Review Saints v Essendon R5 2015

[CursingFijian]

How good is that - 100% DE playing at times on the ball. Such an impact without really seeing him do so - just goes about it. Going to be a ripper and an unexpected bonus!!

The way Jack scoops it off the ground without slowing down is breath taking. He did it twice in this game and left a forming pack of players in his wake both times. He is handballing more than he should in my opinion, almost as if he is under instruction from AR to takeaway and clear by hand. He does make good choices with his handball though, they often are hit to the advantage of his team mates. I'll say it again...his strength is his consistency. No flash in the pan here! What we got this week we will get next week.

While we are speaking of defensive jobs we shouldn't neglect to mention DMac's job on Stanton. I rewatched the first quarter again and he was outstanding...he's certainly not shy to throw himself at the contest. All his possessions showed the hall mark of a cerebral player, you can almost hear the cogs whirring in his brain, as he assesses the options in front of him. Even when he got caught with the ball it was because his brain had thought through the next option and told him not to kick it. I have a feeling he is going to be a special player for us.

Rewatching the last quarter I was blown away with the two way running of our guys. At no stage did they concede the chase, even on thir sloppy turnovers. Steven in particular was very impressive. I hope that level of commitment becomes the benchmark.

 

[gringo2011]

The way Jack scoops it off the ground without slowing down is breath taking. He did it twice in this game and left a forming pack of players in his wake both times. He is handballing more than he should in my opinion, almost as if he is under instruction from AR to takeaway and clear by hand. He does make good choices with his handball though, they often are hit to the advantage of his team mates. I'll say it again...his strength is his consistency. No flash in the pan here! What we got this week we will get next week.

While we are speaking of defensive jobs we shouldn't neglect to mention DMac's job on Stanton. I rewatched the first quarter again and he was outstanding...he's certainly not shy to throw himself at the contest. All his possessions showed the hall mark of a cerebral player, you can almost hear the cogs whirring in his brain, as he assesses the options in front of him. Even when he got caught with the ball it was because his brain had thought through the next option and told him not to kick it. I have a feeling he is going to be a special player for us.

Rewatching the last quarter I was blown away with the two way running of our guys. At no stage did they concede the chase, even on thir sloppy turnovers. Steven in particular was very impressive. I hope that level of commitment becomes the benchmark.

Jack Steven is sitting equal first in tackles for the season and his speed as you said was outstanding the other night. With Armo being third in total disposals, Bruce second in the Coleman, Longer third in hit outs we are finally starting to show how good some of these guys are. Then Newnes has been quietly racking up marks being only 11 marks off the top of the leaderboard for the season alongside power house markers like Hodge and ahead of Hogan and Riewoldt.

 

[Smoke_Me_AKipper]

The way Jack scoops it off the ground without slowing down is breath taking. He did it twice in this game and left a forming pack of players in his wake both times. He is handballing more than he should in my opinion, almost as if he is under instruction from AR to takeaway and clear by hand. He does make good choices with his handball though, they often are hit to the advantage of his team mates. I'll say it again...his strength is his consistency. No flash in the pan here! What we got this week we will get next week.

While we are speaking of defensive jobs we shouldn't neglect to mention DMac's job on Stanton. I rewatched the first quarter again and he was outstanding...he's certainly not shy to throw himself at the contest. All his possessions showed the hall mark of a cerebral player, you can almost hear the cogs whirring in his brain, as he assesses the options in front of him. Even when he got caught with the ball it was because his brain had thought through the next option and told him not to kick it. I have a feeling he is going to be a special player for us.

Rewatching the last quarter I was blown away with the two way running of our guys. At no stage did they concede the chase, even on thir sloppy turnovers. Steven in particular was very impressive. I hope that level of commitment becomes the benchmark.

I can't get over the recruiting of the last two years in particular. Both Dmac and Sinclair are going to be very very good players and add them to Billings Acres Dunstan McCartin & Lonie we are starting to build what Bill & Ted would say is a "most excellent team"

I was overseas the last time we were putting together a team in 2000-2003 so I asked Dad about what we're doing this time and he said the difference is that we;re just so even across the board - we have a higher number of good players who could be anything this time around rather than the mix of elite youngsters and role players (Eddy & McQualter for example). Throw in 2 or 3 more quality youngsters with maybe a OOC gun or free agent and we're up the ladder before we know it.

My prediction hasn't changed - we're still bottom three but we've already improved on last year IMO and that is all you can ask from the coaches and the playing list.

#good times

 

[Tommy Wigs]

Did anyone like JB's outmuscle of Heppell and mark? Was wondering when his contested marking would present.

 

[Sippa]

Does anyone else liken Sinclair to Sam Mitchell.

 

[SK_MD_#7]

Does anyone else liken Sinclair to Sam Mitchell.

A few have mention that comparison.

 

[gringo2011]

Does anyone else liken Sinclair to Sam Mitchell.

I can see why you would say it, he's little, not quick but sharp. He is a bit more peppy than Mitchell though, love how if he goes to ground he's straight back up again. The tackling is similar to Mitchell to.

 

[saintsrfreak]

I can see why you would say it, he's little, not quick but sharp. He is a bit more peppy than Mitchell though, love how if he goes to ground he's straight back up again. The tackling is similar to Mitchell to.

Looks very dual sided as well.

 

[sonnywalters]

Does anyone else liken Sinclair to Sam Mitchell.

Has crossed my mind.

