ROUND 1: Saints vs. Geelong @ MCG

[stkildathunda]

Ross Lyon - Press Conference 21 March 2011



[YOUTUBE]0lMkE_peupA[/YOUTUBE]

 

[thomas_m18]

Ultimate_Warrior, the only changes I'd make to your side are Cripps and Dempster out for Stanley and Peake. Dempster/Peake is 50/50, but I just feel that Peake could be very handy. Stanley comes in for Cripps because I think Stanley's a better option. Cripps didn't really impress me in the PS enough to give him a shot Round 1, whereas Stanley (who hasn't impressed either) might be more helpful overall with his ability to ruck and give us another tall target up forward.

 

[SamFisher25]

Ultimate_Warrior, the only changes I'd make to your side are Cripps and Dempster out for Stanley and Peake. Dempster/Peake is 50/50, but I just feel that Peake could be very handy. Stanley comes in for Cripps because I think Stanley's a better option. Cripps didn't really impress me in the PS enough to give him a shot Round 1, whereas Stanley (who hasn't impressed either) might be more helpful overall with his ability to ruck and give us another tall target up forward.

+1

 

[sainter]

Just a few quick questions.

1) I've got a 16 game (non reserved seat) Youth membership. How would I be able to sit with two non-members? Could they buy tickets at the ground which would allow us to sit together? I could reserve tickets if need be but could I just rock up?

2) When do Little Red start?

You scan your membership, they buy a general admin ticket, and you all sit anywhere in the below areas.

Crowd estimate: 60,000

General Admission Public Seating

Great Southern Stand:
M1 – M10
P1 – P15
Q1 – Q15

Ponsford Stand:
M28 – M32
Q29 – Q36

Olympic Stand:
Q49 – Q57

 

[SamFisher25]

game starts at 7:40pm sharp. little red would probably kick off at about 7:00pm i'd say. 1/2hr set.

 

[Rough_Edges]

So just to clarify it isn't ticketed is it?

Simply have to scan my membershio?

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Ultimate_Warrior, the only changes I'd make to your side are Cripps and Dempster out for Stanley and Peake. Dempster/Peake is 50/50, but I just feel that Peake could be very handy. Stanley comes in for Cripps because I think Stanley's a better option. Cripps didn't really impress me in the PS enough to give him a shot Round 1, whereas Stanley (who hasn't impressed either) might be more helpful overall with his ability to ruck and give us another tall target up forward.

yeah I like Peake's attack more than Dempster's. Stanley plays as a forward, so McQualter is in the midfield rotation. I'd almost prefer Geary than McQualter though.

 

[stfan]

So just to clarify it isn't ticketed is it?

Simply have to scan my membershio?

Yes as long as you have the 16 game membership (= Geelong Home Game)..
If just the standard 11, then no.

 

[Rough_Edges]

Yeh, I am 16 game.

Cheers.


FWIW My pick on the subs:

If Koschitzke plays: Stanley

if Koschitzke doesn't play: Dempster

 

[Plugger35]

Yeh, I am 16 game.

Cheers.


FWIW My pick on the subs:

If Koschitzke plays: Stanley

if Koschitzke doesn't play: Dempster

I would have thought it would be the other way round. Stanley to play if Kosi doesn't play because we need a replacement tall forward/back up ruckman.

If Baker is selected then I'm not sure we need Dempster as well, may be better off with a more attacking player like Peake. Peake was one of our better players against Geelong in our final last year from memory.

Would have liked to have seen Ledger get a go but doesn't sound like he is fit at the moment.

 

[ULTIMATE_WARRIOR]

Ultimate_Warrior, the only changes I'd make to your side are Cripps and Dempster out for Stanley and Peake. Dempster/Peake is 50/50, but I just feel that Peake could be very handy. Stanley comes in for Cripps because I think Stanley's a better option. Cripps didn't really impress me in the PS enough to give him a shot Round 1, whereas Stanley (who hasn't impressed either) might be more helpful overall with his ability to ruck and give us another tall target up forward.

Brett Peake was a hard one. You're probably right as that side I listed already has Steven Baker to tackle Steve Johnson and you have an Ablett free Clint Jones who could take him or a number of damaging Cats midfielders. There just seems to be a lot of love for Sean Dempster around and I am no different. But we cant be too defensive minded this season and whilst Peake's skills are lacklustre to say the least, he has a natural attacking flair and doesn't mind a goal.

I just don't think Rhys Stanley is ready yet after that 6 weeks away from the main group and hardly setting the world on fire at Sandringham practice games. But we are in desperate need of tall options and back up rucks to give Ben McEvoy a chop out. So I wouldn't be too suprised to see him named and played. Jamie Cripps may not get a first up debut, but Alistair Smith seemed to impress Ross Lyon so wouldn't discount it.

Will be interesting selection. Either way, very confidant of a win to kick start the year.

 

[ULTIMATE_WARRIOR]

Would have liked to have seen Ledger get a go but doesn't sound like he is fit at the moment.

Tom Ledger, along with maybe Dan Archer was the standout of all the youngsters this pre-season if you ask me. A shame he is out at the moment as I reckon he would have been real close to debuting Round 1.

 

[ULTIMATE_WARRIOR]

I'd almost prefer Geary than McQualter though.

Jarryn Geary always seems to be the hardest player to make room for when thinking up possible teams and line ups.

I'm an Andrew McQualter fan, but not sure what to expect this season. Performances like his solid NAB game against Geelong, or that woeful one against Essendon? I just hope he can recapture his form of 2009 and slot through a few more goals aswell as continue his good forward pressure and pick himself in the side every week .

