Ins and outs for the Saints

[X_box_X]

Well congrats Dog boys on a great win vs. the Lions. I geniunely beleive you guys are going to be up for a very big showdown against the 'Aints, and i think you will win it....however, from watching you over the last 4-5 weeks i am hoping that you back your gameplan in and try to run circles around the saints.

In my opinion, it is probably your lack of tall targets which will confuse the saints more than anything. Although it wasn't really demonstrated in your previous meetings this year - the saints can get confused with structure if they have faster lead up targets to man up on. I would even look to starting Brad Johnson or Aker at Full Forward and just see how Dawson responds.

Not sure if Williams is the right move - Riewoldt is a gun no doubt, but if you can congest the target zones and force his possessions wide then even if he dobs a couple you guys will have done your job. Remember, the 'Aints don't typically score big...they are defensively minded conceding a couple of contested grabs for the game as sacrifice for drive off the half back is a risk worth taking.

Finally....Timmy Callan must play, he is a deadset legend and we very very very reluctantly let go of him d/t his desire to get more opportunities. Is as hard as nails and will serve you well in finals....don't bring back Josh Hill.

Good luck...we all know that the Dogs are more deserving than the St Kilda Draft Picks!!

Thanks for your perspective. Decent thoughts, I must say.

 

[fred cook]

If Tom Williams is going to be a future KPP for this club he must play on Friday


He can only learn from the experience bad or good


I dont think Callan has along term future at this club so he should be left out

 

[comrade]

If Tom Williams is going to be a future KPP for this club he must play on Friday


He can only learn from the experience bad or good


I dont think Callan has along term future at this club so he should be left out

I'd rather we pick the best side to beat St Kilda, rather than going with a selection policy that revolves around 'long term' development.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

I'd rather we pick the best side to beat St Kilda, rather than going with a selection policy that revolves around 'long term' development.

Could not agree more. Williams was a good theory, but has failed to deliver anything of significance this year and certainly can't be risked in a PF or GF.

 

[chef]

If Tom Williams is going to be a future KPP for this club he must play on Friday


He can only learn from the experience bad or good


I dont think Callan has along term future at this club so he should be left out

Thats an interesting way to pick the side.

 

[always right]

Could not agree more. Williams was a good theory, but has failed to deliver anything of significance this year and certainly can't be risked in a PF or GF.

...or is it an even bigger risk not taking in another tall defender?

 

[The Big Woofer]

I think they'll stick with the same line up including Callan as i feel they'll use him for a lock down role on Milne or Schneider....if Callan takes Milne it may mean Harbrow has a little more freedom to run off & provide the drive we need.

I think we're better off conceeding a few contested marks than play Williams who could be all at sea coming back in for a PF.

If Lake plays on Kosi & Morris on Reiwoldt i reckon this gives us our best chance. Reiwoldt is a lead up player & i would prefer Lake closer to goal on a less mobile oppenent....forcing Reiwoldt wide & up the ground is crucial.

Now's not the time to get cute at the selection table, playing Williams whilst tempting would be a huge risk both from an injury & form perspective.

 

[comrade]

...or is it an even bigger risk not taking in another tall defender?

I'm not against Tom coming in, but not at the expense of Callan.

We need guys who are absolutely uncompromising in their attack on the ball and the man, and who are prepared to chase, harrass and abide by every team rule.

Welsh or Hahn are in the gun, IMO.

 

[Hot Spenny]

I'm not against Tom coming in, but not at the expense of Callan.

We need guys who are absolutely uncompromising in their attack on the ball and the man, and who are prepared to chase, harrass and abide by every team rule.

Welsh or Hahn are in the gun, IMO.

So you think the selection committee are going to look at dropping Hahn for this match?

 

[comrade]

So you think the selection committee are going to look at dropping Hahn for this match?

Not necessarily, but why shouldn't they?

Prior to Friday night, he's been poor for the last month and the St Kilda backmen will be licking their lips thinking about how easy it was to zone off him last time.

Four goals against Brisbane (who I don't rate at all) shouldn't be considered a pass mark, but he'll be selected on Friday night, regardless - I hope he proves me wrong.

