Armitage

[BigMart]

Look at the quality of clearance....stats are not alway a true indication..

They ran the ball out with clean break aways....

We got hurried shanks forward....

In the last, they won the quality clearances easily..

Goldstean is the second best ruckman in the afl atm......

[Teflon]

Look at the quality of clearance....stats are not alway a true indication..

They ran the ball out with clean break aways....

We got hurried shanks forward....

In the last, they won the quality clearances easily..

Goldstean is the second best ruckman in the afl atm......

I went to the game realworried bout Goldstein - hes gonna be a star if he isnt already.

I thought McEvoy against Goldstein today was a win for us - sure, Goldstein came good late.....but Mac did well and took some telling marks late also (and he should have lined up for a shot on goalto sealthe game but ...brain fade...)

[stinger]

Err...

Since Steven swapped with Armo we have been a better team...and Steven has really taken off. Armo has been good to fair..though today was a bit quite.


But lets look at the main positive...Steven is playing very good football.
Steven > Armo


But hey let's appease the masses and swap back and start losing again.

armo did his bit...played his part....okay by me...

[meher baba]

I think he started the season very well and has been slowly going off the boil. A bit like McQualter, he seems only to be clearly of AFL quality when playing at the very top of his form. Perhaps he tries too hard, perhaps he isn't quite fit enough to play the full on type of game he tries to play.

I don't think all hope is lost. He needs to find the sorts of short cuts the experienced AFL players take in games to maximize their outputs week in/week out. Or he needs to work out how to become as supremely fit as a Hayes or a Harvey.

But I do think he needs to find his way back into the midfield soon or he'll be playing AFL.

[DWOODROW]

I think he started the season very well and has been slowly going off the boil. A bit like McQualter, he seems only to be clearly of AFL quality when playing at the very top of his form. Perhaps he tries too hard, perhaps he isn't quite fit enough to play the full on type of game he tries to play.

I don't think all hope is lost. He needs to find the sorts of short cuts the experienced AFL players take in games to maximize their outputs week in/week out. Or he needs to work out how to become as supremely fit as a Hayes or a Harvey.

But I do think he needs to find his way back into the midfield soon or he'll be playing AFL.

I think you mean VFL.

He is being used in the forward line to create tackling pressure. I don't think this role suites him but what would I know.

Ross Lyon is the coach and what he and Dave talk about I wouldn't have a clue but he has definitely gone quite.

Maybe he should ask McQualter what to do.

[meher baba]

I think he started the season very well and has been slowly going off the boil. A bit like McQualter, he seems only to be clearly of AFL quality when playing at the very top of his form. Perhaps he tries too hard, perhaps he isn't quite fit enough to play the full on type of game he tries to play.

I don't think all hope is lost. He needs to find the sorts of short cuts the experienced AFL players take in games to maximize their outputs week in/week out. Or he needs to work out how to become as supremely fit as a Hayes or a Harvey.

But I do think he needs to find his way back into the midfield soon or he'll be playing AFL.

I think you mean VFL.

He is being used in the forward line to create tackling pressure. I don't think this role suites him but what would I know.

Ross Lyon is the coach and what he and Dave talk about I wouldn't have a clue but he has definitely gone quite.

Maybe he should ask McQualter what to do.

You're right, I meant VFL. And I agree with you: Armitage needs to start in the middle and run forward with the ball (so that he can utilize his goal kicking skills).

Sure Steven is probably going to be a better midfielder (a star in fact) but there should be room for more than one ball-playing midfielder in the middle.

The problem is that Lyon has people playing "roles" on opponents all over the ground: even at the centre bounce. I reckon that's why there ultimately wasn't room for both Lenny and Ball, and why we see CJ in there so often, even though he is 100% a liability if the ball ends up in his hands!

[DWOODROW]

I think he started the season very well and has been slowly going off the boil. A bit like McQualter, he seems only to be clearly of AFL quality when playing at the very top of his form. Perhaps he tries too hard, perhaps he isn't quite fit enough to play the full on type of game he tries to play.

I don't think all hope is lost. He needs to find the sorts of short cuts the experienced AFL players take in games to maximize their outputs week in/week out. Or he needs to work out how to become as supremely fit as a Hayes or a Harvey.

But I do think he needs to find his way back into the midfield soon or he'll be playing AFL.

I think you mean VFL.

He is being used in the forward line to create tackling pressure. I don't think this role suites him but what would I know.

Ross Lyon is the coach and what he and Dave talk about I wouldn't have a clue but he has definitely gone quite.

Maybe he should ask McQualter what to do.

You're right, I meant VFL. And I agree with you: Armitage needs to start in the middle and run forward with the ball (so that he can utilize his goal kicking skills).

Sure Steven is probably going to be a better midfielder (a star in fact) but there should be room for more than one ball-playing midfielder in the middle.

