Shane Birss - How is he Travelling?

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Sir Robert

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#4
Rather see Howard playing, apparently he has pace, probably not ready. Have to be better than Birss
I disagree. The bloke has a red hot dip when he is out there unlike some. He just needs a bit of time to adjust to the pace at AFL level. The bloke has suffered a number of injuries over the years which have caused him to miss a lot of footy.

Fans wanting to see Howard are really clutching at straws if he is our answer. From the two games I've seen him play it is obvious that he plays like he is scared. A lot like Milne actually. Hopefully though with a bit more time in the VFL he can get over this fear. I imagine some more time in the gym will assist.

I would much rpefer to see Watts in the side and Roo on a wing. I'd also like to see Sweeney come into the side. Not 100% on who to drop, however with the backline settling I imagine Gwilts days in the senior side are numbered for now.
 

Punter!

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#6
With Harvey and Thompson most likely retiring at the end of the year, stkilda needed to recycle a hardened inside midfielder to stock up that area.

Birss was available and not getting a crack in the established bulldogs midfield. He's a previous high-ish draft pick (no. 26 in 2000 draft) so you'd assume he's got talent. Played a ripper against sydney, but has looked average at times. We can't expect the world from him just yet, let's hope he's improving.

I would imagine he'll ultimately play the 'A thompson' role - coming off the bench to replace hayes/ball/dalsanto when they're having a rest. Will take more than 10 games to tell if the trade was worthwile.

Why didn't we pick up Matt Ball (Luke Ball's bro) from the hawks?? Similar player to Birss, similar age, heard he's super fit, hard at it etc.. He's still playing at Box Hill and getting in the best players practically every week..Saw him play a cracker last year against the crows!
 

St DAC

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#7
Birss looks to be a poor-man's Thommo for mine. I can't question his heart, he has a crack, but doesn't find much of the pill, and hasn't really done much so far. Still, he's only played a few games, so the jury is still out on him.
 

Punter!

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#9
I HEAR YOU! roo needs a break from the forward line give him a more central role for abit.
Ridiculous - spose we should move gehrig to FB to help out the backline?? :rolleyes:

It's been said before, when you've got a CHAMPION CHF, you play him at CHF. When your teams struggling to kick goals, you don't replace the best forward in your team. You only contemplate MAYBE moving him if he's getting a bath and that hasn't happened yet.

Watts is just making a return to VFL from a broken leg and other complications, he's unproven, but also untried. He wouldn't have anywhere near the engine of riewoldt to play CHF yet.
 

ChrisFooty

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#10
I HEAR YOU! roo needs a break from the forward line give him a more central role for abit.
I wouldn't mind seeing Kosi playing on the wing. Mobile and may get him into the game more (as oppossed just playing foward or back).

Birss - just doesn't look like it for mine. Hard to see him get a game if the saints had a near full squad to pick.
 
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#11
Ridiculous - spose we should move gehrig to FB to help out the backline?? :rolleyes:

It's been said before, when you've got a CHAMPION CHF, you play him at CHF. When your teams struggling to kick goals, you don't replace the best forward in your team. You only contemplate M:(AYBE moving him if he's getting a bath and that hasn't happened yet.

Watts is just making a return to VFL from a broken leg and other complications, he's unproven, but also untried. He wouldn't have anywhere near the engine of riewoldt to play CHF yet.
Yep i agree about Watts. It was the same with Raph Clarke last week?!?! We can't afford to be playing guys in the side when they are nowhere near match fit. No wonder we've been over-run in the last quarter 2 or 3 times this year.

Rooey has been playing some great footy at CHF (aside from some of his kicking for goal - the problem is we need someone else to take some of the pressure off him. Blake tried to do this last week and he took some good marks - unfortunately, his goal kicking let him down too! Id rather see Sweeney in the team than Watts (at this stage).

Birss does run like a duck.
 

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joeblow2

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#14
I disagree. The bloke has a red hot dip when he is out there unlike some. He just needs a bit of time to adjust to the pace at AFL level. The bloke has suffered a number of injuries over the years which have caused him to miss a lot of footy.

Fans wanting to see Howard are really clutching at straws if he is our answer. From the two games I've seen him play it is obvious that he plays like he is scared. A lot like Milne actually. Hopefully though with a bit more time in the VFL he can get over this fear. I imagine some more time in the gym will assist.

I would much rpefer to see Watts in the side and Roo on a wing. I'd also like to see Sweeney come into the side. Not 100% on who to drop, however with the backline settling I imagine Gwilts days in the senior side are numbered for now.
He was drafted 7 years ago, how long does he need to adjust to the pace?!?!

No question he has a dip, he's simply not up to AFL level.
 

Butane

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#15
picked up 35 possies and 3(?) goals last week in the ressies. Earnt his position in the Saints team this week. I'm still following his progress, really nice bloke, and a very handy player.
 

sainter

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#16
He hasn't taken his opportunity in the seniors yet but seems to be in the best players in the VFL most weeks.

Unfortunately that's what many of your supporters said would happen when we picked him up.

I'm not convinced but like you've said he's earned another chance and I hope he takes it.
 

Butane

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#17
Yep, earnt his chance...and delivered. Great game from my man Birss :)

(Oh yea, and a good win for the Sainters as well)
 

joeblow2

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#18
Yep, earnt his chance...and delivered. Great game from my man Birss :)

(Oh yea, and a good win for the Sainters as well)
My word Butane. I've been a knocker of Birss, but he played super tonight. Good to see a few of his mates step up as well.
 

Anja_Nees

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#21
If Lyon gives him an extended run in the seniors he'll do good things for you. Always rated him and I think tonight he showed you what he's capable of. He really just needs a bit more confidence.
 
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