Preview 2nd Elimination Final, 2023: St.Kilda v GWS - MCG, Saturday 9th September, 3:20PM AEST *WEBSTER 150TH* *BATTLE 100TH*

[The Punter]

It is 14-2 with our prelim final wins against the bulldogs in 09 and 10

So it is

 

[Yabadoo22]

Don’t rule out Ross bringing Howard back in, sending cordy forward as a big body to negate himmleberg and Sharman going out. As much as I am unsure about it, it does give us much better flexibility. If Howard is having a stinker, send cordy back and sub Howard off for a small. Playing Sharman also means Owens probably has to pinch hit in the ruck because Sharman isn’t up to it, whereas if cordy plays forward he is more then capable at going into the middle for 5 minutes a quarter to give Roma a chop out. Cordy also showed early in the year when he played a role forward that he was handy at hitting the scoreboard, or at worst dragging his opponent away from the ball and giving kingy and skunk full access.

B:Webster, Howard, battle
Hb:Sinclair, Wilkie, NWM
C:wood, crouch, windhager
Hf:hill, membrey, gresham
F:higgins, king, phillipou
Foll:Marshall, Steele, owens
Int:Stocker, Ross, butler, cordy
Sub: Byrnes

 

[George]

Ross - “Yeah, I’m very loyal to the people who have done the job right so”

Says all you need to know. Cordy is ahead and should play. Ross sees the game like we do, last year we were shocked at the lineups from week to week and this year we all know who should play and they end up playing.

It's Cordy over Howard 100% and will be better for it

 

[Cairnsman]

Don’t rule out Ross bringing Howard back in, sending cordy forward as a big body to negate himmleberg and Sharman going out. As much as I am unsure about it, it does give us much better flexibility. If Howard is having a stinker, send cordy back and sub Howard off for a small. Playing Sharman also means Owens probably has to pinch hit in the ruck because Sharman isn’t up to it, whereas if cordy plays forward he is more then capable at going into the middle for 5 minutes a quarter to give Roma a chop out. Cordy also showed early in the year when he played a role forward that he was handy at hitting the scoreboard, or at worst dragging his opponent away from the ball and giving kingy and skunk full access.

B:Webster, Howard, battle
Hb:Sinclair, Wilkie, NWM
C:wood, crouch, windhager
Hf:hill, membrey, gresham
F:higgins, king, phillipou
Foll:Marshall, Steele, owens
Int:Stocker, Ross, butler, cordy
Sub: Byrnes

You sound like you might know a thing or two about this Aussie rules caper.

 

[MordySaint]

Jeepers lets just keep to talking about football.

This week has been massive.

Most excited I have felt about the Sainters since 2010.

 

[George]

Let's move on

 

[MightySaint]

 

[gringo2011]

Anyone else feeling anxious?

Not really strangely enough. Not because I think we are a certainty, just feel like we have nothing to lose. Might as well go out swinging and go as deep as we can with the pedal flat to the floor.

 

[phantom13]

Don’t rule out Ross bringing Howard back in, sending cordy forward as a big body to negate himmleberg and Sharman going out. As much as I am unsure about it, it does give us much better flexibility. If Howard is having a stinker, send cordy back and sub Howard off for a small. Playing Sharman also means Owens probably has to pinch hit in the ruck because Sharman isn’t up to it, whereas if cordy plays forward he is more then capable at going into the middle for 5 minutes a quarter to give Roma a chop out. Cordy also showed early in the year when he played a role forward that he was handy at hitting the scoreboard, or at worst dragging his opponent away from the ball and giving kingy and skunk full access.

B:Webster, Howard, battle
Hb:Sinclair, Wilkie, NWM
C:wood, crouch, windhager
Hf:hill, membrey, gresham
F:higgins, king, phillipou
Foll:Marshall, Steele, owens
Int:Stocker, Ross, butler, cordy
Sub: Byrnes

I dont love it but i can see the logic here.

 

[phantom13]

Not really strangely enough. Not because I think we are a certainty, just feel like we have nothing to lose. Might as well go out swinging and go as deep as we can with the pedal flat to the floor.

Yeh im on this train. I feel quietly confident we should win but its also a bit whatever. If we lose its really not the end of the world.

Think i felt a bit the same in 2020 (or 19) when we beat the dogs.

 

[pebblesofsand]

Don’t rule out Ross bringing Howard back in, sending cordy forward as a big body to negate himmleberg and Sharman going out. As much as I am unsure about it, it does give us much better flexibility. If Howard is having a stinker, send cordy back and sub Howard off for a small. Playing Sharman also means Owens probably has to pinch hit in the ruck because Sharman isn’t up to it, whereas if cordy plays forward he is more then capable at going into the middle for 5 minutes a quarter to give Roma a chop out. Cordy also showed early in the year when he played a role forward that he was handy at hitting the scoreboard, or at worst dragging his opponent away from the ball and giving kingy and skunk full access.

B:Webster, Howard, battle
Hb:Sinclair, Wilkie, NWM
C:wood, crouch, windhager
Hf:hill, membrey, gresham
F:higgins, king, phillipou
Foll:Marshall, Steele, owens
Int:Stocker, Ross, butler, cordy
Sub: Byrnes

Yep that will be the team.

 

[Mowman]

Anyone else feeling anxious?

Not after watching RTB on 360 last night

Win lose or draw we are going in the right direction finally

We have made finals with Pou - Owens - NAS playing every game and Caminiti- Windy- Sharman playing most of the season. It can only be good for the future

On top of being smashed by injuries the 1st part of the year, that forward line the 1st ten games was a bunch of kids

So much for RTD not being able to develop kids

 

[Cairnsman]

Yep that will be the team.

