Will Hawthorn be Favorites Now?

[mollyfud]

Saints still look good too me!
Ellis and Guerra are big outs, though Campbell and Ozzie are good ins.
Will be interesting to see how the hawks play with their 3 ruckman.
Could go big up forward with Renouf and Campbell playing forward!
that or late changes for the hawks!

 

[mollyfud]

Where in your 22 would those players be ranked? I'd rather lose 7 players in the lower half of my side than 4 from my top 5.

Saints will notice this in terms of workrate and leadership. Even though they still have good players there, most of them lift because of the example set by the players that are out.

If they pull it off, it is a massive testiment to how far their side have come collectively, but I wouldn't be surprised if their structure breaks down alarmingly, just for one week.

Hmmm...Croad is hugely important. Rest would be in the lower half but some (Young and Ladson) important in the structure.
I guess the other thing is that the Hawks have had experience playing with this lineup. The saints have (from what I recall) been pretty settled with just a change or two here or there!
Still the Saints should be Favs! Bloody good side!

 

[The Fireman]

who gives a shit about saints outs

if people say hawks cant use injury and outs for excuses then I dont think st kilda should

if they are supposidly the best team they will win

We have half a side out

Roo, Gilbert, Hayes, Montagna, Baker, Goddard but you are right we still should win..

 

[hawk for 37]

For those thinking Hawks to win, just have a look at their backline.

It is bloody awful.

Thank god Roo isn't playing. Might even it up a bit.

Hawks missing 7 of their best 22 (4 out of their best backline). Saints missing 6.

Settle down people.

 

[year of the cat]

Saints will be flogged as Geelong were up in Brisbane. You can't take that many top players out and expect to win.

I find it pretty ironic that only a few weeks ago Lyon was saying it was disrespectful to be resting players and thereby giving Geelong a bit of a back-hander. What a flog.

 

[Voldt]

Obviously those omissions are all class. Yet i think they have covered for them very well. King and McEvoy will be too strong in the ruck IMO. And that allows Gardiner to play as a permanent full forward along side of Kosi and Gwilt. That will really stretch the inexperienced Hawthorn defense. Dawson has the speed to match it with Buddy, and if he fails early Max has a fantastic record on him anyway only averaging nine disposals and two goals against him. Who ever doesn't get Buddy will get Roughy and either Blake or Fisher will play as the lead cut off.

The midfield outs are the ones that do make us vulnerable. We will miss Hayes and Montagna dearly yet this is Balls chance to regain Ross' faith. We know he can get in and under yet he needs to play an attacking game as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gram and Ray being rotated through the midfield alot more then usual too.

 

[Xtreme]

Saints fans should be happy. Sure you'll probably concede a win to Hawthorn which will shorten the winning streak dvd but at least your dealing with injuries to these prime players and making sure they make it back.

On the hawks for sure, surely..surely..they can not **** this one up. They've been thrown their last chance!

We've thrown away games in the past, vs St Kilda will be no exception

 

[Off The Couch]

Betting will reopen tonight for the Saints/Hawks game.

Will the Hawks be the bookies favorites now?

No

There is nothing that can justify them going in favourites. Huge outs for the Saints but still quality Ins and the hawks have been playing just plain old crap football and not holding my breath for anything different this week.

They could of course turn up - who knows

 

[The Panther]

St. Kilda, no doubt have a quality top tier of players. The biggest issue I have with their side is it's bottom 6 players.

i.e. Gwitt, McQualter, Eddy, Geary, McEvoy, Jason Blake, etc. I think this will be exposed on Saturday.

 

[The Spike]

On top of that list, Gilbert, perhaps our best attacking backmen, is also still out.

No excuses hawks

 

[Swans120]

Unbelievable. That is actually like your 4 best players plus Gilbert and Baker. Wow. Im still not prepared to right them off completely though. I think the Hawks will win now but not writing off the Saints just yet.

