What we learnt from Round 7 demolition of Carlton!

[Highlander35]

I learnt 3 major things last night.

1. Watters is a good coach. The tactical decisions made, which I thought were risky, payed off well. Specifically, I thought that Blake should have gone to Resting ruck, and Simpkin to Waite, and I thought that we should have tagged Judd instead of Murphy.

2. When our players want to win, and have a decent rub of the green, we can be an awesome, exciting side.

3. We have the depth. In years previous, we relied on the same 25 or so players constantly, unless there was no other alternative.

Outside of the 22 last night we have:

Injured: Fisher, McEvoy, Schneider

Returning from injury: Gwilt, Clarke

Playing VFL: Peake, Polo, Cripps, Ledger

That's 31 players who have a legitimate claim to a place in our match day side.

In previous years, only the best teams like Geelong and Collingwood have had squads of this depth.

 

[hoopla]

Super impressed with the saints last night. They're a real chance if they can keep up that intensity all year.

Loved Hayes's game - what a champ. So many good players last night.

Hope my team was watching last night. Think they need to remember what sort of intensity is required to beat the better teams.

 

[pebblesofsand]

1 Watching a ruckman sprint past a small forward who is on the burst and then burn off defenders is pretty exciting.

2 Watching a ruckman gather up a ground level ball then snap a goal is pretty exciting.

3 Watching Lenny is exciting

4 Watching Ahmed Saad is exciting

5 Watching St Kilda is exciting

6 Watching Freo is boring

 

[IllBeTheJudge]

1. The more responsibility Blake is given, the better he seems to play
2. Jones still plays the shutdown role superbly, and going the other way does ok when he plays to his limitations
3. Our off-season recruiting is proving to be very astute
4. We are no longer predictable, and when the boys play tough contested footy, we look very good indeed
5. Goddard ... there's been better acting in Underworld 3 (line ball ... Underworld 3 is one ****ing horrible movie)
6. If we don't have one, we need a kicking coach. Surprised at Gram's DE, thought he had a few howlers. Gilbert's disposal at time sis simply not AFL standard. Coming out of half back, I feel it needs to be better
7. Hayes has the best foot candy in the game. Loved when he sold it to Robinson, and then helped him on his way to the turf

 

[Sunshine Saint]

1. Game was so good, that I watched it again straight away. And yes it was even better the second time.

2. Watters and Laidley outcoached Ratten and crew. They had no answer to the Saints plan for last night.

3. The match up's last night were sensational. Both from Watters, Jones, Dempster, Blake, Ray and also Ratten with under performers that he left on without changes e.g. Milne, Lenny, Millera, Saad

4. Lenny Hayes - the intensity and desire for the ball, lifts all Saints players. An inspiration for all. Carlton mid field should be made to watch hours of Lenny highlight reels to get an appreciation of what it takes to be classed as hard at the ball.

5. Loved Ratten's post game comment, "they hunted us today"

6. Thanks to Carlton players for pre-game niggling etc to get the Saints players intensity and desire up to the right level.

7. Carlton showed that they are soft jumper punchers and don't have the same hardness and intensity at the ball

8. Our SPEED Millera, Saad, Steven and Stanley How great was it to see them back themselves and take on the Carlton players.

9. Blake, Simpkin, Dempster and the rest of the back line An outstanding job

10. Saints forward pressure was sensational. We rushed Carlton into poor decision making and bad disposals by hand and foot

11. Ray - I thought you were past it. I was wrong. So good to have you back and showing why you do deserve to be in the best 22

12. That someone needs to advise the umpires that Jones has no right foot, and his left foot kick sideways out of the centre is not deliberate, but his unique kicking style

13. That the Carlton supporters are worse that Richmond's If you want an example of eating your young and wanting everyone shot and starting again, go to the forum for the rant post. The wheels are wobbling

 

[IanW]

The flag race is wide open this year. Just saying.

