THE ROAD TO ROUND 1, 2015

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,251]

HS just reported that Ablett isn't playing the next NAB Cup game and is in serious doubts for round 1.

Good for us, although saints were decimated with injuries last year and we all know how that turned out.

That was totally unacceptable to lose to St Kilda with Montagna, Hayes, Steven amongst others missing.

Ablett will probably play even if he's not ready while O'Meara will miss I reckon.

[hardtack 10,859]

Even if both Ablett and O'Meara don't play, and with Lynch out, Harley Bennell still scares the bejesus out of me. He is freakishly talented and on any given day can turn the game around.

[DemonOX 8,837]

To be perfectly honest i couldn't care less who is not in the GC team it hasn't helped us in the past.

We just need to forget about it and win a bloody rd 1 game for the first time since I can remember.

[hardtack 10,859]

Just saw a tweet: "Wet training session for the Suns today. Ablett still wearing the orange cap for no contact and O'Meara moving freely."

Anybody's guess at this stage just who will be lining up for the Suns.

[watchtheeyes 1,429]

Ablett has apparently been super conservative in his recovery, including his decision to forego the remainder of the season to have surgery when advice existed that he could delay. From what I understand, a lot of the current reluctance to engage in contact has been driven by him.. interesting.

Wouldn't surprise me if he was looking at us Rd 1 and thinking, "I can probably sit this one out".

My money's on him sitting.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Ablett has apparently been super conservative in his recovery, including his decision to forego the remainder of the season to have surgery when advice existed that he could delay. From what I understand, a lot of the current reluctance to engage in contact has been driven by him.. interesting.

Wouldn't surprise me if he was looking at us Rd 1 and thinking, "I can probably sit this one out".

My money's on him sitting.

To be fair, if he wants to avoid heavy contact then playing against Melbourne is the perfect opportunity.

[DubDee 26,306]

just looking at my team for round one and its difficult to leave players out for the first time in 8 years

When Howe/Vince are back, we could be leaving out players such as Toumpas, Frost, JKH, Bail. Cant remember this ever being the case.

[What 18,810]

if they are missing O Meara and Ableet and we lose.... well, no comment.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

if they are missing O Meara and Ableet and we lose.... well, no comment.

You're kidding yourself if you think they're nothing without those two players.

Gold Coast have serious talent and good depth.

We're in for a tough game whether it's with Ablett and O'Meara or without them.

Edited March 19, 2015 by stevethemanjordan

[McQueen 17,867]

You're kidding yourself if you think they're nothing without those two players.

Gold Coast have serious talent and good depth.

We're in for a tough game whether it's with Ablett and O'Meara or without them.

No doubt but it was clearly evident that the Suns didn't cope with The loss of Ablett last season.

[JV7 2,375]

Add no Dixon and lynch to O'Meara and possibily Ablett, we shohld win. Not to mention others like Prestia have had a restricted pre season

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

I agree that the outs, (Ablett is still no certain out) as they stand obviously help our chances.

But I rate Gold Coast. They have serious skill and speed. We don't.

It will be our contested work around the ball and ball movement that need to be spot on if we're to win.

[dazzledavey36 55,867]

Add no Dixon and lynch to O'Meara and possibily Ablett, we shohld win. Not to mention others like Prestia have had a restricted pre season

Yeah i have heard all that before.

[DemonOX 8,837]

Yeah i have heard all that before.

And we still lost.

[titan_uranus 25,174]

Yeah i have heard all that before.

Difference between GC this year and St Kilda last year is that GC without a few key players is worse off, sure, but still a quite decent side.

I'll forever consider that loss to St Kilda as one of the worst losses we've had through this prolonged period of despair.

[dazzledavey36 55,867]

Difference between GC this year and St Kilda last year is that GC without a few key players is worse off, sure, but still a quite decent side.

I'll forever consider that loss to St Kilda as one of the worst losses we've had through this prolonged period of despair.

Your underestimating Gold Coast.

Their depth will start to pick up this year and we'll see a few surprise packets this year i reckon.

We must stop Harley Bennell. He always seems to run rings around us every time.

Edited March 19, 2015 by dazzledavey36

[Pipefitter 2,213]

I think we have next to no chance of winning this. Gold Coast are ready in my opinion, with or without Gazza. Rocket is a superb coach to boot.

[Red and Bluebeard 2,101]

I think we have next to no chance of winning this. Gold Coast are ready in my opinion, with or without Gazza. Rocket is a superb coach to boot.

That could be interpreted in more than one way ... :)

[McQueen 17,867]

We only lost by a kick last season.

Let's win by a kick this season.

Winning a round 1 match will be totes-amazeballs.

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,251]

I think we have next to no chance of winning this. Gold Coast are ready in my opinion, with or without Gazza. Rocket is a superb coach to boot.

Agree with that.

GC would have to have about 10 out in order for us to have a good chance of winning.

Melbourne simply don't win games.

[McQueen 17,867]

Agree with that.

GC would have to have about 10 out in order for us to have a good chance of winning.

Melbourne simply don't win games.

[titan_uranus 25,174]

Your underestimating Gold Coast.

Their depth will start to pick up this year and we'll see a few surprise packets this year i reckon.

We must stop Harley Bennell. He always seems to run rings around us every time.

No I'm not - the point of my post was to say that you can take Ablett and O'Meara out of Gold Coast and we're still going to have a good opponent in Round 1, whereas we took those players out of the Saints last year and were faced with a rubbish side (and lost).

In other words, it won't be as despicable for us to go down in Round 1 even if Ablett etc. don't play.

[jnrmac 20,276]

Eade is a good coach.

[DubDee 26,306]

With the likes of Swallow, matera, prestia, bennell,day, Mckenzie, Thompson, malceski, Martin, smith

I'll think they can cope with out or two. They'll be top 4 or near enough for the next 5 years thanks to the ridiculous draft concessions they got

[DubDee 26,306]

I'm not saying we have no hope, But it is very unlikely we will win round one

Err go dees