Preview Round 8, 2022: Melbourne v St.Kilda - MCG, Sunday 8th May, 1:10PM AEST

[stfan]

That surprised me... Billings not selected even after a great game in the VFL.

I thought he would be an automatic in based on our previous selection policies, but maybe this club knows what it is doing afterall.

Remember though that Billings was on limited minutes. Plus they only put him on the ball in last quarter.

His previous game in the VFL, which was also against Frankston, he racked up 55 disposals, and was in the action for most of that game.

His next VFL game will probably have him more in the action for longer, and if all goes well he will play against the Cats.

 

[Saints TV]

Little write-up by a young Sainter Hugo: Round 8 Preview 2022 — Saints TV

 

[stfan]

Forecast for Sunday is now much better than it was.

Game will most likely now be played in quite good conditions.

 

[#gosaintas]

I watched most of that game and didn't think Billings was that good. He missed a sitter and kicked a sitter and did enough to get through but hardly looked special. He probably had to kick Wood out and he hardly made it a no brainer. Jones is an instant injection of pace and dynamism to play against a good midfield. I can see exactly why they have put him in. Billings looked like he was in second gear.

Good summary of his career

 

[Ephemeral Hope]

I watched most of that game and didn't think Billings was that good. He missed a sitter and kicked a sitter and did enough to get through but hardly looked special. He probably had to kick Wood out and he hardly made it a no brainer. Jones is an instant injection of pace and dynamism to play against a good midfield. I can see exactly why they have put him in. Billings looked like he was in second gear.

Billings was in second gear but did everything decent enough. Looked like he had a gear to go up.

Jones went hard at it but his disposal looked a bit rushed. I guess Jones isn’t returning from any injury clouds whereas Billings is coming off a few hamstrings.

 

[phantom13]

Just a good pub for a few boys from the country wanting a cold beer I guess haha. We’ll check out swan street and head to the game by the sounds of it

If you head from Richmond station towards Hawthorn youll go past (in order) Holliava, The Corner, Precinct, The Post Office and RCH. Dont bother going any further than that.

 

[bird_man]

Just a good pub for a few boys from the country wanting a cold beer I guess haha. We’ll check out swan street and head to the game by the sounds of it

The Royal

 

[BrutThough]

I watched most of that game and didn't think Billings was that good. He missed a sitter and kicked a sitter and did enough to get through but hardly looked special. He probably had to kick Wood out and he hardly made it a no brainer. Jones is an instant injection of pace and dynamism to play against a good midfield. I can see exactly why they have put him in. Billings looked like he was in second gear.

I thought Billings looked much better than Jones and if someone was going to miss on not looking ready, it would have been Jones. He didnt have much of that dynamism you described while Billings was notably bringing that forward pressure and one of the few tackling inside 50 when he was playing there.

 

[Greshs Eye]

It would be a very St Kilda thing to happen, if Jake Bowey's winning streak was to be ended by the team his Dad played for.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I thought Billings looked much better than Jones and if someone was going to miss on not looking ready, it would have been Jones. He didnt have much of that dynamism you described while Billings was notably bringing that forward pressure and one of the few tackling inside 50 when he was playing there.

Sure bring him in for Butler then.

Jones gives us grunt work in the middle, the kind Billings can only dream about.
In his 2021 best Jones had 10 clearances, at Billings 2021 best he had 3.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

The Royal

Might be a bit of culture shock for the country boys.
Are they still doing that stuff they do ?

 

[BrutThough]

Sure bring him in for Butler then.

Jones gives us grunt work in the middle, the kind Billings can only dream about.
In his 2021 best Jones had 10 clearances, at Billings 2021 best he had 3.

Shocking that an inside midfielder would have more clearances then a wing/half forward.

 

[MUFKilda]

I honestly think we will beat them. It wouldn't be a shock.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Shocking that an inside midfielder would have more clearances then a wing/half forward.

You insinuated that they should have selected Billings ahead of Jones based on their VFL games.

You don't think that our inside work might not have been identified as needing all the help it can get against Melbourne?

 

[BrutThough]

You insinuated that they should have selected Billings ahead of Jones based on their VFL games.

You don't think that our inside work might not have been identified as needing all the help it can get against Melbourne?

I disagreed with the comment that Billings was playing as if he was disinterested and thought overall, he played the better game than Jones who didn't look as dynamic as he usually does.

I would have brought both of them in because they are both better players than others currently in the 22.

 

[Saintbloke]

Speaking to a neighbour today who went to the Sandy game last week and tells me that Billings did some nice things, but looked a bit off the pace at times, same for Jones. No doubt still not totally at 100% after injuries by the sound of it.

 

[gringo2011]

I thought Billings looked much better than Jones and if someone was going to miss on not looking ready, it would have been Jones. He didnt have much of that dynamism you described while Billings was notably bringing that forward pressure and one of the few tackling inside 50 when he was playing there.

