Training Pre season training

[sauce_head]

Cross the centre line and block v the big leaping ruckman



View attachment 2192940

I thought crossing the line and blocking was a free kick? Insomuch as one can ever predict or understand ruck infringements.

 

[dougiemac]

Fortunately he missed the tackle

But was caught holding the ball.

 

[stfan]

I thought crossing the line and blocking was a free kick?

""The Ruck must start with both feet within the Ten Metre Circle, and may only enter the Team's attacking half or exit the Ten Metre Circle after the football is bounced or thrown up by the Umpire.""

""Straight-arm blocks will be permitted in a ruck contest, provided the player contests the ball""

So a ruck can cross the line at centre ball-ups once the ball is bounced or thrown up, provided that that they are also contesting the ball with a straight arm action..

A ruck can stand just on the line then move across it once the ball is bounced/thrown up, place their arm up in a straight arm action to block the other rucks approach (which often means that their body will be in the way too), or at least to attempt to interfere with their leap and ability to cleanly tap the ball, whilst also contesting the ball.

They cannot just charge at the other ruck though as they then would not be still contesting the ball.

So in the pic posted by Pebblesofsand that is a legal straightarm ruck block provided the Crows ruck was on the other side of the line when the ball was bounced/thrown up.

 

[sauce_head]

""The Ruck must start with both feet within the Ten Metre Circle, and may only enter the Team's attacking half or exit the Ten Metre Circle after the football is bounced or thrown up by the Umpire.""

""Straight-arm blocks will be permitted in a ruck contest, provided the player contests the ball""

So a ruck can cross the line at centre ball-ups once the ball is bounced or thrown up, provided that that they are also contesting the ball with a straight arm action..

A ruck can stand just on the line then move across it once the ball is bounced/thrown up, place their arm up in a straight arm action to block the other rucks approach (which often means that their body will be in the way too), or at least to attempt to interfere with their leap and ability to cleanly tap the ball, whilst also contesting the ball.

They cannot just charge at the other ruck though as they then would not be still contesting the ball.

So in the pic posted by Pebblesofsand that is a legal straightarm ruck block provided the Crows ruck was on the other side of the line when the ball was bounced/thrown up.



View attachment 2194818

Nice one.

 

[Tyrian Lonestar]

""The Ruck must start with both feet within the Ten Metre Circle, and may only enter the Team's attacking half or exit the Ten Metre Circle after the football is bounced or thrown up by the Umpire.""

""Straight-arm blocks will be permitted in a ruck contest, provided the player contests the ball""

So a ruck can cross the line at centre ball-ups once the ball is bounced or thrown up, provided that that they are also contesting the ball with a straight arm action..

A ruck can stand just on the line then move across it once the ball is bounced/thrown up, place their arm up in a straight arm action to block the other rucks approach (which often means that their body will be in the way too), or at least to attempt to interfere with their leap and ability to cleanly tap the ball, whilst also contesting the ball.

They cannot just charge at the other ruck though as they then would not be still contesting the ball.

So in the pic posted by Pebblesofsand that is a legal straightarm ruck block provided the Crows ruck was on the other side of the line when the ball was bounced/thrown up.



View attachment 2194818

Will be an advantage for Boyd rucking Saint Watto

 

[Coconut_twirl]

It’s funny how we went from needing gun/elite mid talent when we were getting pantsed during the real stuff, to not drafting a mid with either of our top 10 draft picks, to having dramatically improved our midfield. It really is good going.

Doesn’t St.Kilda win the premiership every preseason? I’m remember a decade ago people were hyping Siposs to be the next big thing judging by training.

I will reserve my judgement until season proper. Even with preseason matches, a player like Bonner looked very solid, but ultimately was found wanting with his disposal during the regular season matches where the intensity and importance of matches goes up.

High training standards are nice, but some people are getting a bit carried away here. Minimal injuries should help the Saints to return to finals action in 2025.

