Prediction St.Kilda Best 22

[saintmike65]

I think Round 1 and Round 24 will be very different teams.

From the Fox Sports list which I think is pretty good (with the exception of Wood as Sub, and Hunter Clark(e)'s spelling), I think at least 4 players will drop off, not including injuries.

Some possibilities are:
Webster
Battle
Higgins
Butler
Henry
Sharman
Membrey
Ross
Clark

I’m confident Bonner, Garcia, Wilson, O’Connell & Collard will debut during next season..Bonner & Wilson possibly as soon as round 1.

 

[falkstar]

What is exciting, is that when you go through our list there are more than 20 players that could either stay at their elite level (Wilkie, Sincs, Marshall, Crouch, Hill, Battle) get back to their best (Steele, Clarke, Howard, Higgins) or take next step (King, Owens, Windy Nas, Henry, Dow) or really blow up to next level (Pou,Keeler Collard) or surprise further (Sharman, Caminiti, Wilson)

It’s so bloody exciting

 

[saintmike65]

Personally I think Skunk 100% playes if fit. I know there are extenuating circumstances, but he is too good of a player to leave out

For me that leaves Hayes, Camaniti and Sharman battling for one forward spot alongside King (with Butler and Higgins the smalls, and Pou / Owens rotating through).

All 3 bring something completely different. A fit Hayes makes the most sense structurally. Sharman has produced the most thus far (and can play both ends). Hammer would provide a genuine second KPF target

Which of those 3 play RD1 I think is the most intruiging question we have

Hayes is a bit behind the 8 ball as he’s still battling a knee issue, Caminiti hasn’t been out doing training yet…Sharman may be the front runner at this point!

 

[BigMonty]

Sinclair won't be a starting midfielder.

Just got an AA selection on half back, play him there. The more stoppage work he did throughout the year, the less effective he was.

If you asked opposition teams if they want him playing half back or midfield, they'd choose midfield every time.

He is definitely good as an impact player late in games when others have spent their tickets, but that's just an added string to his half back role, not his core role.

Sincs rebounding off half back and running with the ball is the most exciting part of our game with NAS as well it just opens up play downfield before the defensive zone sets up.
GWS split us up doing the same thing.

If Dow can win more ball from contests and make opposition more rushed or accountable out of the contest then this is a win over last year and why we got him.

Always like to see at least 2 new faces in the side for the first game each year...means progression. Dow is one and either Henry who is most likely or Wilson or Collard.

More accountable speed from our forwards on turnover was a problem against GWS and swapping in effect Gres for Henry should help there....just hope he can get the ball as much as Gresh did.

Hayes and Membrey in the forward line are almost new recruits as well and provides a different dynamic.

Sandy will be fun to watch as well.

On SM-S916B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[bergholt]

A few lineups with Henry on the wing, but does he actually have the tank for that? I have no idea but if not then he won’t be playing there, modern wingers need a lot of workrate.

 

[BrutThough]

A few lineups with Henry on the wing, but does he actually have the tank for that? I have no idea but if not then he won’t be playing there, modern wingers need a lot of workrate.

It's where he primarily played for Freo so I presume his tank is fine.

 

[seasonedsainter]

I hope Ross is ready to make the required hard decisions. The first 22 overhaul must continue.

 

[pebblesofsand]

No idea of the Round 1 team, but if we start the year injury free, the Sandy team will be pretty strong.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

B. WILKIE BATTLE WINDHAGER

H.B. NWM CAMINITI SINCLAIR

C. HILL DOW WOOD

H.F. BUTLER HAYES OWENS

F. HIGGINS KING SHARMAN

Foll. MARSHALL STEELE CROUCH

I/C. BONNER, HENRY, PHILLIPOU, WILSON, HOTTON

 

[beside the seaside]

The area or real interest is the forward line. Obviously King is a lock, but who out of Membrey, Sharman, Caminiti, Hayes and Keeler plays alongside him?

If a couple of those younger guys can take another step then that could really elevate us. On the other hand, just getting Membrey and Hayes on the park should improve the team.

And then how do we utilise Owens and Pou? And does Collard put some early pressure on selectors?

If we can turn an area of huge weakness into a strength then look out. Can't wait to see what we cook up.

 

[gringo2011]

A few lineups with Henry on the wing, but does he actually have the tank for that? I have no idea but if not then he won’t be playing there, modern wingers need a lot of workrate.

His best spot so far has been on a wing. Played there most of this year.

 

[The Punter]

The area or real interest is the forward line. Obviously King is a lock, but who out of Membrey, Sharman, Caminiti, Hayes and Keeler plays alongside him?

If a couple of those younger guys can take another step then that could really elevate us. On the other hand, just getting Membrey and Hayes on the park should improve the team.

And then how do we utilise Owens and Pou? And does Collard put some early pressure on selectors?

If we can turn an area of huge weakness into a strength then look out. Can't wait to see what we cook up.

Always, always keep in mind one of those key forwards needs to do some ruckwork.

 

[beside the seaside]

Always, always keep in mind one of those key forwards needs to do some ruckwork.

Great point, that's why I think at least one of Hayes, Caminiti or Keeler has to be in the side.

