True. But footy fans have good memories and there will be some relieved Saints fans seeing Blease unnamed. I'd have preferred to see him ahead of Byrnes or Matt Jones.

I think you could mount a decent case for Blease for Byrnes but I can't understand why he would be considered in front of M.Jones.

The lack of kudos for a bloke who finished top 5 in the b & f in his first year at this level is astonishing.

The love for a bloke who has had several seasons to get AFL fit and show something but never has in Blease is equally astonishing.

BBO, you must love Skywhale

Bloody Hell !!!!! It will flip Jazza right out - there goes the dairy industry!!!

Really? I guess then you view Paul Roos, Jack Grimes and the selection committee has having a a very simplistic view of theory to practice? Again i remind you that earlier this week Grimes said the Toump was an absolute certainty to be selected.

This is the first opportunity for Roos to send a message to his players about what it takes to be selected in his side. He has made it abundantly clear that only those players ready for AFL will get a game. And he then selects The Toump (and not Blease). What exactly do you think he is saying with that choice?

By the by Blease has always been a poor trainer. Unfortunately for him (well us really) he is also a perfect example of a player who can't get the footy. And to top it off he has only 'teared it up"once.

And unlike Toumpas at least he has once "Torn it up"

I think you could mount a decent case for Blease for Byrnes but I can't understand why he would be considered in front of M.Jones.

The lack of kudos for a bloke who finished top 5 in the b & f in his first year at this level is astonishing.

The love for a bloke who has had several seasons to get AFL fit and show something but never has in Blease is equally astonishing.

We've been over this a number of times now so last time I'll comment on it.

I have nothing but respect for what he did last season, but I sit on the side of the fence believing that he is the calibre of player we need to move past if we are to become a genuinely good AFL side, and with the new inclusions, he is very much borderline best 22. Blease is still, by the skin of his teeth, potentially a greater part of the future than M Jones.

But I hope he has a blinder on Saturday.

Edited March 21, 201411 yr by P-man

Just got a train at Richmond and could see a big group of the boys at Goschs having some training. Kicking, tackling, marking. Good to see.

Looked to be about 15 guys but the trees blocked my view.

Interesting stat from over on the saints bigfooty board

Saints Avg Age: 24.13
Saints Avg Games: 65.23

Demons Avg Age: 24.10
Demons Avg Games: 60.55

We've been over this a number of times now so last time I'll comment on it.

I have nothing but respect for what he did last season, but I sit on the side of the fence believing that he is the calibre of player we need to move past if we are to become a genuinely good AFL side, and with the new inclusions, he is very much borderline best 22. Blease is still, by the skin of his teeth, potentially a greater part of the future than M Jones.

But I hope he has a blinder on Saturday.

Chap Paul Roos has a lot of time for Matt Jones, hence why he is in the the team, that was his first season last year, if ttraining on Thursday is anything to go by, Matt has earned his spot

Chap Paul Roos has a lot of time for Matt Jones, hence why he is in the the team, that was his first season last year, if ttraining on Thursday is anything to go by, Matt has earned his spot

I have no doubt about that. Merely a personal preference to have seen Blease named ahead of those two.

We are putting what Roos and other believes is our best team on the field. Roos has shown that he has been able to get the best out of some ordinary players or players others had discarded at Sydney, we are looking for the same thing here with our guys stepping up to that next level and playing as a champion team instead of a team of champions. Toumpas has the class to be in the team, Byrnes has the experience and skill to be there where as i believe Bleese is still work in progress. He needs to step up, he needs to learn how to chase, for someone reputedly so fast he has trouble finding the ball and chasing down the opposition players running off him. Hopefully all the team now know they have to compete far harder if they want a spot in the side, no free rides. also that the end of the year will give Roos his first real chance to cull those not committed or able to deliver.

And unlike Toumpas at least he has once "Torn it up"

Let's see how many times Toumpas has torn it up after 5 years though. Blease has done it once in that time.

We've been over this a number of times now so last time I'll comment on it.

I have nothing but respect for what he did last season, but I sit on the side of the fence believing that he is the calibre of player we need to move past if we are to become a genuinely good AFL side, and with the new inclusions, he is very much borderline best 22. Blease is still, by the skin of his teeth, potentially a greater part of the future than M Jones.

