Saints Eye 2nd Flag (realfooty 16mar08)

[Huzzad]

Good article, very promising indeed.

What's in their favour? The Saints have the profile of a team set to seriously challenge in 2008, good fortune (which has been an issue) permitting. The class at the top end is well-documented, Nick Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo, Justin Koschitzke, Luke Ball, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna and the ageless Robert Harvey the pick. But that's now supplemented by real depth via the recruitment of established senior faces in Steven King, Charlie Gardiner, Adam Schneider and Sean Dempster. St Kilda came home with a rush in 2007, a trend that should continue into this season.

What's not? The glut of senior players whose previous season had been severely disrupted by injury could take time to regain their full capacities, Brendon Goddard returning from a knee reconstruction, and Max Hudghton's continuing soft tissue injuries of particular concern. Midfield class notwithstanding, the Saints could probably still use some more dash, and the fitness concerns raised by another spate of injuries and some disturbing late fade-outs last season may not be alleviated overnight.

Stepping into the spotlight? Clinton Jones impressed in half-a-dozen games off the rookie list last season and has sparkled in pre-season action. Likewise Jarryn Geary, another upgraded from rookie status. Versatile tall Sam Gilbert came on rapidly in 2007 and could be even more handy now at either end. At a more senior level, former Cat Charlie Gardiner looks set to respond to the faith shown in him by his new club as a hard-working forward, while namesake Michael Gardiner has finally thrown off persistent injury to form an impressive-looking ruck tandem with King.

In their wildest dreams? The same dream the Saints have dreamt every year since their token 1966 flag, but not nearly so far-fetched in 2008. St Kilda's depth is arguably now second only to Geelong, its plague of injuries hopefully at an end, and its star class large enough to give this premiership a real shake.

The reality? No reason it shouldn't read pretty much as above, given even an appropriate amount more luck than in the past three years. There will be setbacks along the way, but there seems enough contingencies now to withstand the various twists and turns of fate.

ROBERT WALLS 2nd Stung by last year's non-finals appearance and with wholesale changes to the support staff, the Saints will be desperate to deliver. Now Riewoldt, Hayes, Koschitzke, Dal Santo and Sam Fisher are in their prime, and with much needed ruck support coming from Steven King and Michael Gardiner, the prospects are indeed bright.

ROHAN CONNOLLY 2nd Been said a lot before, but this really could be the Saints year to challenge for that elusive second flag. A core of stars has been supplemented by some strong senior recruiting giving St Kilda enviable depth and flexibility. Big chance.

[Spinner]

Good article, very promising indeed.

...Bar the predicted 2nd finishes.

[Huzzad]

Good article, very promising indeed.

...Bar the predicted 2nd finishes.

Sure, if you believe the Saints will win more than Geelong. Compared to 9th, I'll take 2nd and the shot at the one week break anyday.

[esaint66]

it take any position where we have a double chance.
hell i just want to make finals this year

[Armoooo]

This was from the Age Footy guide today, also good to see a back page advertisement for Corinthian doors...

In the Footy Tips section the experts were thinking like this...

People who thought St.Kilda would be premiers:
Martin Blake
Michael Gleeson
Peter Hanlon
Emma Quayle
Stephen Reilly

People who thought St.Kilda would be the runner ups

:
Rohan Connolly
Samantha Lane
Karen Lyon
Jake Niall

And also Peter Hanlon picked Kosi for the Brownlow and Stephen Reilly picked Dal.

In the section where the experts picked out there ladder it went like this...
Nathan Buckley: 2nd
Rohan Connolly: 2nd
Michael Gleeson: 1st
Jake Niall: 2nd
Tim Lane: 5th
Michael Voss: 2nd
Robert Walls: 2nd
Caroline Wilson: 4th (however she had Melbourne at 5th, Essendon at 7th and West Coast at 12th )

[Armoooo]

They also have a brief rundown of every player on the list, and you have to love Harvey's description....
"Human Energizer bunny playing AFL record 21st season. Had 20 touches a game in 2007."

