Saint Fans stop being negative

[Mr Saint]

Saint Fans stop being negative.

This is along season. I would prefer to play good football at the end of the season rather than the start of the season.

 

[Squizz]

I'd prefer to have the right gameplan, and then maybe take some time to get used to it.

It might be early in the season, but it is Year 2. Something isn't right (has not been all year), so not point continuing doing what you're doing.

My definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

 

[Fryman]

Saint Fans stop being negative.

This is along season. I would prefer to play good football at the end of the season rather than the start of the season.

Name one game under Lyon where we have played a good 4 quarter game of attractive attacking football. I think we all have been waiting for it to "click" under Ross, and for us to play to our potential. The game against Port has made me realise that may never happen.

Those of us who were supporters of Grant Thomas are now wondering what the hell is going on at our club.

 

[BrianSpeaking]

Saint Fans stop being negative.

This is along season. I would prefer to play good football at the end of the season rather than the start of the season.

Where did that get us last year? 9th.

 

[WASaintsFan08]

how can you be positive about negative footy???

 

[sackers5]

By nature I am a very optimistic person; throughout my entire life I have been a StKilda supporter - a very optimistic, patient, encouraging and supportive one at that. I am very reluctant to lay blame and don't remember ever paying out on a coach or specific player

Saturdays nights performance was the most disappointed I have ever been watching a StKilda outfit. More disappointed than any loss between the years 98 - 03 for a number of reasons. The main reason being the realisation that we cannot win the premiership this year or any time in the near future until we turn over a great majority of our list. Individually there is not one St Kilda player running around that I don't have a soft spot for, but unfortunately a team containing a vast majority of the following players cannot win a premiership because they do not have the required skill level: C Gardiner, Rix, Blake, L Fisher, Milne, Jones, Dempster, Fiora, Birss, Goose, Maxxy. We can only carry 3 of these players maximum, not 8 or 9


I suppose this has been overlooked to a certain degree in the past because of individual brilliance amongst the top echelon of players - Dal, Roo, Ball, Hayes, Montagna, S Fisher, BJ, Kosi, Gram. But the year to date the only players that can hold their heads high are: Lenny (by a stretch), Harvs and Joey (who for someone who racks up such high numbers still doesn't seem to hurt opposition teams). Roo, S Fish and Maxxy have pass marks (maxxy is a tough one, because he does such a stellar job as a defender - but i cringe when he has the ball in his hands) - the rest have been extremely disappointing.

And let's face it, Gehrig has been the same for about three years now - will either sh*t on a smaller defender and kick a bag or offer nothing and I mean nothing.There are serious issues with our list. That is my realistic view.

 

[subanwallan]

By nature I am a very optimistic person; throughout my entire life I have been a StKilda supporter - a very optimistic, patient, encouraging and supportive one at that. I am very reluctant to lay blame and don't remember ever paying out on a coach or specific player

Saturdays nights performance was the most disappointed I have ever been watching a StKilda outfit. More disappointed than any loss between the years 98 - 03 for a number of reasons. The main reason being the realisation that we cannot win the premiership this year or any time in the near future until we turn over a great majority of our list. Individually there is not one St Kilda player running around that I don't have a soft spot for, but unfortunately a team containing a vast majority of the following players cannot win a premiership because they do not have the required skill level: C Gardiner, Rix, Blake, L Fisher, Milne, Jones, Dempster, Fiora, Birss, Goose, Maxxy. We can only carry 3 of these players maximum, not 8 or 9


I suppose this has been overlooked to a certain degree in the past because of individual brilliance amongst the top echelon of players - Dal, Roo, Ball, Hayes, Montagna, S Fisher, BJ, Kosi, Gram. But the year to date the only players that can hold their heads high are: Lenny (by a stretch), Harvs and Joey (who for someone who racks up such high numbers still doesn't seem to hurt opposition teams). Roo, S Fish and Maxxy have pass marks (maxxy is a tough one, because he does such a stellar job as a defender - but i cringe when he has the ball in his hands) - the rest have been extremely disappointing.

And let's face it, Gehrig has been the same for about three years now - will either sh*t on a smaller defender and kick a bag or offer nothing and I mean nothing.There are serious issues with our list. That is my realistic view.

you are not serious Dal Santo isnt the top echelon of players at the saints he has been disappointing for a while only plays good when the saints play good.Milne is still a top small forward just had n off game like stkilda did maxxy is at the moment 1 of the best defenders kept fevola to 2 goals n i think of the top of my head hasnt let his opponent get 3 or more goals.n i think goosy mcguire is just under done at the moment first couple games back from injury normally it taks a while to get back from a brocken leg just look at nathan brown from richmond his just starting to string games together think his up 2 16 or 17 now

 

[Frankencow]

Raph Clarke is an outstanding future prospect though.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Raph Clarke is an outstanding future prospect though.