 

[jwikked]

Might have my rose tinted glasses on but Jack Steven constant running just reminds me of the way Harves used to play. Never gives up, you can see him work hard on each play he makes. I've been a big fan of Steven for a couple of years now, I'm thrilled we've got him locked in for a while.

 

[felsty]

The greatest play of Websters career wasnt when he kicked out to Spence in the twos, but last season when he went one on one with Watson in the Jabbers game, who had a kick to his advantage, and absolutely burnt him, got the spoil, buttered up and got past him as the last man on defence. The guy is a competitive beast which makes him the perfect one on one defender - a bit like what people say about Goddard MkII. Still has a bit to do in terms of body work I reckon but when the ball hits the deck his endeavour is breathtaking.

 

[TassieSaint]

Was thinking he same. Whoever was on him did very well, but i'm surprised he still managed to rack up 23 touches.

I've always considered, rightly or wrongly, that Heppell is a bit of a seagull (often stands off the back of a pack waiting for cheap ball) & enjoys a 1-2 handball chain (which boosts his stats). Although they did win, whoever played on him did a mighty job as i barely noticed him & Heppell had very little influence on the game for a reigning AA player

I thought Heppell was pretty good actually. Yeah he's a seagull and Essendon look to feed him, but he positions himself well and his disposal was pretty good. A lot of those 1-2 handball chains were under huge pressure from us where they were trying retain possession.

 

[L_W_P]

I might be in the minority but honestly I don't see a spot for Ray or Gilbert ATM. I'm a fan of Gilbert but until one of Delaney, Fisher or Dempster are injured then I don't think there's a spot. We're weeks away from that being a problem anyway. As for Ray we've reduced the amount of ordinary kicks in the team and I'd like to keep it that way.

Fully fit id have them both in for Sinclair/DMac and Geary but that's just me.

Hope we rotate the kids every few weeks. The team looked alot fresher with the changes this week. Need to learn a lesson there and not burn these guys out too much.

 

[Richter]

Great post, it worked really well. I was impressed with Hickey today.

It will be vital to have two ruckmen next year when we see four interchange and no substitute

Seemed like he worked his way in to the game. First half he dropped a few marks and looked fragile and rusty. Probably not surprising after having had a fair time out. Second half he looked sturdy in the contest, surprisingly (to me) mobile and clunked a couple of important grabs. Good signs indeed.

 

[Richter]

Gilbert is the one I wonder about.

Disagree. We're still missing the defensive rebound that a fit Sam Gilbert can provide.

 

[FlyingSledghamer]

Geary was really good on the weekend... im not a huge fan of his kicking but he really had some huge plays.. thats the best hes played in a very long time.. having Webster back in the team makes the other defenders look better

 

[sauce_head]

Disagree. We're still missing the defensive rebound that a fit Sam Gilbert can provide.

Yes agree. That is what I mean and wonder about, how long until he is for and back.

 

[TassieSaint]

Fully fit id have them both in for Sinclair/DMac and Geary but that's just me.

Hope we rotate the kids every few weeks. The team looked alot fresher with the changes this week. Need to learn a lesson there and not burn these guys out too much.

As we are right now there is a spot for all 3 Gilbert, Ray and Geary. We are a better team with them in

 

[Rors]

One thing i wish Jimmy Webster would get out of his game is dropping to his knees to corral a loose ball. Just a pet peeve of mine, players unnecessarily going to ground & Jimmy does do it often

 

[Half Back Pocket]

Really? Gilbert? Ray?

It's not 2010 anymore people...Time to move on. Playing these 2 will only tip out a youngster and delay their development.

We need the 5/5/12 Rule.

5 players over 28
5 players 25-28
12 players under 25.

 

[mighty_sainters]

Dare I say it, but Jong could be a big loss for the dogs. Provided plenty of run out the back this season, if we apply forward pressure on Murphy that could stop their free flowing counter attacking style.

It'll be a big test but I'm excited for this match, they got the edge over us last season in Lenny's last home game but I wouldn't pencil in a win for the dogs just yet.

 

[Dopey BJ]

Really? Gilbert? Ray?

It's not 2010 anymore people...Time to move on. Playing these 2 will only tip out a youngster and delay their development.

We need the 5/5/12 Rule.

5 players over 28
5 players 25-28
12 players under 25.

Yep I think you're right, this week we had 14 under 25 so 2 of them out and 2 older boys in.

 

[L_W_P]

Really? Gilbert? Ray?

It's not 2010 anymore people...Time to move on. Playing these 2 will only tip out a youngster and delay their development.

We need the 5/5/12 Rule.

5 players over 28
5 players 25-28
12 players under 25.

I agree.

Id prefer Gilbert for Geary. Jarryn is a beast of a competitor but his kicking kills us and with our gameplan leaning towards that pinpoint passing from halfback it kills us too often.

Id bring Ray in for a kid. If only to help rotate these young guys through. We cant expect them all to play 20 games at this sort of frenetic level.

Give Sinclair a spell in the 2s. Then Lonie. Give Eli a run in the seniors in place of DMac after he has had 3-4 games.

The only draftee I think should be playing every game is Acres. He is death by 1000 cuts and needs that game time to really blossom.

 

[Half Back Pocket]

L_W_P we also need to be playing Minch, Eli, Seb*, Lee, Markworth*, Murdoch and Saunders. If we need to rotate out some of the young stars, bring in these guys. Has to be a bigger upside than playing Gilbert, Ray, Curren, Simpkin etc.

 

[VDS66]

Best way to develop the kids is to leave them at Sandy and only reward them for good form.