[SaintBot]

i dont have the magazine in front of me but im pretty sure it was tim lane who had us 5th or 7th or something

the rest had us top four as youve stated

just tim lane a bit lower




i was surprised to see that Gleeson rates us. normally he is fairly critical of us imo

[Spinner]

Good article, very promising indeed.

...Bar the predicted 2nd finishes.

Sure, if you believe the Saints will win more than Geelong. Compared to 9th, I'll take 2nd and the shot at the one week break anyday.

Definitely...

I was taking it as an overall finish though. As runners up in the GF.

[Huzzad]

They also have a brief rundown of every player on the list, and you have to love Harvey's description....
"Human Energizer bunny playing AFL record 21st season. Had 20 touches a game in 2007."

What a great expression!

I'll now be on the hunt for a new avatar which shall be an energizer bunny in a saints guernsey!

[Huzzad]

Good article, very promising indeed.

...Bar the predicted 2nd finishes.

Sure, if you believe the Saints will win more than Geelong. Compared to 9th, I'll take 2nd and the shot at the one week break anyday.

Definitely...

I was taking it as an overall finish though. As runners up in the GF.

Ahh ok...I just assumed it was ladder position. Gotcha

[Armoooo]

i dont have the magazine in front of me but im pretty sure it was tim lane who had us 5th or 7th or something

the rest had us top four as youve stated

just tim lane a bit lower




i was surprised to see that Gleeson rates us. normally he is fairly critical of us imo

Oops, my bad
It's all fixed now

[Sam23]

In the Herald Sun Book


Mike Sheehan and Gerald HEaly predicted us for the Premiership (out of 20 predictions)

Horan, Anderson, Mathews picked us to not finish in the top 8.

Sheehan and Horan picked Dal Santo for the Brownlow and Healy picked Riewoldt.


Only 4 of the 20 'experts' picked Saints for the top 4.

[SaintBot]

In the Herald Sun Book


Mike Sheehan and Gerald HEaly predicted us for the Premiership (out of 20 predictions)

Horan, Anderson, Mathews picked us to not finish in the top 8.

Sheehan and Horan picked Dal Santo for the Brownlow and Healy picked Riewoldt.


Only 4 of the 20 'experts' picked Saints for the top 4.

the herald sun book was a joke

was put together in ten minutes

[Huzzad]

In related news (also from Real Footy)

So, yes, the Cats are in very good shape for back-to-back honours. Their biggest worry is not themselves but who among the opposition can lift their act to challenge.

I sense a big lift in fitness, confidence, team cohesion and results will come from St Kilda, Fremantle and Hawthorn.

Ross Lyon learnt a lot in his first season at St Kilda. He took on a team that was a long way down in base fitness and in accountability.

Massive off-field changes have been made to correct the fitness problems. Even though the Saints missed last year’s finals, they were the third-best performed team in the second half of the season. They were starting to get their systems and strategies into place.

Lack of a quality ruckman has hurt this team in recent years. The acquisition of Steven King fresh from a premiership success and a finally fit Michael Gardiner looking the goods should have Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo and Robert Harvey licking their lips in anticipation.

Fraser Gehrig’s return from brief retirement will ease the load on Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke and if Brendon Goddard and Matt Maguire can return to defence after serious leg injuries then it is realistic to see the Saints challenge big time.

[BakesFan]

token 1966 flag

WTF is that supposed to mean?

[Little Dozer]

Don't read a thing Anderson writes. He picks Geelong to win the flag every year, tips them every week, and hardly ever tips St Kilda to win. The guy is a joke.

[Huzzad]

token 1966 flag

WTF is that supposed to mean?

Probably something to do with the fact we only have one.... But I do agree that the wording is a little pejorative.

[saintsRrising]

token 1966 flag

WTF is that supposed to mean?

Probably something to do with the fact we only have one.... But I do agree that the wording is a little pejorative.

The Jouno stuffed up.

The use of the word token is totally inappropriate....and totally inaccurate.

The win was earnt....and not given. Nothing token about it at all.



The journo should have written "only one" or similar.