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Autopsy Saints in biggest last quarter comeback in history.

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Watching the last quarter again this morning…
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So, the first three quarters...

  • Caminiti forward and one less tall was a mistake for three quarters. Heath was just showing glimpses of being a viable down the line get out target and then we go small. Didn't work, but looked better with Tauru than Caminiti forward. I'd think about bringing Keeler (or Dougal if fit) back next week to play in defence and keep Tauru forward for a couple of weeks. We need to free Wilkie up to intercept.
  • A different midfield challenge against Gawn (who won but didn't dominate), Oliver, Trac and Viney as opposed to the Cats mids who aren't clearance beasts. So we struggled, particularly Steele who had been good recently.
  • Disappointing to see Collard get hurt - he had done a couple of nice things in a quarter.

Then they swap Hall and Steele, Melbourne get tired and a little comfortable with the score, and the following players just do a lot better after a poor first three quarters: Jones, Sharman, Hill, Clark, Wood. Hall changes the midfield and everyone forward of defence starts playing better. Unfortunately a broken arm kept me from attending but after Hill kicks his goal, I say "if we can get another one in a minute or two we are a sneaky chance here".

And, of course, Nas. Until the last minute I had Hall as clearly our best player then Nas, but that last minute will go down in the folklore of the club. It's been so long since I saw one of our blokes want the moment then own every last bit of it. I was laughing the rest of the evening.

Also, just in case we needed confirmation, that's the end of that Melbourne group. They're totally done.
I think some of the criticism of the dees is a touch harsh, such an unprecedented situation, it’s very easy to armchair qb it after the fact BUT giving away the free AND not checking Nas run or even trying to go with him is unforgivable.
 
Now that dust has settled, thought I might focus on a few of the negatives - only because they should be discussed.

Don't get me wrong - I am a supporter of the current Saints regime and that was the second-best home and away win I've seen live behind Geelong in 2009.

NEGATIVES
  • The match committee completely stuffed team selection and the match-ups against Melbourne. First time I've seen it to this extent this season but reminded me of Round 1 last season against Geelong when we knew nothing about Ollie Dempsey and he was the reason Geelong won with his aerial prowess. Starting with Caminiti forward, when Melbourne have four marking players - Fritsch, Melksham, Van Rooyen and Petty - was bizarre. I guess that's why McLennan was close to selection - to play on either Fritsch or Melksham. Incredibly, Stocker, who was given an early bath by Fritsch, moved on to Petty - giving away 13cm and a lot of kgs and kept him to five possessions. That says more about Petty, who has become a terrible footballer in recent years, but Stocker battled hard. This is not me writing off the coaching team, but it was criminal how wrong they got selection and then the match-ups through first three quarters IMO. I know we have some injuries to players that would have helped - Howard, Webster etc - but Caminiti starting forward and the lack of defensive options good in the air was bizarre.
  • We are still too easy to score against when team's go inside 50. Wilkie is fighting a lone battle, especially when the ball hits the ground, as he is struggling with not much experience around him. When the ball hits the ground in our D50, it's the likes of Caminiti, Tauru, Hastie, Stocker, Byrnes along with Wilkie and Sinclair at ground level and it's a battle to stop the opposition from scoring. Especially with Nas also playing further up the ground. I'm not as worried about this as it's young players but it has been a major issue recently.
  • Too many downhill skiers. Cooper Sharman is capable of tearing matches apart but the gap between his best and worst is arguably biggest at the club. Zak Jones was terrible at times yesterday but also was important in the last quarter with several crucial plays. Jack Higgins and Chito are similar cases as well. We need to figure out how to get the best out of these players week-to-week.
  • Ball movement during the first three quarters. Melbourne moved the ball how we want to. They were a joy to watch. When we decided to back in our team-mates and move the ball fast in the quarter, we can see the result. To me, this is a player-based thing, not coaching. Maybe with Nas not behind the ball as much, it impacts our fast movement too.
  • Selection of Arie Schoenmaker. Was mainly playing on Kade Chandler. Let's see him either try to play defensive tall, or let's get him on the wing or half-forward and see what he has got. He also has no confidence at the moment. Should have had a shot for goal when he marked on the edge of the centre square in last quarter. Roof would have lifted off Marvel if he roosted it home from 65m.

POSITIVES
  • Nas and Hall - nothing else needs to be said. Both should be used as midfielder/forwards mainly going forwards.
  • Hunter Clark - 10 disposals in the last quarter. His composure was crucial in getting the win. Maybe it's time for him to return to half-back to help the team coming out of defence with Nas up the ground?
  • Angus Hastie - that big mark in the last quarter and his competitiveness were highlights and a good sign for the future
  • Brad Hill - hasn't had a great year. Has been thrown around positions and has looked devoid of confidence. Possibly in the downhill skier category. But his overall game and his contest work with his body on the line in the last quarter was like what we haven't seen much of this season. I do think he is harshly dealt with by supporters but if he cracks in like that, there will be not much criticism, if any.
  • Coaching in the last quarter - Hall on ball, Clark to HB flank, Wood running hard forward, Steele in forward line and Nas allowed to do what he likes, including go to full forward. Excellent coaching. Hopefully we added a fair few strings to players bows going forwards.
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I'm hugely positive about our future and the fightback to win the game. But just thought a few of the negatives might have been glossed over and are worth looking at.
 
