Preview Round 1 - St Kilda v Melbourne, Saturday March 25th, 4:35pm, Etihad Stadium

[Proper Gander]

You know this is going to sound like quitter talk, but i feel i need to say it. The intensity towards Round 1 is huge this year, it does get pretty big but i feel it's bigger than any other year due to the opposition being very similar. And with such intensity and optimism i feel a loss is going to have people ripping their hair out and distraught with emotions.

So basically i just want to say, don't explode if a loss occurs. Take a step back, breath a sigh of relief. Sure it wouldn't be ideal but theres 22 round to follow. Don't let it get to you

I started contemplating the potential enormity of the meltdown after round one too (starting with mine). I'm going to buy stressballs

 

[Longdroughtdees]

You know this is going to sound like quitter talk, but i feel i need to say it. The intensity towards Round 1 is huge this year, it does get pretty big but i feel it's bigger than any other year due to the opposition being very similar. And with such intensity and optimism i feel a loss is going to have people ripping their hair out and distraught with emotions.

So basically i just want to say, don't explode if a loss occurs. Take a step back, breath a sigh of relief. Sure it wouldn't be ideal but theres 22 round to follow. Don't let it get to you

Forgive my optimism but we'll be 0-2 after first two rounds... Makes the pain easier to deal with.

 

[Proper Gander]

Forgive my optimism but we'll be 0-2 after first two rounds... Makes the pain easier to deal with.

Username checks out

 

[schmuttt]

If we lose the same way to them that we always do I'm going to melt.

If we lose to carlton I'm going to lose my mind.

 

[aussierulesrules]

That game between Saints & Swans shows how good and scary saints can be. Watch out Dees

*Cringes*

 

[Proper Gander]

If we lose the same way to them that we always do I'm going to melt.

If we lose to carlton I'm going to lose my mind.

This.

I'd say a round one loss is very possible. Logic brain says Saints are going in from the stronger position on this one. But I want it at least to look as though we've learned something from the way we've lost to them previously. I wish I felt confident we could withstand their forward pressure, and I'm not certain where it comes from but I want to see a spot of defensive pressure in our forward 50. Most of all I would like to see us play smart, change the pace up if they get momentum because that team thrives on that style of play. I'm hoping Lewis can help a bit in controlling the pace of the game if required.

I can't even think about the Carlton scenario you have put forward. I'll chew off my own arms if that happens.

 

[Proper Gander]

*Cringes*

Yeah that was awkward really

 

[CTHORANGE]

You know this is going to sound like quitter talk, but i feel i need to say it. The intensity towards Round 1 is huge this year, it does get pretty big but i feel it's bigger than any other year due to the opposition being very similar. And with such intensity and optimism i feel a loss is going to have people ripping their hair out and distraught with emotions.

So basically i just want to say, don't explode if a loss occurs. Take a step back, breath a sigh of relief. Sure it wouldn't be ideal but theres 22 round to follow. Don't let it get to you

I see where you're coming from, but over the past decade our season has been over after round 1 most years. Although we knew most seasons were not going to be good (or even mediocre) before they started, we still held hope of a few exciting wins.

There were years when any hope of this was gone by half time of round 1. There's been years when all hope was abandoned after 5 minutes.

We all hold out a lot more hope this year. There is losing and then there is losing. The first type of losing is acceptable. The second type of losing is not. So realistically, there may, very well, likely, probably, be some serious meltdowns in the event of the second type of losing.

 

[12Chill]

Don't think I've ever been so excited and nervous at the same time for a round 1 game. Regardless of who wins I think it'll be a cracker that neutrals will enjoy

 

[Xhoquelin]

If we start Pencil and Gawn together we're in trouble. Really, really hope Goodwin picks Tim Smith or Petracca to play as a false FF(don't crucify me for using a soccer term) ala Andrew Welsh who used to often torment Matty Scarlett up forward which was an interesting tactic used by the Bombers vs Geelong.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I think the Saints are still ahead of us in terms of how they stick to their game style and structures, we looked pretty poor at this vs WCE but Subi is a very big ground.

We definitely can't afford to play 2 rucks against a team that runs the ball like the Saints.

 

[MightySaint]

Will be a ripper, can't wait for it. Hopefully Carlisle can help with the Hogan problem but as usual this will probably be won in the midfield.

 

[markm106]

If we pick Spencer and Gawn I feel the game could be lost at the selection table. Saints will bring the ball to ground and run. Similar to what we did last year queens birthday when Collingwood picked all the talls.

 

[TheCount]

If we pick Spencer and Gawn I feel the game could be lost at the selection table. Saints will bring the ball to ground and run. Similar to what we did last year queens birthday when Collingwood picked all the talls.

Yeah, I'm comfortable that it's certainly a selection move we can make to negate or expose the opposition, but I hope that it's been recognised, against a team like St Kilda, it's going to have a negative effect. Although it was probably exacerbated how slow the extra tall forward line of Hogan, Watts, Weideman and Spencer/Gawn were, when we were without any kind of small forward down there.