Yeah I tend to agree. What would have been nice is if we could have had a couple more games with that team just to sharpen the cohesion.

 

[The_Steadier]

Lyon has his eyes painted on if he brings Dougal in this week.

I really don't love dougs, but I can definitely see the merit in having him play back and cordy fwd.
Dougs isn't that much of a liability down back (compared with cordy).

Team balance overall is improved, also gives us extra coverage if we cop an injury during the game.
Ie cordy can switch to def due to an injury if needed etc.

Sharman is handy and I prefer him fwd to cordy- but again- the difference between cordy and sharman fwd isn't massive.

 

[Tommy Wigs]

Higgins will be interesting. I don’t think he won a flag in his Richmond time? In fact, might be a while since he played a final itself - 2018 perhaps?

 

[MordySaint]

Not after watching RTB on 360 last night

Win lose or draw we going in the right direction finally

We have made finals with Pou - Owens - NAS playing every game and Caminiti- Windy- Sharman playing most of the season. It can only be good for the future

On top of being smashed by injuries the 1st part of the year, that forward line the 1st ten games was a bunch of kids

So much for RTD not being able to develop kids

Remember the hoo-haa about how RTB destroyed our list and also Fremantles. That he couldn't develop talent and rode on the coat-tails of others.

What a load of rubbish that was.

 

[George]

I really don't love dougs, but I can definitely see the merit in having him play back and cordy fwd.
Dougs isn't that much of a liability down back (compared with cordy).

Team balance overall is improved, also gives us extra coverage if we cop an injury during the game.
Ie cordy can switch to def due to an injury if needed etc.

Sharman is handy and I prefer him fwd to cordy- but again- the difference between cordy and sharman fwd isn't massive.

Nah no way, Cordy by a mile for mine. Howard in swings the chances back in GWS favour

 

[MordySaint]

RTB - "Players are going to hit the line fresh, its going to be explosive"

 

[George]

Not after watching RTB on 360 last night

Win lose or draw we going in the right direction finally

We have made finals with Pou - Owens - NAS playing every game and Caminiti- Windy- Sharman playing most of the season. It can only be good for the future

On top of being smashed by injuries the 1st part of the year, that forward line the 1st ten games was a bunch of kids

So much for RTD not being able to develop kids

Also unearthed Milo, dispatched the professional "good bloke trust me" arguer, tore the Bombers to shreds in game 150 (on and off the field), and delved a little deeper into understanding the psyche of the resident lunatic DBG.

It's been a year of exploration for sure

 

[Mowman]

Nah no way, Cordy by a mile for mine. Howard in swings the chances back in GWS favour

Yeah I agree

I mentioned after the Richmond game that l sat level 2 behind the goals and how well the backline worked with Cordy and Wilkie & Battle got over to him a few times and high fived him. They seemed real comfortable with him there

Probably enjoying not getting shouted at and fingers pointed by Howard when it’s Howard’s f—k up, he is worth 2 goals to opposition from turnovers every game he plays

 

[George]

Yeah I agree

I mentioned after the Richmond game that l sat level 2 behind the goals and how well the backline worked with Cordy and Wilkie & Battle got over to him a few times and high fived him. They seemed real comfortable with him there

Probably enjoying not getting shouted at and fingers pointed by Howard when it’s Howard’s f—k up, he is worth to 2 goals to opposition from turnovers every game he plays

Yep 2 minimum. I've seen enough of his bullshit this year it's time to move him on. Not even kidding I reckon we lose if he plays. He's that much of a liability it's not funny. Anxiety every time he has the ball and like you said gives away cheap goals all the time.

Cordy is playing well and the back six seem settled, playing much better since Howard went out. Why mess with it

 

[malevu]

Nah no way, Cordy by a mile for mine. Howard in swings the chances back in GWS favour

If Howard hadn't got injured do you think he'd still be in the team or was RTB ready to give him the chop? Genuine question. I'm not really sure myself.

 

[Mowman]

I can’t help but think this is because of my refusal to get naked for you. NO Means No.

Good one Champ

 

[Cairnsman]

Good one Champ

Finally, you bring out the “champ”, I thought you’d never let up.

I love you Mowman, one day I hope you return my love.

 

[Nutsngum]

He kept Hawkins to two goals and 6 touches...

Yes that's right Howard is completely useless. Makes our side worse. Can't defend. Turns it over in defence way too often. Struggles to hit a target under pressure. Does too much with the footy. Doesn't know his limitations. Puts other players under pressure. Concedes cheap goals. Gets beaten easily. Gets beaten often. Slow.

100% not what the coaches believe? Lmao, did you hear Ross last night?

I'm not talking up Cordy to bring Howard down either. In fact we'd be better off playing a man down if we couldn't find a replacement for Howard. Genuinely makes me laugh seeing him defended though. The amount of times he's given away stupid free kicks or allowed easy goals is remarkable. And you reckon we're better with him in the side

Yeah, 2.2 and both misses were quite gettable set shots from memory.

Are you even attempting to discuss this or just taking the piss? Even if you think hes genuinely a worse defender then Cordy claiming all that is just plainly not true and massive exaggerations.

I did hear Ross, something tells me you werent actually listening to what he said though as he gave basically nothing of what his actual decision is. Talking about body of work can apply for both players.

Surely you arent genuinly saying or thinking we would be better playing a man down?