Preview 2nd Semi Final, 2020: Richmond v St.Kilda - Metricon Stadium, Friday 9th October, 7:50PM AEDT

[Veer Right]

All jokes aside, there is no way in hell Abbott plays.

When he played against the Hawks he was a million miles of the level and was murdered and non competitive in the ruck.
It was a shocking performance, he let them just walk it out of the centre.

If he doesn't come in this week then he is dead weight and should be delisted at years end which means we will have to be on the lookout for another ruck. Alabakis is also dead weight and Bell is years away and that's if he even makes it and he probably won't.

Why did we even draft him?

 

[gringo2011]

Anyone checked the tigers board? Guess we shouldn’t even turn up

No-one gives us a chance, yesterday on SEN they had to keep pretending to pull themselves up when talking about the Tigers progressing to "dream" finals scenarios. Most people see us as a speed bump that the Tigers just have to move past. I hope we go out and give it everything. Ratts is a smart coach and we are a disciplined and committed unit with an eye on earning respect.

**** the Tigers, the AFL and commentators, bring it home Saints.

 

[gringo2011]

Robbo has been emergency a lot in recent weeks. Seems like the next defender in line.

Savage more like for like though and also an emergency for a lot of weeks.

 

[Joffaboy]

No-one gives us a chance, yesterday on SEN they had to keep pretending to pull themselves up when talking about the Tigers progressing to "dream" finals scenarios. Most people see us as a speed bump that the Tigers just have to move past. I hope we go out and give it everything. Ratts is a smart coach and we are a disciplined and committed unit with an eye on earning respect.

fu** the Tigers, the AFL and commentators, bring it home Saints.

Do what Collingwood did in the West. Us v the world. Nobody gives us a chance, all Richmond has to do is turn up. They can rest half a dozen players, probably not even preparing, on the piss, and booking their flights to Adelaide.

Yup, we are shit, and worthless, we might as well fold.

 

[JG22]

If he doesn't come in this week then he is dead weight and should be delisted at years end which means we will have to be on the lookout for another ruck. Alabakis is also dead weight and Bell is years away and that's if he even makes it and he probably won't.

Why did we even draft him?

Yes he’s done.

You must look at his ability not just his position, he’s miles of the level. We will move the magnets around if we need too, no way we select Abbott in a final.

We got him as a back up ruck option but with Marshall still fit there’s no room for him

 

[gringo2011]

Well that's a far better option

Yeah Balta is as athletic as you'll find in a big guy apart from maybe Blicavs. There were some people saying he could be the best player in his draft and others saying he was an athlete not a footballer. The one thing you wouldn't do is put a smaller slower guy on him.

 

[PoppedCorn]

26 bucks we are paying to go all the way

Little harsh

 

[gringo2011]

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of Marsh into the side. His best game of the year was against Richmond as a defensive/marking hybrid forward. 11 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal, 1 contested mark, 2 marks inside 50, 1 goal assist. And Vlastuin had his worst game of the year that day.

So here's my suggestion for the three changes (a further refinement of earlier thoughts based on Long staying suspended):

Marsh in for Ryder, into forward rotation with Marshall into the ruck

Battle for Carlisle, like for like, Battle into defensive rotation. If Battle doesn't come up then I think you play Roberton.

Hind in for Long, Geary to back line.

Forwards: King, Membrey, Marsh, Lonie, Butler, Kent, Hind
Midfielders: Steele, Ross, Hannebery, Jones, Sinclair, Billings, Hill with Marshall
Defenders: Howard, Wilkie, Battle, Coffield, Paton, Geary, Clark

Marsh is a really upbeat player too. He's got some crazy amounts of enthusiasm and looks like the kind of guy that needs to get a bit more self belief to hit his peak. Having already gone well against Richmond you'd think he'd be a bit more confident. I reckon young guys would walk taller behind the the Techno Viking too.

 

[gringo2011]

Yes he’s done.

You must look at his ability not just his position, he’s miles of the level. We will move the magnets around if we need too, no way we select Abbott in a final.

