Thoughts on the Saints game

[jenny61_99]

I only watched the last half as I was at work, but anyway, was really disappointed with our third 1/4, lost the run and carry style of play, but I would say this is more due to a young side than anything else. Great spirited fightback though when the Saints got within 3 pts, Dangerfield is a machine, Tippets 'checkside' goal was a cracker and iced the game........................33K though on a Saturday night is very disapointing considering this the 'favoured' time slot of AFC supporters.............was it live into Adelaide or on delay?

Not really all that surprising given our poor form though. Disappointing for sure, but not surprising.

Shouldn't be disappointed by the 3rd quarter. Saints were fighting for some dignity. They'd done absolutely sweet FA in the first half and were always going to come out fighting in the second. With some help from the umpies, they wrested momentum. Then with the help of the umpies, we wrested it back!

The frustrating thing with the 3rd quarter was the level of panic that set in and the resulting backwards/sideways play - not always instigated by the kids! Once we got over that though, we gained in confidence and you could almost see a belief that we could do it.

 

[Macjoe]

Well done team, great effort.

Glenno, doppelganger, Drum and Carl have said it before - good posts, you guys (and everyone else)

My highlights:

The games of rising stars L Thompson, Smith and Smack.
Having real rucks.
Henderson playing on when injured.
​

Retaliation, we all know it's wrong, but I'm sick to death of our guys taking it from the scum snipers. I'm almost ashamed that it gave me great satisfaction to see Tambo give one back.

And I felt this way as well. It will be bad if we have to cover Tambo, Tipps or Sauce, but at least we didn't let the "Saints" - like calling a redhead Bluey! - just be thugs.

My lowlights:

Getting in trouble from my wife for going off at the Umpiring in front of her sister .
Missing my first home game in 3 years - relatives came to stay . How inconsiderate is that .
​

 

[rudiger]

Worried about reports, Tamblo will go for sure, sauce possibly, hope not he was awesome, Tippett could go for hit on Fisher, Johncock definitely not for Riewoldt and surely not high hit on Gwilt in first 1/4, was accidental. Also bit worried about Walker's performance, think he didnt work hard enough but dont think we used him as much as we could

 

[jenny61_99]

Johncock didn't hit Riewoldt! Riewoldt fell into his shoulder. How the hell could he go for that?

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Johncock didn't hit Riewoldt! Riewoldt fell into his shoulder. How the hell could he go for that?

Agree that he shouldn't go. But i'd say it was as simple as an innocuous football collision.

 

[johnnypanther]

Retaliation, we all know it's wrong, but I'm sick to death of our guys taking it from the scum snipers. I'm almost ashamed that it gave me great satisfaction to see Tambo give one back.

I'm not - its about time we showed some passion and aggression at the opposition - now to learn to do it more covertly

I only watched the last half as I was at work, but anyway, was really disappointed with our third 1/4, lost the run and carry style of play, but I would say this is more due to a young side than anything else. Great spirited fightback though when the Saints got within 3 pts, Dangerfield is a machine, Tippets 'checkside' goal was a cracker and iced the game........................33K though on a Saturday night is very disapointing considering this the 'favoured' time slot of AFC supporters.............was it live into Adelaide or on delay?

IMO it was actually more the senior players especially Johncock, Doughty etc that reverted us to that backward, sideways, tentative style where we cough up the ball....

 

[TheLeftFist8]

The frustrating thing with the 3rd quarter was the level of panic that set in and the resulting backwards/sideways play - not always instigated by the kids! Once we got over that though, we gained in confidence and you could almost see a belief that we could do it.

Good call Jenny.

It's not the young kids that aren't 'hardened' to play positive, aggressive football even when under the pump.

I had a good view of our defence in the 3rd term (sitting down that end) and IF we were to lose the game, i was gonna come on here and absolutely blast Michael Doughty for changing the momentum...

Saints building, and at the first sign of pressure with an open fat side and corridor, and an opposition certainly not yet within arms reach, Doughty reverted to his usual freeze and went to his default backwards handball (to Rutten i think) in a far worse position trapped near the boundary. Saints subsequently kept the ball in, and the pressure built.

