Preview Preview- Round 1 2018: SAINT Kilda vs Brisbane

[briztoon]

Squizzy?

& Bundy?

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Yeah absence of Cutler, Allison and Cox means that we are a slower team. Other than Zorko, Cameron, Hipwood and possibly Robertson, we haven't got much blistering pace.

St Kilda fans seems to have the same concerns about their team for this week. So maybe this isn't such a bad week to be a little down on pace.

 

[Milux]

Im sure cameron zorko taylor and robertson will take care of our outside pace. No point adding more speed if we cant win the ball in the middle. Im expecting a big one from Bell. Alot to prove. Plenty of contested and clearance work to like out of the jlt from him.

 

[royboys4eva]

Saints play well at Etihad as they should, but we play better there than most realise. Hard fast surface should suit us even more with Cameron and Christensen into the 22. We hit the front again them last year in the 3rd qtr then faded. No Riewoldt or Montagna for Saints any more and I think we are much stronger 12 months later. I would hope and expect us to be very competitive and no reason why we can't sneak a win. My only concern is can we kick a winning score?

Stef Martin needs to take advantage of our old mate Billy Longer's lack of mobility. Stef in essence should be an extra mid for us.

 

[Scubaveg]

& Bundy?

And Rayner?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[lionshine]

And Rayner?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Yeah Rayner will surprise some Lions fans with his burst of speed. Very powerful player.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Look out for Walker this year. I just feel it in my waters. He is set for a massive year. If he can get some ‘lace out’ delivery from the midfield he will be a major asset for us up forward. At the other end, I am really starting to like the look of our back half. It has that settled look that I think is great for a defensive unit. Hodge is going to be MASSIVE for our development there.

 

[jackess]

Neither team last night had a quick backline but still managed to move it quickly.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

There has been a bit of talk in the media about the Saints' lack of A grade talent and if you look at the player rankings for last year it is somewhat confirmed, especially when measured against ours. The Saints had only two players ranked in the top 100 - Jack Steven at 18 and Seb Ross at 59. Their next best was Montagna at 118 followed by several in the 120 to 150 range. By comparison we had four in the top 100 (one being Rocky) and another two ahead of Montagna . Our rankings were:
6. Zorko
41. Rockliff
42. Rich
62. Martin
108. Andrews
111. Bastinac
Add to this the Lions players you would expect to rank highly if given a fullish season in Robinson, Christensen and maybe even Bell. The Saints could argue the same in relation to Armitage. Interestingly old man Hodge ranked 136 which is higher than a lot of the players running around for both sides on Saturday and Cameron was relatively low down at 172.

 

[winged1]

He's everything We wanted Reddo to be and he is there already, I can't wait till he dominates that role.

I just love the way he carries himself, right from the start, you can see he believes he belongs. He carries himself like Brown did.

 

[winged1]

There has been a bit of talk in the media about the Saints' lack of A grade talent and if you look at the player rankings for last year it is somewhat confirmed, especially when measured against ours. The Saints had only two players ranked in the top 100 - Jack Steven at 18 and Seb Ross at 59. Their next best was Montagna at 118 followed by several in the 120 to 150 range. By comparison we had four in the top 100 (one being Rocky) and another two ahead of Montagna . Our rankings were:
6. Zorko
41. Rockliff
42. Rich
62. Martin
108. Andrews
111. Bastinac
Add to this the Lions players you would expect to rank highly if given a fullish season in Robinson, Christensen and maybe even Bell. The Saints could argue the same in relation to Armitage. Interestingly old man Hodge ranked 136 which is higher than a lot of the players running around for both sides on Saturday and Cameron was relatively low down at 172.

And Beams

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

And Beams

Yeah forgot to mention our skipper - list clogger at 271.

 

[Gadzorks]

There has been a bit of talk in the media about the Saints' lack of A grade talent and if you look at the player rankings for last year it is somewhat confirmed, especially when measured against ours. The Saints had only two players ranked in the top 100 - Jack Steven at 18 and Seb Ross at 59. Their next best was Montagna at 118 followed by several in the 120 to 150 range. By comparison we had four in the top 100 (one being Rocky) and another two ahead of Montagna . Our rankings were:
6. Zorko
41. Rockliff
42. Rich
62. Martin
108. Andrews
111. Bastinac
Add to this the Lions players you would expect to rank highly if given a fullish season in Robinson, Christensen and maybe even Bell. The Saints could argue the same in relation to Armitage. Interestingly old man Hodge ranked 136 which is higher than a lot of the players running around for both sides on Saturday and Cameron was relatively low down at 172.