Thanks for your contribution

 

[sackers5]

you are not serious Dal Santo isnt the top echelon of players at the saints he has been disappointing for a while only plays good when the saints play good.Milne is still a top small forward just had n off game like stkilda did maxxy is at the moment 1 of the best defenders kept fevola to 2 goals n i think of the top of my head hasnt let his opponent get 3 or more goals.n i think goosy mcguire is just under done at the moment first couple games back from injury normally it taks a while to get back from a brocken leg just look at nathan brown from richmond his just starting to string games together think his up 2 16 or 17 now

Brownlow Medal counts -
2007 - Dal Santo - 13th
2006 - Dal Santo - 33rd
2005 - Dal Santo - 3rd
2004 - Dal Santo - 20th

You have to be joking if you don't think he is in the upper echelon of players. But anyway, it is obvious you didn't actually read what I wrote because every point you made had nothing to do what I said. Milne had a good game on Sat night (go to the votes section and you'll see I gave him votes) - but his disposal is not up to par. Missing goals from within 30 metres is criminal from a small forward - he has missed gettable (very gettable) goals in every match he has played this year. Maxy is an out and out superstar defender, but go back throughout his career he butchers the ball by foot. Goose, even before his injury - gets the ball and belts it 50 - 55 metres straight to opposition players.

You cannot turn the ball over in modern footy - you just get killed on the rebound.

 

[Squizz]

Agree Sackers. The thing with Dal is he hasn't been dealing with the hard tag consistently. But the hard tag shows that the other clubs rate him highly - they know if they can limit his numbers the Saints struggle to move the ball forward effectively.

You are right on the turnovers - and obviously proven by the results as we have won clearances yet again but had only 37 inside 50s. This is an amazing (shocking) stat.

I do think Milne has been more effective, but yes has missed shots which should be no-brainers for a small forward.

But having said this, the skill levels weren't that flash when we were making preliminary finals.

 

[sackers5]

But having said this, the skill levels weren't that flash when we were making preliminary finals.

Exactly ...... it's not so much that we have changed so much, but rather our opposition has cottoned on and improved - while we have stagnated. Not to mention we continually get beaten in one on one contested ball situations (Lenny Hayes you are excused) and half the time it is not one on one because opposition teams work harder than us to get to the contest.

 

[Kildonan]

The skill levels required for the full on attacking game plan are not the same as those required for a successful possession game plan. Our kicking skills are too poor (with only a few exceptions) and we haven't learned to be patient and hold onto it until an opportunity arises (or is created).

 

[clobba]

The skill levels required for the full on attacking game plan are not the same as those required for a successful possession game plan. Our kicking skills are too poor (with only a few exceptions) and we haven't learned to be patient and hold onto it until an opportunity arises (or is created).

Awesome lets continue to try to play the style we dont have the skills for then

 

[Squizz]

The umpires have been red hot on players looking like they are not trying to move it on. It's good for the game, but has hurt the Saints. A number of players have been called to play on fairly quickly, and instead of heading towards the boundary or to a set play, we are coughing it up.

I was behind the goals for one of the games, and it was amazing to watch the lack of movement upfield. Makes it very hard for a player in defence who doesn't kick that well to find an option. Maybe this is part of the selfish tag that Voss labelled us with, but players do need to get out of the "hole" if they are just running on the spot (and let a leading player in - with a block if you can get away with it).

We saw a bunch of blocks and shepherds against Essendon, but unfortunately it was a one week response to the Voss article.

 

[lids2004roar]

As a Richmond supporter I've learnt you can't just tell people to stop being negative

Even when you back to the top 4 you'll have idiot fans saying how bad certain players are, it's a disgrace really.


I wouldn't be too worried if I were you guys.

This time last year Geelong were ready to sack their coach!

And then they played Richmond.......

 

[Persevering Saint]

As a Richmond supporter I've learnt you can't just tell people to stop being negative

Even when you back to the top 4 you'll have idiot fans saying how bad certain players are, it's a disgrace really.


I wouldn't be too worried if I were you guys.

This time last year Geelong were ready to sack their coach!

And then they played Richmond.......

Mate, if the script follows that pattern this year, I'll be happy!!!

