Team Lineup 2007

[SpInNeR]

Rix is big, strong, fit, aggressive, determined, is a good mark and is bloody fast. He offers versatility (Ruck, tall tagger, defender or decoy forward). He doesn't have the best footy brain or footskills but he is a lot better than many ruckmen getting a game (Jamar, Richards, Knobel, Ackland, Taylor, Doyle, Laycock, etc).

The reason that he wasn't drafted until he was 24 years old is because he had a very late growth spurt. When on Hawthorn's rookie list (2003?), he was 194cm and too short to ruck. He then grew 4-5 cms and got his chance.

If Rix gets a game ahead of Brooks it won't be because of size, because are they both 198cms and around 97kgs.

To me it sounds like there's a little bit of Small-Man's Syndrome (No offence intented) kicking in with your comments on Rixy.

Exactly what i intended to say. I cant stand a bloke getting a game just because he is big. And thats at junior and senior level of local football. At the elite, a player must have skill and footy smarts and in turn i think you answered my exact arguement.

Thats whats ruining the game at the moment. The athlete being overtaken by the footballer. I was trying to suggest (and i think it involentary showed in your post) that Rix may have the height, muscle, fitness and speed that are second to none but lacks good footy brain and skills. Which is why is believe he is an avenue that will eventually come to a dead end. He is 24/25 therefore the game is way past the point of trying to teach him now.

Its quite funny how we can accept a good athlete but neglect the most important aspects of the game. Which is playing it. Its like the NHL getting figure skaters to play professional hockey.

But i understand he has great attributes, but lets be realistic, if the bloke cant read the game or kick a drop punt at 24/25 well, he's not going to learn overnight.

 

[SpInNeR]

Whether there was offence intended or not I think your spot on.

You'd reckon being a little bloke he would appreciate the work that the big men do in getting the ball down to the midfielders.

It's interesting though. Of all our ruckman it's Brooks who I don't rate and many of our supporters are predicting big things from him. Only time will tell who's right but as long as we win who cares.

Sainter. Personally i believe that most supporters have a fascination with Brooks based on where he was taken in the draft/what we gave to get him. I dont think its an actual fact of people watching Casey and making a rational opinion of the players when comparing with eachother. So i woulndnt be too worried about that.

And for those who make an opinion of Brooks based on that one game. Wake up to yourselves. Basing their entire hope on the form of a few quarters of football with obvious bloking from other key forward teammates in a game where we were clearly going to win is ludicrus.

But in responce to JD warning about some counting their chickens before they hatch in terms of Gardiner and Clarke. I think the difference this year is that we actually have some eggs in the basket.

 

[sainter]

Rix may be raw but I think he has the attributes to make an impact. I do agree with your last post.

Brooks is a ruckman. And in my opinion not a very good one at that. He won't be given to the time and space to kick goals at AFL level like he does in the VFL.

Again I would love to be proven wrong but that's just my opinion.

I'm quite excited with the thought of what Gardiner and Clarke could offer us. Perhaps you went slightly over the top but it is good to actually have some ruck options.

 

[Footylover1]

My St.Kilda team for 2007 is:

B: Sam Fisher - Max Hudghton - Steven Baker
HB: Jason Gram - Matthew Maguire - Brendon Goddard
C: Nick Dal Santo - Lenny Hayes - Leigh Montagna
HF: Brett Voss - Nick Riewoldt - Xavier Clarke
F: Stephen Milne - Fraser Gehrig - Aaron Hamill
R: Michael Gardiner - Robert Harvey - Luke Ball
I/C: Raphael Clarke - Leigh Fisher - Justin Koschitzke - Michael Rix
Em: Shane Birss - Matthew Clarke - Andrew McQualter

Ones to watch are: David Armitage, Raphael Clarke to take the next step, Michael Rix and Xavier Clarke to take a more of a midfield role.

 

[pol06]

My St.Kilda team for 2007 is:

B: Sam Fisher - Max Hudghton - Steven Baker
HB: Jason Gram - Matthew Maguire - Brendon Goddard
C: Nick Dal Santo - Lenny Hayes - Leigh Montagna
HF: Brett Voss - Nick Riewoldt - Xavier Clarke
F: Stephen Milne - Fraser Gehrig - Aaron Hamill
R: Michael Gardiner - Robert Harvey - Luke Ball
I/C: Raphael Clarke - Leigh Fisher - Justin Koschitzke - Michael Rix
Em: Shane Birss - Matthew Clarke - Andrew McQualter

Ones to watch are: David Armitage, Raphael Clarke to take the next step, Michael Rix and Xavier Clarke to take a more of a midfield role.

