Autopsy Round 7, 2019: GWS v St.Kilda

[bergholt]

Dont tell me you think the tail would be wagging the dog

We're trying to get him to re-sign so I expect so.

 

[CaptainRisky]

We're trying to get him to re-sign so I expect so.

I would hope we dont bend over for any player

 

[triggering bro]

Gresham should sign on the dotted line ASAP cos his price is going down by the week.

 

[JiggsteR45]

Agree.

Beaten by a superior team in great form. They played some footy that was on another level to anything I’ve seen so far this year. Cameron was a big difference in the game also.

Personally felt like we were on top from quarter time to midway through the third, just didn’t convert opportunities. Inside 50 stat is a misconception - it’s great to get the footy in there but it’s the quality of the delivery that makes the difference. Otherwise you you turn it over and GWS just pick you apart on transition.

Thought Wilkie was fantastic at times, he stood out. Steele was great in the middle with no support. And Marshall.... that kid has star potential.

Excellent post. Honest, realistic and accurate! Kudos to you Colleague! I went along to watch the game at Moorabbin (RSEA Park) on the big screens (a great experience that I heartily recommend to all Sainters!) and my expectations were that we would be in for a tough, tough contest.

 

[Diehard Saint]

Gresh seems to think he's a mid, not sure we'd be able to send him back to the forward line full time without problems.

Might get him back in some touch. I think he’s been underwhelming this season.
Better look sharp, there’s a lot of salary cap he could benefit from if he warrants it.

 

[gringo2011]

Obviously FA is the way to go but so far we have struck out, Tomlinson and a genuine A grade mid would be a great result.

Trading players is often about moving a player you can replace for a player type you’re short of. I would suggest that we have some attractive but replaceable players so there’s a start.

I’m unwilling to go into the 2020 season with this midfield and I’m prepared to give something to get what I want, I’m happy to still look for value but we’re at an interesting stage. IMO with a great trade period we will rocket up the ladder next year but sitting on our hands could be a disaster.

What though? We have nothing to sell. I can't see anyone that we could afford to lose that has any value at all. The problem with being an even unspectacular list is that even our best aren't really lusted after by other sides. Gresham would have netted us a big amount but as a mid he would have lost value, Billings just signed, Ross is probably our best mid without Stuv, Steele is going nowhere, Membrey maybe but then we lose fire power, Acres wouldn't be worth much etc. Newnes is a FA so can't sell him.

I just can't see anyone wanting our players that we are prepared to let go. The rucks that we could dump would have no-one lining up. I can't see what positions we have multiple highly talented players for. Maybe Carlisle? He'd be worth a good pick and we can play without him now?

We have apparently been super conservative in offering big money for FA players. Coniglio looks the most likely type we could ask for and all it would take is a godfather offer. Front load the hell out of it. Job done.

 

[mightymalaka]

Might get him back in some touch. I think he’s been underwhelming this season.
Better look sharp, there’s a lot of salary cap he could benefit from if he warrants it.

Yeah i still think he is a gun small forward with moments when we send him in the middle where he can have a big impact when in the mood!
Would hope the club does not bend over for any player, but one player we cannot afford to lose is Gresh!
He is one of the few who does have a sense of the big moments in matches and actually loves it!
Struggled yesterday but really lifted when the game was still up for grabs in the 3rd!

 

[gringo2011]

Call it optimism but I honestly see Max King as the circuit breaker we need. He’s the prince (or king) that was promised to be our saviour & defeat the beige-ness. He’s our Azor Ahai. I wonder if he will dip his boot into the heart of a loved one?

I feel really nervous about him still, I hate talking him up in case he is an injury bust or average again. I almost don't want to see him play because while he's not playing he's like an unchecked lottery ticket. I will be stressing that his knees will go and that he'll only look average. So much pressure on him already because of the fans wanting a saviour.

 

[VDS66]

I feel really nervous about him still, I hate talking him up in case he is an injury bust or average again. I almost don't want to see him play because while he's not playing he's like an unchecked lottery ticket. I will be stressing that his knees will go and that he'll only look average. So much pressure on him already because of the fans wanting a saviour.

More pressure on you by the look of it...