Might seem petty to isolate one incident but it really summed up the lack of 'mental hardness'. van Berlo is another one who lacks composure with his disposals.

C'mon Craigy don't blame the youngsters.

Onto the positives:

Wright showed he has a future. Our best small forward (not counting Porps) since Bode...he may even surpass him. Must stay in the side. Fights hard in the contest, wins clearances but also finishes well when in possession.

Jacobs...can we please stop the Maric comparisons now. It's embarrassing. If Jacobs gets suspended and Moran's not back, then Sellar should come in before Maric.

McKernan still not getting much of it, and butchers a lot that he does get, but he has raw potential that must be perserved with. Would not want to be tackled by him that's for sure...crunch!

Smith...skinny body, hardened mind, full of heart, a true footballer. One more pre-season and he would be in our top 4 midfielders.

Thompson...95% efficiency. Given a similar scenario to the Doughty one mentioned earlier, Thompson actually sprinted away, took a bounce, and hit a player on the chest with a 50m kick Tall, strong, fast, reliable defensively but with a will to attack...we have found a keeper here.

Jaensch...finally we have put a player on the HBF who can dispose beautifully by foot and actually create the counter-attack without turning the ball over. During the week i wanted Vince for the role, but Jaensch also fits the bill. Credit to the pre-game planning of the coaches for this one.

Davis...spewing he got injured again. Riewoldt didn't look like getting a sniff. Pretty rare to feel confident in such an inexperienced player against a proven champion but i knew Davis could cover him. Opens the door for Young or Sellar in the coming weeks but we will miss Davis. The Davis, Rutten, Thompson combo was potentially our best since Bock, Rutten, Bassett.

Improved games also from Douglas, Symes, Knights; Rutten and Thompson sustained excellence; Henderson showed more intensity...I'd give him another but also wouldn't be upset if Gunston got 5 or so games experience this year.

 

[Dangercles]

Off topic a bit, but looking at the stats and noticed walker had no tackles for the game, so looked at his season stats so far he's had a grand total of 2

 

[Geoffa32]

Good call Jenny.

It's not the young kids that aren't 'hardened' to play positive, aggressive football even when under the pump.

I had a good view of our defence in the 3rd term (sitting down that end) and IF we were to lose the game, i was gonna come on here and absolutely blast Michael Doughty for changing the momentum...

Saints building, and at the first sign of pressure with an open fat side and corridor, and an opposition certainly not yet within arms reach, Doughty reverted to his usual freeze and went to his default backwards handball (to Rutten i think) in a far worse position trapped near the boundary. Saints subsequently kept the ball in, and the pressure built.

Might seem petty to isolate one incident but it really summed up the lack of 'mental hardness'. van Berlo is another one who lacks composure with his disposals.

C'mon Craigy don't blame the youngsters.

Onto the positives:

Wright showed he has a future. Our best small forward (not counting Porps) since Bode...he may even surpass him. Must stay in the side. Fights hard in the contest, wins clearances but also finishes well when in possession.

Jacobs...can we please stop the Maric comparisons now. It's embarrassing. If Jacobs gets suspended and Moran's not back, then Sellar should come in before Maric.

McKernan still not getting much of it, and butchers a lot that he does get, but he has raw potential that must be perserved with. Would not want to be tackled by him that's for sure...crunch!

Smith...skinny body, hardened mind, full of heart, a true footballer. One more pre-season and he would be in our top 4 midfielders.

Thompson...95% efficiency. Given a similar scenario to the Doughty one mentioned earlier, Thompson actually sprinted away, took a bounce, and hit a player on the chest with a 50m kick Tall, strong, fast, reliable defensively but with a will to attack...we have found a keeper here.

Jaensch...finally we have put a player on the HBF who can dispose beautifully by foot and actually create the counter-attack without turning the ball over. During the week i wanted Vince for the role, but Jaensch also fits the bill. Credit to the pre-game planning of the coaches for this one.

Davis...spewing he got injured again. Riewoldt didn't look like getting a sniff. Pretty rare to feel confident in such an inexperienced player against a proven champion but i knew Davis could cover him. Opens the door for Young or Sellar in the coming weeks but we will miss Davis. The Davis, Rutten, Thompson combo was potentially our best since Bock, Rutten, Bassett.