The problem is that Lyon has people playing "roles" on opponents all over the ground: even at the centre bounce. I reckon that's why there ultimately wasn't room for both Lenny and Ball, and why we see CJ in there so often, even though he is 100% a liability if the ball ends up in his hands!

I agree he is much better in the middle but I just put my hands in the air with Dave and his position at St Kilda.

I'm not a coach nor want to be. Ross Lyon had Dave in the Mcqualter role as a tackling and pressure player.

This role has already put one player back at Sandy and is starting to do the same to another.

I really don't see why they both can't play in the middle.
Steven has been playing well. It is a given.
Saying since Dave has gone forward and Steven playing in the middle we have been winning makes a little sense but remember how the team as a whole were going at the start of the year. Goodard, Roo and a few others wern't playing well at all. They have since come on and started playing better. I put us winning down to these players before I put it down to Steven. But steven is definitely making the most of it which is a credit to him and maybe the kick in the pants at the start of the year was what he needed.

If Dave doesn't reinvent his footy I fear he may go the same way as ball.
Not comparing the two just saying that his type of play might not suite St Kilda.

[meher baba]

If Dave doesn't reinvent his footy I fear he may go the same way as ball.
Not comparing the two just saying that his type of play might not suite St Kilda.

Spot on: I think Armitage's style in the middle is quite similar to Ball's. They both go in hard and look either to get the ball or to tackle the man with the ball. Out of ruck contests, they both look to run into space and create opportunities rather than to go with an opponent. And they are both a little on the slow side and not at their best being asked to run all over the field as part of a predetermined rolling defensive pattern.

If Armitage gets driven away from the club too, the problem I have is that - in my book - Armitage will always be a fairly handy player under any coach and under most types of game plan. Some of the others who are currently automatic selections - eg, Jones, Dempster and, to some extent, Schneider - would probably be useless to us if Lyon leaves and a new coach arrives who wants to start playing a different game plan.

Still, I reckon the best thing he can do is work on his stamina. He might wish to take a leaf out of Jimmy Gwilt's book.

[mad saint guy]

I don't see why it has to be Armitage vs Steven, why not Armitage vs Polo? Polo spends about 35-40% of the game in the middle, 15% half forward and the rest on the bench; why couldn't Armo play a similar role? He's a much better mid than Polo and would slip under the opposition defence if he only snuck forward occasionally.

Right now I think we're wasting an AFL quality inside midfielder in a role that can be performed by any hack who can run around in circles and tackle.

[plugger66]

I don't see why it has to be Armitage vs Steven, why not Armitage vs Polo? Polo spends about 35-40% of the game in the middle, 15% half forward and the rest on the bench; why couldn't Armo play a similar role? He's a much better mid than Polo and would slip under the opposition defence if he only snuck forward occasionally.

Right now I think we're wasting an AFL quality inside midfielder in a role that can be performed by any hack who can run around in circles and tackle.

If he hack can do why arent they. Because obviously any hack cant. I dont know if people realise but since Armo has gone forward and Steven into the middle we have won 4 out of 6. Yes it could be coincidence or it could be that both moves have been good for the side. When Armo is in the middle he struggles to spread and also defend. He is one way player and that is forward. Jack runs back as well as forward and can spread better than Armo. Armo is now kicking goals as well and is a good tackler so provides that in the forward line. He also is used in the middle but not as much as he was.

[DWOODROW]

I don't see why it has to be Armitage vs Steven, why not Armitage vs Polo? Polo spends about 35-40% of the game in the middle, 15% half forward and the rest on the bench; why couldn't Armo play a similar role? He's a much better mid than Polo and would slip under the opposition defence if he only snuck forward occasionally.

Right now I think we're wasting an AFL quality inside midfielder in a role that can be performed by any hack who can run around in circles and tackle.

If he hack can do why arent they. Because obviously any hack cant. I dont know if people realise but since Armo has gone forward and Steven into the middle we have won 4 out of 6. Yes it could be coincidence or it could be that both moves have been good for the side. When Armo is in the middle he struggles to spread and also defend. He is one way player and that is forward. Jack runs back as well as forward and can spread better than Armo. Armo is now kicking goals as well and is a good tackler so provides that in the forward line. He also is used in the middle but not as much as he was.

Can't say I agree that it is just because they have swapped.

There were a lot of posters asking for arguably the best and second best players in our side who were BJ and Roo playing well below par with others doing the same. I would say this had a big outcome as to why we weren't winning games.

But that's not to take away from Jack Steven( no S ) and how he has turned his football around into someone who contributes every week.

There is still time left in the season for Dave to get back into some form so hopefully he does otherwise he may have to see what is future involves

[mad saint guy]

If he hack can do why arent they. Because obviously any hack cant.

Missed the last two years of Andrew McQualter and Robert Eddy?

[plugger66]

If he hack can do why arent they. Because obviously any hack cant.

Missed the last two years of Andrew McQualter and Robert Eddy?

Are they playing now. I dont think so because they obviously arent doing what RL wants.

