Preview R6: St Kilda v Western Bulldogs - Saturday 9th @2:10pm

[God Save Max King]

Funny thing about Membrey is that if it were Spencer White playing & racking up 10-12 touches, a few marks & a goal here & there we'd all be wetting our pants with excitement.

People do realise that Tim is only 20 yrs old right?? Saying 'don't drop the kids that are performing well' includes Membrey IMO

(turns 21 in 3 weeks)

He performed well in the first 2 rounds, been average since, if anyone makes way for Nick I can't think of someone better. Comparing him with Spence is more to my point, I'm inferring that someone thinking Spence averaging 10-12 touches, a few marks & a goal here and there was very good would be wrong, well I agree, so the same goes for Membrey. He's kicked 1 goal since r1, and had 4 kicks on average for the past 3 weeks, that's not good enough. It's not bad, it's certainly not bad, but it's not good enough.

 

[Flags_In_The_Bag]

I think you seriously underestimate the residual fitness of a bloke that's done 12 preseasons...

No i don't, i just know that coming back from that injury back into a face paced game can be hard.

 

[Moral Decay]

54 goals in his final TAC Cup year says he's plenty natural as a forward.

Yeah I know, just comparing him with Sinclair and Lonie, maybe they just believe in themselves a little more?
It's too early to tell if he's up to standard at AFL, but he came as a forward that could play as a mid and I'd like to see him given more time in the middle.

 

[Rors]

Yeah I know, just comparing him with Sinclair and Lonie, maybe they just believe in themselves a little more?
It's too early to tell if he's up to standard at AFL, but he came as a forward that could play as a mid and I'd like to see him given more time in the middle.

Or maybe they are small forwards & are roving our key leading forwards well.... I don't think I've seen Membrey be out-marked in any game so far, thus he's been bringing the ball to ground to enable the likes of Sinclair & Lonie to get involved. Is it possible he's doing exactly what the coaches want him to do?

 

[SK_MD_#7]

While he isn't kicking goals the other work Membrey does is impressive IMO.

The goals from him will come.

 

[Cannavaro20]

He performed well in the first 2 rounds, been average since, if anyone makes way for Nick I can't think of someone better. Comparing him with Spence is more to my point, I'm inferring that someone thinking Spence averaging 10-12 touches, a few marks & a goal here and there was very good would be wrong, well I agree, so the same goes for Membrey. He's kicked 1 goal since r1, and had 4 kicks on average for the past 3 weeks, that's not good enough. It's not bad, it's certainly not bad, but it's not good enough.

I actually thought he was good against essendon.... gave jack a goal. Gave schneider the square.... that play when he got smother by fletcher he started and ran hard to ge there.... could of had 3 goals but was unselfish in 2...inexperienced in 1.

 

[Ekomaira]

¿por qué no hacer las dos cosas

 

[Moral Decay]

Or maybe they are small forwards & are roving our key leading forwards well.... I don't think I've seen Membrey be out-marked in any game so far, thus he's been bringing the ball to ground to enable the likes of Sinclair & Lonie to get involved. Is it possible he's doing exactly what the coaches want him to do?

All fair and reasonable, but Roo is coming back, someone will have to step aside, or do you think the smalls should make way? Who will he compete with for his spot in the team?

He performed well in the first 2 rounds, been average since, if anyone makes way for Nick I can't think of someone better. Comparing him with Spence is more to my point, I'm inferring that someone thinking Spence averaging 10-12 touches, a few marks & a goal here and there was very good would be wrong, well I agree, so the same goes for Membrey. He's kicked 1 goal since r1, and had 4 kicks on average for the past 3 weeks, that's not good enough. It's not bad, it's certainly not bad, but it's not good enough.

 

[Ekomaira]

I actually thought he was good against essendon.... gave jack a goal. Gave schneider the square.... that play when he got smother by fletcher he started and ran hard to ge there.... could of had 3 goals but was unselfish in 2...inexperienced in 1.

A handball from Schneider would've been nice...

 

[Rors]

I actually thought he was good against essendon.... gave jack a goal. Gave schneider the square.... that play when he got smother by fletcher he started and ran hard to ge there.... could of had 3 goals but was unselfish in 2...inexperienced in 1.