 

[stkildathunda]

I forgot to say.... I just love it when Milney kicks a bag against crap opposition

 

[Studbuddy]

1. Simpkin is an animal. Love his contest at the ball.
2. I have to admit I went off at Farren in the Port game. Happy to see him play a ripping game after good performances in the VFL.
3. The back-line stood up well last night. Geary, Blake and Demspter the unsung heroes. Kept Garlett and Waite fairly quiet.
4. We have depth! Schneider, Fisher, McEvoy, Polo, Peake, Clarke and the younger guys all fighting for that spot in the team.
5. Last year was frustrating to watch at times because our forward-line was shocking. We weren't scoring enough and teams were finding it too easy to rebound from it. I liked last night's forward-line stick to Rooey, Kozi and Wilkes as the talls and let the little guys do what they do. It's a pleasure to watch.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

That was our best win in 2 years in my opinion. Such exciting football. As a Saints fan, if that game didn't please you, nothing will. Jump on with a membership. Good times are a coming.

Credit to Fazza. Took a paycut and was made to work for his spot in the VFL. Got his opportunity and snaffled it with both hands. Magnificent performance.

Jason Blake is simply a warrior. I just love him. Gives everything he has. Love to see him play so well.

The first goal of the final quarter was the quickest I have seen a Saints player move since Aussie Jones and we had two of them in the same passage. Ahmed and Rhys. Just fantastic.

The best part about last night was that the belief in the boys grew as the game went on. Potential season pivot point?

 

[Murraj1966]

1: Removing Ro$$ Lyin was the best thing to happen to us in a long time, Scotty Watters' plan is coming to fruition.

2: Tommy, God, Damned, Simpkin. Maxy MKII.

3: Jack Steven went to Armitage2Riewoldt's, Okeydoke7's and my school St Bedes pride!

4: Milney has taught Saady and Terry the ways of being a pesky small forward, I hope they were taking notes last night between kicking goals.

5: Rhys Stanley needs to ruck more and go on those loping sprints. All he needs to work on at training is picking up ground level balls and running bounces.

6: Lenny Hayes. Nuff said.

7: I forgot football could get your blood racing with pure excitement.

8: Lenny Hayes.

 

[jake17]

Fantastic win guys...
Just a question a bit off topic, What did you think about Monday night football?

 

[IllBeTheJudge]

The best part about last night was that the belief in the boys grew as the game went on. Potential season pivot point?

Sorry to paraphrase, but let's hope so L2M4G

No doubt Carlton fans will point to a poor game from them, but I think mostly it was due to the way our lot played on them

The intensity at the contest was there all night, but along with it were clean skills

Certainly puts a spring in all fans steps and makes going to Perth this weekend perhaps not such a daunting task as it could have been. With their outs, we're in with a real chance if we play like last night

 

[sammm]

1. I thought Jason blake was 'past it', i was wrong
2. We all love Lenny
3. its great having quick small fowards in the team besides Milne
4. beginning to find joy in the younger players - Simpkin, Milera, Saad, Stanley
& Siposs
5. nice to finally have some depth
6. nice to kick a big score and see exciting footy rather then a grinding win

 

[Sunshine Saint]

I forgot to say.... I just love it when Milney kicks a bag against crap opposition

 

[Plugger35]

1. Watters showed he can coach, got his match ups right by getting Jones to shut down Murphy and Ray to shut down Simpson while letting Hayes and Judd go head to head, we won all those battles and then had Montagna, Steven, Dal Santo and Armitage all stepping up as well. He also has us playing exciting footy, great to see us moving the ball quick to give our forwards a chance, so much better than that slow negative chip it backwards and sideways shit we played under Lyon.

2. Ray is definitely in our best 22, was one of our best last night. He can shut down a player as well as hurt them the other way which is invaluable.

