Preview Round 8 - Changes/Preview v St Kilda

[schmuttt]

Wouldn't be surprised if we played our best footy for the year this game. Last year we didn't really start to play our best until we had the Dogs and Lions in consecutive weeks. We'll rise to the occasion. Could also see the Saints struggling to run the game out coming back from Cairns conditions

I feel the cairns game could really hurt the saints this week. The Darwin games used to cook us for the game after a few years ago.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

I feel the cairns game could really hurt the saints this week. The Darwin games used to cook us for the game after a few years ago.

I feel the same, but will wait for danster's thoughts before confirming my own.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Can only assume people who want Spargo out aren’t watching games at the ground. Langdon is rightfully being lauded here and Spargo is playing a very similar role defensively in transitioning from offence to defence on both wings and preventing sides from rebounding. Plays in a position where it’s more difficult to find the footy but his importance for our team defence is huge even if his output in attack is variable.

Agree, Spargs is a great team footballer & great user inside 50.

Would not want him out of team!!!!

 

[stEdy]

Looking forward to the King matchup with May.

May has bullied him a few times physically when the Saints struggled to move the ball as fluently. But Max is bigger and stronger and in better form despite the goal kicking woes. Really need Petty back and Lever to find some form to help out if RoMa is playing alongside Ryder, who are both very capable forwards.

Very excited for the match. Last time we were both a good side and played a crunch match was probably 2006 Elim final.

 

[Crusty Demon]

I feel the cairns game could really hurt the saints this week. The Darwin games used to cook us for the game after a few years ago.

Agreed. But dealing with covid and 4/5 day turnaround games last few years means sides are better prepared fir this. Saints should have a few changes, as will we. Petty, Dogga and Kozzy will be very welcome additions.

Any idea how Hibberd went in the VFL? Not suggesting he comes back this week, but wouldn't be surprised if he takes Rivers spot soon, who looks like he needs to go back and find some touch.

 

[Dory_77]

Agreed. But dealing with covid and 4/5 day turnaround games last few years means sides are better prepared fir this. Saints should have a few changes, as will we. Petty, Dogga and Kozzy will be very welcome additions.

Any idea how Hibberd went in the VFL? Not suggesting he comes back this week, but wouldn't be surprised if he takes Rivers spot soon, who looks like he needs to go back and find some touch.

Hibberd didn't play for as yet unknown reasons. So still a week or two away from coming back in.

 

[LeverPuller]

Too early to speculate the ins and outs with COVID doing the rounds. I wouldn't be too sad if Rivers was dropped, he has been pretty poor all year. Also something is up with Lever. I think he is carrying something, if so, he needs to be managed to get it right because at the moment he isn't offering a lot besides on field leadership.

If he’s had rona that wouldn’t help, I don’t think he and Viney would have played without the bombardment of outs

 

[netslave]

Only way the Aints win is if King actually kicks straight and has a day out and I don't think that happens with our backline.

 

[CWaffles]

Part of me wants Dunstan to stay in to face his old side as I'm sure he'd be extra motivated.

Otherwise, what's everyone's thoughts on Hibberd coming in after 1 week in the VFL? I personally trust Hibberd to lock down on a Jack Higgins so much more than I trust a Hunt or Rivers.

Hey didn't play in the VFL he was a late withdrawal so would assume he is 0% chance of coming straight into the seniors this week.

 

[Deemanding]

Assuming that our COVID cases come up ok and no-one else is struck down:

ANB for Melksham, Jackson for TMac, Petty for Smith, Kozzie for Rivers, Sparrow for Dunstan
Dunstan then goes to sub, Chandler out

JJ to play a more defensive role, which he did at times last year, covers Rivers and Sparrow can take the JJ role.

And if they don't:

Tomlinson for Smith, TMac stays, Rivers stays, Dunstan stays, Melksham stays, Chandler can remain sub

Hadn't realised Chandler played for Casey as well, lucky he only needed to back up for a quarter and not most of the game.