Jones was ordinary as well but you can see why they want him in on past form. If we want to win this we have to win a fair bit of clearance and he's another serious on baller. Billings had to push someone out, and that would be Butler as a forward or Wood on a wing. Jones will probably push Windhager out of the side but rotate through the middle.

If Billings had played like he did last time he played VFL he would have made it hard to not consider him. He didn't.

 

[gringo2011]

I disagreed with the comment that Billings was playing as if he was disinterested and thought overall, he played the better game than Jones who didn't look as dynamic as he usually does.

I would have brought both of them in because they are both better players than others currently in the 22.

I didn't say disinterested, that was your sub conscious telling you that.

 

[Remboy]

Speaking to a neighbour today who went to the Sandy game last week and tells me that Billings did some nice things, but looked a bit off the pace at times, same for Jones. No doubt still not totally at 100% after injuries by the sound of it.

Billings might been told to take it easy, blow some cobwebs out and pick up the pace this week. It also would have been a tough call to bring in two players who have had longish layoffs at the same time. Especially at the expense of players who have been performing well so far.

 

[Premium]

Billings might been told to take it easy, blow some cobwebs out and pick up the pace this week. It also would have been a tough call to bring in two players who have had longish layoffs at the same time. Especially at the expense of players who have been performing well so far.

I'm glad they only brought in one at a time, have 2 players coming back after limited game time is not a good idea.

 

[CursingFijian]

I reckon you should ECI, we are a decent chance at top 4 this year and without a seriously strong side in front of us, getting there gives us a chance.

We always seem to time our best sides to coincide with a dynasty team peaking. I reckon we could do a Bulldogs 2016 and grab a premiership with a list that doesn't necessarily look amazing on paper. I think we have to make a run this year, we aren't that young and next year we could easily find others moving ahead.

We have players coming back and have been in the top pool of teams still. This year Melbourne, Fremantle and Brisbane look set for top 4. We are fighting with Geelong, Sydney and Carlton for 4th place unless Port and Dogs have a huge run-on late in the year. None look any better than us but Geelong's fixture gives them a good leg up.

This week would be a very good one to stamp ourselves as a serious side. Melbourne look ripe to be picked off to me. If we can kick efficiently we are a huge chance at an upset. A huge amount of our fortunes rest on King and Snags leaving their yips behind.

It would be awesome if we can start the game with a couple of off centre goals.

If 2 or 3 of Gresham, Membrey, Marshall and Butler could all chime in early with goals it would help take the pressure of Max and Jack.

 

[tristenlvm]

As the record suggests recently, 2 quick goals against us from the centre works in our favour!

 

[Ephemeral Hope]

I feel like Barrett is such a Paddy Ryder fan boy that it’s forced him to actually rate us lol

IF multiple draft picks and big dollars have been on the table ... THEN

What's Damian Barrett saying about your club? Check it out

www.afl.com.au

IF ...​

The Saints can bring their 2022 A-grade game to the MCG on Sunday...

THEN ...​

...there will be moments where they will seriously trouble the mighty Demons. The challenge will be to have the courage to seize those moments. And obviously to kick goals, not points (4.18 in round seven, and 10.17 in round six)

IF ...​

Big Maxxy is already well on the way for a sixth All-Australian jacket...

THEN ...​

...he will still need to be at his absolute best on Sunday. The Paddy Ryder-Rowan Marshall

19

Rowan Marshall

Age

28

Ht

201cm

Wt

105kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.4

4star

K

8.8

3star

HB

6.6

4star

CL

3.4

5star

HO

20.2

5star

D

12.9

3star

K

9.3

4star

HB

3.6

2star

CL

2.8

4star

HO

17.8

5star

D

10.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

4.8

4star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

7.8

5star

combo awaits.

 

[Jade Buddha]

I reckon you should ECI, we are a decent chance at top 4 this year and without a seriously strong side in front of us, getting there gives us a chance.

We always seem to time our best sides to coincide with a dynasty team peaking. I reckon we could do a Bulldogs 2016 and grab a premiership with a list that doesn't necessarily look amazing on paper. I think we have to make a run this year, we aren't that young and next year we could easily find others moving ahead.

We have players coming back and have been in the top pool of teams still. This year Melbourne, Fremantle and Brisbane look set for top 4. We are fighting with Geelong, Sydney and Carlton for 4th place unless Port and Dogs have a huge run-on late in the year. None look any better than us but Geelong's fixture gives them a good leg up.

This week would be a very good one to stamp ourselves as a serious side. Melbourne look ripe to be picked off to me. If we can kick efficiently we are a huge chance at an upset. A huge amount of our fortunes rest on King and Snags leaving their yips behind.

Strong advise in the contest

 

[Jade Buddha]

That surprised me... Billings not selected even after a great game in the VFL.

I thought he would be an automatic in based on our previous selection policies, but maybe this club knows what it is doing afterall.

Maybe taking it cautiously after 3 Hammies
Snasy doing well as well.