Improved games also from Douglas, Symes, Knights; Rutten and Thompson sustained excellence; Henderson showed more intensity...I'd give him another but also wouldn't be upset if Gunston got 5 or so games experience this year.

I agree it is the kids that take the game on. Which is why I believe we wont be a Premiership threat untill Patty is about 24 and these guys mentioned above are nearing 50 games. With Rutten Stiffy Porps and Thommo in their final season or two. Much like Collingwood now. So circa 2013-14.

The next two years are all about getting games and experience into the guys who have made their debut in the last three years.

It is great to see the spark come from this group and not waiting for the older guys to instigate it.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Off topic a bit, but looking at the stats and noticed walker had no tackles for the game, so looked at his season stats so far he's had a grand total of 2

Oh FFS...who gives a ****. Who cares if he has only has 2 tackles, he is a key forward FFS.

This gives me the shit, over analysing his defensive pressure. Seriously, stop talking shit.

 

[cmndstab]

That long bomb goal from outside 50 in the last quarter was RiDougulas.

Hahahahaha

Crows have Luke Thompson listed as 196cm...surely he is not that tall! He's a gun though!

Doesn't sound right to me, no. He was 192cm when we took him. It seems we decided to add a few cm to every single Crows player in their bio this year.

33K though on a Saturday night is very disapointing considering this the 'favoured' time slot of AFC supporters.............was it live into Adelaide or on delay?

It was on delay on FTA TV, but only half an hour delay. I think the bigger issue was that it rained throughout the day and was set to rain in the evening as well. As it turned out, it missed the stadium, but by the time that was known many people had probably already decided to stay at home.



Anyway, I don't have a lot of time so I'll just make a couple of quick points.

Firstly, how nice was it to have Jacobs come in and spoil the hell out of the ball every time it went near the boundary line? Every time St. Kilda tried to move it down the wing, bang, Jacobs would come in and knock it out, causing a stoppage where, what do you know, we have an actual ruckman able to contest for the ball! I don't know where you can find how many spoils he had, but I see the AFL stats credit him with nine 1%ers, I wonder how many of those are spoils? His ruckwork was great, but for me this was the highlight of his game. You could even see after a while the St. Kilda players wouldn't even make a serious go for the ball because they knew 100kg of Jacobs was about to come crashing straight through anyone in the path of the ball

Also, I have to mention the umpiring. Unlike a few here I'm not convinced it favoured the Saints to dramatically, and it was fairly consistent, but it was terrible nonetheless. As a group they seemed obsessed with the whistle last night, and absolutely anything that could remotely be justified, and even a number that couldn't, immediately drew a free. The "push, two actions" on Knights towards the end of the game was criminal. Some of the "in the back" calls were absolute rubbish, and some of the "head high" calls were so bad they defied belief. Probably half of the free kicks simply didn't need to be called.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

They just showed these reports, or potential reports, on Channel 9.

Johncock actually fumbled the ball in the Riewoldt one. Riewoldt got the first touch and then it spilled down towards Johncock who didn't take it cleanly. He did nothing, and I still reckon there was an element of head clash there.

I didn't realise the first time I saw it but Schneider actually head butted Tambling first. Tambo's response was pretty unequivocal and hard to argue innocence, but I'll be interested to see if what Schneider did will be looked at.

 

[Glenno23]

Off topic a bit, but looking at the stats and noticed walker had no tackles for the game, so looked at his season stats so far he's had a grand total of 2

Walker: 13 goals

That is all

 

[OldCrowBloke]

Team Goal of the Year:
Final quarter
Danger forces the ball forward from centre bounce, Wright chimes in and forces it further to Knights for snapped goal. Sheer grunt and will from players involved.

 

[Dangercles]

Oh FFS...who gives a ****. Who cares if he has only has 2 tackles, he is a key forward FFS.

This gives me the shit, over analysing his defensive pressure. Seriously, stop talking shit.

Relax mate,

Just was shocked he only had 2 tackles, thought he would have had a bit more.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Relax mate,

Just was shocked he only had 2 tackles, thought he would have had a bit more.

