Preview Season Opener; "The War In Heaven": Etihad Stadium (H), Saturday 25 March 2017, 4;35pm

[Proper Gander]

I'm actually reasonably pumped for this match up. Hogan v Carlisle will be worth seeing, as will seeing what Membrey can do against a strengthened defence - at least I seriously hope it is strengthened because its been fairly uniformly s**t versus the Saints for about 3 million years now.

I get to randomly hope that somehow the addition of Jordan Lewis pretty much solves everything for the off season. Actually, its not just about the win. I would love to have Lewis have a really strong year and make the Hawks look like ultra douchbags for trading him. There is nothing more satisfying then a melting Hawk fan.

FFS though, please please Melbourne for once attempt to shut down Riewoldt

 

[Dr Spaceman]

There is nothing more satisfying then a melting Hawk fan.

Here's a couple of them pre melt

 

[Barrels]

I'm actually reasonably pumped for this match up. Hogan v Carlisle will be worth seeing, as will seeing what Membrey can do against a strengthened defence - at least I seriously hope it is strengthened because its been fairly uniformly s**t versus the Saints for about 3 million years now.

I get to randomly hope that somehow the addition of Jordan Lewis pretty much solves everything for the off season. Actually, its not just about the win. I would love to have Lewis have a really strong year and make the Hawks look like ultra douchbags for trading him. There is nothing more satisfying then a melting Hawk fan.

FFS though, please please Melbourne for once attempt to shut down Riewoldt

He'll have to get used to very different treatment...

 

[Hubnester]

I get to randomly hope that somehow the addition of Jordan Lewis pretty much solves everything for the off season. Actually, its not just about the win. I would love to have Lewis have a really strong year and make the Hawks look like ultra douchbags for trading him.

I don't think they'll look silly if he has a strong year. Of course he's going to. Some clubs shove their senior players under the bus, but some clubs seek mutually beneficial trades.

 

[Roadto2018]

I really like Melbourne's list, but their midfield is a bit one paced and similar is it not? Viney and Petracca have some speed but to me as a whole their midfield could use a steven type to replace a brayshaw or someone, Steven stands out as the difference between our midfields as he is far more damaging than any of their mids. Individual to individual their midfield has more talent probably, but ours is far more balanced. Considering their midfield is more packed with inside types, the fact we won the contested ball count both times last year is a question mark on how well their midfield works compared to ours, with the additions of Steele and Stevens we have bridged the gap in terms of inside power I feel. Although they added Lewis, and whilst he'll be great for them in terms of leadership, I'm not entirely sure he adds anything that they didn't already have in terms of a one paced midfielder, as good as he is.

Steven, Armitage, Ross, Acres, Stevens, Steele, Dunstan, Gresham, Billings (plus blokes like Weller, Newnes, Gilbert and hopefully Freeman) is far more balanced than Viney, Lewis, Jones, Tyson, Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw, Harmes, Kent.

 

[schmuttt]

I really like Melbourne's list, but their midfield is a bit one paced and similar is it not? Viney and Petracca have some speed but to me as a whole their midfield could use a steven type to replace a brayshaw or someone, Steven stands out as the difference between our midfields as he is far more damaging than any of their mids. Individual to individual their midfield has more talent probably, but ours is far more balanced. Considering their midfield is more packed with inside types, the fact we won the contested ball count both times last year is a question mark on how well their midfield works compared to ours, with the additions of Steele and Stevens we have bridged the gap in terms of inside power I feel. Although they added Lewis, and whilst he'll be great for them in terms of leadership, I'm not entirely sure he adds anything that they didn't already have in terms of a one paced midfielder, as good as he is.

Steven, Armitage, Ross, Acres, Stevens, Steele, Dunstan, Gresham, Billings (plus blokes like Weller, Newnes, Gilbert and hopefully Freeman) is far more balanced than Viney, Lewis, Jones, Tyson, Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw, Harmes, Kent.

You guys are definitely much quicker. Pace is something we are looking to address with Hunt/Stretch/Salem, and Melksham has decent wheels if he goes in there.

Our midfield was stronger than yours when it came to grunt over the course of 2016 despite our two losses to you, but plenty can change next year.

 

[Roadto2018]

You guys are definitely much quicker. Pace is something we are looking to address with Hunt/Stretch/Salem, and Melksham has decent wheels if he goes in there.

Our midfield was stronger than yours when it came to grunt over the course of 2016 despite our two losses to you, but plenty can change next year.

Yeah I agree it's better as a grunt midfield, I'm not too concerned about losing clearances etc as long we pressure the ball carrier, plus having a much better backline this year will mean we're more capable of repelling attacks and then hopefully hurting teams the other way.

 

[Ekomaira]

re thread title, member the date of the game has changed

 

[aussierulesrules]

You guys are definitely much quicker. Pace is something we are looking to address with Hunt/Stretch/Salem, and Melksham has decent wheels if he goes in there.

Our midfield was stronger than yours when it came to grunt over the course of 2016 despite our two losses to you, but plenty can change next year.

