Just now, Demonland said:

Membrey and Bruce always seem to trouble us. 

 

Last year it wasn't as bad as years previous and that's a reflection of the growth and improvement of our side as a whole.

Especially through the midfield and forward-line. 

Why did Membrey/Bruce and Reiwoldt always seem to trouble us?

When I think about those particular games, I remember easy coast-to-coast goals, a dysfunctional back six and Oscar probably playing when he shouldn't have. (Srsly). I also remember a midfield of ours not batting as deep, not possessing enough skill or intensity and not running as hard defensively. The same can be said about our half-forward line.

All of these things contributed to what seemed like a one or two man show for St Kilda. And they're not the only forwards that have had their way with us over the years.

We are so much stronger all over the field and we also have the number one intercept defender in the AFL added to our back six.

Let's see how it pans out on Thursday night.

8 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Any good defensive system will always rely on defending as a team AND defending as individuals. Just as any good attacking system in a game of footy should be based upon attacking as a team AND winning one on one match ups. Richmond last year - great team defending and great individual defending. Good enough team attacking, often used Dusty one out when they needed a goal.

The system worked and Lever did well enough one on one - better than I expected - that I'm now in full agreement with the 2 talls. And I've stated I'd play Frost just for a half as one of the 23-26th players to get him a run as a depth player for early rounds.

My reply here was in reference to a poster asking what the Saints will do to test us. North did not have a legitimate 3rd tall marking option like Membrey. I'm not worried about the cm's so much, the guy can mark a footy - on the lead or one on one. That makes him a test for our zoning defenders who at times will have to win those contests.

Fair enough.

However, in a 50/50 aerial contest, I'd back Hibberd, Hunt and Wagner to get a fist in. 

Membrey seems to only worry us when he is given silver service.

24 minutes ago, Demonland said:

The AFL site that I cut and pasted that from listed it that way. The game is of course at Casey. 

Not to worry.  At least both those places are on THIS planet.  The AFL website last week listed the venue of the Bullies/Hawthorn game as "Mars"...!!  LOL

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

Opposition watch. 

 

Reads like fear and projection  to me. Richo needs to deliver this year and he's afraid these young kids probably wont. 

Edited March 6, 20187 yr by Doodle Dee

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

Maybe Jetta trained the other day. I probably missed him!

No Nev is on his own individual program 'his old man training'??

8 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

Take it to the bank. It was sustained at training last week. Will not play Thursday and will be off legs all week. The club is hopeful he will be ready for Round 1.

Spoken like an employee at the Medical place at AAMI, I asked ANB, like Lewis, still two and a bit weeks away from real stuff, no risk

Notable absentees: Billy Longer, Jack Lonie, Josh Battle, Hugh Goddard * Riewoldt

Big loss for the Saints, will struggle without him this year...

8 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

Take it to the bank. It was sustained at training last week. Will not play Thursday and will be off legs all week. The club is hopeful he will be ready for Round 1.

 

9 minutes ago, Satyriconhome said:

Spoken like an employee at the Medical place at AAMI, I asked ANB, like Lewis, still two and a bit weeks away from real stuff, no risk

 

Poor Saty really cant handle when someone gets the scoop ahead of him.

4 hours ago, Copuchas said:

In: N.Jetta, J.Garlett, D.Tyson, S.Frost
Out: J.Lewis (Injured), A.Neal-Bullen (rested)

Kent, Spargo, Keilty and JKH are emergencies.   Viney / Lewis and ANB are notable absentees.   Seems to be a very straight bat approach in the lead-up to round 1.   Wagner and Stretch being given every opportunity to grab a spot.

I'm hopeless at this kind of stuff. I have not seen a single aspect of Wagners game that is worth a spot in the senior side.

I can see the positives on O Mac, and am rapidly warming to him as a key defender, but I cringe every time Wagner has the ball in his vicinity. Terrible situational awareness, very poor lateral movement for a defender, and a huge turning circle. He even annoys me how he runs with those wrists of his cocked like a girl.

What am I missing?

2 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

 

 

Poor Saty really cant handle when someone gets the scoop ahead of him.

Ppfffttt he would have know all about it, he asks the players. He just keeps it on the hush hush... 

