RAPH DROPPED!!

[Old Mate]

A lot of potential but he's ran out of chances imo. He's probably been given more opportunity then a lot ahead of him based on his upside which we haven't seen a lot of.

[borderbarry]

A lot of you blokes have very selective memories!

[bobmurray]

A lot of blokes are living in the now....and it aint good

[jays]

clean out at end of year

[matrix]

keep him

[Quixote]

The Raph revolving door continues....

As a Raph fan up until this year, I hope that this in/out stuff stops now...

His time is up, after 8 seasons, he has gone backwards from 3 or 4 ago, and the game has passed him by...

Great VFL player, with great talent, but is just missing some important tools to keep up with the game today... He's had his chances...

This will probably be branded a Raph Bashing post, and some may even sight racism (as Raph threads always degenerate to that level), but truth is I've been a fan of Raph for too long, but have realised it just isn't going to happen...

Time to try Lynch in his HBF role now, linking/pushing up the ground...

Yep - agreed.

Raph has had enough chances and has been given more time than most to show he is AFL material.

I think he will be shown the door come years end.

Anyone with any sense about this issue should agree here.

[ralphsmith]

Yes agreed. Both the Clarke brothers have never been able to get into the groove of this AFL caper.

Xavier was by far the better player, with shocking bad luck with injuries.

Raph has been substandard for too many years and each performance seems to be another nail in the coffin of his career. He has this slowness and lack of awareness pervading all parts of his game that has always been with him.

[To the top]

The rubbish peddled on here never ceases to amaze.

The facts are that in Round 9 v WCE in 2010, Clarke was named in the best for St Kilda with the remark "Clarke inspired St Kilda's second half run with a fearless effort running with the flight".

In the Round 11 game, v Richmond Clarke was again amongst our listed best.

In Round 12, v Fremantle he severely injured his hamstring - finishing his season and impacting on his preparation for the 2011 season.

Clarke was our best up until his injury in that Round 12 game - and was keeping us in it.

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story though.

The simple fact is that many on here peddle absolute garbage - for one reason or another.

Clarke is a required footballer at St Kilda - because of his performances.

[SaintPav]

The rubbish peddled on here never ceases to amaze.

The facts are that in Round 9 v WCE in 2010, Clarke was named in the best for St Kilda with the remark "Clarke inspired St Kilda's second half run with a fearless effort running with the flight".

In the Round 11 game, v Richmond Clarke was again amongst our listed best.

In Round 12, v Fremantle he severely injured his hamstring - finishing his season and impacting on his preparation for the 2011 season.

Clarke was our best up until his injury in that Round 12 game - and was keeping us in it.

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story though.

The simple fact is that many on here peddle absolute garbage - for one reason or another.

Clarke is a required footballer at St Kilda - because of his performances.

You can add the 09 Prelim final to those wonderful games he played. However, he does not do it often enough and I think it is time to move on.

[bobmurray]

The rubbish peddled on here never ceases to amaze.

Your obviously a Clarke fan...good for you and the other one.....personally, i want the team to be filled with very good players who play to that level consistently and R.Clarke isn't a player who does that....

Bye Bye Raphfail Clarke ...thanks for the very selective memories....[/b]

[St Ick]

The Raph revolving door continues....

As a Raph fan up until this year, I hope that this in/out stuff stops now...

His time is up, after 8 seasons, he has gone backwards from 3 or 4 ago, and the game has passed him by...

Great VFL player, with great talent, but is just missing some important tools to keep up with the game today... He's had his chances...

This will probably be branded a Raph Bashing post, and some may even sight racism (as Raph threads always degenerate to that level), but truth is I've been a fan of Raph for too long, but have realised it just isn't going to happen...

Time to try Lynch in his HBF role now, linking/pushing up the ground...

Only Eddie would see borderline racism in that post...

Anyway, I am not a fan of the play a bloke once or twice then kill his confidence for a month in the twos. Raph has grown, to a point where I didn't even mind him last year, but to play him as a sub for a quarter, then drop him is just mindless. Does he hold any trade value? Might get a pick 40 or 50 for him from someone? I'd take it as he doesn't give us anything that Lynch, Simpkin or Walsh can't.... sorry champ

[Quixote]

The rubbish peddled on here never ceases to amaze.

The facts are that in Round 9 v WCE in 2010, Clarke was named in the best for St Kilda with the remark "Clarke inspired St Kilda's second half run with a fearless effort running with the flight".

In the Round 11 game, v Richmond Clarke was again amongst our listed best.

In Round 12, v Fremantle he severely injured his hamstring - finishing his season and impacting on his preparation for the 2011 season.

Clarke was our best up until his injury in that Round 12 game - and was keeping us in it.

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story though.

The simple fact is that many on here peddle absolute garbage - for one reason or another.

Clarke is a required footballer at St Kilda - because of his performances.

