Saints v Dogs

[Doggy]

Hey guys,

Is Riewoldt definitely in? I know the answer is probably yes, but I'm just asking for match up purposes.

If you look at our last number of games against each other, both Riewoldt and Gherig have murdered the dogs, regardless of their form before the contest.

I have a feeling this week will be no different.

 

[Kildonan]

We are looking to a few inclusions this week but our backline is still in serious trouble. I would expect that Riewoldt would be among the inclusions.

 

[Doggy]

We are looking to a few inclusions this week but our backline is still in serious trouble. I would expect that Riewoldt would be among the inclusions.

I wouldn't be too concerned. We don't have any tall forwards

 

[Oh When the Saints]

In:
Riewoldt, Ball, (Voss)

Out:
Hudghton, McQualter, (Blake)


First two changes are definite. Bracketed is hopeful.

 

[Doggy]

In:
Riewoldt, Ball, (Voss)

Out:
Hudghton, McQualter, (Blake)


First two changes are definite. Bracketed is hopeful.

Voss has been in the emergencies for the last 2 weeks. As far as I know he does not have an injury, or if he does, it is only a niggle. I have no idea why he hasn't been playing.

He should be this week, but as I have said before, apart from Johnson, there isn't much to cover

 

[#1 Dogs Fan]

We are looking to a few inclusions this week but our backline is still in serious trouble. I would expect that Riewoldt would be among the inclusions.

I just hope he doesn't play.

For our sake.

 

[saints]

We are in big trouble this week and for the rest of the year. Brisbane are not a great side and will have not impat on the premiership and they made us look second rate. We dont have enough pace around the ground. Fiora is close to our quickest and hes petrified out there. The dogs will tear us apart with there pace. Big problems down at Moorabbin.​

 

[always right]

This sounds like a thread where each teams' supporters are despartate to go in as underdogs (pardon the pun)

 

[Big Member]

Our loss to Brisbane wasn't because of pace. They were harder at it and put more pressure on us than we did on them. Our midfield was dysfunctional and we really lacked the contested ball winning ability of Ball and Hayes (even though he was playing, he was quiet). We didn't use the ball as we as we normally do off half back (Goddard and Gram had poor and average games respectively) and had no leading target from centre half forward to kick to (Gehrig did it against Melbourne and hopefully Riewoldt will against the Dogs).

Historically we cause the Bulldogs a lot of trouble with our fire power up forward and I think they will struggle to deal with Riewoldt, Gehrig and Kosi (as most teams will), assuming all three play (which was my hope against Brisbane). Adelaide showed that the Bulldogs can still be exposed by half-decent key forwards and ours are a bit better than half-decent!

I think the big question mark will be our accountability and hard running to get numbers behind the ball when there is a turnover or the Dogs win possession at half back. We also desperately need Ball and Hayes to win clearances, because Cross and West will open up the game for runners otherwise (much like Black and Riska brought Brisbane's running brigade into the game).

 

[oooze]

I have Ferguson in my dreamteam..how far away for him?

 

[Qsaint]

Our loss to Brisbane wasn't because of pace. They were harder at it and put more pressure on us than we did on them. Our midfield was dysfunctional and we really lacked the contested ball winning ability of Ball and Hayes (even though he was playing, he was quiet). We didn't use the ball as we as we normally do off half back (Goddard and Gram had poor and average games respectively) and had no leading target from centre half forward to kick to (Gehrig did it against Melbourne and hopefully Riewoldt will against the Dogs).

Historically we cause the Bulldogs a lot of trouble with our fire power up forward and I think they will struggle to deal with Riewoldt, Gehrig and Kosi (as most teams will), assuming all three play (which was my hope against Brisbane). Adelaide showed that the Bulldogs can still be exposed by half-decent key forwards and ours are a bit better than half-decent!

I think the big question mark will be our accountability and hard running to get numbers behind the ball when there is a turnover or the Dogs win possession at half back. We also desperately need Ball and Hayes to win clearances, because Cross and West will open up the game for runners otherwise (much like Black and Riska brought Brisbane's running brigade into the game).

I'd agree, i would suggest

1 Wait a while and see if Lyons change of game plan works

2 If at times it doesn't go OK, Ross go direct long through the corridor

 

[St DAC]

I have Ferguson in my dreamteam..how far away for him?

