The bottom line is that many sides beat St Kilda. They are not invincible. Yes, we can, yes, we should is my motto. 

33 minutes ago, dieter said:

The bottom line is that many sides beat St Kilda. They are not invincible. Yes, we can, yes, we should is my motto. 

I'm not confident but I'm with you skinny.

We haven't beaten this mob since I was free of tinea. If we are to demonstrate the improvement that has been touted so widely, then this is  one of the teams we must knock over.

I also imagine  a win in this one would blast the [censored] out of our membership numbers.

4 hours ago, Moonshadow said:

One thing is certain, should we beat the Saints in R1 you'd better hold onto your hat. It'll be a wild and exciting ride in season 2017.

And if we don't the fallout and bloodletting on ths site will be bigger than Count Yorga running amok at a freshman social!!

52 minutes ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

I think we need to accept that we're going to lose this one. The Saints at Etihad is our worst possible opponent. There is no combination of opponent and venue we are as bad against, including Geelong in Geelong. I don't care what the bookies say, we're no chance.

Good attitude. If we lose you won't be overly disappointed but if we win you'll be the the happiest, stokest man on Demonland. 

9 minutes ago, picket fence said:

And if we don't the fallout and bloodletting on ths site will be bigger than Count Yorga running amok at a freshman social!!

Save that for Round 2...

2 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

I think we need to accept that we're going to lose this one. The Saints at Etihad is our worst possible opponent. There is no combination of opponent and venue we are as bad against, including Geelong in Geelong. I don't care what the bookies say, we're no chance.

Boooooooo!

2 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

I think we need to accept that we're going to lose this one. The Saints at Etihad is our worst possible opponent. There is no combination of opponent and venue we are as bad against, including Geelong in Geelong. I don't care what the bookies say, we're no chance.

....weve got one chance....If I decide to put a decent bet on the Aints....were a certainty!

Edited March 13, 20178 yr by Wadda We Sing

One thing that I don't think has been mentioned is that this group tends to play well in games that are "built up". We've played well the last couple of Queens birthday matches.  We've played well the last couple of Anzac Eve games.  We've played well the last two Round 1 games.

This game has already been built up by the media.  By the time the game starts it will probably be close to game of the round.  The Saints are playing well, but they are not unbeatable.

Also if we manage to get over the line, what a great way to start the year by knocking off two more of those long standing hoodoos. Etihad and the Saints.

Two birds with one stone.

I actually wouldn't mind having Joel Smith in the side. I know he isn't experienced but I would love for him to rotate with who ever plays on Membrey. He can jump and I feel as though he has the defensive pressure to create him to turn it over. Unless Membrey marks it and has a set shot at goal, I don't feel he is so deadly in their forward line 

This is a massive game for Max Gawn, who was towelled up by Hickey twice last season.

Saints are gonna roll us. Our mids dont kick enough goals

Still really concerned about our ball use, turnovers will kill us against teams like the saints who will punish us. 

we would need a lot to go right to win I think 

3 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

I think we need to accept that we're going to lose this one. The Saints at Etihad is our worst possible opponent. There is no combination of opponent and venue we are as bad against, including Geelong in Geelong. I don't care what the bookies say, we're no chance.

If Melbourne come out to play with 4 qtrs of intensity and ruthlessness then we will win. Anything short of that then we won't 

If we are going to be a good side these are exactly the sorts of games we will have to win. Time will tell if we are ready yet

35 minutes ago, armstrong35 said:

I actually wouldn't mind having Joel Smith in the side. I know he isn't experienced but I would love for him to rotate with who ever plays on Membrey. He can jump and I feel as though he has the defensive pressure to create him to turn it over. Unless Membrey marks it and has a set shot at goal, I don't feel he is so deadly in their forward line 

Our disposal out of the backline is already bad enough. T Mac is terrible by foot, o mac is inexperienced and panics and vince has brain fades. Not sure we want to add to this with smith 

5 minutes ago, bandicoot said:

Our disposal out of the backline is already bad enough. T Mac is terrible by foot, o mac is inexperienced and panics and vince has brain fades. Not sure we want to add to this with smith 

Would rather smith than Omac from glimpses I saw

MELBOURNE

Dom Tyson made a successful return from a knee injury against West Coast, collecting 24 disposals.

