Saints will finish.....

[saintsrule]

Where? There is much talk among fans of other teams about where they think they will finish and it's all speculative atm. But so what... If Saints can maintain a relatively injury free season, well major injury to key personnel free, they will be top four imo.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell]

eighth.

I worry about a new coach coming in.

Could upset the team synergy.

Look for a better 2008, when everything is settled.

 

[bubblegoose]

eighth.

I worry about a new coach coming in.

Could upset the team synergy.

Look for a better 2008, when everything is settled.

I worry about global warming - doesn't mean it's gunna change the inevitable.

Saints = top 4.

 

[Dave The Man]

6-13

 

[Guru Joffa]

6-13

Hey Dave 'The Boy',

That will mean Collingwood can raffle either spot 14 or 15!!!!!

 

[sauce_head]

From 5th to 10th. If injuries go our way and we click with the new game plan, 3th to 4th. I think I have most spots covered there...

 

[PHX]

It's a very tough call. But Lyon seems pretty good the way he goes about things. Anything below top 4 should be considered a disappointment. Could expect a bit of a Freo Dockers rocky start we've become accustomed to with a new coach etc but it'll iron out and should finish strong.

 

[Jabso]

4th-9th.

 

[taz@freo]

I'd say with the whole football department shake up
about

5-10

Injury free season just won't happen for the Saints while the Clarkes and Hamill are on the list...

 

[Goedy]

We do have a pretty easy schedule so im saying we will finish top 4

 

[wires on fire.]

preliminary final. then maybe the gf if they dont play wce in the prelim. if they make the gf theyll lose to wce.

 

[Bluebear]

Where is the improvement coming from this year?

(Not a troll, genuinely interested IYO)

 

[sauce_head]

Where is the improvement coming from this year?

(Not a troll, genuinely interested IYO)

I believe the imporvement is going to come from our midfield structure and gameplan. If we can manage to, as had been mentioned in previous articles, grind out wins when we are not playing well, especially in big matches, we should be in with a shot (top four). I do not think too much improvement needs to come from the list, apart from the baseline AFL wide improvement. A little more depth in the middle obtained from the draft will help, especially breaking even or better in the ruck.

I believe our backline is under rated. It preformed very well until Maguires injury, so with him back and the other players stepping up due to his absence, hoefully the unit will be stronger. Perhaps the concern is Max's age getting on and the reoccurance of injuries in the coming season.

However, once again, lack of injuries and a run with a relatively stable side will work wonders for us to again push for top four placement. Hopefully the coaching staff can deliver the rest with a finals resiliant game plan.

 

[Atomboy]

4th-9th.

Fair call, lower end of the 8 I would have thought.

 

[Bluebear]

I believe the imporvement is going to come from our midfield structure and gameplan. If we can manage to, as had been mentioned in previous articles, grind out wins when we are not playing well, especially in big matches, we should be in with a shot (top four). I do not think too much improvement needs to come from the list, apart from the baseline AFL wide improvement. A little more depth in the middle obtained from the draft will help, especially breaking even or better in the ruck.

I believe our backline is under rated. It preformed very well until Maguires injury, so with him back and the other players stepping up due to his absence, hoefully the unit will be stronger. Perhaps the concern is Max's age getting on and the reoccurance of injuries in the coming season.

However, once again, lack of injuries and a run with a relatively stable side will work wonders for us to again push for top four placement. Hopefully the coaching staff can deliver the rest with a finals resiliant game plan.

Cheers.

I think your biggest issue is keeping a fit forward line/ruck. If you can get Kosi, Fraser, and Riewoldt to play 18 games together then I think you will probably get top 4. If these guys chop and change due to injury etc then it will make it hard. Hamil will be a bonus, but is having less impact.

May struggle to implement a new style if that what Lyon is doing, so possibly rusty the first half of the year.
Play us twice, so be gentle.........

Prediction 4-9.

 

[Fehring]

...1

 

[Kildonan]

I think the club are expecting a top 4 finish.

GT was sacked after failing to steer the club to a top 4 finish (it was more complex than that, but this is still arguably the case). We all hope RL can click into gear and have the boys firing on all cylinders once the season proper is underway. The reality though, is that RL is a 1st year coach. He has lots to learn and will make plenty of mistakes before he can be expected to be experienced and level headed enough to win a premership. Let's hope he is a quick study.

Can anyone name the last first year coach to win a premiership?

Our list is good.

With EVERY player on the park, fit and in form, the Saints are a formidable outfit. Maybe the best in the league (well - I think so).

My heart says the Saints will be top 4 and a real show at a premiership this year, but my head says "be prepared for some disappointment".

Maybe another top 8 finish this year.

 

[sauce_head]

Can anyone name the last first year coach to win a premiership?

I can not recall another first year coach to win a premiership, but I can remember the last time it was seriously talked about. That was Tim Watson and we had made a flying to the season in 1999. The questions was being asked, "can Timmy win it in his first season as coach"? We all know how that ended. Let's hope a repeat is not on the cards!

 

[sainter]

Alan Joyce in 1988 I think.

Which just goes to show that if you inherit a good squad as Ross Lyon has you can win the premiership.

Of course I'm not comparing our current squad to a team that were in the middle of an amazing era when Joyce took over but it does go to show that it can be done. And we do have a strong list.

It's a long way away and I don't know what to expect this season but I'm not going to write us off yet.

 

[Eagles 4 Mine]

5-8 if lucky.