I thought Melksham was pretty decent until that ****ing horrible shot at the end, wouldn't be against keeping as the sub though. His set shots have regressed horrendously since 2019/20.

 

[danster168]

I feel the same, but will wait for danster's thoughts before confirming my own.

I've got us losing by 23 points. I think we'll match them in the middle but we've been inefficient going forward and we've got 3 bigs jumping for the same ball up forward. And defensively we were off right from the start. I hope I'm wrong but we haven't been in great form recently and this bad form is now becoming a habit. So a loss wouldn't be the end of the world.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

I've got us losing by 23 points. I think we'll match them in the middle but we've been inefficient going forward and we've got 3 bigs jumping for the same ball up forward. And defensively we were off right from the start. I hope I'm wrong but we haven't been in great form recently and this bad form is now becoming a habit. So a loss wouldn't be the end of the world.

all things I thought id never agree to whatsoever, but you make some excellent points, Saints by 23 it is, sucked in Dees and schmutt

 

[Deemanding]

The Saints just lost to a team that we kept goalless at home for almost 3 quarters...lets not give them too much credit here

 

[danster168]

The Saints just lost to a team that we kept goalless at home for almost 3 quarters...lets not give them too much credit here

We also lost the 2nd half to Port.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

We also lost the 2nd half to Port.

exactly, pwning noobs again

 

[netslave]

I think winning 7/7 is pretty good form, these reverse psychology us losing tips are getting tiresome.

 

[danster168]

exactly, pwning noobs again

lol. just stopping people from being too content and complacent. At the end of last season, people said we need to strive to improve. After 7 rounds my mentality stays the same. We have lots of things to improve on despite being flag favs.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

lol. just stopping people from being too content and complacent. At the end of last season, people said we need to strive to improve. After 7 rounds my mentality stays the same. We have lots of things to improve on despite being flag favs.

100%

 

[danster168]

I think winning 7/7 is pretty good form, these reverse psychology us losing tips are getting tiresome.

Literally Steven May in todays presser said 'we're not in good form but at least we're winning'. You can focus on the 'at least we're winning', I'm going to focus on the bad form.

 

[netslave]

You can focus on the 'at least we're winning', I'm going to focus on the bad form.

Deal.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Literally Steven May in todays presser said 'we're not in good form but at least we're winning'. You can focus on the 'at least we're winning', I'm going to focus on the bad form.

Driving board standards up by focussing on the bad, very wise indeed. Too many people complacent around here coming off a flag and 7-0 start.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

7-0 @ 145%

Highest % in 2019 (Cats) = ~135%
Highest % in 2018 (Tiges) = ~136%
Highest % in 2017 (Crows) = ~136%

We aren't playing perfect footy, but it's footy - no team is perfect.

We aren't going 22-0, we will lose games and it might be this week.

But heck we're still a pretty decent side I reckon, with room to play even better.

 

[stEdy]

7-0 @ 145%

Highest % in 2019 (Cats) = ~135%
Highest % in 2018 (Tiges) = ~136%
Highest % in 2017 (Crows) = ~136%

We aren't playing perfect footy, but it's footy - no team is perfect.

We aren't going 22-0, we will lose games and it might be this week.

But **** we're still a pretty decent side I reckon, with room to play even better.

This reeks of complacency and will likely ruin the team's chances in 2022

 

[Dancing Potato]

Understand Rivers has been poor but no point dropping him given the raft of changes we'll already be making with COVID protocols etc.

With Salem out and Hibberd unknown he doesn't have a direct replacement anyway. Just make the changes we need to and back him to find some form.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Understand Rivers has been poor but no point dropping him given the raft of changes we'll already be making with COVID protocols etc.

With Salem out and Hibberd unknown he doesn't have a direct replacement anyway. Just make the changes we need to and back him to find some form.

Riv would make it easier on everyone if he just got COVID.