If anyone is interested

[sainter]

Originally our game at Colonial on Saturday was scheduled as an All ticketed match but was today changed back to a non ticketed match.

For those not familiar with Colonial Stadium it means that you simply turn up, buy a ticket, and sit anywhere on Level 4.

On to the game, I think it's fair to say I'm not too confident going into the match. I've been waiting for this game for 6 months so I can't wait for it to start but as for the saints winning I'm more hopeful than expectant.

The Blues have a huge advantage in the ruck with Matthew Allan and Corey McKernan taking on an inexperienced Trent Knobel. If we are any chance to win Trent has to at least hold his own, otherwise we'll find it near impossible to stop the supply to the likes of Ratten, Camporeale, Murphy, etc.

Our forward line has been largely ineffectual in the preseason. Against a relatively small and inexperienced backline this is one area we need take control of to have any chance.

The story of our backline was very similar all year last season. Fraser Gehrig would hold his opponent who was more than likely the oppositions number 1 forward. However the 2nd and 3rd talls would kill us. Our last game at Colonial against Carlton saw Fevola step up and kick 5.

I'm sure the debut of Sam Cranage will be a source of amusement to most Saints fans. I watched him many times in the VFL and just do not rate him at all. (He'll more than likely dominate now) Having said that I do respect Wayne Brittain and he obviously sees something in him. Brittain is also a league coach and I'm nothing more than a Saints supporter so what do I know.

Anyway this is not me playing mind games by playing down our chances, as much as probably seems like it is.

 

[StrengthThroughLoyalty]

i have a cunning plan.!!!!

step 1. make sure aussie and pecko are on the bench, i don't want them to get ensnared in my devious plan.

step 2. dump 2000 maccas cheeseburers onto the ground in the forward pocket.

step 3. place 20 slabs of vb and 20 slabs of scotch and coke cans in the other forward pocket.

i know it will be a horrible sight watching lard arse lance trying to stuff as many burgers into his fat guts as humanly possible but it might delay him for the whole of the 1st 1/4 at least and possibly make him slower for the rest of the match, not that the human marshmallow was very quick to begin with.

matty lappin and fevola will not be able to resist the cans in the forward pocket and with an ounce of luck will drag hooligan over to polish off as many as they normally do on any given week night. after 2 cans lappo will be off his tree and swinging punches at anyone who gets close.

any cans or burgurs left over can go to the saints supporters to celebrate a magnificent win, but i don't expect many to be left.


good news for carlton is that last year against north we played mckernon back into form after the previous week he was in the 2's and the week before that went through a game without a stat. against us it was burkeys 300th game and mckernon kicked 5 and tore us apart, big fraser gehrig will be on him this game.

this game will be won and lost in the middle where you blokes have a slight advantage with the likes of allen, ratten, campo and murphy who get plenty of it and set up lance, lappin and co. having said that harveys return should leave your lot a little wary as he has ripped games apart against your mob before, combined with thommo, burke and black we look at least capable of mixing it with your much vaunted midfield.

our advantage over you blokes should be your lack of height in defence but with everitt and capuano out stewie loewe will be needed in the ruck thus cancelling any height advantage we may of had.

our defence looks quite good with gehrig, kossi, lawrance and aussie jones and they will have to be at the top of their games because lappin, fevola, houlihan, witnall with mckernon shape up to be a pretty potent forward line.

usually games like this are won by the team that has the greater proportion of contributors across the ground. the saints have failed miserably in this area over the last couple of years leaving a hand full of players to try and carry the whole team. if we are to win players like hayes, peckett, davis, blake and baker will have to increase their output.

i expect the usual boooo's to echo around the ground when hamill gets the ball which will be in stark contrast to the mirth and lauhing you will hear from saints supporters when (if) cranage gets the ball.

good luck for the game, the best team will win.