13 goals and being a key forward....the thought shouldn't be an issue. So no shock value in it at all as that isn't a worry.

 

[Slippery Pete]

Missing my first home game in 3 years - relatives came to stay . How inconsiderate is that .
​

Disgraceful. Don't people believe in hotels anymore?

 

[taylor_walker_13]

IMO it was actually more the senior players especially Johncock, Doughty etc that reverted us to that backward, sideways, tentative style where we cough up the ball....

Agree and that isnt a good sign from the senior group of players if they are in two minds about what to do, they need to lead and guide and keep our run and play on at all cost game going, they drop their heads sure as doesnt do any favours for the young players.

The amount of people asking me about Luke Thompson this morning is unbeliaveable, great kid and is being noticed by everyone

 

[Crow_Magnon]

Good call Jenny.

It's not the young kids that aren't 'hardened' to play positive, aggressive football even when under the pump.

I had a good view of our defence in the 3rd term (sitting down that end) and IF we were to lose the game, i was gonna come on here and absolutely blast Michael Doughty for changing the momentum...

Saints building, and at the first sign of pressure with an open fat side and corridor, and an opposition certainly not yet within arms reach, Doughty reverted to his usual freeze and went to his default backwards handball (to Rutten i think) in a far worse position trapped near the boundary. Saints subsequently kept the ball in, and the pressure built.

Might seem petty to isolate one incident but it really summed up the lack of 'mental hardness'. van Berlo is another one who lacks composure with his disposals.

C'mon Craigy don't blame the youngsters.

Onto the positives:

Wright showed he has a future. Our best small forward (not counting Porps) since Bode...he may even surpass him. Must stay in the side. Fights hard in the contest, wins clearances but also finishes well when in possession.

Jacobs...can we please stop the Maric comparisons now. It's embarrassing. If Jacobs gets suspended and Moran's not back, then Sellar should come in before Maric.

McKernan still not getting much of it, and butchers a lot that he does get, but he has raw potential that must be perserved with. Would not want to be tackled by him that's for sure...crunch!

Smith...skinny body, hardened mind, full of heart, a true footballer. One more pre-season and he would be in our top 4 midfielders.

Thompson...95% efficiency. Given a similar scenario to the Doughty one mentioned earlier, Thompson actually sprinted away, took a bounce, and hit a player on the chest with a 50m kick Tall, strong, fast, reliable defensively but with a will to attack...we have found a keeper here.

Jaensch...finally we have put a player on the HBF who can dispose beautifully by foot and actually create the counter-attack without turning the ball over. During the week i wanted Vince for the role, but Jaensch also fits the bill. Credit to the pre-game planning of the coaches for this one.

Davis...spewing he got injured again. Riewoldt didn't look like getting a sniff. Pretty rare to feel confident in such an inexperienced player against a proven champion but i knew Davis could cover him. Opens the door for Young or Sellar in the coming weeks but we will miss Davis. The Davis, Rutten, Thompson combo was potentially our best since Bock, Rutten, Bassett.

Improved games also from Douglas, Symes, Knights; Rutten and Thompson sustained excellence; Henderson showed more intensity...I'd give him another but also wouldn't be upset if Gunston got 5 or so games experience this year.

This! Spot on assessment - the only downer for me was Brodie Martin who fumbled a bit and dropped a couple of sitters. He was excellent when he came on against Carlton the previous week, so hope he can lift a notch next week. First time I've seen Wright...he was damn good and could be our answer up forward as a crumber / tackler. Looks to be hard at it too!

 

[Tomas]

Good call Jenny.

It's not the young kids that aren't 'hardened' to play positive, aggressive football even when under the pump.

I had a good view of our defence in the 3rd term (sitting down that end) and IF we were to lose the game, i was gonna come on here and absolutely blast Michael Doughty for changing the momentum...

Saints building, and at the first sign of pressure with an open fat side and corridor, and an opposition certainly not yet within arms reach, Doughty reverted to his usual freeze and went to his default backwards handball (to Rutten i think) in a far worse position trapped near the boundary. Saints subsequently kept the ball in, and the pressure built.

Might seem petty to isolate one incident but it really summed up the lack of 'mental hardness'. van Berlo is another one who lacks composure with his disposals.