I think you have done a good job. Shane Birss and Andrew McQualter should be good players coming off the bench this year i think. Also David Armitage is to my knowledge a ready made player so we should have good midfeild depth. If Koschitzke can stay injury free and find some form i doubt Rix will play as many games. One o the better side predictions i have seen

 

[Footylover1]

I think you have done a good job. Shane Birss and Andrew McQualter should be good players coming off the bench this year i think. Also David Armitage is to my knowledge a ready made player so we should have good midfeild depth. If Koschitzke can stay injury free and find some form i doubt Rix will play as many games. One o the better side predictions i have seen

Whoa, Thanks! I have doubts about Koschitzke's fitness that's why I put Rix on the bench as well. And Koschitzke doesn't have to play in the ruck either he can play forward and I have heard that Ross Lyon has plans for him at Centre Half Back.

David Armitage is a good young player as you said but I couldn't find a spot for him in the Saints line up. But he is the one to watch in the future that's for sure.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

My St.Kilda team for 2007 is:

B: Sam Fisher - Max Hudghton - Steven Baker
HB: Jason Gram - Matthew Maguire - Brendon Goddard
C: Nick Dal Santo - Lenny Hayes - Leigh Montagna
HF: Brett Voss - Nick Riewoldt - Xavier Clarke
F: Stephen Milne - Fraser Gehrig - Aaron Hamill
R: Michael Gardiner - Robert Harvey - Luke Ball
I/C: Raphael Clarke - Leigh Fisher - Justin Koschitzke - Michael Rix
Em: Shane Birss - Matthew Clarke - Andrew McQualter

Ones to watch are: David Armitage, Raphael Clarke to take the next step, Michael Rix and Xavier Clarke to take a more of a midfield role.

Very good effort, but there are a couple of things I'd change.

Raph Clarke probably won't play more than a few games if at all, as he won't even be able to resume training until half way through the season.

I doubt Goose will play much and if he does it will probably be at FB, as Kosi is starring at training and will be our CHB this year.

Unfortunately it seems that Hamill's body is shot. He broke down less than a week into training. We'd be very lucky if he manages to play 6 games this year.

Harvs probably won't play in the midfield much, I think he'll take on a Ryan O'Keefe type role from half forward.

Rix probably won't get much of a go unless either Kosi or M.Clarke are out, as we have 3 better ruckman (Gardiner, Brooks, Clarke) and a few better options for CHB/FB, but if Kosi or Hudghton are injured Rix will probably come in to play against the monster opposition forward.

I think we'll see quite a bit of Barry Brooks this year. He dominated in his one game last year and appears to have all the tools to become a very good AFL player. He is probably just behind Gardiner and Clarke in terms of tap work but he knows how to get the ball, is a great kick, strong mark, is effective forward and has a bit of pace.

 

[Footylover1]

Very good effort, but there are a couple of things I'd change.

Raph Clarke probably won't play more than a few games if at all, as he won't even be able to resume training until half way through the season.

I doubt Goose will play much and if he does it will probably be at FB, as Kosi is starring at training and will be our CHB this year.

Unfortunately it seems that Hamill's body is shot. He broke down less than a week into training. We'd be very lucky if he manages to play 6 games this year.

Harvs probably won't play in the midfield much, I think he'll take on a Ryan O'Keefe type role from half forward.

Rix probably won't get much of a go unless either Kosi or M.Clarke are out, as we have 3 better ruckman (Gardiner, Brooks, Clarke) and a few better options for CHB/FB, but if Kosi or Hudghton are injured Rix will probably come in to play against the monster opposition forward.

I think we'll see quite a bit of Barry Brooks this year. He dominated in his one game last year and appears to have all the tools to become a very good AFL player. He is probably just behind Gardiner and Clarke in terms of tap work but he knows how to get the ball, is a great kick, strong mark, is effective forward and has a bit of pace.