How many did you normally have going through the guts each week? For us for most of the year it was just Steven, Armitage, Ross and Dunstan, with Armitage coming off almost no preseason and as a result lacking fitness (and only averaged 21 disposals- down from 28 last year) and Dunstan also seemed to struggle with his fitness, playing only 60-odd percent game-time in many matches (and only averaging 17 disposals). So we'll certainly be hoping for a much stronger and deeper inside brigade next year, with another preseason into the likes of Acres, Dunstan and Gresham, the additions of Stevens and Steele and Carlisle and Brown's additions freeing up of Gilbert to go back into the midfield if needed.

There were games this year when our main midfield 4 were getting killed in the middle and yet we didn't really have a plan-B of any kind and just kept them in there, hoping they'd be able to turn the tide, but hopefully next year we'll actually have the depth to be able to change things up in there if things aren't working.

 

[schmuttt]

How many did you normally have going through the guts each week? For us for most of the year it was just Steven, Armitage, Ross and Dunstan, with Armitage coming off almost no preseason and as a result lacking fitness (and only averaged 21 disposals- down from 28 last year) and Dunstan also seemed to struggle with his fitness, playing only 60-odd percent game-time in many matches (and only averaging 17 disposals). So we'll certainly be hoping for a much stronger and deeper inside brigade next year, with another preseason into the likes of Acres, Dunstan and Gresham, the additions of Stevens and Steele and Carlisle and Brown's additions freeing up of Gilbert to go back into the midfield if needed.

There were games this year when our main midfield 4 were getting killed in the middle and yet we didn't really have a plan-B of any kind and just kept them in there, hoping they'd be able to turn the tide, but hopefully next year we'll actually have the depth to be able to change things up in there if things aren't working.

I'd imagine if we select the 22 I have as my best lineup it'll be these guys who run through the middle:

Viney
Jones
Tyson
Vince
Oliver
Brayshaw
Petracca
Melksham
Hunt
Salem
Stretch
Lewis

Guys like Garlett and Jetta are specialists in their position (Although Garlett has a licence to roam) and Kent could play on the wing but he won't be a true midfielder.

Edit - our problem is our mids aren't really versatile. Petracca fan genuinely play forward, Brayshaw can play on a wing or HFF, Salem can play either flank and Hunt and Melksham IMO will spend more time at HBF than in the midfield, problem is our best starting mids (Viney Tyson Jones Vince and probably Lewis) aren't versatile at all.

 

[aussierulesrules]

By middle, I meant through the guts, surely you're not expecting to see the likes of Melksham, Hunt, Stretch and Salem going into there on a regular basis?

I was also mostly wondering who you had regularly going through there this year, as opposed to who you think will next year?

 

[StCicatriz]

Danger game

 

[JG22]

Danger game

Wouldn't classify it as that

 

[gringo2011]

Wouldn't classify it as that

It will be more dangerous than the last few years. The Dees are coming but hopefully any ground they make up we do too. It will be one they really want to win and if we take them lightly we could easily lose.

 

[StCicatriz]

It will be more dangerous than the last few years. The Dees are coming but hopefully any ground they make up we do too. It will be one they really want to win and if we take them lightly we could easily lose.

Spot on. Melbourne could beat us. I hope we treat it like a final

 

[Lightsxo]

Spot on. Melbourne could beat us. I hope we treat it like a final

If we aren't up and about for the first game of the season then there's no hope for us.

We'll be prime

 

[StCicatriz]

If we aren't up and about for the first game of the season then there's no hope for us.

We'll be prime

so pumped for this game. its gonna be massive

 

[theprospect]

Will (hopefully) be awesome seeing 40,000 + flocking into Etihad on a Saturday afternoon, to see two of the games best young sides do battle in their first game of the year. Would be very disappointing not to get 40,000 in my opinion, perfect opportunity to really get the season going and for all Saints fans to jump on board and support the boys.

 

[NarrowMind]

Will (hopefully) be awesome seeing 40,000 + flocking into Etihad on a Saturday afternoon, to see two of the games best young sides do battle in their first game of the year. Would be very disappointing not to get 40,000 in my opinion, perfect opportunity to really get the season going and for all Saints fans to jump on board and support the boys.

Melbourne fans don't travel though.

 

[Sir Skid]

Melbourne fans don't travel though.

Who's counting Dees fans?
40k Saints fans cos we're on the up
5k new members on the day
AND
Turn a big profit under the new stadium ageement.

 

[StCicatriz]

Melbourne fans don't travel though.

Surely snow season isnt in march

 

[JG22]

Round 1, Everyone's available.
Who starts centre bounce?

Hickey, Steven, Armitage....

Does Basti Ross still hold it or does Steele take over?
Or Gresham, Acres, Dunstan??


(Yes I know it's early)

 

[Sir Skid]

Next year be like
Lewis - What do you mean no free kick?
Umpire - Your not with #freekickhawthorn now son. That was so 2016 anyway!

 

[Diehard Saint]

Next year be like
Lewis - What do you mean no free kick?
Umpire - Your not with #freekickhawthorn now son. That was so 2016 anyway!

View attachment 316849

No such worries for Sam Mitchell, it'll be same old, same old for him at the Eagles

 

[12Chill]

Round 1, Everyone's available.
Who starts centre bounce?

Hickey, Steven, Armitage....

Does Basti Ross still hold it or does Steele take over?
Or Gresham, Acres, Dunstan??


(Yes I know it's early)

Gresh forward. I want to see Acres start the season in the guts.