 

[Borgsta]

Also did you see Everitt's game against against the Pies, not bad, and probably one more good game than Tom's had for the year with Dogs...

Everitt was terrible for 3 qtrs, the most important 3 qtrs. He did something when the game was over. His game against Collingwood was pretty good but it wasn't great and certainly no better than Tom's performance against Brisbane.

 

[Rocco Jones]

I am totally with comrade. I love Mitch and have a tone of respect for him but he is more often than not a liability in the modern game. He had an OK game on Friday night but most of his 4 goals were deadset gimmes. His fans say he creates defensive pressure and he is wonderful when the ball is in his immediate area. The issue is that his lack of mobility means he struggles to get to these areas. It is like having a bear with the mobility of a sloth (only that Mitch actually wants to move!).

 

[The Big Woofer]

Not necessarily, but why shouldn't they?

Prior to Friday night, he's been poor for the last month and the St Kilda backmen will be licking their lips thinking about how easy it was to zone off him last time.

Four goals against Brisbane (who I don't rate at all) shouldn't be considered a pass mark, but he'll be selected on Friday night, regardless - I hope he proves me wrong.

That's a bit harsh/silly....4 goals from a forward is usually a pretty respectable return, i take on board his weaknesses but we have to go with Hahn at this point.

We'll go in unchanged, I think they'll stick will Callan to do a shut down role on either Milne or Schneider (probably Milne) as this may afford Harbrow a little more freedom to run & create.

I wouldn't risk Tom Williams on 2 accounts--first I have severe reservations about him being able to come back straight into a prelim especially if you fancy him lining up on kosi or reiwoldt, secondly there's the injury issue & we saw last time we played stk how much losing guys mid game hurts you.

Here's the big issue vs Stk, in the last 4 games we've played them we've been outscored 17 goals to 6 in 1st qtrs, but have won the 3rd qtrs 15 goals to 8.....

We must not get blown away early, that's the key my friends.

 

[Gooka]

I think we need to have someone for Milne. He did well last time around. Callan seems the guy.

At the end of the day, the midfield/half back match ups will be the key ones.

 

[Rocco Jones]

I think we need to have someone for Milne. He did well last time around. Callan seems the guy.

At the end of the day, the midfield/half back match ups will be the key ones.

Harbrow beat him earlier in the year and Shaggy absolutely spanked him the game before that, so I think we have a couple of options.

I do want Callan in the side and think is an option for Milne but while Milne can be dangerous, I also see him giving us a bit of an opportunity to create rebound out of defence. I would like us to play Harbrow or Shaggy on him and trying to burn him going the other way. It's the type of risk we need to take to win the game.

 

[Fossie 32]

Time to keep faith in the guys who have performed over the year....

No change.

 

[The Special One]

I know not many of you agree, but I really think Hill should play. I'm a huge fan of this guy, maybe because I mostly catch the highlights and don't see his lack of pressure which I know can be costly. But I just think he is worth risking over Welsh, who really doesn't offer much. I would also like Williams to play against their tall forwards, so maybe callan has to make way. I like him and toughness is important, but against the Saints his lack of foot skills could prove costly. In terms of team balance we also have Picken and Cross who are quite similiar (tough ball winners, without the polished finishing) It's a tough call whatever we go with, but thats a good thing.

 

[Libba39]

Unless someone doesn't come up due to injury there will be no change. I believe Callan will stay in for two reasons:

Firstly Callan is a naturally aggressive and typically annoying back pocket player. As soon as it was determined that we would most likely meet StKilda I think the coaches pencilled him in to play on either Milne or Schneider and put at least one of them off their game.

Secondly playing Callan Stops Harbrow being dragged to the goalsquare (not his strength) and allows him to play up the ground on which ever small forward is playing higher. This way he can run off and be more dangerous off half back.

I watched the Willi game and found it very disappointing so doubtfull if there will be any ins from that game.

