Preview Saints v Port @ AO, Sunday 3:20pm

[The Jack]

King is weeks away

I would be surprised to see him before rnd 7

Impossible. He’s still in the frame for round 1 and there’s been no mention of any setback.

 

[Otiman]

The start of this season - expectations have always been:

Win 1 of the first 2 against Adelaide and Geelong (tick)
Beat Richmond (tick)
Win 1 of the 2 adelaide games, Port and GWS - to be advised.

I think we're more likely to pick up the GWS game than the port game, and I suspect we are setting ourselves up behind the scenes for just that.

 

[austinnn]

I can't believe I just read a post suggesting Zac Jones should be the sub.

Perhaps because of his injury record, or due to the desire to see younger players with more upside go past him.

But for the record; Zac Jones has been a major reason we got on top of the last two teams. In truth, hes been outstading since late last season. He is playing for his career atm and it shows, you don't bench a barometer like that unless he's not getting near it.

He is a big pink wrecking ball in the clinches and his speed away from stoppage is very handy. His desperation and aggression are absolutely one of the models the young players need to play with and witness first hand. I loved Ben Long for the sane reason, and I love what I'm seeing from Windhager, Stocker, and Garcia in that regard. Watching that Collard chase down gives me hope for him too, it reminded me of this famous bit of Saints history:

 

[Saintos The ITK]

Can someone explain to me how Keeler gets the name Dougie?

 

[austinnn]

I know we lost against these guys in the pre-season and had a dirty day, but I think we'll be a lot better than that this time. We know how they will play, they've lost Luco and if Butters plays, he will be underdone.

They are better than they showed last week but I am confident. Any team that can lose to the Bombers is very gettable.

 

[austinnn]

View attachment 2267979

I don't know what this is, please explain.

I thought "Psycho" would be a good nickname for a player called Keeler (not that I'm a massive fan of the Taking Heads song) - it doesn't really suit the placid demeanour of young Isaac though.

 

[Saintos The ITK]

I don't know what this is, please explain.

I thought "Psycho" would be a good nickname for a player called Keeler (not that I'm a massive fan of the Taking Heads song) - it doesn't really suit the placid demeanour of young Isaac though.

That’s Doug Macaida. It will Keel.

 

[austinnn]

That’s Doug Macaida. It will Keel.

Doesn't mean anything to me, is he talking about boats or something?

 

[NextYearPlease]

Not that Port are a contender, but Port on the road for us would be a scalp.

You mean the Port Adelaide that finished second in last year's minor premiership?

On SM-T290 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Cairnsman]

 

[OxSaint]

Not too many changes you'd think.

Stocker in for LOC. Hastie back out of the 23.

Steele if he's right, probably in for Travaglia. I'd prefer it not be Travaglia. It's probably either him or Byrnes and I'd be surprised if Byrnes goes out. Travaglia sub if it is him.

I am traditionally a Byrnes fan but he has been struggling this season so far. Foot skills are off at the moment.

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Impossible. He’s still in the frame for round 1 and there’s been no mention of any setback.

To be fair they never said what year that round 1 is in.

 

[Saint Watto]

I am traditionally a Byrnes fan but he has been struggling this season so far. Foot skills are off at the moment.

He did a few absolute howlers on Sat.

I too am a big Byrnsey fan and have backed him all the way.....but a few things on Sat did raise the blood pressure somewhat.

 

[Jade Buddha]

Byrnes was underrated last year. He had some very good games but this year it’s scary bad his turnovers by foot.

 

[jh38]

Byrnes was underrated last year. He had some very good games but this year it’s scary bad his turnovers by foot.

He's only turned the ball over 6 times this year, compared to Wilson who has done it 21 times.

 

[Ricmel]

He's only turned the ball over 6 times this year, compared to Wilson who has done it 21 times.

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.

 

[Jade Buddha]

He's only turned the ball over 6 times this year, compared to Wilson who has done it 21 times.

Wilson has nothing to do with my comment.
Mate I watched live at Adelaide oval as he kicked it straight down the throat of the opposition with absolutely no pressure on him.
The one thing that has plagued him across his time at the saints is when he is off he is seriously off.
He has had great games though I’ll give him that.

 

[Speck]

They absolutely mauled us in preseason, boys against men type of stuff. Worried about their big bodies compared to ours.

I know we're short, but I can't justify keeping Keeler in the team. He just gets pushed off it so easily and barely creates a contest half the time. With Sharman back in and Owens playing well I think we can do without him. It does mean Owens (or Caminiti if he can be released from the backline temporarily) as a backup ruck though.

In: Steele, Stocker
Out: LOC, Keeler

Hastie the sub (I'd love to give Boxshall a debut though).

 

[Jade Buddha]

2 changes
Out: LOC & Byrnes
Ins: Steele & Stocker

 

[ScrappyDo]

Wilson has nothing to do with my comment.
Mate I watched live at Adelaide oval as he kicked it straight down the throat of the opposition with absolutely no pressure on him.
The one thing that has plagued him across his time at the saints is when he is off he is seriously off.
He has had great games though I’ll give him that.

Monty has to date always managed to adjust. Keep the faith.

 

[Premium]

Not too many changes you'd think.

Stocker in for LOC. Hastie back out of the 23.

Steele if he's right, probably in for Travaglia. I'd prefer it not be Travaglia. It's probably either him or Byrnes and I'd be surprised if Byrnes goes out. Travaglia sub if it is him.

To tell you the truth we need to play our stronger bodied experienced players against a stronger team.
Well and good playing kids against weak opposition but when your playing away from home against a quality side we need to keep the stronger players - Byrnes gives his all and is a elite runner so I doubt they would drop him , as well he can play multiple roles if needed.
Stocker needs to be back in the team and Steele.

 

[SaintWrld]

They absolutely mauled us in preseason, boys against men type of stuff. Worried about their big bodies compared to ours.

I know we're short, but I can't justify keeping Keeler in the team. He just gets pushed off it so easily and barely creates a contest half the time. With Sharman back in and Owens playing well I think we can do without him. It does mean Owens (or Caminiti if he can be released from the backline temporarily) as a backup ruck though.

In: Steele, Stocker
Out: LOC, Keeler

Hastie the sub (I'd love to give Boxshall a debut though).

So when Owens is in the ruck what do we have up forward? 193cm Sharman and a bunch of small forwards? Against Aliir aliir ratogolea Bergman etc.
I know it might irk supporters to see a 20 year old key forward get out bodied in some contests, but he actually offers alot to the team structurally. Has actually provided more pressure acts than all of Owens Sharman and Collard, draws defenders and opens up space for Owens and Sharman.
Is actually a decent centre bounce ruckman, it’s just ball ups etc that he gets bodied a bit. I wonder how much not having to expend energy in the ruck is contributing to Owens hot run of form. No chance would I drop Keeler until king is back.
For me O’Connell and Hastie out, Steele and Stocker in. Byrnes sub

 

[Oh When the Saints]

Keeler will stay. Lyon likes the structure and Keeler is effectively playing the King role until Max returns (whenever that is). If he's not in the team then you need another key forward.

Plus I agree with the other comments that Owens needs to keep playing 100% forward. He's owning the F50 and the consistency is helping him.

Stocker for O'Connell likely the only change unless Webster doesn't come up.

 

[sauce_head]

View attachment 2267979

Isn’t that Owen’s goal celebration?

 

[stfan]

I know we lost against these guys in the pre-season and had a dirty day,

We also were missing a lot of players from that game and were very undermanned. Whereas Port were very much fielding a pretty good group of their players.