He played for the Scorps on the weekend, and went OK by all reports. He had a very good preseason as well, until the hammy injury just before the WizCup. Given our KP backman issues it wouldn't totally surprise if he came in this week.

 

[lifelike_]

I think the big question mark will be our accountability and hard running to get numbers behind the ball when there is a turnover or the Dogs win possession at half back. We also desperately need Ball and Hayes to win clearances, because Cross and West will open up the game for runners otherwise (much like Black and Riska brought Brisbane's running brigade into the game).

Clearances are a major weakness for us. No matter what we do, we always seem to end up second best.

Cross has been starting on the wing for the last two weeks. Normally it's something like a West, Cooney, Boyd combination in the middle. I'd like to see Cross start in the centre this week, as I'm not confident the likes of Cooney and Boyd can win the contested ball against the likes of Hayes and Ball. I imagine Baker would be in line for the job on West.

Harris back will be a huge boost and makes our back 6 look a lot better. I imagine Harris will go to Gehrig, Morris to Riewoldt and Wight to Koschitzke. If Morris plays tall it gives us the option to use Hargrave across the half-back line in more of a running role, which IMO suits him more. We have to keep at least two of Riewoldt, Koschitzke and Gehrig quiet if we're a chance.

If Johnson's impact is minimised, I can't see where the 16-17 goals we need to win will come from. McDougall hasn't done much in the last two weeks, Darcy can't be expected to kick 5 and Murphy is nowhere near the player he was before he did his knee. The absence of Hudghton and Maguire helps us a lot, but it will definitely be a game that's won in the middle.

 

[Oh When the Saints]

Cooney is a dangerous avenue to goal for the Dogs.

Riewoldt and Ball are definite starters ... both trained the house down today.

The word is that one of Ferguson or Voss will come into the side ... IMO V2 will get the gig.

IN: Riewoldt, Ball, Voss
OUT: Hudghton, Birss, Blake

 

[bluejay]

I wouldn't be too concerned. We don't have any tall forwards

You still have Brad Johnson (what a star), who tends to destroy us time and time again.

 

[borgy]

I predict a very high scoring game.

Inexcess of 40 goals. Its just going to be a shoot out.

 

[saintsrule]

You still have Brad Johnson (what a star), who tends to destroy us time and time again.

Dunno 'bout that! Adelaide showed that if a team can stop Johnson and keep West quiet, much of the Dogs firepower is quelled. And when was the last time Saints were 'destroyed' by the Dogs?

 

[The Big Cheese]

I predict a very high scoring game.

Inexcess of 40 goals. Its just going to be a shoot out.

you would hope so but the way game is coached these days teams are afraid of playing attacking football cause they'll conceed goals, even if they're likely to outscore the opposition in the process - i hope you're right though

 

[rdangelo]

I predict a very high scoring game.

Inexcess of 40 goals. Its just going to be a shoot out.

So Johnson will kick 8 then
It should be a high scoring cracker.

 

[lindsay_bulldogs]

What ever happened to the ruckmen dropping back and filling the hole. Long live Scottie Wynd.

 

[gangsta deluxe]

You still have Brad Johnson (what a star), who tends to destroy us time and time again.

him personally yes. But youre whole team seems to destroy us time and time again

 

[Doggy]

No Luke Ball this week. Still has not recovered sufficiently from concussion

 

[DaVe86]

are you sure thats all? There isnt something else going on? Havent heard a player miss 2 weeks due to concussion in a while, especially since he played the rest of the game and played ok. Especially considering its Luke Ball and a must win game for the saints to regain respect after a poor showing last week

 

[kosi_23]

Good to see Clinton Jones getting a game. Is Armitage injured? I thought he would be getting a game before Jones but anyway.

Good Luck Clinton!

 

[bluejay]

Dunno 'bout that! Adelaide showed that if a team can stop Johnson and keep West quiet, much of the Dogs firepower is quelled. And when was the last time Saints were 'destroyed' by the Dogs?

I never said 'the Dogs', but just Brad Johnson.

him personally yes. But youre whole team seems to destroy us time and time again

Just as he gangsta deluxe says here.