Good. If all that is true we should be able to get a decent trade for him.

[To the top]

The reason St Kilda has the record it has, and is a laughing stock of the AFL, is obvious from the types who "support" the club and are in evidence on this site and at games.

People such as Alan Killigrew would turn in their graves.

Unfortunately, thru people such as Alan and his love of St Kilda, I have followed St Kilda since living in Victoria.

If you doubt what I have quoted in regards Clarke - and which confirms that Clarke was playing consistently very good football before injury in 2010 - just google the 2010 season results.

There is no doubt that other sides would welcome him on their playing list.

The one aspect of his play that I would have him working on to improve is his overhead marking - but very often he is forced into the third man up and the concentration is on getting a fist into the contest - something he does with courage and well on repeated occasions.

The one thing I will leave you with is that the first requirement to having a succesful season is to have all your key players with a full pre-season behind them - and for them all to be in reasonably good form.

Around that core you can then improvise and experiment.

Unfortunately, leading into 2011 we had a few key players who did not have the advantage of a full pre-season (or any pre-season), and we are suffering accordingly.

I note that Cahill is another who receives the consistent DCM from "supporters" on here.

Well the kid from Sturt has talent, needs some bulk on his 192cm frame but has kicked 5 today for Sandringham seconds in his first full match back from a 12 week serious quad injury.

I repeat, some of you on here know nothing.

Perhaps we are seeing the culture of the Club on this site - and the reason it has been so unsuccessful accross its history despite many with exellence and commitment having tried to address this lack of success.

They have not been able to.

Why not?

[Quixote]

There is no doubt that other sides would welcome him on their playing list.

Define sides. St. Albans perhaps?

The one aspect of his play that I would have him working on to improve is his overhead marking - but very often he is forced into the third man up and the concentration is on getting a fist into the contest - something he does with courage and well on repeated occasions.

Decision making? Spotting a target with a kick? Ability to play under pressure perhaps?

His overhead marking is fine - when he's not mindlessy punching it.

FFS some of your points are just so wrong - don't get me started!

The one thing I will leave you with...

I doubt it. You're likely to rattle off another 400 words of not very much at all.

Pull your head out of your arse emu-man.

And get a grip on something other than your

[To the top]

If you require a response to your abuse you fornicated moron, keep looking!

I note that Clarke was named 3rd best for Sandringham today.

[Quixote]

If you require a response to your abuse you fornicated moron, keep looking!

I note that Clarke was named 3rd best for Sandringham today.

Congratulations on your response and also your smallest ever post.

You're improving. But I guess - the only way is up, huh?

[saint66au]

Bye Bye Raphfail Clarke

Oh excuse me while I split my sides laughing. What brings grown adults to mock our own players like this beggers belief IMO.

Sadly Raph would dominate any compettion that gives him just 2 extra seconds to think. Sadly thats not and never will be the AFL and after 8 years without reallly cementing a senior game (albeit hit by injuries) Im not sure of his future in 2012.

I support him every time he pulls on a Saints (or Zebs) jumper however and will not lower myself to stupid mocking nicknames like some

[Dr Spaceman]

Bye Bye Raphfail Clarke

Oh excuse me while I split my sides laughing. What brings grown adults to mock our own players like this beggers belief IMO.

Sadly Raph would dominate any compettion that gives him just 2 extra seconds to think. Sadly thats not and never will be the AFL and after 8 years without reallly cementing a senior game (albeit hit by injuries) Im not sure of his future in 2012.

I support him every time he pulls on a Saints (or Zebs) jumper however and will not lower myself to stupid mocking nicknames like some

And if everyone abided by that rule this site would be a far better, but just as informative and challenging, discussion forum.

Belittling a player in no way makes your opinion more valid or convincing

[saint66au]

Bye Bye Raphfail Clarke

Oh excuse me while I split my sides laughing. What brings grown adults to mock our own players like this beggers belief IMO.

Sadly Raph would dominate any compettion that gives him just 2 extra seconds to think. Sadly thats not and never will be the AFL and after 8 years without reallly cementing a senior game (albeit hit by injuries) Im not sure of his future in 2012.

I support him every time he pulls on a Saints (or Zebs) jumper however and will not lower myself to stupid mocking nicknames like some

And if everyone abided by that rule this site would be a far better, but just as informative and challenging, discussion forum.

Belittling a player in no way makes your opinion more valid or convincing

Shame when CS members cant even stop themselves doing it eh??

[bobmurray]

The reason St Kilda has the record it has, and is a laughing stock of the AFL, is obvious from the types who "support" the club and are in evidence on this site and at games.

People such as Alan Killigrew would turn in their graves.

Unfortunately, thru people such as Alan and his love of St Kilda, I have followed St Kilda since living in Victoria.

If you doubt what I have quoted in regards Clarke - and which confirms that Clarke was playing consistently very good football before injury in 2010 - just google the 2010 season results.