I am looking forward to watching this game on Thursday. I will be looking for us to exert pressure on the ball and the ball carrier in all areas of the ground. The defence will rely on the midfield to force turnovers and to retain the ball when it is in our hands. Both our defence and attack will only be as good as the midfield allows them to be.

Of the 26 named I can see 17 of them able to run through the midfield, at least for spells. If you drop 4 of them I can still see 14 or so able to run there. I see that as good gameday depth and a reflection of the flexibility that Goodwin and coaching team are working towards.

I am expecting a win but will not slit the wrists if we do not get across the line as long as we work hard and play to the plans.

The Saints fans on big footy are annoyed that we are getting brash and arrogant, having not been competitive for 2 decades. 

If I'm not mistaken, St Kilda was a byword for mediocrity in footy for around 40 years, so they should know about being uncompetitive. The wheel is turning and Saints fans don't like it. 

Tough !!!

2 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

 

 

Poor Saty really cant handle when someone gets the scoop ahead of him.

I can handle it, not sure bandying about private medical information without permission is ok though, said this last year to same poster

3 hours ago, pineapple dee said:

The Saints fans on big footy are annoyed that we are getting brash and arrogant, having not been competitive for 2 decades. 

If I'm not mistaken, St Kilda was a byword for mediocrity in footy for around 40 years, so they should know about being uncompetitive. The wheel is turning and Saints fans don't like it. 

Tough !!!

Dees should win this by 30+ points. Saints won’t make the 8 this year 

6 hours ago, rjay said:

Notable absentees: Billy Longer, Jack Lonie, Josh Battle, Hugh Goddard * Riewoldt

Big loss for the Saints, will struggle without him this year...

He was their most important player last year and is a huge loss to them.  I think his presence inflated their win/loss ratio and covered up a lot of gaps in their list.

He the one that’s always worried me.

3 hours ago, Satyriconhome said:

I can handle it, not sure bandying about private medical information without permission is ok though, said this last year to same poster

Hey mate, I’m just a supporter who was given some info about an injury. I wasn’t told to keep it in-house or under wraps. I’d love you to show me where you’ve gave me the same feedback last year??? 

Don’t worry. I won’t share anything on here anymore. I will leave all club news to you Saty, considering you are best friends with all the playing group.

Edited March 6, 20187 yr by Tough Kent
Grammar

9 hours ago, faultydet said:

I'm hopeless at this kind of stuff. I have not seen a single aspect of Wagners game that is worth a spot in the senior side.

I can see the positives on O Mac, and am rapidly warming to him as a key defender, but I cringe every time Wagner has the ball in his vicinity. Terrible situational awareness, very poor lateral movement for a defender, and a huge turning circle. He even annoys me how he runs with those wrists of his cocked like a girl.

What am I missing?

I hear he impressed a lot this preseason so they'll give him a few chances before dropping him I suspect

11 hours ago, Satyriconhome said:

I can handle it, not sure bandying about private medical information without permission is ok though, said this last year to same poster

 

Given you’re not employed at the club,  you’re in absolutely no position to be commenting on whether or not the poster should be sharing the information.

It is his and his only to share. We have no idea who his connection is and so the risk is his to take if he decides to share it.

It’s the same with any of the posters on this forum who have connections at the club and share information from time to time. Whether it’s trade news, injury or anything else. The risk is theirs.

I suggest you put him on ignore, like you have with everyone else who rubs you the wrong way on here. It’d be beneficial for you, but more importantly everyone else on here who is sick of you bobbing up anytime a poster shares something that you’re not privy to.

 

 

11 hours ago, faultydet said:

I'm hopeless at this kind of stuff. I have not seen a single aspect of Wagners game that is worth a spot in the senior side.

I can see the positives on O Mac, and am rapidly warming to him as a key defender, but I cringe every time Wagner has the ball in his vicinity. Terrible situational awareness, very poor lateral movement for a defender, and a huge turning circle. He even annoys me how he runs with those wrists of his cocked like a girl.

What am I missing?

I see it more of a game plan selection, it looks like they want to run with 1 true tall (OMac), then have Lever, Hibberd, Hunt and Wagner as mid size, more flexible types. I'd think that if J Smith was fit he'd be right in that mix for Wagner's spot, so wouldn't be surprised to see him come in for round 1 like last year, if he's match fit. They also will have Jetta and a mid, like Lewis/Vince as the smaller player. 

