Riewoldts absence last year was a factor that killed the Saints as a top side last year.

That's rubbish.

Riewoldts absence last year was a factor that killed the Saints as a top side last year.

What???

That's rubbish.

I should have said St K as the best side last year. His absence for much of the season left him underdone and the Saints short of the best from their marque player.

If being 'killed' by an injury means you make the top four at the end of the home and away season, find enough form to make the GF when your star comes back then draw it I will be hoping Scully's injury "kills" us this year....

I should have said St K as the best side last year. His absence for much of the season left him underdone and the Saints short of the best from their marque player.

Don't agree.

I think StKilda performed excellently without Reiwoldt and were bolstered upon his return. But my argument is that Stkilda could cover his loss because all other core players played almost every game. My personal opinion is that one injury can be covered, but no team can cover 2, 3 or 4 of its stars going down.

Stkilda's team is almost completely driven by a core group of 11 players- Reiwoldt, Milne, Schneider, Hayes, Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Goddard, Gilbert, Gwilt and Fisher (and probably Kochitzke for structure).

10 of those players played 20+ games last season, most playing 24+ games. Only 1 of the 11 missed significant amount of footy, being Reiwoldt.

I would argue that had StKilda lost 3-4 of their core group of 11, they would have been brought back to the pack in a big way.

I should have said St K as the best side last year. His absence for much of the season left him underdone and the Saints short of the best from their marque player.

the saints covered for Nick beautifully as they finished top 4.

as for nick being underdone. he was firing end of last year.

returned rd 15

rd 19 19 disposals 14 marks 4 goals

rd 20 20 disposals 10 marks 7 goals

rd 21 18 disp 9 marks 3 goals

qualify finals bog 22 disposals 11 marks 3 goals

Is St Kilda a better side with or without St Nick?

When you have one star out of your side then your side is one star less on the field and his absence cannot be covered.

St Kilda rely so much on their best six Riewoldt, Hayes, Montagna, Goddard, Gilbert and Fisher.

If players like Gwilt (honest at best) and Schneider (goes missing when its got) and Kosi (cant win a trick at senior level) are core and are expected to cover an absent Riewoldt then St Kilda are flawed.

Is St Kilda a better side with or without St Nick?

When you have one star out of your side then your side is one star less on the field and his absence cannot be covered.

St Kilda rely so much on their best six Riewoldt, Hayes, Montagna, Goddard, Gilbert and Fisher.

If players like Gwilt (honest at best) and Schneider (goes missing when its got) and Kosi (cant win a trick at senior level) are core and are expected to cover an absent Riewoldt then St Kilda are flawed.

think i would have Dal Santo in that list before Gilbert

Get your own facts right before you accuse others-I stated that I thought Fevola would play at the MFC next year. He was already going to play with Brisbane as a contracted player..I still think he will play at Demonland next year. That is my opinion-please get yoyur facts right before accusing others. I expect an apology for this accusation regarding Fevola or back up your claim..

Seriously JCB How could that ever happen?? It's even more Fanciful than Tony Lockett's return to the swans which was a complete waste of air.

If he is not prepared to front up for a Scorps reserve game why the hell would we consider any sort of contract with Fev.

It may be your opinion, fair enough-But how can you base it on anything. Since Fev walked out of his 66 day rehab he has done everything wrong, and i have had experience with addicts back in 2004.

I do not want to argue mate, But it will not happen. The Fev Train wreck is still gathering speed, and it will be long time before it pulls into any station.

We do not need him anyway....our forward line will be rocking in 12 months.

the saints covered for Nick beautifully as they finished top 4.

They would have gone into 2010 aiming for a flag. To do so they need their best cattle on the park.

Notwithstanding they almost snatched a flag on an opportunistic day when the Pies took it easy. They were always a cog behind Collingwood.

Riewoldt's injury meant they had to use resources filling the gaps for most of the year with his absence not spending it building a side around a dominant mobile forward.

2011 is looking like a train wreck again for them with Hayes gone. A big blow.

think i would have Dal Santo in that list before Gilbert

Thought of that. Del Santo is talented but lazy. Gilbert is a good photographer too!

Seriously JCB How could that ever happen?? It's even more Fanciful than Tony Lockett's return to the swans which was a complete waste of air.

Agree. About as likely as Grimes being undisciplined. .

If he is not prepared to front up for a Scorps reserve game why the hell would we consider any sort of contract with Fev.

And he is critical of Grimes....

But how can you base it on anything. Since Fev walked out of his 66 day rehab he has done everything wrong...

He hasnt. Its hard to believe anyone cannnot see the disaster that is Fev but there is....

I should have said St K as the best side last year. His absence for much of the season left him underdone and the Saints short of the best from their marque player.

Have a look at Riewoldts stats, and impact he had on games when he came back from injury and into the finals and rethink the above statement. The Saints won 8 and lost 3 when their captain was out last year, to me thats covering the loss of their best player fairly adequately.

Don't agree.

I think StKilda performed excellently without Reiwoldt and were bolstered upon his return. But my argument is that Stkilda could cover his loss because all other core players played almost every game. My personal opinion is that one injury can be covered, but no team can cover 2, 3 or 4 of its stars going down.

Stkilda's team is almost completely driven by a core group of 11 players- Reiwoldt, Milne, Schneider, Hayes, Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Goddard, Gilbert, Gwilt and Fisher (and probably Kochitzke for structure).

10 of those players played 20+ games last season, most playing 24+ games. Only 1 of the 11 missed significant amount of footy, being Reiwoldt.

I would argue that had StKilda lost 3-4 of their core group of 11, they would have been brought back to the pack in a big way.

StKilda's weakness is they're too Riewoldt reliant.

Skipper's now saying Sculls should be back in a few weeks...

"Hopefully Tom's out and running on the park this week and once he gets a workload into his legs we'll get him back in a couple of weeks," Green said.