 

[The Punter]

Great point, that's why I think at least one of Hayes, Caminiti or Keeler has to be in the side.

I have Caminiti in right now, I'd be happy with Hayes if he can get a run at it, and it will be Keeler eventually.

 

[ScrappyDo]

I hope Ross is ready to make the required hard decisions. The first 22 overhaul must continue.

I don't think that will be a problem. Whilst he does like to stick with a winning group, the improving standards expose the stragglers.
The important delineation this year is we got rid of the senior players that weren't up to scratch (list cloggers for whatever reason) and replaced them with younger proven players and talanted kids.
So we now have only 2 categories of player at the club. Realized ability and Potential ability. Great for culture.

There will be a new vibe this preseason and in 2 years those kids will be running through brick walls.

 

[Ads734]

Hayes is a bit behind the 8 ball as he’s still battling a knee issue, Caminiti hasn’t been out doing training yet…Sharman may be the front runner at this point!

Coops was our best forward in the final imo. Has to start.

 

[gringo2011]

I don't think that will be a problem. Whilst he does like to stick with a winning group, the improving standards expose the stragglers.
The important delineation this year is we got rid of the senior players that weren't up to scratch (list cloggers for whatever reason) and replaced them with younger proven players and talanted kids.
So we now have only 2 categories of player at the club. Realized ability and Potential ability. Great for culture.

There will be a new vibe this preseason and in 2 years those kids will be running through brick walls.

The tempo of the whole club has shifted since Lyon returned. As long as you did at the odd promo photo there was zero expectation on players and staff under Finnis. The place seems to have pressure on performance, spots and roles for the first time since Rossy left.

The depressing thing before was that the whole place just seemed to be turning up to work hoping that no-one would notice that they had no idea what they were doing. You wouldn't want to be half arsed there under this lot.

 

[Tyrian Lonestar]

The tempo of the whole club has shifted since Lyon returned. As long as you did at the odd promo photo there was zero expectation on players and staff under Finnis. The place seems to have pressure on performance, spots and roles for the first time since Rossy left.

The depressing thing before was that the whole place just seemed to be turning up to work hoping that no-one would notice that they had no idea what they were doing. You wouldn't want to be half arsed there under this lot.

Agree. It's game on for everyone now

 

[King_Steele]

Coops was our best forward in the final imo. Has to start.

+1.

Hayes does have the appeal of being able to ruck but atm with all of his injury troubles we can’t really rely on him.

Can’t believe he is only 193cm. Blake vibes

 

[austinnn]

I would love to get the lowdown from Boris on the in-house Ratten-Rath philosophy (beyond the public platitudes) and what they actually thought they were doing.

Enright came from a much more exacting background and I'm sure he must have raised concerns with Ratts, I'd be fascinated to learn what they were aiming for, and what he predicts Ratten would think of the current regime - in other words, why he was not trying this himself.

 

[King_Steele]

I would love to get the lowdown from Boris on the in-house Ratten-Rath philosophy (beyond the public platitudes) and what they actually thought they were doing.

Enright came from a much more exacting background and I'm sure he must have raised concerns with Ratts, I'd be fascinated to learn what they were aiming for, and what he predicts Ratten would think of the current regime - in other words, why he was not trying this himself.

I see Ratts a few rungs below RTB in football IQ/Strict regime that would be the difference IMO

 

[gringo2011]

I see Ratts a few rungs below RTB in football IQ/Strict regime that would be the difference IMO

I think Ratts is a decent meat and potatoes coach but as standard setter and cultural officer he wasn't very good. At a big club like the Hawks with a heaps of staff that could cover for deficiencies he was good. Because we'd run ourselves down so much, we needed to be reset as well as directed and coached.

Small clubs need someone that can go over and above and be across everything or find extra money for staff to cover that.

Clubs like Richmond and Hawthorn could let players off on some of the grind and try to make the players empowered because the standards were already set high. You can let the gas off once you have momentum. Let it off too early and you never get moving.

Lyon is a one man dictatorship that is across everyone else as well as himself. His standards and systems are clear and his direction is always to get to the top as quickly as possible. There are probably technically better coaches but for bang for buck Lyon is a perfect coach for us at this point.

 

[bird_man]

Most pick themselves, but you could probably throw a blanket over 8 blokes to take the final three or so spots IMO

Wilkie - Howard - Webster
Sinclair - Battle - NWM
Hill - Steele - Wood
Phillipou - Membrey - Owens
Higgins - King - Butler

Marshall - Crouch - Windhager

Sharman, Dow, Clark, Henry

Sub: Wilson

 

[Otiman]

The gameplan is more important than the players, in round 1. I think we will go in with a similar lineup to the final with only a few changes. Unless the gameplan changes significantly you want players in roles at first then build around them.

 

[saintmike65]

The gameplan is more important than the players, in round 1. I think we will go in with a similar lineup to the final with only a few changes. Unless the gameplan changes significantly you want players in roles at first then build around them.

We’d be looking at potentially 3-5 debutants for round 1.
Dow, Henry, Bonner, Wilson & Collard would be in the mix…all have leg speed, which seems to be a priority with the boss!!