 

[The Big Woofer]

I know not many of you agree, but I really think Hill should play. I'm a huge fan of this guy, maybe because I mostly catch the highlights and don't see his lack of pressure which I know can be costly. But I just think he is worth risking over Welsh, who really doesn't offer much. I would also like Williams to play against their tall forwards, so maybe callan has to make way. I like him and toughness is important, but against the Saints his lack of foot skills could prove costly. In terms of team balance we also have Picken and Cross who are quite similiar (tough ball winners, without the polished finishing) It's a tough call whatever we go with, but thats a good thing.

Not sure what Welsh has done wrong of late, against geelong he was one guy having a real crack & won some contested ball when others were struggling & was again good vs bris (also was good v coll)....he gives Eade flexibility & has shown a very cool head floating across HB....there is no way in the world he'll be dropped--this year.

I like Hill as a player, but i think having Callan as an extra small tough defender is more important this week as Milne killed us last time & Schneider is also a worry....remember Callan has done big jobs before--he was excellent in last year's prelim v geel with 23 poss & gave away nothing easy.

 

[dogwatch]

I agree with Woofer - Welsh has done OK the last two weeks. He will probably retire (or be shown the door) at the end of the year but you know what you are going to get with Welsh - nothing brilliant but a versatile committed player. Usually gets a goal or two and can do a job in defence if needed. Has premiership experience too. The only other player to offer that is Aker.

I'd like both Callan and Williams in so unless there's an injury it looks like I'll be disappointed because I can't see anyone else being dropped. My guess is we'll end up sticking with Callan.

 

[bulldogsman]

If Williams comes in it must be at the expense of Callan. Morris will have to play small, which means if Callan stays in we will have to many small defenders.

 

[willofwest]

I agree with Woofer - Welsh has done OK the last two weeks. He will probably retire (or be shown the door) at the end of the year but you know what you are going to get with Welsh - nothing brilliant but a versatile committed player. Usually gets a goal or two and can do a job in defence if needed. Has premiership experience too. The only other player to offer that is Aker.

I'd like both Callan and Williams in so unless there's an injury it looks like I'll be disappointed because I can't see anyone else being dropped. My guess is we'll end up sticking with Callan.

Totally agree. Would like to see Williams come in, but at who's expense, either Welsh of Hahn, and maybe it is Welsh. That gives the ability to move Morris and Lake around and float etc . if one of the Saints forwards get on top.

 

[2691617]

There is no way Welsh will be dropped, been used as a pinch hit backman and done more that Williams did before he was injured. Plus gives us a better forward option than Williams.

As for Callan, we need his hardness for the contest more than Hill who basically blew his chances against the Cats. Further I would prefer his defensive pressure and allows either Harbrow or Gilbee to be more attacking and creative running off half back if he is the stopper

 

[bobmurphy2]

The question we must all ask ourselves...can Morris play on Kosi, if not, can he play on Riewoldt. I'm sure Lake will go to Riewoldt, but I don't know if he can keep up with him for 4 qtrs.

 

[griffo16]

Not sure we need to worry about getting stretched up forward by the saints..

Lake will take Koschitzke..Slow lumbering contested marker close to goals..suits lake down to the ground..

Morris will take Reiwoldt..Only player who can compete with him for pace on the lead..may not be able to go with him all day but no one in the competition can..Reiwoldt not really a contested marking forward (as in body on body) but takes his marks when he gets a run and jump at the ball, so morris is the only real fit..
Hargrave can go to Riewoldt if Morris is struggling..

If they throw a 3rd tall forward (ie. Gardiner) i would like us to do what West Coast back in the day used to do to Chris Grant (Older and slower version..)
Hunter would play on Grant and at every possible attempt run up the ground to get involved and kick running goals/be in the play..Grant would spend most of his time chasing hunter and his influence was so great that even if grant kicks 2-3 goals hunter used to have more impact..
Therefore i would play Shaggy on Gardier and back him to run off and exploit his lack of pace rather then giving it to him easy by sitting at full forward..

Worst comes to worst welsh could go back and play on gardiner/king/kosi at a pinch..

Callan must stay in to play deep back on the small forward, allowing gilbee and harbrow to attack, run the lines and hit targets..without these two firing we are no chance of winning...

Griffen to swap back to half back at times to ensure that we can break their middle of the ground squeeze...

So excited for this week..i feel like we can really knock these blokes off..

Go Dogs...