But I hope he has a blinder on Saturday.

I agree with your notion but theoretically, Jones can't go from top 5 in BnF to fringe player in the space of one season unless we'd picked up or developed 20 players better, which we may have, though only those within the club can tell that at this point. I doubt we have.

I like Jones and he has far more runs on the board in the red and blue than Blease or Byrnes.

And unlike Toumpas at least he has once "Torn it up"

Can't remember the Geelong game last season? Toumpas 'tore it up' sufficiently in wet conditions.

He had a number of other quite good games too.

Interesting stat from over on the saints bigfooty board

Saints Avg Age: 24.13 Saints Avg Games: 65.23Demons Avg Age: 24.10Demons Avg Games: 60.55

Their edge in experience is a worry.

Far be it from me to go off topic but I can't find the seating info on the website. I am a16 game member - anyone know?

Interesting stat from over on the saints bigfooty board

Saints Avg Age: 24.13

Saints Avg Games: 65.23

Demons Avg Age: 24.10

Demons Avg Games: 60.55

I would like to see the median age and the spread of ages...

I would like to see the median age and the spread of ages...

I'll look after the standard deviants.

Interesting stat from over on the saints bigfooty board

Saints Avg Age: 24.13

Saints Avg Games: 65.23

Demons Avg Age: 24.10

Demons Avg Games: 60.55

Just after I have wasted a lazy half hour at work trying to work out the same thing.

It is also relevant that each side has 6 players who have played at least 100 games. However, 3 at Melbourne (Cross - total 210, Vince - total 129 and Byrnes - total 125) played most of theirs elsewhere. They are also 30, 28 and 29 (with two having birthday in the next couple of weeks.

On the other hand, Riewoldt has played 259 games.

We are again younger and less experienced.

Far be it from me to go off topic but I can't find the seating info on the website. I am a16 game member - anyone know?

Entry will just get you a GA seat

I used to be a Premium home and Away member with a reserved seat for all home games before I down graded.

Etihad games give you nothing, home or away - just a seat on Level 3.

I was given an option to upgrade to premium seating at the gate - from memory about an extra $20, but that was a home game at Etihad

Interesting stat from over on the saints bigfooty board

Saints Avg Age: 24.13

Saints Avg Games: 65.23

Demons Avg Age: 24.10

Demons Avg Games: 60.55

That is interesting, you would have thought with the players we have brought into our club and the players they have out or left the club we would be ahead of the Saints in both these stats.

Chap Paul Roos has a lot of time for Matt Jones, hence why he is in the the team, that was his first season last year, if ttraining on Thursday is anything to go by, Matt has earned his spot

Roos is a big wrap for Matt Jones, and I completely understand why. What I DON'T get is why some on here rate him so lowly, and particularly relative to Sam Blease. As much as Blease has the excitement factor that comes with speed, his basic football talent has just not revealed itself. His lack of ball getting has for most of his career been a liability to the team on game day. Roos likes 'footballers', not flakey performers, no matter how great their potential.

I agree with your notion but theoretically, Jones can't go from top 5 in BnF to fringe player in the space of one season unless we'd picked up or developed 20 players better, which we may have, though only those within the club can tell that at this point. I doubt we have.

I like Jones and he has far more runs on the board in the red and blue than Blease or Byrnes.

I respect Jones. But ask yourself, who makes room in the midfield for when Viney, and arguably McKenzie, return to the side?

Who makes room when Salem is ready?

I respect Jones. But ask yourself, who makes room in the midfield for when Viney, and arguably McKenzie, return to the side?

Who makes room when Salem is ready?

ah, that will be the sort of problem we haven't had for a long time

I respect Jones. But ask yourself, who makes room in the midfield for when Viney, and arguably McKenzie, return to the side?

Who makes room when Salem is ready?

geez there's only about 10 names at most that I feel comfortable going into battle with in this week's 22 so it shouldn't be an issue

Far be it from me to go off topic but I can't find the seating info on the website. I am a16 game member - anyone know?

Yes your seats are last row in top level facing the Gat. Enjoy.

I respect Jones. But ask yourself, who makes room in the midfield for when Viney, and arguably McKenzie, return to the side?

Who makes room when Salem is ready?

Whoever is not as good as the guys coming in.