 

[aussie86999]

Hi everyonyone im new here but reading some of these posts i must be seeing something different every week. I believe we are playing great footy we now play with more purpose as a team we had no structure under Grant Thomas ,they used to hold the ball up all the time because they didnt know what to do with it .Shear weight of individual talent is what won games then. Our mid field around packs and clearances for the first 1 and 1/2 quarters now is fantastic but one thing is losing games for us FOOT DISPOSALS!!!! Five slick handballs around the packs clearing it beautifully then they kick forward to a player and it goes straight to the opposition they rebound and take it back down for a goal. Not to mention when we do get shots at goal and miss that dont help either.By half time weve beaten them everywhere but on the scoreboard and theyre five goals up when we should be. Then our confidence is gone and theirs is up and the second half we play so bad we look far worse than we are. our KICKING all around the ground is letting us down and whats killing us everything else structure,midfield clearances, handballs,defence i believe is fine. If we can deliver better by foot (including at goal) the results WILL be different.

 

[sainter]

Welcome aboard Aussie.

I agree with you. The disposal by foot has been atrocious at times and it just kills you. There's no point winning the clearances around the ground if you're just going to turn it over when you've got possession. It's not like you have to hit a target every time either. If you can't hit a guy on the lead at least put it to the advantage of one of the forwards so that if a Riewoldt or a Koschitzke can't mark it we'll have smaller players in position to get the crumbs. It's so important that we don't let the opposition run the ball out of defence so easily.

 

[aussie86999]

Thanks Sainter ive been a mad keen saints supporter since going to games back in the late 70s as a teenager. For the last 13 years ive lived in Brisbane which only has a small community of aussie rules followers and if they are they're almost all Lions supporters . I used to be able to go to work in Melbourne and chat as shit stir all day about football with all my mates and work colleagues like you all do down there and get my fix that way but up here i can't no one is interested so stumbling onto this site with an Army of St.kilda supporters is ENORMOUS for me im just so excited i feel like im in heaven. Thanks again. I also noticed you have on your profile how many wooden spoons we have and let me say i wouldnt care if we had a thousand of them i love this club and will always be proud of them .So many people come up here change clubs and follow Brisbane which i dont understand im proud to fly our flag up here my blood will always flow RED,WHITE and BLACK.

 

[Squizz]

Aussie - I shouldn't speak for others, but a lot of us are concerned about the foot skills. I was a little disappointed that the players seemed to latch onto the Voss article about team play. That's great, and is a factor when they do it well or badly, but it's pretty hard to play as a team if players cough it up through poor options or disposal. It also seemed to be a one week reaction.

Let's just say I would not want a 5 player kick off to determine the winner of a drawn game!!!

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Thanks Sainter ive been a mad keen saints supporter since going to games back in the late 70s as a teenager. For the last 13 years ive lived in Brisbane which only has a small community of aussie rules followers and if they are they're almost all Lions supporters . I used to be able to go to work in Melbourne and chat as shit stir all day about football with all my mates and work colleagues like you all do down there and get my fix that way but up here i can't no one is interested so stumbling onto this site with an Army of St.kilda supporters is ENORMOUS for me im just so excited i feel like im in heaven. Thanks again. I also noticed you have on your profile how many wooden spoons we have and let me say i wouldnt care if we had a thousand of them i love this club and will always be proud of them .So many people come up here change clubs and follow Brisbane which i dont understand im proud to fly our flag up here my blood will always flow RED,WHITE and BLACK.

Hi Aussie86999 , off topic, but do you mean the whole of Queensland won't be holding their breath waiting to watch/support a new Gold Coast team.
I'm sure they will get good ratings for the 11.00PM time slot.

 

[aussie86999]

Hi Squizzy im not so worried as i said the structure early is good plenty of numbers around the ball with quick handballing and clearances and we look quite impressive then we run the ball out kick to a lead or at goal and miss what my sister could hit. If you notice average teams we get away with it like Essendon and i think hopefully Richmond we should beat as well. Richmond are having a bit of a patch at the moment but theyre no gun side. Confidence plays such a huge part today those 3 or 4 missed opportunities early lacks scoreboard pressure on the opposition and stops us lifting stronger. Id rather have far more of the ball dominating like we do early and work on a problem that isnt as bad as it blows up to look by the end of the game.
Hi SaintsSeptember to answer your question even though melbourne is bigger imagine western Bulldogs supporters being the only ones there and all the other teams supporters followed rugby league .40,000 or whatever supporters still are very sparse in a city this size.When i first came up here going to watch the Bears at the Gabba was like going to watch Coburg in the VFA (only Coburg would win some games).The gold coast thing should work well things have changed so much in 20 years since the bears were here and the influx of population from Victoria and SA to the Gold Coast is staggering and will keep growing and the AFL are financially stronger now to support it . I think Southport is the go they are a well established club with a strong supporter base with an enormous amount of money . Theres also all the other teams supporters like myself that support Melb or adelaide clubs who will go along cause its our only option to watch an afl game.