership glory in 2007. Bookmark it!

When are the Blues timing their run for ?

2013 ?

 

[PUSSIES_07_FLAG]

You seriously going to hang Lyon on 3/4's a season ?.

Lucky for the Cats sake your finger wasn't on the trigger for Bomber Thompson's job last year.

Jeebus

Am I hanging him?

Just saying - G.Thomas did a good job with your lesser players. He was a good person to person coach.

 

[Barry Zuckercorn]

When are the Blues timing their run for ?

2013 ?

You'd need to speak to the relevant people at the club for an accurate response. But, history would suggest that when they do make a run, they dont usually come away empty-handed but I guess that's what cheats do best... win.

 

[The Fireman]

You'd need to speak to the relevant people at the club for an accurate response. But, history would suggest that when they do make a run, they dont usually come away empty-handed but I guess that's what cheats do best... win.

How lovely going through life being a cheat

 

[Papa G]

Reiwoldt, Kosi, Ball, Hayes, Dal Santo, Goose.

Arguably the best six players in one team in the competition.

You reckon? Reiwoldt is a great centre half forward, but arguably 3rd best in the league. Kosi is all potential and really hasn't done much except get injured. Ball is one of the most over rated players in the league, Hayes is very good, Dal Santo is highly skilled but a reciever and Goose, well solid but hardly a super star. You are probably among the many including the Victorian football media who have grossly overated this side - the proof has been in the pudding. They have not delivered or maybe they have just played to their potential - I think the latter.

 

[The Fireman]

You reckon? Reiwoldt is a great centre half forward, but arguably 3rd best in the league. Kosi is all potential and really hasn't done much except get injured. Ball is one of the most over rated players in the league, Hayes is very good, Dal Santo is highly skilled but a reciever and Goose, well solid but hardly a super star. You are probably among the many including the Victorian football media who have grossly overated this side - the proof has been in the pudding. They have not delivered or maybe they have just played to their potential - I think the latter.

lol, it makes you wonder how dumb some people are that say we have the best list.

 

[chickens_law]

Grant Thomas got sacked. Lyon's gameplan gets some getting used to. They'll be better next year.

 

[Oh When the Saints]

2004-05 the St Kilda team had 10 players who are no longer playing for the club.

So half the side is gone ...

Additionally, Ball, Baker, Hayes, Maguire, Dal Santo, Milne and Gehrig have all gone backwards.


Pretty simple really ...

Here's a stat for you ... only two sides since 2000 have played finals 4 years in a row ... Port Adelaide and Brisbane.

It's bloody hard to play lots of finals series in a row.

 

[Rors]

You reckon? Reiwoldt is a great centre half forward, but arguably 3rd best in the league. Kosi is all potential and really hasn't done much except get injured. Ball is one of the most over rated players in the league, Hayes is very good, Dal Santo is highly skilled but a reciever and Goose, well solid but hardly a super star. You are probably among the many including the Victorian football media who have grossly overated this side - the proof has been in the pudding. They have not delivered or maybe they have just played to their potential - I think the latter.

Would be interested to know who u think is the best Centre-Half Forward in the league if u believe the Rooster is only the 3rd best arguably?

 

[Atomboy]

Would be interested to know who u think is the best Centre-Half Forward in the league if u believe the Rooster is only the 3rd best arguably?

Please don't say Tredrea.

Pav I can handle, but not Tredrea.

 

[Papa G]

Please don't say Tredrea.

Pav I can handle, but not Tredrea.

Not Tredrea................ anymore

I would have thought obviously it was Pav and Brown.

 

[the dog's kennel]

Please don't say Tredrea.

Pav I can handle, but not Tredrea.

There's that Jonathan Brown bloke that one or two people have mentioned in other threads. Apparently he can go alright.

 

[Oh When the Saints]

Brown and Riewoldt play very different positions.

Brown couldn't run 15km in a game like Riewoldt does, and averages half the number of inside 50's that Rooey has ...

On the other hand, Riewoldt couldn't crash through packs like Brown does, and is not as prodigious with his goalkicking ...

 

[RoK]

Fair point. The John Elliott led culture at Carlton of blatantly cheating to avoid salary cap rules was far more successful.

As Carlton's recent wooden spoons can attest.

There is nothing better than seeing Carlton win flags.Ever seen your team win one

what a joke of a club oh when the saint fall down the ladder to take there rightful spot and collect another spoon

 

[Ron]

There's that Jonathan Brown bloke that one or two people have mentioned in other threads. Apparently he can go alright.

Do you reckon you can count Brown as a CHF anymore?
Seems to play out of the goalsqaure now.

 

[>A<]

maybe we need to go back to the well for a couple years collingwood style

Maybe you do, whats so funny

 

[chrisjie]

Fully fit they have the craziest forward line.

Gherig, Reiwoldt, Kozzy and Hammill. But like that will ever happen

They have some great Tier 1 players. Their tier 2 and 3 are shit though.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Brown and Riewoldt play very different positions.

Brown couldn't run 15km in a game like Riewoldt does, and averages half the number of inside 50's that Rooey has ...

On the other hand, Riewoldt couldn't crash through packs like Brown does, and is not as prodigious with his goalkicking ...

Generally because Brown is inside the 50 metre arc taking marks or making contests when the ball is delivered into his general vicinity.

Don't get me wrong - Riewoldt is a very good player, could be one of the best of his generation, but lies, damn lies and statistics, quite frankly.

