Stanley Is The Key

[Johnny Member]

I can't help but feel that the difference between us being Ok/ordinary and us being really good over the next few years - is Rhys Stanley.

[bergholt]

I can't help but feel that the difference between us being Ok/ordinary and us being really good over the next few years - is Rhys Stanley.

i was thinking that today at the game. the only way we're going to challenge in the next five years is if stanley steps up and becomes a key forward or a good ruckman or - ideally - both. we just don't have enough depth in that area to be able to fill in for him if he doesn't come through.

[mad saint guy]

I'd like to see a more even share of the ruckwork next year from McEvoy and Stanley. Rhys is already much more effective at center bounces and his athleticism around the ground would be invaluable. And McEvoy is a genuine, bomb-it-long option when forward that I'd like to see utilised more.

It is absolutely vital that Stanley's hamstring issues are fixed and that he adds core/lower body strength in the off season. I don't think he's the key to improving, but he's a very important part. The greater issue that needs to be addressed is getting more quality ball-users into the side. If the likes of Siposs, Dunell, Milera and Newnes can earn a regular gig next year as well as getting Schneids fit it will go a long way to getting us back into the 8.

[saintspremiers]

He should be a white Natanui next season if fit. He's seriously that good IMO.

[gringo]

I'd play him as a deep forward so he doesn't bust those xlarge hammys anymore. I can see him being Taylor Walker like in a year or two. I remember last year Taylor Walker looked like Stanley -dangerous in presence but not really hammering teams. He looked like he hadn't got self belief yet. Stanley looks like the only thing holding him back is the belief that he could be an elite A grade forward with speed and agility. Walker got some mongrel this year and some muscle helped but he could easily be anything. Just little hints of G train, Fletcher, Walker, Kruezer etc. just need him to demand the footy now.

[ace]

Can some one teach him to kick accurately for goal.
For some reason that escapes me, a guy who kicks goals is more useful than a guy who kicks behinds.

[SainterK]

I'd argue it's still McEvoy, if he can emerge next year with some improvement in his taps to advantage, he is our most important IMO.

[bigcarl]

Can some one teach him to kick accurately for goal. For some reason that escapes me, a guy who kicks goals is more useful than a guy who kicks behinds.

He kicked a pretty handy one from outside 50 to put us eight points up in the last. Good to see he can convert under pressure

[Con Gorozidis]

Similar thoughts crossed my mind. If Stanley can pinch hit/support in Ruck and Macca is fit all season. Then Stanley can go fwd and cause havoc. Throw in Roo and Wilkes to take some marks and kick some goals with Saad Milera Schneider Milney. This is what we all dreamt about at the start of this season and it didnt work out but yeah. Stanley could well be the diff between us being good and ordinary.

[dcstkfc]

Good post. He's not the messiah but could still be a very handy boy.

[WellardSaint]

Stanley and Ben. Every team needs very tall marking players, we need them on the park, boy we missed Rhys early in the season.

[saintsRrising]

Stanley is certainly one key.....or he could be.


But one key will not be enough.

We need at least one of kids, or new trades, to step up and be a quality mid. We lack in this area.

A genuine " big" FB. Gwilt was not suitable for Waite today...and Fisher is not enough in himself. Not having a true FB means that as the big forwards ripple down that we are exposed.

Better ball use = both smarter ball use as well as better kicking. It is not just the kicks, as we often kick true to bad option such as a stationary player.

Better teams scored too easily against us this year. Our high % was gained mainly by really pumping the weaker teams, but the better teams exposed our sometimes poor team defence and ripped us open. Leaking goals too easily cost us up to half a dozen wins this year.

[matrix]

so is sipps our new chb????

[Superboot]

Another key is the young mids coming through, and how much development we get into them over the next two seasons. But like a pregnancy, development has to take its course and can't be rushed.

Meanwhile, it would be nice to pick up a Heath Black type from somewhere.

[Con Gorozidis]

so is sipps our new chb????

I think we can play a 5 man fwd line and a 7 man backline

Maybe something like:

B: Dempster NewGuy Gwilt
HB: Geary Simpkin Fisher Siposs
C: Gram Dal Santo Cripps
HF: Schneider Stanley Saad
F Milne Riewoldt

Ruck: McEvoy Montagna Steven

int: Armitage Gilbert Hayes sub: Wilkes

Em: Ray Dunell Newnes Milera

Youngsters to develop/try in 2013 - Ferg, Curren, Markworth