3. Saad and Milera are the recruits of the year, have given us the pace and X-factor we need. Well done to Pelchen.

4. Blake showed he still has plenty to offer and is still in our best 22. Like Watters said he is a warrior with a heart as big as his chest and he led the way in defence in the absence of Fisher. Simpkin, Dempster and Geary were great too. Gilbert worked hard but his kicking is still a worry.

5. Rhys Stanley will be a superstar, just gets better with each game and has freakish pace and skills for a guy his size. Every bit as exciting as Naitanui but with less hype.

6. We showed last night we are as good as any team in the competition when we bring the right intensity, take our chances in front of goal and get some decent umpiring. This season is as wide open as any I can remember, if we can keep playing like we did last night we could be a real contender.

 

[L_W_P]

Personally I like Monday Night Football as a once or twice a year thing but I'm not sure it will ever be a weekly fixture.

I used to believe it was a natural progression to follow the Yanks and make a massive deal out of it but going to the game last night you could feel alot of people were flat. We were lucky it was such an intense game. If it was St. Kilda vs Freo it would've been a disaster.

On topic -

1. Saad and Milera were a steal. I've wanted Saad for a while but Milera is just gravy. To think we got these 2 plus Seb Ross for the pick the got Freo Hayden Crozier. Think we might be slightly ahead on this deal.....

2. Our hard run had become alot easier. The Eagles have no forward line and are ripe for the picking, while the Swans will be without Goodes and possibly Mumford. The next 2 weeks gives us a chance to 'steal' a few games a put ourselves in the hunt.

3. Lenny Hayes could've played SoO for NSW. His toughness, lateral movement, fend offs etc are amazing to watch.

4. We finally have some depth. Guys like Gilbert, Siposs etc aren't going to be gifted games. Others have mentioned the regualr names but I'll throw in Ross and Markworth as 2 more who will play 2-3 games at some point this season. Exciting times!

5. Saints fans are very quick to get ahead of ourselves. No McEvoy, Fisher, Gwilt or Schneider makes this a great win but the Blues were missing Warnock, Carrazzo and Laidler. Obviously not at the same level but let's not go thinking we're "back" just yet. They also had more scoring shots than us.

Let's keep a lid on it people. Hey look how good the Bombers are going. They must be flag favorites now yeah?

 

[saintsrfreak]

Personally I like Monday Night Football as a once or twice a year thing but I'm not sure it will ever be a weekly fixture.

I used to believe it was a natural progression to follow the Yanks and make a massive deal out of it but going to the game last night you could feel alot of people were flat. We were lucky it was such an intense game. If it was St. Kilda vs Freo it would've been a disaster.

On topic -

1. Saad and Milera were a steal. I've wanted Saad for a while but Milera is just gravy. To think we got these 2 plus Seb Ross for the pick the got Freo Hayden Crozier. Think we might be slightly ahead on this deal.....

2. Our hard run had become alot easier. The Eagles have no forward line and are ripe for the picking, while the Swans will be without Goodes and possibly Mumford. The next 2 weeks gives us a chance to 'steal' a few games a put ourselves in the hunt.

3. Lenny Hayes could've played SoO for NSW. His toughness, lateral movement, fend offs etc are amazing to watch.

4. We finally have some depth. Guys like Gilbert, Siposs etc aren't going to be gifted games. Others have mentioned the regualr names but I'll throw in Ross and Markworth as 2 more who will play 2-3 games at some point this season. Exciting times!

5. Saints fans are very quick to get ahead of ourselves. No McEvoy, Fisher, Gwilt or Schneider makes this a great win but the Blues were missing Warnock, Carrazzo and Laidler. Obviously not at the same level but let's not go thinking we're "back" just yet. They also had more scoring shots than us.

Let's keep a lid on it people. Hey look how good the Bombers are going. They must be flag favorites now yeah?

Kennedy, Lynch, Hill and Darling is no forward line?

 

[Squizz]

Kennedy, Lynch, Hill and Darling is no forward line?