Interesting that Bastinac at 111 isn't in our best 22 this weekend.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Yeah absence of Cutler, Allison and Cox means that we are a slower team. Other than Zorko, Cameron, Hipwood and possibly Robertson, we haven't got much blistering pace.

I think the thing people have to remember is that pace isn’t everything. It is a game of footy and not a series of 4 x 100 relays. Getting hold of the ball, reading play and finding good position on the field is more important that being able to run like the wind. I think we have plenty of pace and as the season progresses, I suspect we will get better at maintaining structures and finding space. At the game last night I spent time just watching Martin, particularly when the ball was two or so kicks from him. He was about 10 metres off his man and watching play intently. At times he would raise an arm as if he were directing traffic to the Richmond defence while he was lurking at H/F. Then he would slide, not sprint into space and suddenly he had the ball. He knew EXACTLY when to take off and where to head. It was 100% football smarts and midfielders who knew where to find him. I had always underrated Martin, but not anymore. I love going to games when you can isolate a player and just watch them. It is very instructive. These are the lessons we need to learn to take the next step.

 

[jjami15]

I think the thing people have to remember is that pace isn’t everything. It is a game of footy and not a series of 4 x 100 relays. Getting hold of the ball, reading play and finding good position on the field is more important that being able to run like the wind. I think we have plenty of pace and as the season progresses, I suspect we will get better at maintaining structures and finding space. At the game last night I spent time just watching Martin, particularly when the ball was two or so kicks from him. He was about 10 metres off his man and watching play intently. At times he would raise an arm as if he were directing traffic to the Richmond defence while he was lurking at H/F. Then he would slide, not sprint into space and suddenly he had the ball. He knew EXACTLY when to take off and where to head. It was 100% football smarts and midfielders who knew where to find him. I had always underrated Martin, but not anymore. I love going to games when you can isolate a player and just watch them. It is very instructive. These are the lessons we need to learn to take the next step.

I beg to disagree, there has been a big move towards smaller faster types that can apply pressure. Maybe if it was to be looked at from a different angle if a player is slow then you better be elite in a couple of other areas to make it because you will stand out.

 

[jackess]

You need quick players to apply pressure but I think skill is just as important, probably more important, than speed for quick ball movement.

 

[Haso]

#footy

 

[Matty411]

Mathieson has a hamstring issue. Will be tested today but, even if he gets through the test, highly unlikely to play.

Pardon the interruption, but is Matho likely for R2 FWG?

 

[Skoob]

Pardon the interruption, but is Matho likely for R2 FWG?

Nah, you should sell him and buy Wooler.

 

[royboys4eva]

Who picks up Billings? Gardiner ? Robertson? Mayes ? Not sure Witherden is capable of a shut down role as such.

 

[BRAB]

Nah, you should sell him and buy Wooler.

He probably already has Wooler at this point. Anyone who doesn't hasn't been paying attention

 

[3KZ is Football]

I beg to disagree, there has been a big move towards smaller faster types that can apply pressure. Maybe if it was to be looked at from a different angle if a player is slow then you better be elite in a couple of other areas to make it because you will stand out.

True, but the question remains how many of this type of player do you need in your side? When people say, we look a bit slow on paper, how many out and out speedsters would we need to have selected to change that view?

 

[blynd_freddie]

#footy

shouldn't that read... ?

 

[Comeback Lions]

Given we tend to have 7 backs... one of Rich, Robertson or Mayes seems likely to play a more midfield role. Will be interesting to see who it is... perhaps Robertson going on the JLT, but I'm hoping at some stage this year we will be able to unleash Rich from the backline and use his potential hurt factor further up the field.

 

[scott_the_man]

Who picks up Billings? Gardiner ? Robertson? Mayes ? Not sure Witherden is capable of a shut down role as such.

I'm guessing our defensive matchups will be something like this:
Gardiner: Membrey
Mcstay: Bruce
Andrews: Mccartin
Robertson: Billings
Mayes/Witherden: Gresham