Pates

Something I'm going to be interested to see with King is whether he goes down the path of picking his idea of the best 23 or whether he will go for more horses for courses style, to match up against other teams. Something I felt we didn't do enough of last season (and previous years) was picking players who could play specific roles vs other teams. I genuine feel like that could be a scenario this week with Freo's tall list. Heath has had a solid pre-season, would be good to see him get some games early. Sparrow would be the only one I'd probably take out at this point.

I'm mindful that I don't want to get too carried away with him but something that I found really frustrating about fans potting him last year is that they forget his age! This is his 5th year in the system and 4th year of AFL, bearing in mind that he has also been played as a second ruck for a most of his time sicne breaking into the seniors. The vitriol that was being levelled at him by Dees fans was completely unfair, and while I don't want this to be yet another Goody bashing post, there can't be much doubt that they were doing his development no favours following his first full year in the seniors. One great game doesn't mean much if it can't be replicated on a semi-regular basis, but the early indications are that he feels far more comfortable in his skin, and the addition of Checkers is going to allow him the space to grow which he simply hasn't had. I hope we don't see him at any centre bounces for the entire year.

Totally agree. He's cashed in his "good guy" chips, if it happens again he can have a week off.

He'll be fine, in his second year and there were plenty performing. Sometimes it's just how it works that the team overall does well and some find it difficult to impact.

Love Latrelle's energy, and when he starts to get some composure to finish his work that is going to be seriously scary for defenders. I was so worried he'd ran himself into trouble with his goal, and on the telly I thought it had hit the post, but when everyone got around him a had a huge grin on my face!

Yeah I'll back up a few other comments, on the weekend's performance Sparrow would go out for Jack.

Saints have Flying Ryan, we have Jumping Jai!

If we have facilities (ie a 360 degree bar) that overlooks both our training ground and a part of the racetrack I have no issue with it being used on race days for events. With the provision that we get a cut of the days bar/food purchases (which I would think is fair), they can have all profits from the ticketing and any other side parts to it. I would think they would want to remain in the main racecourse area for admin purposes.

Roos first mark and goal was created by him putting the intelligent block on. We haven't had someone like him (except maybe Melk) in the forward line to help Roo in his development. We've gone from bringing zero players in through trade of value in the previous 3-4 years (though Sharpe might come good under a new coach), to getting three in one hit.

Loved that moment but I think it's a little sobering reminder about how the Saints were not clinical at all on Sunday. They repeatedly burned players in better positions and in situations like that (a 3v1) they didn't work through it in a way to make sure theres a shot on goal. Against better teams (Brisbane, GC, Geelong etc) we will be punished. And I want to say, that's ok. We are still developing who we are as a team and we are playing a more attacking style, this will lead to more scenarios like this. That said, Petty was enormous in that moment, it's one thing to be let in to be able to stop it, but to be able to beat those three men was as good as a goal.

The Saints did everything they could to ensure he was playing more in a one on one role rather than intercepting. That's good tactics. By all reports he's had a good pre-season so he's not going anywhere. No change, although we might want to consider Moose in as a second ruck. That would be the only change I'd consider.

Max 6 JVR 5 Windsor 4 Petty 3 Culley 2 Kolt 1

I'm so happy for the boys, this must feel like they've exorcised some demons after last year's loss. If anyone says anyone else is the greatest ruckman of all time other than Max than they have rocks for brains. That is one of the most immense perfomances ever from a ruckman. dK had you take rests while Max the warrior stayed out there, and not only that he beat all comers. If he doesn't get the 3 Brownlow votes it's a bigger robbery than Nas. But the most pleasing thing for me is the players who have been whipping boys contributing. JvR kicking 5 in the first half is incredible, but what shouldn't be ignored is that he kept competing all day. It's set up for him to have a big year. Petty looked right back at home in defence. Sharp had a big say in the last quarter. JC (who has somehow already become a whipping boy) was very good all day. Kolt may have been beaten but he never gave up the fight and should've had a goal to his name to cap off good work. I tipped the saints, I have no issue with getting that tip wrong.

