Reasons The Saints Can't Go All The Way

[absfab]

Could it be that St Kilda's strengths may prove to be their Achilles Heel?

• 2009 Saints are probably the hardest working team I've ever seen. As much as I was pleased by Carlton's fight in a close loss the truth is that the Saints pretty much fell exhausted into the break. And they aint likely to get any fresher from here on in.
• Like the hard work, Saints sustained intensity is great. I don't believe they have much in the way of higher gears left. At least some of the other sides in September will lift their work rate and intensity significantly.
• Execution in heavy traffic. Saints as a group quite superb in this regard, conjuring the ball through pressure situations. So good that its a key part of how they get the job done. But can it be done that way under finals pressure when the split second gets shaved a little?
• Reiwoldt. If I was an opposition coach I'd be sending somebody out with a licence on him. No offence to what is a strong team across the board, but Nick's worth two players and the game revolves around him. Saints are good enough to play a different game, but you wouldnt want to try it for the first time on the big stage.

IMO Geelong ARE still the better side of the two if they get something close to their best side on the ground. The Pussies have had a dreadful year injury wise - at least as bad as the excuse king Hawks - but unlike the Hawks have still looked damn good.

 

[fpm84]

IMO Geelong ARE still the better side of the two if they get something close to their best side on the ground. The Pussies have had a dreadful year injury wise - at least as bad as the excuse king Hawks - but unlike the Hawks have still looked damn good.

I think we can challenge St Kilda if - and it's a big if - we get everybody fit and firing by September. God knows how many players we have that have played every match - it wouldn't be many.

Harley's barely played all year, our best forward has missed the past three weeks and we've rarely had our full midfield available (Ablett, Ling and Corey have all missed multiple games and Bartel missed on the weekend). Not to mention not having Hunt all year and missing Ottens since round 2.

But if we don't get Ottens back, or Johnson's injury is worse than the club's letting on, or if we lose Scarlett on the eve of the finals... I wouldn't be putting money on us.

 

[bleeding red and white]

The saints haven't even played a game at the 'G this season, the first one comes against the dees in round 22. We all know they love playing under a roof but come finals time it's all about playing your best footy at a 'real' football ground (mcg). I think that's one reason.

 

[CaptainChardonnay]

Some desperate people out there trying to find excuses for why the saints Can't win. Scraping the bottom of the barrel I reckon. Anyone who beats them will deserve the premiership. But short of the team bus being involved in a head on with a petrol tanker, I can't see it happening.

They have done nothing to suggest they won't win it, and everything to suggest they'll romp it in. Best a few people round here start accepting the reality that the Saints are the form team and deserved favourites for the flag.

 

[saintsrule]

The saints haven't even played a game at the 'G this season, the first one comes against the dees in round 22. We all know they love playing under a roof but come finals time it's all about playing your best footy at a 'real' football ground (mcg). I think that's one reason.

This is an absolute crock, lame reason when you can't think of anything else.
AAMI twice and Subi are 'real' footy grounds, last I heard. Do you honestly think the Saints tough brand would suddenly not translate at finals time?

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

This size bullshit needs to be put to rest as well. The G is 1 metre longer and 4 metres wider than the Dome...

How the hell is that goin to have any influence on our game at all.

As above we've played at Subi, AAMI and Carrara, all of which are similar to the G. Did pretty well there...

We did alright against the Pies in the Semi's last year, and they played what, 15 games at the G last year?

 

[bleeding red and white]

This is an absolute crock, lame reason when you can't think of anything else.
AAMI twice and Subi are 'real' footy grounds, last I heard. Do you honestly think the Saints tough brand would suddenly not translate at finals time?

You played 2 bottom 4 teams at subi. I'll admit both wins at aami were great but that dosent suggest you would be able to knock off the cats,pies, dogs and even the hawks at the g. Look you might dismantle any of those teams at the g come finals time but with not much game time there, it dosent really work in your favour. Past results suggest you struggle somewhat at the g. Only time will tell...

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

I'll just put it out there that if we manage to win our first final, we'll have a week off. People have been saying we'll get tired for weeks. Even when we tire we are still capable of keeping possession of the ball for long periods.

 

[BEEG]

Saints wont get beaten

They will go through underfeated and win the flag easily on GF day

Why you say

Midfield is amazing better then Geelongs has a bit of everything this midfield Pace, Hardness, Skill, Flair,

A Graders = Hayes Montanga Dalsanto Goddard
B Graders = Gram Ray Ball Baker
C Graders = Jones Dempster McQualter

Rucks

Two better then average rucks and one is starting to really hit form the other is a good experienced ruck who has won a premiership already and then there is a handy back up

King Gardiner McEvoy

Forwards

Best CHF in the league atm good FF in Kosi and two very good roving Forwards in Milne and Schneider

Backline

Good even backline with good rebounders and with Maxy wtill to come into the team

No body has a chance at beating this Stkilda team and the biggest key of all now is they actually believe now they are the best hard to knock a team when the believe in themselves

 

[The Punter]

I think the real story is why so many people want St Kilda to fall over and fail to win the premiership.