 

[markm106]

Yeah, I'm comfortable that it's certainly a selection move we can make to negate or expose the opposition, but I hope that it's been recognised, against a team like St Kilda, it's going to have a negative effect. Although it was probably exacerbated how slow the extra tall forward line of Hogan, Watts, Weideman and Spencer/Gawn were, when we were without any kind of small forward down there.

We really need at least one of Garlett and Kent. Both would be handy.

 

[Crusty Demon]

We really need at least one of Garlett and Kent. Both would be handy.

Agree. But no point bringing in these guys if they aren't match fit.

And if we play Spencer and Gawn, I'll lose my sh*t. Hickey has beaten or at least broken even with Max the last few times they have played. So I feel that already is a massive upside for the Saints. Throw in Carlisle taking Hogan's impact away, we are in serious trouble if we cannot win the midfield battle and win it well. If we get smashed again by the Saints and at Etihad, then I feel the negative comments will come and be deserved. It doesn't mean we supporters are packing it in after Round 1, it just means we have lost the same way for years against these guys, and on that ground, and we have a decent list now and a coach who wants us to play a different brand of football. So I see no excuses. We should be in the match until late in the last quarter, or I see it as a failure. Doesn't mean our seasons over (that will come after Round 2 when we lose to Carlton).

 

[markm106]

Agree. But no point bringing in these guys if they aren't match fit.

And if we play Spencer and Gawn, I'll lose my sh*t. Hickey has beaten or at least broken even with Max the last few times they have played. So I feel that already is a massive upside for the Saints. Throw in Carlisle taking Hogan's impact away, we are in serious trouble if we cannot win the midfield battle and win it well. If we get smashed again by the Saints and at Etihad, then I feel the negative comments will come and be deserved. It doesn't mean we supporters are packing it in after Round 1, it just means we have lost the same way for years against these guys, and on that ground, and we have a decent list now and a coach who wants us to play a different brand of football. So I see no excuses. We should be in the match until late in the last quarter, or I see it as a failure. Doesn't mean our seasons over (that will come after Round 2 when we lose to Carlton).

Yeah we certainly don't want to bring in underdone players. But I reckon they'll be right to play a role up forward. Also don't think the coaches seem keen to play underdone players. Getting rolled round one won't be the end of the world but we'd want a decent showing.

 

[dees 4 life]

Whats the news with Frost? Haven't heard much about him in the off season.
Reckon he will be important as a third tall defender this season.
He makes errors but i think he has a chance of making it, reminds me of Tom Mac at the same age.

 

[markm106]

Whats the news with Frost? Haven't heard much about him in the off season.
Reckon he will be important as a third tall defender this season.
He makes errors but i think he has a chance of making it, reminds me of Tom Mac at the same age.

Fair call. They have some similarities. Hopefully Frost can come on. I believe he is currently injured maybe a toe injury. I think he's close to playing.

 

[TheCount]

Whats the news with Frost? Haven't heard much about him in the off season.
Reckon he will be important as a third tall defender this season.
He makes errors but i think he has a chance of making it, reminds me of Tom Mac at the same age.

Yeah I really rate him. His kicking when going at top speed is an absolute abomination, but when he gives it a bit more thought he's not so bad, his defending is good tho, and you just can't buy a bloke that's that size, yet so bloody quick. I think we're going to miss him while he's still out with injury. Our backline looked so much better with the Mac's and him when they got settled down there last season, would be handy come round 1, but I'd say he's still a few weeks away from selection.

 

[PerfectFooty]

Fair call. They have some similarities. Hopefully Frost can come on. I believe he is currently injured maybe a toe injury. I think he's close to playing.

Yes i recall them saying he was close all season the last time his toe was injured.

 

[Sando22]

You know this is going to sound like quitter talk, but i feel i need to say it. The intensity towards Round 1 is huge this year, it does get pretty big but i feel it's bigger than any other year due to the opposition being very similar. And with such intensity and optimism i feel a loss is going to have people ripping their hair out and distraught with emotions.

So basically i just want to say, don't explode if a loss occurs. Take a step back, breath a sigh of relief. Sure it wouldn't be ideal but theres 22 round to follow. Don't let it get to you

Yep expectation very high but could very well be a thumping with us on the wrong end.
We look in good nick but they are flying too.
I completely agree there will be a real sense of 'we've sh*t the bed' if we don't have a win but I think as the season rolls on, the Saints will prove a difficult opponent for most - especially at Etihad.

 

[booshboy]

Anyone else think this game could sell out?

 

[PerfectFooty]

Anyone else think this game could sell out?

I am actually starting to get concerned. I might need to rock up super early with my GA membership

 

[LeverPuller]

I am actually starting to get concerned. I might need to rock up super early with my GA membership

So am I. I've got GA now but might ring the club.

EDIT: Spoke to the club, if you've got H&A you can pay a touch extra for guaranteed entry. Probably will.

Going to be the biggest game we have played at Darklands for a while.