We might be trying to replicate some of the Doggies, run and dash out of the backline with virtually all players having the ability to do that.

12 hours ago, faultydet said:

I'm hopeless at this kind of stuff. I have not seen a single aspect of Wagners game that is worth a spot in the senior side.

I can see the positives on O Mac, and am rapidly warming to him as a key defender, but I cringe every time Wagner has the ball in his vicinity. Terrible situational awareness, very poor lateral movement for a defender, and a huge turning circle. He even annoys me how he runs with those wrists of his cocked like a girl.

What am I missing?

You're probably not really missing it ... it's that our footy department and player development runs rings around that of 5 years, 10 years ago.

Once upon a time, ANB would have had his cards marked already.

O Mac would be vice captain at Casey, mentoring younger players earmarked for bigger and better things than Oscar.

Hunt would have been turned into an inside mid and then delisted.

Our current FD is clearly giving Wagner his best shot to shine. I agree with what you say, he doesn't look like he'll make it, but he won't die wondering, nor will the FD.

Most here would have had ANB and OMac delisted by now. I have tucked what tail I have left between my legs and am prepared to back our FD in with whatever their plans are for Wagner and all the rest of the fringe players.

16 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

You know ANB's made it when everyone considers him a key out. Good on him.

Hopefully Viney plays in a VFL praccy next weekend.

Anyone know if this round of JLT's are full length quarters? They were in the corresponding round last year.

 

Hogan just said Viney to play in Sat praccy game

4 minutes ago, Grimes Times said:

Hogan just said Viney to play in Sat praccy game

Where did he say that? Not doubting you.

On 3/6/2018 at 8:47 AM, Wiseblood said:

The squads are released for this game later today, so I thought a thread for the game itself wouldn't hurt.

Who do we expect to play this weekend?  Apart from someone like Lewis who may be rested with his calf injury, you would assume we would be fielding close to what our best 22 will look like for Round 1.

I'm excited to see us put the Saints away and complete the perfect preparation for Round 1!

UPDATE:

Melbourne v St Kilda at Casey Fields, 7.05pm AEDT

MELBOURNE

B: J.Wagner, O.McDonald, M.Hibberd
HB: J.Hunt, J.Lever, N.Jetta
C: C.Salem, C.Petracca, B.Stretch
HF: J.Garlett, C.Pedersen, J.Melksham
F: B.Fritsch, J.Hogan, M.Hannan
Foll: M.Gawn, C.Oliver, N.Jones
I/C: J.Harmes, A.Brayshaw, D.Tyson, S.Frost, C.Maynard, B.Vince, T.McDonald, T.Bugg                

Emerg: C.Spargo, D.Kent, J.Kennedy Harris, D.Keilty                        

In: N.Jetta, J.Garlett, D.Tyson, S.Frost
Out: J.Lewis (Injured), A.Neal-Bullen (rested)

Notable absentees: Jack Viney, Jordan Lewis, Alex Neal-Bullen,

Note that Melbourne is listed as four ins/two outs as 24 players took the field in its last JLT match v North Melbourne.

ST KILDA

B: J.Geary, N.Brown, D.Roberton
HB: J.Webster, J.Carlisle, S.Savage
C: J.Newnes, D.Armitage, J.Sinclair
HF: J.Billings, P.McCartin, J.Steele
F: J.Gresham, T.Membrey, J.Bruce
Foll: T.Hickey, S.Ross, J.Steven
I/C: L.Dunstan, B.Acres, K.Stevens, M.Weller, S.Gilbert, N.Coffield, H.Clark, R.Marshall                

Emerg: J.Lonie, N.Wright, B.White, L.Austin                          

In: J.Billings, J.Bruce, T.Hickey, K.Stevens
Out: B.Long, B.Longer (injured), J.Lonie, N.Wright 

Notable absentees: Billy Longer, Jack Lonie, Josh Battle, Hugh Goddard

Surely Frost is an upgrade and a better long term bet than Wagner??

13 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Where did he say that? Not doubting you.

Said it in this mornings press conference, just played on SEN.

Viney on limited minutes this weekend...

2 minutes ago, rjay said:

Said it in this mornings press conference, just played on SEN.

Viney on limited minutes this weekend...

Oh damn

Glad I'm going to watch, will be good too see him have a hit out