Autopsy Review: St KIlda v Melbourne

[thomas_m18]

What happened too Roo's run up? **** it was poor today and could tell his set shots would be duds. Hopefully he's back firing soon.

Fair play to Joey, still thought some of his defensive efforts weren't amazing and was lacklustre early but really lifted and his disposal was a shit load better. Not on the kickouts as much too which is a positive IMO, getting slowly better there but still not perfect.

Billings is so important, not his best game but he gives us a lot, hopefully being dropped can see him lift to another level, his draft compatriots Dunstan and Acres also both solid, keep the 3 in and develop them, they really could all explode next year.

How about the guys we've managed to get from other clubs for free... Membrey (thank Goodesy for going on too long), Roberton, Weller and Bruce for a bargain... Great recruiting.

Melbourne are shit under pressure. All game I knew if we keep the pressure up we will win. They were ahead and once the pressure came from us they fell apart, and then again late when the game was there to be won they went to shit. If you let them play on their terms they'll look great but as soon as you bring it they don't come with you. Their fans would be spewing.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Here's the members only message from Richo.



(I thought I'd cheer Impatient up a bit )

 

[CALL ME SNAKE]

I'd be embarrassed by those Roos comments if I was a Melbourne supporter.
The players need to take some responsibility for the dross they serve up at Etihad, and Roos needs to take some responsibility as well.

Yeah the grounds are 10min apart in the same city and the Dees have been playing games there for 16yrs.
The constant bitching by their supporters about how they hate that so called "shit hole of a lifeless ground" is embarrassing .
Heres a tip, get your leaders to grow some balls , stand up and say "Thats it! the rot stops now. Lets bloody win".
But nah. Just blame the ground

 

[cartel]

Their fans would be spewing.

I was sitting amongst quite a few of them.

They were having an apoplexy, and didn't seem to understand the rules either.

There were quite a few QTs though, so that was good.

 

[CALL ME SNAKE]

Here's the members only message from Richo.



(I thought I'd cheer Impatient up a bit )

Oh great Perse. Now the 'Non' members have seen it.
I dont feel special anymore

 

[RoundCubic]

Dunstan was good in the 2nd as well but I hope he can find another level next season

 

[sverik25]

Just wanted to say, as weird as it sounds, that those non-holding the ball calls in the second quarter (especially the ones in our forward line) may have strangely worked in our favour as the pro-Saints crowd got well and truly involved after those.

When we kicked a couple of goals shortly after the crowd was right into it, I think partly sticking it up the umps, and may have energised the players. (At least that's what I like to think. )

 

[JG22]

LOL again
Dunstan 17 touches

 

[StKing11]

Quick thoughts again on each of our players:

Montagna - One of his best games of the season, barely put a foot wrong all day. For as much crap as some posters on here have given him he is averaging 27 disposals and 6 marks a game across half back, not bad for a 32 year old.
Membrey - This bloke looks better and better every week, thinking that he could be a genuine star for us for years to come. Had 10 marks and 4 goals, could've easily had 6. Salivating at the thought of a McCartin/Bruce/Membrey forward line over the next decade, could see them kicking at least 120 goals a season between them if all goes to plan.
Riewoldt - After a slow start he was great, his best game for a while. Typically worked his ass off and gave us a great option around the ground, but his goal kicking issues have re-arisen somewhat.
Steven - Didn't continue his stellar form of recent weeks but worked his way into the game nicely with 25 disposals and 6 tackles. Wasn't able to break the lines as much but did good work in tight.
Hickey - Another great game from the big Hick who was superb around the ground with 21 disposals. Gawn has been probably the best ruckman in the comp this season and Hickey has at least broke even with him in both games this year, which is a big factor in us beating them in both games.
Weller - Thought he was nearly our best player from start to finish, such a tough bastard who not only kicks goals but creates them too. Has become a marking target inside 50 for us as the year has gone on, which is an unexpected bonus from a 182cm player. And like last week he stepped up late when the game was on the line, sensational double effort at HFF/wing to win the ball led to a goal for Riewoldt and then kicked one himself a couple of minutes later.
Ross - Similar to Steven, not his biggest game of the year but a good solid one. A year ago 24 disposals would've been considered a big game from him and now it's considered a regular (even below par) game from him, which is a testament to his huge improvement.
Dunstan - Set the tone early when he was tackling like a mad man, good tough game with 11 contested possessions 4 clearances and 5 tackles. Hurt his shoulder in the second quarter which slowed him down a little bit, but capped off his 50th game with a great goal late. Again one of our better players on the day without standing out too much, quietly goes about his business.
Billings - Great to have him back and he was good before fading late, will be better for the run. Made a couple of nice passes by foot, a brilliant quick handball to set up a Geary goal and cracked in and did the tough stuff a lot more than he was previously. His goal kicking is officially an issue however, missed two very easy ones today and has now kicked 3.10 for the year. A player that is as ridiculously skilled by foot as Billings should not be missing so many fairly getable shots on goal.
Newnes - Seriously poor first half from a guy who is ultra consistent, was playing like he'd just rolled out of bed. But lifted and had a superb second half, some of his passes by foot were brilliant.
Roberton - Good solid game from Robbo, had a couple of great long kick outs from the goal square and kicked a goal for the second week running. Hasn't quite hit the heights of last year but has missed a few games with injury.
Acres - Hard game to read from him, had just the 12 disposals like last week but it felt like he was much more involved than that. Typical mixed bag of some scrappy ball use and moments of raw ability that show what a good player he could become. Sensational effort in the 4th when the game was still in the balance to split the contest in the air, win the ball at ground level and then give it to Weller for a goal, the reactions from the skipper after showed what a big play it was. Hopefully he plays the remaining 6 games to continue his learning and get ready for a big 2017.
Bruce - Much improved game from him today. His marking was much better than it had been recently, took some really important grabs all around the ground. Didn't have the most damaging game but took his chances to kick 2.0.
Gilbert - He has copped it on here for some poor performances but was one of our best today. Needed a lift from such an experienced player and we got it, got better and better as the game went on, gave us great run off half back and used the ball so beautifully that you have to question how he butchers it so much in other games. Only blight on his game was a seriously dumb piece of defensive positioning that gifted his opponent Watts an easy over the top goal in the 1st quarter.
Armitage - Quiet game with just the 14 disposals but did at least contribute 4 clearances and 6 tackles. Looked like he was carrying a stiff back or something, didn't bend over to pick up the ball a few times.
Geary - What a legend, brilliant game last week followed by another good one this week. His two goals on the run going in to half time changed the game for us.
McKenzie - Was okay and did the typical tough stuff that we've come to expect from him, but hasn't shown the same run and overhead marking that he did last year. Not sure that his form at AFL or VFL level has warranted his current spot in the team, however I don't mind them getting some games in to him. Has been a bit interrupted as well, hopefully he gets a clean run at it for season 2017.
Sinclair - Probably one of the top 5 kicks at the club and it showed today, his kick to set up a Membrey goal in the 2nd and his long kick to find a target from deep in the backline in the 3rd were both superb. Another one that was guilty of missing chances and finished with 0.2. If he can develop into a 25 disposal a game midfielder at some stage then he will be A-Grade, he is a good as any young player on our list.
Gresham - Had an equal career high 19 disposals and did a few clever things but it wasn't his best game, his ball use was disappointing at times. You can feel the crowd starting to buzz every time he gets the ball, because we all know that he can do some seriously special things with ball in hand.
Wright - Disappointing game with 13 disposals at 46.2% disposal efficiency, really butchered it at times and kicked 0.2 including a pretty unforgivable miss. Thought he was a little lucky to stay in the side this week with some big performers in the VFL knocking the door down, it will be a miracle if he stays in next week ahead of a Lonie or a Templeton.
Dempster - Great work to keep Hogan to 10 disposals 2 marks and just the 1 goal after he has torched us a couple of times in the last two seasons, and took some great grabs himself. Probably helped that Hogan had a crook back/hip/tailbone area after a heavy fall.
Minchington - Have never understood the huge love for this bloke on this forum, he just goes missing far too often. Just 6 disposals (second time this year) 1 tackle and no goals, it's not good enough and he should be out of the side next week. At least did a couple of good things in the 4th.