[meher baba]

If he hack can do why arent they. Because obviously any hack cant.

Missed the last two years of Andrew McQualter and Robert Eddy?

Are they playing now. I dont think so because they obviously arent doing what RL wants.

Agree re Mini. But I have a slight inkling that Lyon wanted to keep Eddy on the playing list in 2011 and was overruled by the club.

[Thinline]

If he hack can do why arent they. Because obviously any hack cant.

Missed the last two years of Andrew McQualter and Robert Eddy?

Are they playing now. I dont think so because they obviously arent doing what RL wants.

Agree re Mini. But I have a slight inkling that Lyon wanted to keep Eddy on the playing list in 2011 and was overruled by the club.

What informs such an inkling?

[meher baba]

If he hack can do why arent they. Because obviously any hack cant.

Missed the last two years of Andrew McQualter and Robert Eddy?

Are they playing now. I dont think so because they obviously arent doing what RL wants.

Agree re Mini. But I have a slight inkling that Lyon wanted to keep Eddy on the playing list in 2011 and was overruled by the club.

What informs such an inkling?

A gentleman never tells.

[Leo.J]

I'd be very suprised if Armo lost his spot.

Armo kicked 3 goals against the Cats... McQ has never kicked more than 3 in his career.

Against the cats his tackles were down, and his possessions were up.

Against the Roos, his possessions were down and he didn't kick a goal but he had 6 tackles.

At his best (2009) Mini averaged around 13 possessions 5 tackles, and just under a goal a game.

Armo knows where the goals are better than most at the Sainst, if he can average around a goal a week and have 5+ tackles, he's doing his job. The possessions will take care of them selves.

[Dr Spaceman]

If he hack can do why arent they. Because obviously any hack cant.

Missed the last two years of Andrew McQualter and Robert Eddy?

Are they playing now. I dont think so because they obviously arent doing what RL wants.

Agree re Mini.  But I have a slight inkling that Lyon wanted to keep Eddy on the playing list in 2011 and was overruled by the club.

What informs such an inkling?

A gentleman never tells.

But I've read posts on here, by "people who know people", that Ross rules with an iron fist and that even the Prez and members of the Board hide under the table when he's around.

Who would dare tell him he can't have Eddy?

[meher baba]

If he hack can do why arent they. Because obviously any hack cant.

Missed the last two years of Andrew McQualter and Robert Eddy?

Are they playing now. I dont think so because they obviously arent doing what RL wants.

Agree re Mini.  But I have a slight inkling that Lyon wanted to keep Eddy on the playing list in 2011 and was overruled by the club.

What informs such an inkling?

A gentleman never tells.

But I've read posts on here, by "people who know people", that Ross rules with an iron fist and that even the Prez and members of the Board hide under the table when he's around.

Who would dare tell him he can't have Eddy?

I would believe that Lyon is pretty dominant over assistant coaches and players. But I don't think that applies (nor should it apply) to the Board or club admin.

[Dr Spaceman]

If he hack can do why arent they. Because obviously any hack cant.

Missed the last two years of Andrew McQualter and Robert Eddy?

Are they playing now. I dont think so because they obviously arent doing what RL wants.

Agree re Mini.  But I have a slight inkling that Lyon wanted to keep Eddy on the playing list in 2011 and was overruled by the club.

What informs such an inkling?

A gentleman never tells.

But I've read posts on here, by "people who know people", that Ross rules with an iron fist and that even the Prez and members of the Board hide under the table when he's around.

Who would dare tell him he can't have Eddy?  :?

I would believe that Lyon is pretty dominant over assistant coaches and players.  But I don't think that applies (nor should it apply) to the Board or club admin.

Nor do I MB.

But it has been written on these very pages so it must surely be true!

:sarcasm:

[Johnny Member]

I reckon Armitage is doing really well in that role.

And some may disagree, but it's a critical role.

[Moorabbin Man]

Err...

Since Steven swapped with Armo we have been a better team...and Steven has really taken off. Armo has been good to fair..though today was a bit quite.


But lets look at the main positive...Steven is playing very good football.
Steven > Armo


But hey let's appease the masses and swap back and start losing again.

Absolutely, Steven has given us a lift and it's hardly time to panic about Armo.

[saintsRrising]

If Armo was the worst player in our 22, and he is not, it would be a healthy position to be in.

[Bernard Shakey]

Armo is being forced to play the role McQualter has for the last three years.
Mini was droped to the rookie list in '08 because Ross told him in '07 that he was a tagger and Mini wanted to be a mid.

Armo is a mid and Ross has got it wrong this time.

[SainterK]

Armo is being forced to play the role McQualter has for the last three years.
Mini was droped to the rookie list in '08 because Ross told him in '07 that he was a tagger and Mini wanted to be a mid.

Armo is a mid and Ross has got it wrong this time.

Not sure if it's long term or not, but at least Armo has been kicking goals, more than some 'forwards' too