 

[gringo2011]

To be honest, Gresham and Billings are the only players that are worth a first round pick right now and are probably at their highest value based on this year’s form so far.. If we can get a good young mid and a pick, it might be worth to trade out 1 of the 2. None of the them are worth 800k, but if they stay, that’s the amount I’d imagine it’ll take.

That just doesn't appeal to me. We have sold so many stars recently and have a terrible strike rate in getting anything near the same quality back. We need more stars not less. I really want to condense quality on our list more than sell off stars for a bit of hope.

 

[saintspremiers]

Commentators of the Richmond match were saying how brave Richmond were. That recent performances had papered over the cracks left by injury and they were undermanned.

I didn't hear any of that from commentators when we played yesterday or last week.

Bruce playing both weeks took the place of an able-bodied player plus we have a few other injury concerns / fitness issues with Parker, Long, Webster and Clark. We are missing McCartin, Carlisle, Geary, Lonie, Hannebery, Roberton and Steven - that's 7 first 22 players. That doesn't take into account that emerging players like Austin, Jack Bytel, Clavarino, and the much awaited Max King have also been unavailable.

I'm proud of the way our players have stood up considering this - especially our defence - very proud.

You must be proud of our forward 50 entries and that first term.

That apologist rubbish attitude has permeated our club for way too long and must not be accepted.

 

[gringo2011]

I feel a lot better now after seeing carlton getting pantsed , they have something like 10 first round picks in that team

I was listening on radio, they play a heap of kids, I think they know they just have to pump games into them to sort through the list. It will click for them one day, they are getting better players. They are following the Brisbane model.

 

[NarklesHelmet]

I was listening on radio, they play a heap of kids, I think they know they just have to pump games into them to sort through the list. It will click for them one day, they are getting better players. They are following the Brisbane model.

And they beat the Dogs a couple of weeks back...and the Dogs beat Richmond yesterday.

We all have to realize it is a crazily even comp this year making it really hard to get a read on how a team is going from week to week.

We are losing our nerve after losing to GWS away after a horror injury run. I hate to see how we are going to react after dropping a game against a poorer team (and it WILL happen).

There were people who had us 1-9 before the season started, and even before the injuries hit us. I think we are tracking very well considering the draw and our injuries.

 

[JiggsteR45]

You must be proud of our forward 50 entries and that first term.

That apologist rubbish attitude has permeated our club for way too long and must not be accepted.

Kildonan has a right to express an opinion, without getting a sarcastic response like this.

 

[JiggsteR45]

And they beat the Dogs a couple of weeks back...and the Dogs beat Richmond yesterday.

We all have to realize it is a crazily even comp this year making it really hard to get a read on how a team is going from week to week.

We are losing our nerve after losing to GWS away after a horror injury run. I hate to see how we are going to react after dropping a game against a poorer team (and it WILL happen).

There were people who had us 1-9 before the season started, and even before the injuries hit us. I think we are tracking very well considering the draw and our injuries.

If 2018 was “the season from hell”, then, Colleagues, may I suggest that we are currently experiencing “purgatory” in 2019. Change is often painful, not without error on the way, but with cool heads and strong nerve on the part of all of us, I sincerely believe that better days are on the horizon, and could be with us sooner rather than later.
May I use this quote to sum up my feelings about footy, the Saints, and where we are at? Thank you:

“No one can reach the dawn without passing through the night”

Kahlil Gibran

Go Saints! (To hell with the rest!) ️️

 

[Jade Buddha]

You must be proud of our forward 50 entries and that first term.

That apologist rubbish attitude has permeated our club for way too long and must not be accepted.

What?

 

[JiggsteR45]

What?

Yes mate, “What?” was my response to this too! ️️

 

[KingJim]

SKILLS. HIT UP A TARGET USING THE FOOTBALL SKILLS YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE AS AN EMPLOYED MEMBER OF AN AFL PLAYING TEAM. I CAN'T MAKE IT ANY MORE SIMPLE THAN THAT. KICK BALL, HAND-BALL, MARK BALL, PLACE BALL BETWEEN TWO BIG STICKS. THAT IS THE BASICS. JESUS.

Yes and it works well on the training track. But there are other people trying to stop you from doing that. So it gets hard I guess.

 

[Premium]

With all the experience we have at the moment, every game is going to be an uphill battle. This is what our best team looks like currently if everyone is fit and firing (Robbo not included).