 

[Mowman]

LOL again
Dunstan 17 touches

What you laughing at ?

 

[HayesTheChamp]

Most of my thoughts have already been posted by others, bar one.

Did notice on a few occasions Blake doing the team thing, and giving off ball blocks to allow Bruce/Membrey/Roo to get off the chain to present on a lead. He's improving his game awareness, should keep his spot.

Only Minchington will probably getting dropped...

 

[bergholt]

Didn't see the game unfortunately.

But Acres just 12 touches again? And in the bit of the game I saw he missed a pretty easy set shot.

That's 50% of the 10 games he's played this year where he's had 13 or fewer touches.

What's going on there?

 

[joop]

LOL again
Dunstan 17 touches

Leading contested ball winner on the ground you twat.
He's very important to our side.

 

[lethalsaints]

Was I right or was I right?

Great game, Go Sainters!

Did you just quote yourself in the third person?

 

[#gosaintas]

I thought at the game Acres was ok. Surprised he got so few touches. Minch out for Eli is an easy one.

 

[Mowman]

Didn't see the game unfortunately.

But Acres just 12 touches again? And in the bit of the game I saw he missed a pretty easy set shot.

That's 50% of the 10 games he's played this year where he's had 13 or fewer touches.

What's going on there?

I thought Acres did more then enough to hold his spot and is coming a long slowly, did some good things late. Wasn't the only Saint to miss easy shots at goal today

 

[CALL ME SNAKE]

Did you just quote yourself in the third person?

Thats a bit wanky isnt it.
Well, Snake thinks so anyway.

 

[RoundCubic]

Just watching the first half for the first time. Thank you to the Saints fans who were there for giving it to the umps there were so many bad decisions it was a joke

 

[George]

Just watching the first half for the first time. Thank you to the Saints fans who were there for giving it to the umps there were so many bad decisions it was a joke

How many HTB's do you think the umps missed/didn't call? Frustrating to watch.

 

[Choomah]

Just watching the first half for the first time. Thank you to the Saints fans who were there for giving it to the umps there were so many bad decisions it was a joke

its ****ing ridiculous how incompetent the umpires are

 

[12Chill]

Hickey in the post game interview said D-Mac was sent to Petracca to curb his influence in the second half.

 

[HayesTheChamp]

How many HTB's do you think the umps missed/didn't call? Frustrating to watch.

I counted 8 till about mid way of the 3rd. I couldn't be stuffed counting after that

 

[Rors]

How many HTB's do you think the umps missed/didn't call? Frustrating to watch.

Legitimate ones... Probably 5-10

What I don't get is how Brayshaw didn't get pinged for the one in the middle when Armo chased him down. He got caught, was rolled over in the tackle, then to disposal of the ball he threw it in the air while on his back (so that should have been paid a throw or incorrect disposal) & kicked it out of the air

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I thought Acres did more then enough to hold his spot and is coming a long slowly, did some good things late. Wasn't the only Saint to miss easy shots at goal today

He was good when he got it, tried hard, but does need to get it more.
No-one carves out an AFL career getting that much of the ball.

 

[Choomah]

He was good when he got it, tried hard, but does need to get it more.
No-one carves out an AFL career getting that much of the ball.

maybe they should put him in the middle, he isnt going to rack up 30 a week playing in the forward pocket