The Middle

[saintjake]

Aside from some obvious skill errors and many easy dropped marks (I think that just came down to some real tired bodies) I think it was a pretty good game from the boys today.
Hawks are elite and at times we moved the ball really well and made them look silly/slow, we also had a very terrible turnovers, lets just put that down to growing pains.

What worried me though was the clearances! We were absolutely smashed!

Clearances 41-30 Hawks way
Center Square Clearances 19-11 Hawks way.
This is despite Longer getting the most hitouts on the ground with 26 (Ceglar 22, Hale 15)

Is it a case of Longer not hitting it down to anybody? Or are our boys just not reading the ball off his hands?

Also I think we need to revisit one of Saintsationals favourite debates of this year.. Longer v Hickey.
Using Hickey as a forward and pinch hitting in the ruck is not working in the slightest, if anything its just smashing his confidence.
Longer had 8 touches today with just 2 marks, is he doing enough around the ground? Or should we give Hickey a shot as the number 1 ruckman for a while.

One thing for sure is that we need to bring in Membrey or someone else to play as a forward and not Hickey because it's just not working.




Also, I don't mind Shenton as a player. But I can't see the upside to his game, not very attacking, goes backwards a lot and is pretty poor defensively. Him, Roberton and Webster are all very similar. Would really like to see Tom Lee come into the side and play as the third defender. I just think he'd offer more than Shenton both offensively and defensively.

Thoughts?

[saynta]

Sammy GIlbert will fill that role.

[Munga]

It's disenchanting not being allowed to compete early on. Lay a finger on the Hawks, free against. Yet opposition can do it without consequence.

[stkfc1]

Sammy GIlbert will fill that role.

Spot on. People forget how good a player Gilbert can be. If we can keep him on the park, it will give us a huge lift.

[stkfc1]

Sammy GIlbert will fill that role.

Spot on. People forget how good a player Gilbert can be. If we can keep him on the park, it will give us a huge lift.

[SainterK]

Shenton has been fine.

Tries his backside off.

[saintjake]

Shenton has been fine.

Tries his backside off.

Not doubting his effort at all SainterK.
But just because a player TRIES his hardest, doesn't mean there isn't a better option.
Just like Jonesy before him, tries his best but isn't really up to it IMO
Maybe I'm wrong, but he's done nothing to set the world on fire and in terms of our current medium defenders he's behind Dempster, Roberton, Webster ect ect

[SainterK]

Shenton has been fine.

Tries his backside off.

Not doubting his effort at all SainterK.
But just because a player TRIES his hardest, doesn't mean there isn't a better option.
Just like Jonesy before him, tries his best but isn't really up to it IMO
Maybe I'm wrong, but he's done nothing to set the world on fire and in terms of our current medium defenders he's behind Dempster, Roberton, Webster ect ect

There were lapses today when the clearance were 10 to 1.

Stats at the end of the game doesn't always tell the story.

Sometimes we crack it at defenders and ignore the lack of pressure that saw it sail up there.

Defence has done best they can in sticky situations this year.

That being said, reckon someone will make way for Hugh to debut, probably Cam for height

[mullet]

Longers was absolutely ravaged in the ruck today. Hale didn't even bother to try and hit it . He scragged held and blocked Longer at every bounce.
So frustrating to see a player treated like this.
Hawthorn also blocked our players many times. The umpires today really did my head in. Disgraceful exhibition. Longer deserved better.

[saintspremiers]

I just hope the Hawks build from here and smash Freo again in September!

[kosifantutti]

I just hope the Hawks build from here and smash Freo again in September!

You want to see them win again?

[Teflon]

I just hope the Hawks build from here and smash Freo again in September!

You want to see them win again?

Damn straight we want to see everyone win every week!!!

No tanks thanks!!

[BJ's Regret]

I just hope the Hawks build from here and smash Freo again in September!

When we're not involved I have care factor zero about the grannie.

[whiskers3614]

I just hope the Hawks build from here and smash Freo again in September!

When we're not involved I have care factor zero about the grannie.

New poster or multiple accounts?

[plugger66]

I just hope the Hawks build from here and smash Freo again in September!

When we're not involved I have care factor zero about the grannie.

New poster or multiple accounts?

Maybe his childish like the person first quoted.

[saintspremiers]

I just hope the Hawks build from here and smash Freo again in September!

When we're not involved I have care factor zero about the grannie.

New poster or multiple accounts?

Maybe his childish like the person first quoted.

Are you having a go at me big boy?

[plugger66]

I just hope the Hawks build from here and smash Freo again in September!

When we're not involved I have care factor zero about the grannie.

New poster or multiple accounts?

Maybe his childish like the person first quoted.

Are you having a go at me big boy?

Yep. Anyway its a terrible show. people don't actually watch it, do they?

[kosifantutti]

I just hope the Hawks build from here and smash Freo again in September!

When we're not involved I have care factor zero about the grannie.

New poster or multiple accounts?

Maybe his childish like the person first quoted.

I'd just like to say well done to the welcoming committee.

[plugger66]

I just hope the Hawks build from here and smash Freo again in September!

When we're not involved I have care factor zero about the grannie.

New poster or multiple accounts?

Maybe his childish like the person first quoted.

I'd just like to say well done to the welcoming committee.

I wish I read my post. it should have read maybe he isn't as childish. Sorry BJ regret.

[saynta]

I just hope the Hawks build from here and smash Freo again in September!

When we're not involved I have care factor zero about the grannie.

New poster or multiple accounts?

Maybe his childish like the person first quoted.

I'd just like to say well done to the welcoming committee.

I wish I read my post. it should have read maybe he isn't as childish. Sorry BJ regret.

You never do, so why start now after how many posts.?

[Con Gorozidis]

Jack Steven has been heroic and is doing the work of two players but if we are to progress and not have Jack carry so much weight we need to recruit someone to help him out.

The way I see it when it comes to genuine midfielders we have:

Dunstan, Ross - strong inside crabs
Armo, Weller - 4x4 all terrain vehicles
Jack - speedster

Then after that we have:
Acres - 4x4 but will take a while to develop.
Saunders - good support/back-up on fringe
Sinclair/Billings - Natural fwds and goal kickers who can pinch hit in the midfield. Pushing them into the middle is a Peter-Paul situation.

So for me we need to get our first round pick right (pick 3 or 4) and use it on the best skilful, quick mid.

[older saint]

I think the decision to take McCartin last year was partially dictated by need and partly by projections of 2015 draft top 5 players - weighted with mids.

Expect on baller with our first pick ( top5) and then also a free agent addition mid also.

Add McKenzie , Lonie, Sinclair and Newness will provide a number of solid options over the next 10 years

[matrix]

total hitouts we lost 32 to 38
longer 26 for 89% of the game played
hickster 2 for 39% of the game played

acres got 3 and ray also got a hitout

throw in losing the clearances by 11

yeah
not good

id love to know hitouts to adv stats
how many times we are scored against from a turnover etc
the stats that really matter