We got him as a back up ruck option but with Marshall still fit there’s no room for him

Abbott didn't exactly play like Nic Nat but he's a capable back up ruck. I think that was probably a pretty poor example of his work. I'd seen him play for the Cats and he looked okay to be honest. He's literally the kind you want as a back up, low wage, good enough if you've got no-one better to come in and will help train up the kids in the VFL. He's not Paddy but not many are.

 

[bird_man]

If he doesn't come in this week then he is dead weight and should be delisted at years end which means we will have to be on the lookout for another ruck. Alabakis is also dead weight and Bell is years away and that's if he even makes it and he probably won't.

Why did we even draft him?

Are you asking about Abbott or Bell?

We took Abbott a back up to Marshall and Ryder.

Its a case of "break glass in emergency"

Marshall is still fit

He cost us nothing so there is no issue, but if Marshall were to go down its much better knowing we have him rather than having to play Bell.

If you are asking about Bell, we took him in the rookie draft as a project ruck forward. The chances of any rookie making it are slim but then you also may end up with a Rowan Marshall.

 

[Parkysp]

I'd really like to see Bytel play. He gives us that big bodied mid and his link up play in the games he did play this year was good and will be what we need on Friday night to move the ball quickly through the middle of the ground.
For us to win I think we are going to have to be a little bit crazy brave and his selection would set the tone from the start.

 

[bird_man]

Ratten

"Battle will be pretty close to play"

Roberton right in the mix to replace Carlisle

Mentioned Robbo, Marsh, Savage, Hind and Webster in good form

 

[BrutThough]

Savage more like for like though and also an emergency for a lot of weeks.

Savage is like for like for Long

Roberton would be the one to replace Carlisle.

 

[bennymc7]

I'd be keen to bring in Webster over Savage...

I don't think savages one game months ago gives him any kind of advantage. And you just know Webster will give absolutely everything, I love that ruthless campaigner.

 

[bennymc7]

Savage is like for like for Long

Roberton would be the one to replace Carlisle.

Is he? Long has been playing more defensively minded to my eye

 

[sammm]

Who knew having so many defenders would actually pay off.

And while Ryder is a huge out, having to ruck Rowan Marshall solo is hardly a bad situation to be in.

yep, lots of people on here saying we have too many backmen, now we need them. lucky us. may not be in the best 22 but at least are in the best 30 and thats all we can do.

 

[phantom13]

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of Marsh into the side. His best game of the year was against Richmond as a defensive/marking hybrid forward. 11 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal, 1 contested mark, 2 marks inside 50, 1 goal assist. And Vlastuin had his worst game of the year that day.

So here's my suggestion for the three changes (a further refinement of earlier thoughts based on Long staying suspended):

Marsh in for Ryder, into forward rotation with Marshall into the ruck

Battle for Carlisle, like for like, Battle into defensive rotation. If Battle doesn't come up then I think you play Roberton.

Hind in for Long, Geary to back line.

Forwards: King, Membrey, Marsh, Lonie, Butler, Kent, Hind
Midfielders: Steele, Ross, Hannebery, Jones, Sinclair, Billings, Hill with Marshall
Defenders: Howard, Wilkie, Battle, Coffield, Paton, Geary, Clark

Yeh, warming to this. It’s still reliant on us not sitting the ball on King/Membs head. I probably still personally prefer and extra mid. In reality savage/long and battle/carlisle are sort of no brainers. Who replaces Ryder is the decision, Hind, Marsh, Bytel, Abbott all present different options for different ganeplans. If theres a positive to be had it’s that I actually trust the gameday and coaching staff, even if I do think it’s too many important players missing.

 

[Joffaboy]

FMD Tony Liberatore (not sure if father or son) rang up Whately whinging and complaining about his assessment of the Dogs.

What a dickhead, only lost because of Cordy and kept saying 'what would you say if we had of won'

Well Libba (as I said not sure if it was the dirty gouging one, or the drugged f*cked one) you didn't win, you were lucky with the umpires, won 1 game in 8 against the top 8, haven't been top 4 in 10 years, haven't won a final since 2016 (not a bad one to win BTW), Bruce is a bust, Keath is ordinary, and you get by on your players diving and flopping for frees.