 

[RoK]

Fully fit they have the craziest forward line.

Gherig, Reiwoldt, Kozzy and Hammill. But like that will ever happen

They have some great Tier 1 players. Their tier 2 and 3 are shit though.

spot on there forward line is great and the mids are good.but they fall away quick.

 

[The Fireman]

spot on there forward line is great and the mids are good.but they fall away quick.

Sam Fisher , Maguire , Gram and Max down back aren't too bad , it's blokes like Blake , M Clarke, Rix who tend to let us down a bit along with the amount of injuries suffered earlier.
Just starting to get it together, a bit late maybe.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

B: S.Fisher, Hudghton, L.Fisher
HB: Gram, Maguire, Goddard
C: Baker, Hayes, Montagna
HF: Harvey, Riewoldt, X.Clarke
F: Hamill, Gehrig, Milne

Foll: Koschitzke, Ball, Dal Santo
Int: Birss, Fiora, Gardiner, Gilbert

That is still an outstanding team. Our best 22 would be very, very hard to beat.

Defence:
Sam Fisher is an absolute gun and should be in the AA team this year
Max Hudghton is the best spoiler in the competiton. Last year he had the least goals kicked on him of all the regular full backs and is really hitting some awsome form now
Leigh Fisher is a very solid player without being a star. His recent form has been disappointing, but he is still a good, strong, composed defender
Jason Gram is one of the best running defenders in the competition. He has been forced to play a negating role recently, but with our entire defence back he should get back to the form that saw him finish second in our best and fairest
Matt Maguire 2004-2006 was one of the best few CHBs in the comp. He is now struggling a bit to adjust to the new rules/game style, but adds so much to our structure. Has gone backwards, but only just returned from a broken leg and a broken foot
Brendon Goddard was on his way to a top 3 B&F finish this year before doing his knee. A gun player and by far the best kick at St Kilda

Steven Baker is no longer the best tagger in the AFL, but still a gusty, hard-working player who will at least nullify his opponent and get a bit of it himself
Lenny Hayes still hasn't gotten back to his 2006 form, but he is steadily improving and should be somewhere near his best in 2008
Leigh Montagna has had a stellar season and would be leading our B&F. Now a reliable, tough running midfielder

Robert Harvey is god
Nick Riewoldt is one of the best forwards in the competition and definitely works the hardest. If he improves his goal kicking he will be close to the best player in the competition
Xavier Clarke has been quiet this year, but he makes a contribution each week and provides some much-needed forward pressure
Aaron Hamill may not play again, but if he does get his fitness back he will still be a handy player and has a huge presence
Fraser Gehrig had a horrible game on Friday, but the week before he kicked 6 goals and has been in good form for most of the year. Still one of the best FFs going around
Stephen Milne hasn't returned to his 2005 form (61 goals), but he has had a good season and will finish top 10 in the B&F

Justin Koschitzke is our most influential player. He can do everything and if he plays an entire season with a good fitness base he will win our B&F and possibly the Brownlow. He started the year off with no fitness, but he has still played some very good footy this year and only missed two games
Luke Ball was our best midfielder in 2005. That was the year that Ball, Hayes and Dal Santo all made the AA team, and Ball was the best of them. If he can get close to his 2005 form he will be a very good player
Nick Dal Santo is improving and slowly becoming more reliable. At his best he looks like an absolute superstar, and his worst he can be a complete passenger. We're starting to see much more of the good than the bad

Birss is competing with many other players for a spot on the bench and has played some very good footy this year. He is far from being a gun, but a handy backup midfielder
Raph Clarke just needs a pre season and a kick up the arse and he'll be playing very good footy. He was great in 2005 and should be better next year
Michael Gardiner apparently has his foot problems fixed and should at least be a handy backup ruckman next year
Sam Gilbert is a true gun and should keep on improving next year

Our best 22 is as good as any, however we have very little depth in certain areas (key defenders, onballers, rucks) and that has cost us dearly this year. We are also taking a long time to adjust to Lyon's game plan.

 

[Barry Zuckercorn]

Sam Fisher , Maguire , Gram and Max down back aren't too bad , it's blokes like Blake , M Clarke, Rix who tend to let us down a bit along with the amount of injuries suffered earlier.
Just starting to get it together, a bit late maybe.

Let us down?

Matty Clarke remains the best tap-ruck in the league.

At 188cm, Blake is the exact same height as John Nicholls (i.e. has potential to be one of the all-time greats).

And Rix has a cool name... Rixxxxxxxxxx!!!

Add the ever improving Gardiner to this lethal mix and we probably have the strongest ruck division in the land.

 

[Gavin Excell]

B: S.Fisher, Hudghton, L.Fisher
HB: Gram, Maguire, Goddard
C: Baker, Hayes, Montagna
HF: Harvey, Riewoldt, X.Clarke
F: Hamill, Gehrig, Milne

Foll: Koschitzke, Ball, Dal Santo
Int: Birss, Fiora, Gardiner, Gilbert

That is still an outstanding team. Our best 22 would be very, very hard to beat.

apart from Hamill isn't this the side playing currently and ocupying 9th spot on ladder?

alos you are a supreme optimist in think R Clarke will be a gun

 

[MeeSo]

Other teams got better. The Saints didn't.

They needed to address the obvious weaknesses on their list but they decided to take the chance that their top tier of Ball, Dal Santo, Hayes, Riewoldt etc would be enough to get them over the line.