Kennedy is a long-term injury (after already losing LeCras for the year)?

 

[saintsrfreak]

Kennedy is a long-term injury (after already losing LeCras for the year)?

To be honest I haven't been paying much attention to West Coast, but Hill and Darling are dangerous, Lynch can be handled pretty easily though I'd think

 

[L_W_P]

Kennedy, Lynch, Hill and Darling is no forward line?

As stated Kennedy is gone, as are LeCras, Embley and Nicoski.

Blake to Lynch
Simpkin on Darling
Dempster on Hill

I think that we can hold them to a pretty low score and counter punch for a win.

 

[IllBeTheJudge]

To be honest I haven't been paying much attention to West Coast, but Hill and Darling are dangerous, Lynch can be handled pretty easily though I'd think

Cox will wander down there too
Their forward line is dangerous enough

 

[Squizz]

Whilst I like Sippa as a player of the future, gotta say I'm still scratching my head with his selection. I appreciate comments from posters that we shouldn't bring him in for just one game, but he just lacks the pace/intensity at this stage. All well and good to be a lovely kick of the ball, but you've got to get it in space first.

I still firmly believe he is not a running player, but a tall marking forward once he gets the necessary bulk and strength.

He's not even 20yo yet, and it just seems that he can develop just as well in the VFL - particularly with Wilkes in the AFL.

I thought making him a sub might work, as the pace would be off the game when he came on. Unfortunately for him it was still frenetic and he just seemed relatively slow.

The return of Fisher (and Gwilt and possibly Clarke) will put more pressure on, but there are guys like Newnes, Cripps and Ledger (Polo and Peake too) who are not getting games.

Couldn't help wonder whether Dunell is showing a little more desparation in that mobile marking goalkicker role.

 

[Squizz]

Cox will wander down there too

That was a danger in the NAB Cup - we didn't seem able to match up on him. His reach was too much for Tommy S (and his judgement too good for Wilkes). Can't remember whether Blake spent any time on him though.

 

[Squizz]

I also learned that the opening ceremony could get very ugly. And that whilst ego is "not a dirty word", there is no place for arrogance and contempt for your opposition.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/olympics-2012/mankini-bet-traps-olympic-shooter-20120515-1ynvw.html

Olympian Russell Mark is a straight shooter, and soon-to-be mankini model.

The gold-medal winning athlete, who is likely to represent Australia in shooting at the London Olympics, owned up this morning to an embarrassing bet he made on the outcome of last night's St Kilda versus Carlton showdown at Etihad Stadium.

The 48-year-old was so confident of Carlton's superiority on the footy field that he pledged before the match that he'd parade the lime green one-piece bathing suit for men, made famous by Sacha Baron Cohen's alter ego Borat, to the London Olympics opening ceremony if the Saints somehow romped home.

 

[IllBeTheJudge]

Whilst I like Sippa as a player of the future, gotta say I'm still scratching my head with his selection. I appreciate comments from posters that we shouldn't bring him in for just one game, but he just lacks the pace/intensity at this stage. All well and good to be a lovely kick of the ball, but you've got to get it in space first.

I still firmly believe he is not a running player, but a tall marking forward once he gets the necessary bulk and strength.

He's not even 20yo yet, and it just seems that he can develop just as well in the VFL - particularly with Wilkes in the AFL.

I thought making him a sub might work, as the pace would be off the game when he came on. Unfortunately for him it was still frenetic and he just seemed relatively slow.

The return of Fisher (and Gwilt and possibly Clarke) will put more pressure on, but there are guys like Newnes, Cripps and Ledger (Polo and Peake too) who are not getting games.

Couldn't help wonder whether Dunell is showing a little more desparation in that mobile marking goalkicker role.

Probably even more intense, he came on about half way through the third? Just as Carlton started their comeback and were really banging in and the whole game lifted a notch

Agree it seemed to take a little while for him to gauge the speed of the game, but seemed to go a little better in the last