He is likely to play in a practice match for Casey Scorpions this week as a final tune-up for Round 1.

“I’m hopeful, without writing my name in pen just yet,” he told the Demons website. “It’s a pretty impressive side we’ll be dishing out in Round 1, so I’ve got to reassess after next week’s game.”

It’s not clear if that side will include Michael Hibberd, who was left out of the team for the final JLT game after having his foot stomped on at training. He has played just one pre-season match after missing all of last season.

Sam Frost (toe) and Dean Kent (back) are racing the clock to take on St Kilda but the Dees say Jeff Garlett (hamstring) and Neville Jetta (quad) will be available for selection.

Jay Kennedy-Harris (broken arm) will miss 6-8 weeks while Aaron vandenBerg is out for up to six weeks with a foot stress fracture.

They'll be too quick and clinical for us I think - we're not far off them but the home ground advantage (particularly Etihad) gives them a massive edge with their speed of ball movement. They play it so well.

Having attended most MFC games at Etihad over the last few couple of years in particular, I'm filled with dread about the possibilities of another doggies thrashing if we field a top heavy and slow team. 

Glad to see the betting odds starting to even up and I think they'll be favoring the Saints by the time the ball bounces - which is one positive for us given our inability to produce the goods as favorites. Wish it was at the 'G but still can't wait!

so it looks like we will be getting Jeffy and Jetta in, which is great. Now hopefully Hibberd can have a hitout this weekend as well as Kent. The 2 are some of my favourites but I wouldn't be taking in underdone players into round 1. I doubt Montagna will play for the Saints - big out for them as he's such a leader for them

My biggest concern is turnovers and getting hit on the rebound.

Saints' skill looks good and I rate their mids highly.

We are a side who want to play contested football, and I worry about their speed of transition.

It's a massive game for both sides to kickstart the season. Could be a genuine classic '8-pointer'.

Edited March 13, 20178 yr by DemonAndrew

1 hour ago, hells bells said:

One thing that I don't think has been mentioned is that this group tends to play well in games that are "built up". We've played well the last couple of Queens birthday matches.  We've played well the last couple of Anzac Eve games.  We've played well the last two Round 1 games.

This game has already been built up by the media.  By the time the game starts it will probably be close to game of the round.  The Saints are playing well, but they are not unbeatable.

Also if we manage to get over the line, what a great way to start the year by knocking off two more of those long standing hoodoos. Etihad and the Saints.

Two birds with one stone.

We broke the Etihad hoodoo against GWS in 2015...Round 23 though, easy to forget that one!

1 hour ago, deesrule said:

If we are going to be a good side these are exactly the sorts of games we will have to win. Time will tell if we are ready yet

Exactly and also not lose the games we should win.

6 minutes ago, DemonAndrew said:

My biggest concern is turnovers and getting hit on the rebound.

Saints' skill looks good and I rate their mids highly.

We are a side who want to play contested football, and I worry about their speed of transition.

It's a massive game for both sides to kickstart the season. Could be a genuine classic '8-pointer'.

I don't rate them as highly as you 'Andrew'...

I think Steven is the man but apart from that it's hardly an A grade + list.

1 hour ago, rjay said:

I don't rate them as highly as you 'Andrew'...

I think Steven is the man but apart from that it's hardly an A grade + list.

no, not a grade, but i think it runs deep, and most importantly runs quickly and all day, and delivers the ball well.

their slingshot ability is also red-hot.

3 hours ago, picket fence said:

And if we don't the fallout and bloodletting on ths site will be bigger than Count Yorga running amok at a freshman social!!

If Watts, Garland & Jetta are out & Spencer, Weideman & Harmes are in and we lose, it'll be full Freddy K.