I've always been on the opinion that one team wins the premiership each year, and fifteen don't. The only team I want to win the premiership is St Kilda. I want all the others to not win the premiership with equal conviction.

I see it a little like if a small Pacific Island nation had some incredible economic expansion, and we in Australia were annoyed or even aggrieved that it happened.

To all supporters: if you don't barrack for St Kilda, St Kilda is just one of fifteen other teams you don't barrack for. Unless you have an irrational belief the sky will literally fall in if St Kilda win the flag, barrack for your team, and enjoy the finals as a neutral if your team isn't playing.

 

[saintsrule]

You played 2 bottom 4 teams at subi. I'll admit both wins at aami were great but that dosent suggest you would be able to knock off the cats,pies, dogs and even the hawks at the g. Look you might dismantle any of those teams at the g come finals time but with not much game time there, it dosent really work in your favour. Past results suggest you struggle somewhat at the g. Only time will tell...

I'll tell you something for free. I have never in my lifetime seen a better Saints team than this. None mentally tougher and more resilient or more determined. That intensity just keeps going up and will not dissipate simply because they aren't playing at Docklands. Your argument is simplistic and reeks of desperately searching for a weakness, when there just isn't one.

Past results mean nothing. Look at your own team's 2005-06 performance.

 

[KamakazeSalami]

Seriously what is the point of these threads? Are other club's supporters so insecure that they have to go around trying to conjure reasons as to why the Saints can't win one to make themselves feel better? Does it really help you sleep better at night?

I watched the Saints v Crows game last night (I'd picked the Crows as I thought the Saints might struggle in the second half as a result of the Perth trip the week before). They were unbelievable! They dismantled the Crows and strangled them in that second quarter. I was left shaking my head at how good they were against such quality opposition.

History suggests they will probably lose a game during the season. So what? They haven't played at the MCG yet - so what? And to suggest their level of intensity could actually be their achille's heel? WTF??? They have finally got their shit together and are purring along. Good on em. As much as I'd love to see my team up their challenging for a premiership I also love the footy and seeing these guys go about it is a joy to watch (particularly after the horrible Port v WCE game).

Why can't we just accept that this is an awesome team and they will more than likely be in the GF and let their supporters enjoy it while they can?

 

[dogbowl]

Some desperate people out there trying to find excuses for why the saints Can't win. Scraping the bottom of the barrel I reckon. Anyone who beats them will deserve the premiership. But short of the team bus being involved in a head on with a petrol tanker, I can't see it happening.

They have done nothing to suggest they won't win it, and everything to suggest they'll romp it in. Best a few people round here start accepting the reality that the Saints are the form team and deserved favourites for the flag.

Yep, I agree. They are red-hot, and there are no real reasons why they can't win.

After all, they have more round 1 draft picks playing than I have had hot dinners....

 

[DaVe86]

anything can happen in September.

At this stage I think the Saints are clearly ahead of Geelong simply because they have the tall forwards.

But Geelong have got far more dangerous small forwards who are more likely to stand up in September than Milne and Schneider. But I think historically its the talls that win premierships....because under pressure you can go long and ensure a contest.


But the Cats only lost by 1 point despite a very slow start...and they have more experience in finals and on the G. Can Saints shut games down on the G in September against attacking sides like Geelong???

 

[Lensen]

I think the real story is why so many people want St Kilda to fall over and fail to win the premiership.

I've always been on the opinion that one team wins the premiership each year, and fifteen don't. The only team I want to win the premiership is St Kilda. I want all the others to not win the premiership with equal conviction.

I see it a little like if a small Pacific Island nation had some incredible economic expansion, and we in Australia were annoyed or even aggrieved that it happened.

To all supporters: if you don't barrack for St Kilda, St Kilda is just one of fifteen other teams you don't barrack for. Unless you have an irrational belief the sky will literally fall in if St Kilda win the flag, barrack for your team, and enjoy the finals as a neutral if your team isn't playing.

Well the analogy falls flat because I don't go to an economic stadium every weekend cheering for Australia to be the richest.

Footy's an irrational game supported irrationally by equally irrational fans. Why do Collingwood fans prefer to beat Carlton over Freo? They're both worth 4 points - it's irrational.

For me, the sky might as well fall in if the Saints win because to me in my entire life I've had an irrational hatred of the St Kilda footy club and would not care one iota if they fell off the face of the earth. I would rather another Lions flag than a Saints one. Why? I'm not really sure. But being rational ain't part of being a footy fan.

 

[Rushed]

their luck can't keep going like this and they don't play the big finals at the Dome. Saints 2009 = no chance.

 

[Helfarch]

This should have been the shortest thread in bigfooty history.

