Preview St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs @Etihad Sat 2nd 7:25pm. Nick Riewoldt's 300th

[FoochPackage]

All the best gents. Should be a cracker. Really hoping for a crowd in the 40s. Both sides on the up and your first home game for the year. Our fans seem to have jumped on board (27k) against freo. So hoping for mid 40s.

Back to the game. That loss last year still sticks in the memory, hoping our mids and backs can hold their form and outrun you.

Best of luck for rest of the season

 

[CALL ME SNAKE]

I'm not expecting a good result this weekend, but I'm there to watch a great of the St Kilda Football club play his 300 game. It's Nick's big day regardless of the result so just enjoy like a west indian, Go Saints.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Its interesting that not much has been said about Roo's game against Port.

 

[The Punter]

We were pretty good, Riewoldt didn't have much of an impact.

I think that was a plus.

 

[Adam H]

Its interesting that not much has been said about Roo's game against Port.

Given that he only got a half in the pre season due to the AFLS incompetence I think he can be forgiven.

 

[ebony_]

Saints to win for riewoldt they will be absolutely disappointed by not finishing port off when we had led for so long. heart will get us over the line. Then bring on the cold pies the following. Huge chance imo.

 

[joop]

Really think Paddy needs to come in so when Bruce pinch hits in the ruck we still have 2 big targets up forward.

 

[Glen Buterol]

I think it'll be important for Roo for his protege to be playing in his 300th.

 

[Persevering Saint]

The whole thing of Roo becoming a wingman will start to become pretty damaging from this week, you'd say. Usually, the two-tall setup will be Bruce and Paddy, and that'll cause enough headaches. But when Hickey is rested (potentially in the forward line rather than on the bench!), then it'll be Riewoldt and Paddy as the two talls instead. Most teams, when one of their tall forwards goes into the ruck for a chop out, they have to have a disadvantage in their forward line - but we'll actually be stronger!

 

[FlyingSledghamer]

Just trying to understand the logic, why Minch rather than Curran?

Hes putting up big numbers regularly. That tells me his tank is getting better. In the very few opportunities hes had in the seniors he's had nice signs. Always kicks goals from the midfield. Currens had more opportunity.
Gotta get Sincs in too.

 

[plugger66]

Dunstan will go out if injuried. Eli is most likely on performance. Gresham needed to experience AFL intensity he will dominate at VFL level and needed perspective, will still likely be given another game or two to adjust.

Paddy, Sinc and Minch all earned a recall on their preformances. Paddy and Sinclair may have the edge Paddy just needed to demonstrate match fitness while Sinclair is an extremely effective user of the ball which we really need but without seeing the Sandy game its hard to say who was the better between Minch and Sinc.

I also think Sincs in the VFL was a bit of tough love because they have very high expectations on him as a midfielder rather then small forward.

Agree Bruce was double teamed in the second half needs help

All of Sinclair, Curren, Minchington and the rest will play games there will be injuries and opportunities long season but we have a fairly stable best 22

Gilbert played as well as I can remember we just have to bringing it up the left or centre

Hickey was fantastic Longer will now have to wait till Hickey or Roo get an injury to get back. Post Roo retirement think the 2 big men will be a great duo but for now they overlap too much. Longer played forward as a junior so a VFL apprenticeship as a forward may not be a bad thing. My only worry is Hickeys knee problems as a 1st ruck but he seemed to have had no issues so far.

Think the Saints are gonna struggle with fitness this year at the end of quarters and in the 4th. the off season focus seems to have been game plan and skills and it worked for nearly 3 quarters very excited for the future but the majority of our guys need 50 game ex and another preseason.

My biggest worry next week is the difference between the dogs disposal efficiency and ours but that may be partly due to the opposition we each faced.

Why do you say Dunstan will only not play if he is injured and I have added the only because that is how I read it. He was very ordinary on Sunday and even though people maybe be able to find stats that show he did some good things, watching the game he really struggled. I think having Ross and him in the side makes our midfield very slow and inside which will completely suit the WB.

As for your comment on Hickey and Longer making a great ruck duo well that may happen but it would need the game to change. I would be interested how you think they could work together because I cant see it. Hickey is a very good around the ground ruckman who becomes and ordinary forward, Longer is strong tap ruckman who cannot play forward.

 

[Mindtraveller]

Just trying to understand the logic, why Minch rather than Curren?

Curren has also had a week off. Although he would of done extra work, I'd take the VFL practice game over extra laps.

 

[fronkalicious]

You guys think Weller goes to bonti? Or just armitage or Steven head to head?

Cheers

 

[Glen Buterol]

You guys think Weller goes to bonti? Or just armitage or Steven head to head?

Cheers

Gilbert

 

[FlyingSledghamer]

I gotta be blunt here on Curren.
Is he still on the list because he's a good trainer. No offence to him but his ceiling ends at Sandy... If he gets a go in the seniors ahead of Minch or others im not going to be happy.

 

[plugger66]

Given that he only got a half in the pre season due to the AFLS incompetence I think he can be forgiven.

How could he have played more?

 

[FlyingSledghamer]

Who plays Stringer? Dempster?

 

[Adam H]

How could he have played more?

Well he couldnt because we had one less game.

 

[plugger66]

Well he couldnt because we had one less game.

But he wasn't playing that game anyway.

 

[MCG-Unit]

Paddy, Hugh, Sincs in for Temps, Gears, and Gilbo.

Tip out Gilbert? he was relentless, one of their best - 27 disp (12 cont) at 70% eff.

Midfield battle massive in this - hope the Saints are strong in the Tardis!

 

[Adam H]

But he wasn't playing that game anyway.

Being in the pissing rain why would he no value at all.

 

[plugger66]

Being in the pissing rain why would he no value at all.

He wasn't even up there.

 

[Adam H]

He wasn't even up there.

Like I said why would he.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Give Curren the same role and opportunity that Dunstan got on Sunday, and I reckon he gets better numbers.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I gotta be blunt here on Curren.
Is he still on the list because he's a good trainer. No offence to him but his ceiling ends at Sandy... If he gets a go in the seniors ahead of Minch or others im not going to be happy.

He was named as emergency ahead of Minch or others because he played well in his NAB Challenge game. Presumably good at training as well.
So if he's named you are not going to be happy.

Because suddenly Minch got a heap of disposals against some VFL players who may or may not have been trying hard.
Tom Curren has an AFL history that says that he's able to go out and find the ball more than 20 times on a number of occasions. Minchington has been lucky to get more than 10. Maybe he's improved if he has he will get a chance to prove it. Maybe it will be next week I don't know.

Really not fussed whether you are happy or not.