C'mon Craigy don't blame the youngsters.

Onto the positives:

Wright showed he has a future. Our best small forward (not counting Porps) since Bode...he may even surpass him. Must stay in the side. Fights hard in the contest, wins clearances but also finishes well when in possession.

Jacobs...can we please stop the Maric comparisons now. It's embarrassing. If Jacobs gets suspended and Moran's not back, then Sellar should come in before Maric.

McKernan still not getting much of it, and butchers a lot that he does get, but he has raw potential that must be perserved with. Would not want to be tackled by him that's for sure...crunch!

Smith...skinny body, hardened mind, full of heart, a true footballer. One more pre-season and he would be in our top 4 midfielders.

Thompson...95% efficiency. Given a similar scenario to the Doughty one mentioned earlier, Thompson actually sprinted away, took a bounce, and hit a player on the chest with a 50m kick Tall, strong, fast, reliable defensively but with a will to attack...we have found a keeper here.

Jaensch...finally we have put a player on the HBF who can dispose beautifully by foot and actually create the counter-attack without turning the ball over. During the week i wanted Vince for the role, but Jaensch also fits the bill. Credit to the pre-game planning of the coaches for this one.

Davis...spewing he got injured again. Riewoldt didn't look like getting a sniff. Pretty rare to feel confident in such an inexperienced player against a proven champion but i knew Davis could cover him. Opens the door for Young or Sellar in the coming weeks but we will miss Davis. The Davis, Rutten, Thompson combo was potentially our best since Bock, Rutten, Bassett.

Improved games also from Douglas, Symes, Knights; Rutten and Thompson sustained excellence; Henderson showed more intensity...I'd give him another but also wouldn't be upset if Gunston got 5 or so games experience this year.

I thought Jaensh was OK of Half Back creating run but I still dont think his defensive side is good. he is abit soft . Would prefer to have Martin of Half Back as last nigh he and Jaensch swapped and Martin spent some time forward and I think we need jaensh's long goal kicking ability in our forward line. i would put Petrenko in for Tambling and would give Sellar a go at Centre Half Back,. We shouldnt judge sellar on form at the Bays cause they absoluteley screw him arounf by not letting him get settled in one position.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

I thought Jaensh was OK of Half Back creating run but I still dont think his defensive side is good. he is abit soft . Would prefer to have Martin of Half Back as last nigh he and Jaensch swapped and Martin spent some time forward and I think we need jaensh's long goal kicking ability in our forward line. i would put Petrenko in for Tambling and would give Sellar a go at Centre Half Back,. We shouldnt judge sellar on form at the Bays cause they absoluteley screw him arounf by not letting him get settled in one position.

Because the SANFL clubs don't care about the development of our players. I don't understand how some people can not see this. This is why we need our own reserves side but that's another thread and issue.

 

[PCORF]

I was expecting us to win all week. It was an ugly but somewhat entertaining game. We looked gone when they closed to within 3 but we showed great fighting spirit and pulled away. Good to see our guys get really physical and there were some nice hits.

I couldn't believe it when Tippett kicked that impossible goal at the southern end of the ground, facing almost backwards, left foot outside the boundry line as he launched it with his right foot. The crowd looked unsure if he got it at first. It was an almost 90 degree angle on that goal.

The umpiring was way too touchy and many soft calls. Sorry umpires, it didn't work out for you in the end!!

 

[PCORF]

33,000 people for a Saturday night game. Disappointing.

But who wants to see St Kilda anyway .... a boring team to watch.

 

[taylor_walker_13]

But who wants to see St Kilda anyway .... a boring team to watch.

Its not about who the opposition is, its supporting your own club...............33K Saturday night is a terrible crowd, three years ago that would be a 40K crowd without any trouble.

Puts club under financial pressure also.

 

[PyroCrow]

[FONT=&quot]McKernan, Smith and (L)Thompson look to be future stars. I might be wrong but doesn't McKernan come off contract this year with Tex. It might sound pessimistic but if he continues to play like this he may become a more attractive target for GWS. Just a thought. Very impressed by the effort to dig deep and hustle for the sherrin. A high work rate like this will result in more wins and a finals run. [/FONT]