Brooks was stiff to be dropped after his one senior game last year but I still prefer Rix. I was impressed with what he did. I don't know why St.Kilda recruited Clarke for? I wouldn't have done it myself even though the Swans recruited Everitt I have doubts on the older ruckman. My preferred ruck options for the Saints would be Gardiner and Rix at first with Koschitzke playing at Centre Half Back until Maguire comes back.

 

[SpInNeR]

My St.Kilda team for 2007 is:

B: Sam Fisher - Max Hudghton - Steven Baker
HB: Jason Gram - Matthew Maguire - Brendon Goddard
C: Nick Dal Santo - Lenny Hayes - Leigh Montagna
HF: Brett Voss - Nick Riewoldt - Xavier Clarke
F: Stephen Milne - Fraser Gehrig - Aaron Hamill
R: Michael Gardiner - Robert Harvey - Luke Ball
I/C: Raphael Clarke - Leigh Fisher - Justin Koschitzke - Michael Rix
Em: Shane Birss - Matthew Clarke - Andrew McQualter

Ones to watch are: David Armitage, Raphael Clarke to take the next step, Michael Rix and Xavier Clarke to take a more of a midfield role.

Personally Id like Armitage to take the first step before taking the next step.

But otherwise great job.

Agree with Mad Saint Guy's considerations in regards to Rix Harvey, (and obviously Hamill, Maguire and R Clarke due to injury)

Im hoping X Clarke will elevate like the careers of the Bourgyones!

 

[A Warrior named Lica]

My favourite player at the Saints is Lenny Hayes and I think his loss cost you dearly in '06.

Surely he wont play til mid 2007?

You all have him named in the middle (on ball or in the guts)...is that realistic?

Hows his rehab?

 

[sainter]

My favourite player at the Saints is Lenny Hayes and I think his loss cost you dearly in '06.

Surely he wont play til mid 2007?

You all have him named in the middle (on ball or in the guts)...is that realistic?

Hows his rehab?

He did his knee in round 7 so assuming his rehab goes to plan it's not unrealistic to think he'll be ready to go in round 1. That's giving him just over 10 months. Of course it will come down to how confident he is with it. I'm sure he won't be rushed straight back into the side if he isn't 100%.

You're right about the effect that his loss had on our season. Dal Santo more than anyone will be rapt when he returns. With Ball not completely fit it was Nick that got all of the attention from the opposition taggers. That's added to the fact that you just can't replace a guy with his presence in the midfield.

 

[Darkhour]

I suppose the next question might be can anyone possibly think what our lineup will be for the Nab Cup? I would think that Gardiner, R.Clarke and Goose would obviously out..

 

[SIR SAINT HOTDOG]

b: voss hudgton l.fisher


chb: gram maquire goddard


c: baker hayes montagna


chf: harvey riewoldt koschitzke

ff: milne gehrig hamil

r: gardiner dal santo ball

int: m.clarke x.clarke armitage thompson

 

[Effes]

Will McQualter get any games? First round pick from a few years ago; has shown he can find the ball

 

[sainter]

Will McQualter get any games? First round pick from a few years ago; has shown he can find the ball

I hope so.

I think the major reason why he hasn't played too often is his lack of size. His attack on the ball and courage can't be questioned but he needed to bulk up a little. It's a big year for him. I really hope he is pushing for selection.

 

[SOLMAN86]

I will have a craxk at what I think St Kildas round 1 side may be

B Voss S.Fisher M Hudghton
HB L FIsher J Koschitzke J Gram
C Hayes Goddard X Clarke
HF Montagna Riewoldt Harvey
FMilne Gehrig Mc Qualter
FOLL Gardiner Ball Dal Santo
INT Thompson Fiora M Clarke Baker

Hamill is Injured as is Raph.
Watts is hopefully performing at Springvale and hopefully Rixy 2
I dont rate Jason Blake
Goose hopefully is on the mend and started Lenny on a wingso he can ease back into it.
Old man is kicking goals better than evr b4 so on a flank looks super
The nighty tough Baker will continually prove a handful for the opponents best mid fielders week in week out

Lets hope Fiora grows some balls

 

[Rough_Edges]

Dream Team alert, 'ey effes?

 

[Effes]

I have no idea what you're talking about

 

[Darkhour]

Alright well before posting another lineup for Round 1, I'll start the countdown off by including ArmyTank as a definite starter for the new recruits...