The reality check we had to have

[Enrico_Misso]

Fact is we don't deserve to play finals this year.

North showed tonight that there is still a gap between us and them in terms of their skills and consistency.
3 more wins and a massively higher percentage show that.
As does our interstate capitulations.

But i'd sooner be us than them.
Their list is old.
They said on ABC radio that this year North have played 9 players over the age of thirty which is the most since Fitzroy just after the war.
They aren't good enough to win a premiership this year or next.
Their window is nearly closed.

But we are young and improving.
Guys like Acres, Gresham and Weller tonight showed that the future will be bright.
Loved our aggressive attitude and pressure.
Just need to work more on the execution and gameplan.

The next 4 weeks gives us the chance to consolidate our position as the best side not in the finals (The Richmond trophy).
But tonight also shows our young guys the big step up required next year to burst into the finals and be taken seriously.

Hopefully they learn that lesson and realise that it isn't just going to "happen" by itself.
They have to make it happen with a really focused professional pre-season.

It was the reality check we had to have.

[bigcarl]

Agree. We're not ready for finals. We haven't been able to win on the road, which is very telling. But the future is bright and I feel we are building something pretty special.

[lintonstreet]

Fact is we don't deserve to play finals this year.

North showed tonight that there is still a gap between us and them in terms of their skills and consistency.
3 more wins and a massively higher percentage show that.
As does our interstate capitulations.

But i'd sooner be us than them.
Their list is old.
They said on ABC radio that this year North have played 9 players over the age of thirty which is the most since Fitzroy just after the war.
They aren't good enough to win a premiership this year or next.
Their window is nearly closed.

But we are young and improving.
Guys like Acres, Gresham and Weller tonight showed that the future will be bright.
Loved our aggressive attitude and pressure.

Couldn't agree more, very well said.
Just need to work more on the execution and gameplan.

The next 4 weeks gives us the chance to consolidate our position as the best side not in the finals (The Richmond trophy).
But tonight also shows our young guys the big step up required next year to burst into the finals and be taken seriously.

Hopefully they learn that lesson and realise that it isn't just going to "happen" by itself.
They have to make it happen with a really focused professional pre-season.

It was the reality check we had to have.

I thought Weller, Gresham, Dunstan & Ross were all terrific tonight and are sure to be far better this time next year

[saintsRrising]

I think we played well but many let the pressure of the game, and its importance re playing finals this year, get to them. We just lacka little polish.


It will have been a great learning experience for all the younger to youngish players though.

I have thought all year though to be a genuine Top 4 team we need 2 more elite mids.

[bigcarl]

I have thought all year though to be a genuine Top 4 team we need 2 more elite mids.

They are a work in progres admittedly, but Gresham and Acres?

[prwilkinson]

Thought we played alright... Just didn't capitalise when on top and kick it through the big sticks.

[SaintPav]

We're too over reliant on Jack Steven.

[Saint_J]

goal kicking lost it for us, umps close second don't think it was a real reality check. if we kicked straighter and I won i would say we deserved the win.

As pointed out, once steven was checked we lost a lot, in that regard a lesson for sure.

[Bluthy]

I can't remember a year with so many highly-rated teams under performing: Freo, Port, Richmond, GC, Collingwood and North themselves - you could even throw Melbourne in there. Coupled with our easy draw we kind of became a finals chance by default.

I'm almost glad we won't make it. The expectations will rise tremendously with a finals appearance and could stop us doing the development work we need to do still and get access to a nice high draft pick. Even if we didn't make it next year I wouldn't be stressed. I'd rather we take a bit of extra time and do the rebuild right. The air at the summit is thin and you need to have a rock solid base to launch from to climb the mountain successfully. Plenty have run out of supplies on the way up *cough* tigers *cough*

Our backline needs a serious injection of good kicking. I'm hoping White, Rice and McKenzie can push through next year. Coupled with Carlisle and Goddard they could give us the rebounding we need to make a dent in finals. More incremental improvement from some players with real potential in McCartin, Billings, Acres, Gresham, Freeman etc and our top end starts looking a bit more creamy and delicious (thanks Bruce)

[Trev from the Bush]

Our pressure was terrific but our tackles were down. The Roos pressure was even better than ours. Which results in a sloppy game and means our "stars" didn't. However, some of our lesser lights took important steps forwards, eg, Blake Acres, Daniel McKenzie, Jade Gresham.

That was the game in a nutshell. Our determination could not be questioned and, at least now, even the biggest tools in the media shed are recognizing StKilda is on the right track. I am happy to settle for that this year.

Sent from my notebook while on the toilet using Crappatalk.

[ROLS-LEE]

Must play kids now. Give everyone on the list a chance. Must make the hard calls this year. Also must trial 2 rucks. To think Bruce and next year carlise will do it is Ludacris.

[thejiggingsaint]

ROLS-LEE couldn't agree more with that sentiment. I would LOVE to see the Tom Hickey-Lewis Pierce ruck combo get another gig this week (considering the manner in which it performed against Carlturd earlier in the season) Eli Templeton is another I would like to see given a run. With nine wins in the bag already, our season has been a dramatic improvement on 2015, another win is neither here nor there in the greater scheme of things. However, the coming fixtures give the coaching panel and our supporters an opportunity to see some experimentation taking place. I'm EXCITED!