Geary Brown Webster
Savage Carlisle Wilkie
Billings Hannebery Ross
Gresham Membrey Parker
Lonie King Bruce
Marshall Steele Steven

Long Paton Acres Newnes


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

I feel Battle should be in the team , King to me is not a proven player yet so I feel he can't be in the best 22.
Also Long while doing some good things doesn't get 4 quarters , Kent at least attempts to play 4 quarters.
If Carlisle can get back fit I feel he could be used as a swingman as a forward and back.
As you say Hannebery is a automatic pick if fit.

 

[KingJim]

Billings and Gresham... Both overrated... LONIE shits on both of them.

On TRT-LX2 using BigFooty.com mobile app

Don't really agree with that one. When Gresham is on he is one of the best small forwards in comp, he is agile and score goals. And when Billings is on his kicking is immaculate. But yes Lonie is good too, but needs time to build consistency-but he is much improved.

 

[KingJim]

Battle is awesome and has done incredibly well but Naughton literally looks like a once in a generation forward. He looked Carey like. Battle looks like he could be anything but it's like comparing apples and oranges still. Backs don't get the attention forwards or mids get and are measured differently.

Yeas Naughton should do a commercial for super-glue, the way the ball sticks to his mitts is very impressive.

 

[VDS66]

You must be proud of our forward 50 entries and that first term.

That apologist rubbish attitude has permeated our club for way too long and must not be accepted.

Serious?

This isn't SS and Kildo doesn't deserve that rubbish.

 

[KingJim]

Stop it you are just teasing now!

We're in a pretty dire situation right now, but at least there are some positives emerging.
Just for fun, here's my 2019 best 22 with a fully fit and in form squad

B; Geary, Carlisle, Webster
HB: Roberton, Wilkie, Savage
C: Hannebery, Steele, Billings
HF: Gresham, Battle, Lonie
F: Parker, Bruce, Membrey

Foll: Marshall, Steven, Ross
Int: Acres, Clark, Newnes, Sinclair

 

[gringo2011]

Serious?

This isn't SS and Kildo doesn't deserve that rubbish.

Killer is a wizard, I think he can take care of himself sheriff. Impatient is probably hopping around his keyboard as we speak.

 

[aussierulesrules]

In the cool light of day and with a day to get over the frustration of the way we blew so many opportunities yesterday, here are some facts.

In the first quarter we were (like last week against Adelaide) well on top of general play and dominating field position for the first 15 mins of the game, but like last week, we failed to capitalise, and left the door open for the other team, and on both occasions they were good enough to walk through it.

Last week we kicked a bunch of points and had 9 scoring shots to 3 in the first quarter, but only led by 6 behinds at quarter time, and this week we were at one stage leading the inside 50's 12 or 13 to 5, yet trailed 1 goal to 4!

Last week Adelaide made us pay by kicking 6 straight goals, before registering their first behind, and yesterday GWS likewise kicked 6 straight, before kicking their first behind, and went at an extraordinary 85% kicking efficiency for that first quarter.

So we dominated general play and field position for the first 15 or so mins of the game, before they blew us away with some absolutely faultless footy that was as good as any team has produced this year, which our super-inexperienced backline had little chance of stopping.

But then we regained the ascendency against a team in white-hot form and won the following quarter 3.3 to 1.2.

Then we played even better in the 3rd quarter, and were so on top of general play for most of it that we at one stage were leading the inside 50 count 18-4 for the quarter, and we had from memory kept this team that kicked a season high (for any team) 8 goals in the first quarter, goalless for 45 minutes.

Again we failed to capitalise on this general dominance of play though (one goal apiece from 18-4 inside 50's) and once they got their game going again they again wiped the floor with us for a few mins and pretty much put the game to bed.

So while there was a lot wrong with what we did yesterday, they were still a much classier and more experienced team and playing at possibly their favourite ground, yet we had the better of them for some very significant periods of the game (most of quarters 2 and 3 and the first half of Q1), so it's far from all doom and gloom.

Especially since it's pretty obvious what we need to work on and the result was pretty much what you'd expect from such an inexperienced team (with a crazy-inexperienced backline), against one of the very best teams, on their home ground.