If they keep doing whatever it is they have been all year there is no reason they can't win the flag.

 

[Axcellence]

Yep, I agree. They are red-hot, and there are no real reasons why they can't win.

After all, they have more round 1 draft picks playing than I have had hot dinners....

Farren Ray sends his thanks for picking him as a 1st round pick and passing him on to Saints for a 2nd rounder.

 

[The Sultan]

as mentioned above the saints intensity it their biggest difference this year their pressure is unbelievable, are people seriously suggesting that this insity will drop off once they make september ???? i didnt drop after a few big away wins, it didnt drop off after beating geelong and a subsequent trip to perth and i doubt it will drop off come september, injuries will determine their fate.

 

[The Sultan]

Well the analogy falls flat because I don't go to an economic stadium every weekend cheering for Australia to be the richest.

Footy's an irrational game supported irrationally by equally irrational fans. Why do Collingwood fans prefer to beat Carlton over Freo? They're both worth 4 points - it's irrational.

For me, the sky might as well fall in if the Saints win because to me in my entire life I've had an irrational hatred of the St Kilda footy club and would not care one iota if they fell off the face of the earth. I would rather another Lions flag than a Saints one. Why? I'm not really sure. But being rational ain't part of being a footy fan.

whats this a rational thread from an irrational supporter

 

[bigmicka]

After all, they have more round 1 draft picks playing than I have had hot dinners....

Not to pick you up on something old chap, but every team has a round 1 draft pick every year, although if you look at Freos record, you would say otherwise.

Now if you are suggesting something different, like no. 1 picks.

Then you should be looking elsewhere, as the saints have had two in Riewoldt and Goddard. Which is lagging behind other clubs.

Even if you are talking top ten picks, your club is just about on par with ours. since 2000 we have had 7, you have had 6.

So as they say, people in glass houses should not throw stones.

mic

 

[hoopla]

They can go all the way without losing a game, especially if they don't get any major injuries.

They deserve to be favourites at this stage. I still don't know why the cats are favourites with all our injuries and slightly sub-par form. If we get most of our players back for the finals then I think we'll have as much chance as any of the top 4.

 

[hayes]

MCG is just another ground. We've won everywhere else, there's no reason why we can't win there. My only worry is that the players might become tired, which is why the first final is huge because the week off will be invaluable.

 

[The Punter]

Well the analogy falls flat because I don't go to an economic stadium every weekend cheering for Australia to be the richest.

Footy's an irrational game supported irrationally by equally irrational fans. Why do Collingwood fans prefer to beat Carlton over Freo? They're both worth 4 points - it's irrational.

For me, the sky might as well fall in if the Saints win because to me in my entire life I've had an irrational hatred of the St Kilda footy club and would not care one iota if they fell off the face of the earth. I would rather another Lions flag than a Saints one. Why? I'm not really sure. But being rational ain't part of being a footy fan.

It doesn't fall flat, and the rest of your post is contradictory.

The reason a win against Carlton means more than a win against Fremantle is because Carlton have historically been a good side, and Carlton and Collingwood have played in games that have mattered.

Carlton and Collingwood have played 24 finals against each other. Carlton is one of only three teams Collingwood has a losing record against (the others being West Coast and the Brisbane Lions).

On the other hand, St Kilda and Collingwood have played only eight finals, and Collingwood have beaten St Kilda 149 times from 205 matches. The other two teams Collingwood has a better record against no longer exist (University and the Brisbane Bears).

Yet you hate us.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/blog.php?b=609

 

[Lensen]

It doesn't fall flat, and the rest of your post is contradictory.

"I am right and you are wrong. I will offer no reasons. It is just so."

The reason a win against Carlton means more than a win against Fremantle is because Carlton have historically been a good side, and Carlton and Collingwood have played in games that have mattered.

Carlton and Collingwood have played 24 finals against each other. Carlton is one of only three teams Collingwood has a losing record against (the others being West Coast and the Brisbane Lions).

On the other hand, St Kilda and Collingwood have played only eight finals, and Collingwood have beaten St Kilda 149 times from 205 matches. The other two teams Collingwood has a better record against no longer exist (University and the Brisbane Bears).

Yet you hate us.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/blog.php?b=609

Not sure how that is contradictory?

I've said that my hatred of St Kilda is irrational. You take that as meaning that I hate them because they've been good against us and go off on a meaningless stat tangent. I'll say it again: my hated is irrational. So is the hatred of other clubs by other supporters. Hell, the mere hatred of any other team is irrational - they're just another group of players randomly assembled by a footy club that happens to be different to the one you've arbitrarily picked!

Your utopian footy world view of having one team as #1 and the rest as having completely neutral is perfectly rational. Aussie Rules footy isn't the #1 code in Victoria because it's rational - it's because of the irrational feelings that the traditional suburban sides stir up in supporters of other sides.