There is no doubt that other sides would welcome him on their playing list.

The one aspect of his play that I would have him working on to improve is his overhead marking - but very often he is forced into the third man up and the concentration is on getting a fist into the contest - something he does with courage and well on repeated occasions.

The one thing I will leave you with is that the first requirement to having a succesful season is to have all your key players with a full pre-season behind them - and for them all to be in reasonably good form.

Around that core you can then improvise and experiment.

Unfortunately, leading into 2011 we had a few key players who did not have the advantage of a full pre-season (or any pre-season), and we are suffering accordingly.

I note that Cahill is another who receives the consistent DCM from "supporters" on here.

Well the kid from Sturt has talent, needs some bulk on his 192cm frame but has kicked 5 today for Sandringham seconds in his first full match back from a 12 week serious quad injury.

I repeat, some of you on here know nothing.

Perhaps we are seeing the culture of the Club on this site - and the reason it has been so unsuccessful accross its history despite many with exellence and commitment having tried to address this lack of success.

They have not been able to.

Why not?

Regardless of all that you have written the supporters are not out on the field...To blame "us" for St Kilda's lack of onfield success is the biggest cop out of all time...

"We" turn up year after year hoping that those tasked with the responsibility
of providing a competetive and ultimately successful team will eventually get it right.We now wait for the 46th attempt to find the right mix of players...

And if those tasked with the job persist with GOP's then we'll still be waiting at the 47th attempt.You can't blame supporters for that.....no wonder you were sacked....

[To the top]

Sacked?

From where?

Just goes to show the (lack of) intelligence of some.

Anyway, the fact is that with constant attacks on players - significantly unwarranted in my opinion - on this site there is a culture on show.

I may be critical of some as well, and I question their value to the team.

I also detail reasons.

Some of these I am critical of are long time "favourites" of some fans, but I do not subscribe to long time "favourites" and I look to what they bring to the team and where the improvement in their performance is to come from - and this improvement is not exclusively limited to what we see on match days.

It is interesting that in regards Milne, I was very critical of his without the ball pressure which was non existant.

I was criticised for being critical of this "2 goals a game champion".

But now most subscribe to the view that Milne has improved because he has added without the ball pressure to his game.

I am critical of him now because with the team under pressure for a raft of reasons - and particularly in regards mid field potency - Milne can not bring his over 200 games to that deficiency and remains a "specialist forward pocket" from where he can be easily negated - leaving us 1 player short which we can not afford.

So these are reasons from what I witness.

There are other players who cause me concern - Baker, Blake, Dawson, McQualter, Geary and a few others I forget.

But to get the best result from our list we do need Hayes and Gardiner and we do need the likes of Koschitzke, Clarke and Gram to come into a season off a full pre-season.

And we need half a dozen of those who have had little or no AFL experience to date to progress - including Cahill who I note kicked 5 in the seconds today after a 3 month lay off with injury.

I just think that the balance of some on here is way off what I know of successful footy clubs - and the culture that sees the relentless attacks on the likes of Clarke are indicative and damaging.

Simply, before injury in 2010, Clarke had been in our best 4 for 3 out of 4 weeks - so how is he "2 seconds too slow" and the other coments you read?

What about a selfish Milne being 2nd in free kicks given away in the AFL?

Why no comment on this?

We work to get the ball in there and Milne decides to take on the park and gets "pinged" for holding it whilst he dodges and weaves.

2 seconds too slow?

[plugger66]

You really have limited knowledge and by the way which state do you live in?

[To the top]

As you know everything Q33 and a third, why are we sitting where we are sitting on the premiership table?

Particulary seeing we have your champion averaging 2 goals a game?

I mean, with such a champion dominating we should be untouchable.

He did kick 11 in one game, didn't he?

So where are the double figure returns now that we really need them?

His career is a tribute to him, but careers come to an end.

We have young kids we need to ease in thru a forward pocket such as Sippos, Cripps and Ledger - for starters.

They are the future of St Kilda.

[plugger66]

As you know everything Q33 and a third, why are we sitting where we are sitting on the premiership table?

Particulary seeing we have your champion averaging 2 goals a game?

I mean, with such a champion dominating we should be untouchable.

He did kick 11 in one game, didn't he?

So where are the double figure returns now that we really need them?

His career is a tribute to him, but careers come to an end.

We have young kids we need to ease in thru a forward pocket such as Sippos, Cripps and Ledger - for starters.

They are the future of St Kilda.

Sorry missed the post where I or many others called Milne a champion. Also missed that one post where it was proved you had even had one little bit of knowledge of footy. By the way you write as if you see our seconds play but I think you live outside the state. Is that true a lot of words without any real meaning?

[Con Gorozidis]

I dont want to get involved in another Raph thread. Just a simple yes or no will suffice.

Under AFl rules - is Raph available for senior selection this coming week against the Roos?