Just waiting for him to sign it off with "THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!!!"

This is the thing I think I'm getting from people on hear that they've given up on Caulfield because we've had setbacks in the planning and negotiation. This is a big project, it was/is never going to be smooth sailing. But it's worth fighting for and trying our guts out because I don't want us to settle for a second hand Waverly park with no chance of expansion. I feel like we have got the right people making the right moves and negotiations, we could have the worst year on the field but if they can get Caulfield over the line this will be the most success the club could have short of a premiership.

At least when he does get his chance (and he will) he won't have to wear the dreaded sub vest.

Call it MFCSS or whatever, but watch him become an absolute jet of a player, then get drafted by a totally different club, with the media suddenly pushing for "Grandfather-Grandson" picks to be allowed, meaning every other club suddenly gets priority access to young talent while we watch this guy rip up the AFL. And yes this sentiment is proudly brought to you by the NGO rule they changed just for us, meaning we missed out on Mac Andrew, only for them to change it right back.

Everyone had a positive reaction to the Irish jig during the Jim Stynes tribute game last season, I'm shocked that that hasn't been followed up.

Last season's opener I would say most neutrals would have picked GWS, we came so bloody close. I think being the underdogs will suit this group. Wouldn't surprise me if we come out of the blocks and kick the first 2-3. I've tipped the saints but I'd say the pressure is more on them than it is us.

I'm going to slightly defend the club here (only slightly). We are the only club at a disadvantage of being born out of the MCG, all thee other teams had spiritual homes in their designated area and they owned the assets. What I will say is that the club sat back for decades watching places get built and the housing/land market get squeezed and did nothing. Then when it was decided that "oh we need a home that's not the MCG" it was too late or we passed up golden opportunities. Then as you said we've chased this dream of space in the shadows of the MCG but that whole project never sounded real. Caulfied I have a little more hope over but until the thing is signed off and they've broken ground I'm not holding my breath. But here's the reality, whether it's Caulfied or something else, we as supporters need to stop worrying about it being near the MCG. I'll take being in the suburbs (though not as far as Casey). I'm so sick of us going through this, I remembered being first explained this stupid issue when I was 12 years old and really getting into the footy. I'm 39 now, this is a joke.

Good to see Culley and Fritta available for round one, both have put the work in over the off season and deserve their crack at it from the start. I'm really hopeful the AMW can start to press his claim through Casey.

I feel what this debate hammers home is that we don't/didn't have strong enough leadership, BUT that players that we were paying huge amounts of money seemed content to sit back and not take ownership of leading high standards. I mean Clarry was attached at the hip to Max last off-season, you couldn't ask for a more professional footballer who demands the highest standards of himself.

I feel like an announcement has been teased every damn year, and that is probably why the members are antsy and desperate for a solid, official announcement. Now Caulfield does feel a lot further down the line than the likes of the area near Goches Paddock, and ideas like Melbourne Uni, Fishermans Bend, and other mooted ideas, but still until the ground has been broken I'm not getting to revved up.

I know this is a thread about Clarry, but honestly I put Gus's hit by Maynard as the main beginning of our downfall. He was 100% the glue between everyone and I think he would've been captain in the future. He was the glue not only from a personal standpoint, but on the field he was the player we could rely on to go practically anywhere and fill the role required. As for Clarry, he's where he needed to be for both himself and the club. It was a messy exit, but if he succeeds at the Giants I'll be happy for him.

It's sad that May, like so many others from the premiership, aren't getting a proper farewell. He's been such a warrior for us, and it's sad he won't be chaired off the ground in front of the members. Still he will always be the best defender I've seen us have at the club, without him we don't win the flag. Whatever his personal issues are I hope he's able to work them out.