 

[Nutsngum]

Doesn’t St.Kilda win the premiership every preseason? I’m remember a decade ago people were hyping Siposs to be the next big thing judging by training.

I will reserve my judgement until season proper. Even with preseason matches, a player like Bonner looked very solid, but ultimately was found wanting with his disposal during the regular season matches where the intensity and importance of matches goes up.

High training standards are nice, but some people are getting a bit carried away here. Minimal injuries should help the Saints to return to finals action in 2025.

I feel like everyones been pretty measured about it all honestly. The biggest wraps people are making are the young guy's approach which is objectively at a high standard.

 

[StCicatriz]

Hunter has played 98 games in 7 seasons at the club (av 14gpy), he is the 60% man. He is fit and available 60% of the time and when he plays can only manage 60% TOG.

Supporters need to take the emotion out when discussing players and look at it like they a running a business. If you had an employee who only turned up 60% of the time what would you do?

People were screaming for Zac Jones to be delisted at seasons end, because he averages 13 games per year. You could argue when fit a firing he offers more than Hunter, yet we dont show him the same loyalty.

If Hunter was at a stronger club with midfield depth he would have been moved on some time ago. Again IMO he wont be at our club in '26.

Exactly. He's not a kid anymore.

Guys are going past him.

pou windy Garcia wilson nas

Its not going to get any easier for him as the younger crop get more experienced

 

[StCicatriz]

I was definitely screaming for jones to be moved on, and I still stand by that. He will break down again before the season starts, come back later in the year, burn teammates and butcher the ball. Hope he is no more then depth and players go past him.

I'd say they made a call based on short term cover. I reckon it was between Ross and Jones and although Ross has a bigger body of work I think they were concerned about the next 12 months and Ross age and recent injury.

Jones on the hand got injury free at the right time and played some okish role based footy.

So I think they went for the safer bet on the most recent form.

I don't think Jones gets another extension if things are going how we hope they go.

 

[StCicatriz]

Really hoping paddy dow gets a decent run at it. He's one i feel could burst out of the blocks and have a very consistent season.

 

[StCicatriz]

I like Clark but his defensive spread and chase is pathetic. Purely tank-based. Hopefully it finally gets to an acceptable level this year because his touch and creativity are outstanding

His disposal wasn't great in the 2nd half. Lots of sloppy disposal under no pressure.

I'd rather us put our time into Pou, Windy, Owen's, Wilson, Garcia and Trav.

 

[StCicatriz]

I wonder if Marshall has been played fwd so far as a way of easing him into the season and keeping him niggle free as much as possible. It's going to be a long season for him.

 

[Moral Decay]

\p0;po say they made a call based on short term cover. I reckon it was between Ross and Jones and although Ross has a bigger body of work I think they were concerned about the next 12 months and Ross age and recent injury.

Jones on the hand got injury free at the right time and played some okish role based footy.

So I think they went for the safer bet on the most recent form.

I don't think Jones gets another extension if things are going how we hope they go.

I know we are all fans and sometimes it calls for great loyalty, there are times like the end of the season where get a chance to be brutal in our assessments. Our midfield is bottom 2 or 3 according to which metric we apply and Roma is our best mid.

To my mind we don't have to have the best midfield but we do have to have a middle of the competition midfield and those players have to be able to hit a target and run in both directions, we need to find a way for our ruckmen to have impact in the actual ruck contest. I really don't care who or how. We need to improve our connection with the forward line. Be it players, coaches, systems and I don't care.

I think it's most likely that the inclusion of McCrae and Carroll, improvement in Phillipou and Garcia and moving Banger to midfield coach will all key to improvement. The roles of Clark, Jones and Dow are less likely to have impact, the outcome is what we need not who does it. If Clark finds a gear or Steele then it's great but if we end up at the bottom end o the 8 with a midfield that can't win a final, then give 'em all a pat on the back and send them out the door.

 

[StCicatriz]

I know we are all fans and sometimes it calls for great loyalty, there are times like the end of the season where get a chance to be brutal in our assessments. Our midfield is bottom 2 or 3 according to which metric we apply and Roma is our best mid.