Oh and Ratts revealed that Beveridge didn't give Geary a vote. What piss weak whingers the Bulldogs STILL are

 

[FQFjt]

Ratten mentioned on SEN that Battle is looking like he might get up, but reading between the line, it didn't sound convincing. We'll see soon.

If we're looking for a Long replacement to come off half back and impact the midfield contest with speed and intensity, I would be picking Webster above Savage. The other player who I think can do it (and has done a similar role at times) is Kent, but can't see us going with a structural change like that at least as a Plan A.

 

[The Punter]

Is he? Long has been playing more defensively minded to my eye

Savage played pretty well and tight defensively late last year under Ratten. I just feel Ratten will want to get Hind into the side for his speed.

 

[Joffaboy]

Marsh is a really upbeat player too. He's got some crazy amounts of enthusiasm and looks like the kind of guy that needs to get a bit more self belief to hit his peak. Having already gone well against Richmond you'd think he'd be a bit more confident. I reckon young guys would walk taller behind the the Techno Viking too.

Here is Marsh delivering his ultimatum to Ratts

 

[Ducky Tie]

FMD Tony Liberatore (not sure if father or son) rang up Whately whinging and complaining about his assessment of the Dogs.

What a dickhead, only lost because of Cordy and kept saying 'what would you say if we had of won'

Well Libba (as I said not sure if it was the dirty gouging one, or the drugged f*cked one) you didn't win, you were lucky with the umpires, won 1 game in 8 against the top 8, haven't been top 4 in 10 years, haven't won a final since 2016 (not a bad one to win BTW), Bruce is a bust, Keath is ordinary, and you get by on your players diving and flopping for frees.

Oh and Ratts revealed that Beveridge didn't give Geary a vote. What piss weak whingers the Bulldogs STILL are

Just caught up on the Liberatore call. Hilarious. To call up and throw the toys out of the cot because a radio host doesn't think they are close to being a consistent top four team, which they aren't. I don't even get why he'd call.

 

[FQFjt]

FMD Tony Liberatore (not sure if father or son) rang up Whately whinging and complaining about his assessment of the Dogs.

What a dickhead, only lost because of Cordy and kept saying 'what would you say if we had of won'

Well Libba (as I said not sure if it was the dirty gouging one, or the drugged f*cked one) you didn't win, you were lucky with the umpires, won 1 game in 8 against the top 8, haven't been top 4 in 10 years, haven't won a final since 2016 (not a bad one to win BTW), Bruce is a bust, Keath is ordinary, and you get by on your players diving and flopping for frees.

Oh and Ratts revealed that Beveridge didn't give Geary a vote. What piss weak whingers the Bulldogs STILL are

Liked that from Ratten. Pretty rare for a coach to criticise the other coach's votes, so you can be sure that Ratts was pretty unimpressed by it, despite him making the comment in his typical chirpy manner.

Geary kicked 2 goals, set up another to Membrey, 8 contested possessions, 4 contested marks, and forced the Dogs' best ball user to move out of his regular position from half time.

 

[bird_man]

Savage is like for like for Long

Roberton would be the one to replace Carlisle.

Not really a like for like IMO other than they both play on a back flank.

Long is more defensive than Savage and much more inside than outside.

Webster probably closer to a like for like but has not played AFL footy for so long.

 

[bird_man]

Just caught up on the Liberatore call. Hilarious. To call up and throw the toys out of the cot because a radio host doesn't think they are close to being a consistent top four team, which they aren't. I don't even get why he'd call.

All Wheatley said was that there are too many puzzle pieces missing.

Not sure how you can argue against that.

They got smashed in the ruck, they need another one to go with English.

Saints took the most contested marks all year. They clearly need another key back.

And the fact that 5 of their 9 goals cake from free kicks shows they don't have enough fire power up forward.