 

[Squizz]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/109651/default.aspx

Koschitzke, who has battled an ankle injury all summer, will probably have to wait at least another week before he can kick off his season.

"Justin's training today. He'd be a slim chance but really unlikely," coach Ross Lyon said on Monday afternoon.

"It's just the coach dreaming a little bit. He's done a full training over the last week or so. He'll train fully this week but it would be a left-field selection. He's certainly not totally discounted but (fitness and conditioning coach) Dave Misson and I are butting heads a little bit so we'll see."

 

[SaintsSeptember]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/109651/default.aspx

Koschitzke, who has battled an ankle injury all summer, will probably have to wait at least another week before he can kick off his season.

"Justin's training today. He'd be a slim chance but really unlikely," coach Ross Lyon said on Monday afternoon.

"It's just the coach dreaming a little bit. He's done a full training over the last week or so. He'll train fully this week but it would be a left-field selection. He's certainly not totally discounted but (fitness and conditioning coach) Dave Misson and I are butting heads a little bit so we'll see."

Squizzy what was your opinon of Stanley's last game.
My understanding was that he was beaten pretty much in the ruck ( early injury )? but OK around the ground/ forward.

 

[The Punter]

Stanley wouldn't need to play even a half of the game in the ruck. 75/25 McEvoy/Stanley, with Stanley playing mostly forward.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Stanley wouldn't need to play even a half of the game in the ruck. 75/25 McEvoy/Stanley, with Stanley playing mostly forward.

Exactly my thoughts Punter, which is why I asked Squizzy the loaded question.

 

[Squizz]

He was up against Wayde Skipper and Fabian Deluca (reasonable opposition).

When he gets a clean run at it, he'll get the tap most times against the VFL guys.

Problem is, their tactic is pretty much to bury their knee into his ribs. Rhys hasn't worked out how to read the other ruckman i.e. when to jump extra early, when to stick a knee into them, when to pull out and get the easy tap if the other ruckman goes early etc. It will come in time.

Last week he played from behind in around the ground contests, so he's got alot to learn.

Greg Hutchison's comments give you a fair idea:
"He (Stanley) has only trained with us one week, and he has had two VFL games. Was he lively enough today? I am not sure. We'll have a look during the week."

I like him in the team from the perspective of (effectively) having a quick midfielder who can play other roles. Dal, Monty, Armo and Lenny are nowhere near elite in terms of pace.

But I think the way Archer can take a hit (and back up for more) has much appeal to the coaching panel.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

He was up against Wayde Skipper and Fabian Deluca (reasonable opposition).

When he gets a clean run at it, he'll get the tap most times against the VFL guys.

Problem is, their tactic is pretty much to bury their knee into his ribs. Rhys hasn't worked out how to read the other ruckman i.e. when to jump extra early, when to stick a knee into them, when to pull out and get the easy tap if the other ruckman goes early etc. It will come in time.

Last week he played from behind in around the ground contests, so he's got alot to learn.

Greg Hutchison's comments give you a fair idea:
"He (Stanley) has only trained with us one week, and he has had two VFL games. Was he lively enough today? I am not sure. We'll have a look during the week."

I like him in the team from the perspective of (effectively) having a quick midfielder who can play other roles. Dal, Monty, Armo and Lenny are nowhere near elite in terms of pace.

But I think the way Archer can take a hit (and back up for more) has much appeal to the coaching panel.

I dont mind, I see Stanley as the way forward, but we wont gain much if we play him off his feet in some slugouts at the start of the season.
His pace isn't essential against the Cats, and Archer has probably earned a debut. ( I guess we'll end up with Archer rucking against Hawkins-as shown below - for a laugh ).
I'd like him to be in the team against Essendon though, along with Ledger and maybe Lynch. We know what doesn't work against Essendon.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Does Lynch work with Essendon?

 

[Squizz]

I'd have Archer in front of Lynch as a forward when Kosi returns to the team (which should be by round 3). Yes Percy - some (including Lynch I'd expect) are still trying to blank that game!

 

[CHBench]

Little Red start at 7:10 for those wanting to know.

 

[Papa Juggs]

Will Alias get his debut??

He was great in preseason. The other kids can get in line.

 

[Persevering Saint]

I'd have Archer in front of Lynch as a forward when Kosi returns to the team (which should be by round 3). Yes Percy - some (including Lynch I'd expect) are still trying to blank that game!

Yeah, well...

 

[Coast_Watch]

Live Friday Night Footy - Let us punish Ch 7

Ch7 have again decided to show the Friday night games after BH&G at 8:30pm. It is time for all footy fans across the AFL to punish CH7 for failing to play these games on live TV

The best way to punish CH7 is to switch to another channel for the evening news - on Fridays especially (and other days if you wish). Like all Channels, the Ch7 management use their News audience as a key barometer of their ratings performance. All TV station managers know that viewers do tend to stay on the same channel well after the news - it is a well known historic behaviour trait. Let's hit Ch7 where it hurts - their news ratings ! There is no major downside to this behaviour from a viewers perspective, as the news on the other channels is little different. If we can get enough impact, Ch7 will fear that losing viewers even just on Friday nights alone may result in more viewers drifting towards other channels on other nights as well. This may just force their hand !

This doesn't mean you have to miss the footy replay - but ignoring that will also increase pressure on Ch7 to review their ridiculous decision on live football coverage.

This will only work if enough people switch off the Ch7 News, so I suggest that you email all of your footy friends and get them to do this for the next few weeks, or until such time as we get the correct response out of Ch7. We will let Ch7 know what we are about.

Are you with me ????