 

[LongBomb]

I find it pretty ironic that only a few weeks ago Lyon was saying it was disrespectful to be resting players and thereby giving Geelong a bit of a back-hander. What a flog.

Good point

What a disrespectful person Ross Lyon is. Did you hear the Ross? - DISRESPECTFUL.

 

[SmothOperRaider]

Ross Lyin. What a goddamn flog, disrespecting the competition like that.

 

[bergholt]

St. Kilda, no doubt have a quality top tier of players. The biggest issue I have with their side is it's bottom 6 players.

i.e. Gwitt, McQualter, Eddy, Geary, McEvoy, Jason Blake, etc. I think this will be exposed on Saturday.

i agree with some of those, but mcqualter and blake have had excellent years. mcqualter 20 goals + 20 goal assists (6th in the comp) playing small forward is pretty good. blake ranked 4th in the comp for marks and averaging 18+ touches a game - has been a very reliable rebounding defender.

r clarke, dempster and steven (played 0 games) are much more likely inclusions in a bottom six this week.

 

[Dangas]

If Saints win this they are, even if they are already, with no doubt the #1 side

 

[Ice-Wolf]

Saints will be flogged as Geelong were up in Brisbane. You can't take that many top players out and expect to win.

I find it pretty ironic that only a few weeks ago Lyon was saying it was disrespectful to be resting players and thereby giving Geelong a bit of a back-hander. What a flog.

Theres a difference, ours are actually injured, non were ommitted through general soreness.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

Hawks Saints
----------------------
23.41 Age 25.22
73.59 Gms 98.23
186.59 Hgt 187.73
88.45 Wgt 86.18

Hawks should still be underdogs - Saints a remarkably old and experienced side for so many outs.

Two top sides at full strength, missing a third of their first 22 each. One has had all year to adjust, the other copped it in one fell swoop.

Still think the Saints should win, but Hawks have a much better chance if we aren't 100% "on" at scoring an 'upset'.

 

[TassieSaint]

Two top sides at full strength, missing a third of their first 22 each. One has had all year to adjust, the other copped it in one fell swoop.

That is a fairly ridiculous way of putting it. Spin it how you want, the gap in quality missing between the two sides, especially on this years form, is huge.

 

[sdsdsdsd]

Hawks Saints
----------------------
23.41 Age 25.22
73.59 Gms 98.23
186.59 Hgt 187.73
88.45 Wgt 86.18

Hawks should still be underdogs - Saints a remarkably old and experienced side for so many outs.

Two top sides at full strength, missing a third of their first 22 each. One has had all year to adjust, the other copped it in one fell swoop.

Still think the Saints should win, but Hawks have a much better chance if we aren't 100% "on" at scoring an 'upset'.

Mate u must consider the quality of the third, Saints lose Goddard/Riewoldt/Montaga/Hayes/Gilbert who are 5 of the best 10-15 players this year. You guys were missing Ladson/Croad and Ellis, no comparison in my opinion. Is Saints win this week it will be crazy

 

[simba_]

I will be rooting for the Saints so hard

 

[TassieSaint]

I will be rooting for the Saints so hard

... i'm sorry what mate?

i know we play good footy but you should probably keep your mind on the job

 

[Sainters08]

Saints will be flogged as Geelong were up in Brisbane. You can't take that many top players out and expect to win.

I find it pretty ironic that only a few weeks ago Lyon was saying it was disrespectful to be resting players and thereby giving Geelong a bit of a back-hander. What a flog.

Where's the evidence that those players are actually not injured flog?

 

[SmothOperRaider]

Where's the evidence that those players are actually not injured flog?

Naive much?

 

[Undecide]

I doubt he'll fly down to Tasmania since he's been out with a knee injury for weeks.

i hope you are joking

 

[damochandler]

i still wouldnt back against a side that hasnt lost a game yet and look pretty good. it's not round 11 2004