To my mind we don't have to have the best midfield but we do have to have a middle of the competition midfield and those players have to be able to hit a target and run in both directions, we need to find a way for our ruckmen to have impact in the actual ruck contest. I really don't care who or how. We need to improve our connection with the forward line. Be it players, coaches, systems and I don't care.

I think it's most likely that the inclusion of McCrae and Carroll, improvement in Phillipou and Garcia and moving Banger to midfield coach will all key to improvement. The roles of Clark, Jones and Dow are less likely to have impact, the outcome is what we need not who does it. If Clark finds a gear or Steele then it's great but if we end up at the bottom end o the 8 with a midfield that can't win a final, then give 'em all a pat on the back and send them out the door.

I agree

I'd add that the loss of crouch really hurt. The addition of macrae should help. He's an upgrade on Ross.

I'm hoping Dow can show something. Top 5 pick who's shown glimpses but has never had a consistent season.

I've given up on Clark. Firmly in the billings and Dunstan bucket for mine. But injury prone.

Pou showed some serious signs against Adelaide he can be a mid and impact games. Wilson had a handful of games to make you go wow.

Windy and Owen's two who had down seasons who can bounce back.

I'm hopeful we can push for 6-8 again. I think that's a pass mark.

Just need to stay fit.

 

[70s sainter]

I agree

I'd add that the loss of crouch really hurt. The addition of macrae should help. He's an upgrade on Ross.

I'm hoping Dow can show something. Top 5 pick who's shown glimpses but has never had a consistent season.

I've given up on Clark. Firmly in the billings and Dunstan bucket for mine. But injury prone.

Pou showed some serious signs against Adelaide he can be a mid and impact games. Wilson had a handful of games to make you go wow.

Windy and Owen's two who had down seasons who can bounce back.

I'm hopeful we can push for 6-8 again. I think that's a pass mark.

Just need to stay fit.

Comparing Hunter to Billings is insulting to hunter. At least we he gets his hands on it he can break lines , hit a target -not justbomb it in to the forward line in a panic. When did billings do anything at all besides that one game . Hes the same at Melb. Would take Hunter in a heartbeat . Feel like Hunter is finally getting some momentum and improving overall .

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Just installed two Dash Cams, I suppose I am part of the crypto fascist big brother deep state now

So when can we expect your videos on Dash Cam owners Australia

 

[stfan]

Doesn’t St.Kilda win the premiership every preseason?

Well not always, but when we have done so we have always looked like we have done so....

 

[stfan]

Will be an advantage for Boyd rucking Saint Watto

He evidently beat this guy to grab our SSP spot.

 

[ScrappyDo]

I agree

I'd add that the loss of crouch really hurt. The addition of macrae should help. He's an upgrade on Ross.

I'm hoping Dow can show something. Top 5 pick who's shown glimpses but has never had a consistent season.

I've given up on Clark. Firmly in the billings and Dunstan bucket for mine. But injury prone.

Pou showed some serious signs against Adelaide he can be a mid and impact games. Wilson had a handful of games to make you go wow.

Windy and Owen's two who had down seasons who can bounce back.

I'm hopeful we can push for 6-8 again. I think that's a pass mark.

Just need to stay fit.

As you say, fitness is the key. I feel like in 2024 we actually lost both Crouch and Ross.
Seb wasn't even getting selected in the end and was a shadow of his former self when he did. The end came quick for him, otherwise Jones would have copped the bullet instead.
Between the 2 of them it was a massive loss to our senior ranks.
We were also carrying a kid most weeks, outside of Darcy Wilson that is. And we won't have Bonner playing 17 games for us either.

Worthwhile additions to the 2025 midfield mix aught be Hugo, Pou and MacLobster.
Chuck in Windy, Dow, Jones, Clark, Carroll, perhaps even Stocker and were getting closer to a competitive group with depth and upside. Not a noteworthy group by any stretch, but capable enough.