And Lonie intercepted (& dropped) that laser precision pass from Webster to him in the forward pocket. Could have easily had 3-4 goals if he'd caught the breaks.

 

[Winmar2Lockett]

Membrey was outstanding against the Injectors... I'm flabbergasted that his name is even being considered.

Hickey is the man to come out for Roo IMO....Although Richo has apparently mentioned that Billy is a bit sore so maybe he has a rest for a week or so.

Membrey is renowned as a very good kick for goal...he'll only need to slot a few & he'll be away. We simply cannot afford to lose his physicality or forward defensive pressure.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

Stringer has that rare combination of agility and strength. Clear danger guy who destroyed us last time. I don't believe Fisher or Dempster have the lateral movement to go with him. Gilbert would've been perfect. Perhaps the shorter but more agile Webster or even Wright?


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Wright would be good. Fearless and would run off him out of defence. The keys to the dogs are Bontempelli, Stringer, Dalhouse & Murphy. All need to be shut down for a Saints victory

 

[CursingFijian]

Johanissen and Boyd are also very important to their structure.

Agree with Wright I think he has got the capacity to shutdown Stringer and provide enough run out of defense to make him accountable running the other way.

Membrey's role in Bruce's ability to find space should not be underestimated. Often running a sacrificial line, IMO. I watched Hurley push him under the flight of the ball, only to be surprised when Membrey was able to get hands to the ball off a standing jump. He has good ground level agility but demands a big body tall defender because he can clunk them. As others have said before, I keep having to remind myself he is only 20 and has 6 AFL games under his belt. Looks like a 50 game player already.

 

[Mat Mann]

I really rate Membrey as well, he has been doing most of his work between the arcs, being that long lead up that Roo usually does, goals will come for him, I have no doubt. As for moving him out for Roo, massive mistake, two tall running Fwds (Roo/Membrey) and Bruce, plus the smalls, seems like fwd line we have always wanted

 

[saintersown]

I know Mems is a youngen but he's played for five games, maybe give the kid a rest, I think out of our forwards he didn't play poorly but he simply was the worst one out fo them in my eyes. If we're going to talk about the work off the ball then Curren shouldn't have been dropped and hell, let's re-recruit Ryan Gamble, in his last games his off the ball defensive pressure was amazing...

It wont kill to give the kid a spell for a week.

 

[Grav]

Would give any with slight injury or just a bit of nagging pain a rest ie Savage, Dunstan, Longer. We won't win the flag this year, so lets not let any small niggling injuries turn into major career defining injuries. We've got plenty of players about that we have to start pumping games into even if they are doubtful starters at our next tilt at the flag. By pumping games into the lesser players it improves their market value, so it's a win win for the StKilda football club.

 

[#gosaintas]

Would give any with slight injury or just a bit of nagging pain a rest ie Savage, Dunstan, Longer. We won't win the flag this year, so lets not let any small niggling injuries turn into major career defining injuries. We've got plenty of players about that we have to start pumping games into even if they are doubtful starters at our next tilt at the flag. By pumping games into the lesser players it improves their market value, so it's a win win for the StKilda football club.

I reckon this is prob the right way to go. Whoever is feeling the pinch gives way. Would like to see Minch get a run too.

 

[The Punter]

I think we all have to become comfortable with the fact that someone is going to be left out tonight who is a little stiff to miss out.

 

[gringo2011]

In: Joey and Roo
Out: anyone of the kids that are even slightly carrying an injury, at 95% instead of 100%.

If Schneids plays he is the sub.
My problem is with Membrey, for all the hard work he just doesn't look like a natural forward, appears to have no confidence kicking for goal, if the selectors believe in him as a forward he plays as a small/medium forward in the ones or goes back to the VFL and kicks some goals, either that or he spends more time in the midfield as a big body and racks up some possessions.

Just my two cents.

He came with a very good goal conversion rate but has played a more mobile role than small KPF. I thought his best game was last week where he used his bulk and strength to break lines and set up the forwards. I have been a little underwhelmed too but was good this last game. Running really kills your kicking. I have been umpiring the kids footy the last two years and standing still I can kick 60 meter goals with a fairly good accuracy. After running for a game and on the move kicking back up the middle of the ground you can spray them pretty easily.