Last edited:
Now that dust has settled, thought I might focus on a few of the negatives - only because they should be discussed.

Don't get me wrong - I am a supporter of the current Saints regime and that was the second-best home and away win I've seen live behind Geelong in 2009.

NEGATIVES
  • The match committee completely stuffed team selection and the match-ups against Melbourne. First time I've seen it to this extent this season but reminded me of Round 1 last season against Geelong when we knew nothing about Ollie Dempsey and he was the reason Geelong won with his aerial prowess. Starting with Caminiti forward, when Melbourne have four marking players - Fritsch, Melksham, Van Rooyen and Petty - was bizarre. I guess that's why McLennan was close to selection - to play on either Fritsch or Melksham. Incredibly, Stocker, who was given an early bath by Fritsch, moved on to Petty - giving away 13cm and a lot of kgs and kept him to five possessions. That says more about Petty, who has become a terrible footballer in recent years, but Stocker battled hard. This is not me writing off the coaching team, but it was criminal how wrong they got selection and then the match-ups through first three quarters IMO. I know we have some injuries to players that would have helped - Howard, Webster etc - but Caminiti starting forward and the lack of defensive options good in the air was bizarre.
  • We are still too easy to score against when team's go inside 50. Wilkie is fighting a lone battle, especially when the ball hits the ground, as he is struggling with not much experience around him. When the ball hits the ground in our D50, it's the likes of Caminiti, Tauru, Hastie, Stocker, Byrnes along with Wilkie and Sinclair at ground level and it's a battle to stop the opposition from scoring. Especially with Nas also playing further up the ground. I'm not as worried about this as it's young players but it has been a major issue recently.
  • Too many downhill skiers. Cooper Sharman is capable of tearing matches apart but the gap between his best and worst is arguably biggest at the club. Zak Jones was terrible at times yesterday but also was important in the last quarter with several crucial plays. Jack Higgins and Chito are similar cases as well. We need to figure out how to get the best out of these players week-to-week.
  • Ball movement during the first three quarters. Melbourne moved the ball how we want to. They were a joy to watch. When we decided to back in our team-mates and move the ball fast in the quarter, we can see the result. To me, this is a player-based thing, not coaching. Maybe with Nas not behind the ball as much, it impacts our fast movement too.

POSITIVES
  • Nas and Hall - nothing else needs to be said. Both should be used as midfielder/forwards mainly going forwards.
  • Hunter Clark - 10 disposals in the last quarter. His composure was crucial in getting the win. Maybe it's time for him to return to half-back to help the team coming out of defence with Nas up the ground?
  • Angus Hastie - that big mark in the last quarter and his competitiveness were highlights and a good sign for the future
  • Brad Hill - hasn't had a great year. Has been thrown around positions and has looked devoid of confidence. Possibly in the downhill skier category. But his overall game and his contest work with his body on the line in the last quarter was like what we haven't seen much of this season. I do think he is harshly dealt with by supporters but if he cracks in like that, there will be not much criticism, if any.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm hugely positive about our future and the fightback to win the game. But just thought a few of the negatives might have been glossed over and are worth looking at.

Hastie has been a revelation since quarter time of the Hawthorn game. I hope he can fill the void in halfback with Nas going into the midfield.
 
Hastie has been a revelation since quarter time of the Hawthorn game. I hope he can fill the void in halfback with Nas going into the midfield.
I see Hastie as hopefully developing into an upgrade on Webster. That's a tough act as we know how reliable Jimmy is but Hastie has the height but also the rebound skills that Jimmy doesn't possess.
 

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Clayton Oliver missing everything from 20 meters out 👌🏳️‍⚧️
 
I actually liked the Kozi Pickett one.
It lingered on him for some time.
He looked in utter disbelief.
And all the better, coz he stuck it up Windy a few times throughout the game.
Yes I'm happy that Pickett was able to participate in a history making win. Smashing Windhager in the ribs instead of going for the ball, which lead to a Nas goal, was a proud moment.
 
Maybe this has already been mentioned, but something that really stood out after watching the last few minutes again.... when Nas took the hanger and kicked the goal to equalise, everyone wanted to celebrate... everyone except Nas. It was clear he still had a job to do. It was clear he wanted to win. Unbelievable focus for a young guy. F*cking impressive.
Nas is a big Kobe fan. Mamba Mentality!
 

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