 

[Winmar2Lockett]

Just thinking back a decade or so when we last recruited an undersized 'tall' forward. I recall being a bit disappointed that Sammy Hamill didn't kick bags of goals as we probably expected him to. What he did do was work so hard to defend the ball & his teammates & was a vital conduit across that 'high' half forward.

I really think we'll be taking a very important little cog out of the team if Membrey is dropped. While Roo plays a similar role in terms of taking those pressure relieving marks on the wing, we've always complained that we need another Roo when he's double teamed & a 3rd Roo as a deep forward. Now we have Bruce & Membrey, I'm really excited for Roo to have that kind of support & see how it goes over a number of weeks.

As much as I liked Hickey's game I think Roo returning would make us exceptionally top heavy. One of Hickey or Billy is the obvious candidate. Billy has been outstanding so unless he needs a break then Tom is the man to head back to Sandy

 

[Tommy Wigs]

He came with a very good goal conversion rate but has played a more mobile role than small KPF. I thought his best game was last week where he used his bulk and strength to break lines and set up the forwards. I have been a little underwhelmed too but was good this last game. Running really kills your kicking. I have been umpiring the kids footy the last two years and standing still I can kick 60 meter goals with a fairly good accuracy. After running for a game and on the move kicking back up the middle of the ground you can spray them pretty easily.

Just the 60? Um, what are you doing Sat afternoon? Feel like a run around? Just a local game in the Docklands area.

 

[Tommy Wigs]

I really rate Membrey as well, he has been doing most of his work between the arcs, being that long lead up that Roo usually does, goals will come for him, I have no doubt. As for moving him out for Roo, massive mistake, two tall running Fwds (Roo/Membrey) and Bruce, plus the smalls, seems like fwd line we have always wanted

I think he provides some balance and something 'different'. He hasn't been offensively all that great, but I would like to see what he brings for a few more weeks yet. I'm a fan of Hickey's, but for reasons noted by others I think he's the one to go.

 

[SK_MD_#7]

Well I'm still hopeful all Hickey, Membrey, Bruce and Roo play.

It can work! Cmon Richo give me what I want.

Roo just plays up the ground like a midfielder. Similar to what he did against Gold Coast.

 

[saintbill]

While he isn't kicking goals the other work Membrey does is impressive IMO.

The goals from him will come.

I am excited about Membrey long term, I think he is the perfect fit for the 3rd tall role long term. Looks to be a great athlete with a nice boot on him. However, one thing I have been a little bit disappointed with is his hands. Great at using the body, but does not appear to have sticky fingers to me. Has dropped quite a few he should have taken, and double clutched at others that should have been clean marks. Compare that to a Riewoldt and even Bruce at the moment, who are one grab players. It gives you a lot of confidence, when you know your forwards are going to pluck them when in a good position.

It's a harsh comparison to make for a 20 year old, but we need less Maister and more Riewoldt and then we will have a seriously dangerous player. Right now, would not be disappointed if he made way for Riewoldt this week.

 

[Smoke_Me_AKipper]

I am excited about Membrey long term, I think he is the perfect fit for the 3rd tall role long term. Looks to be a great athlete with a nice boot on him. However, one thing I have been a little bit disappointed with is his hands. Great at using the body, but does not appear to have sticky fingers to me. Has dropped quite a few he should have taken, and double clutched at others that should have been clean marks. Compare that to a Riewoldt and even Bruce at the moment, who are one grab players. It gives you a lot of confidence, when you know your forwards are going to pluck them when in a good position.

It's a harsh comparison to make for a 20 year old, but we need less Maister and more Riewoldt and then we will have a seriously dangerous player. Right now, would not be disappointed if he made way for Riewoldt this week.

I have to disagree with you there re the sticky fingers comment - I've watched Membrey take at least 6 one grab contested marks using his body strength well to keep the defender at bay over the 5 games so far.

Maybe he has dropped some and double clutched others as you suggest but again its his first 5 games as an AFL player. Does he take one grab marks every time? No, but he has done it enough to show that it will become par for the course for him once he has been in the system for longer.