Final team in R Clarke

fingers · Post: # 767541Post **fingers** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:02pm

Posted by club on Twitter

claystreet · Post: # 767543Post **claystreet** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:04pm

whoa my second pick but i thought Jimmy would be 1st

ok lets see what Raphs got in a big big game

Go son have a goodin

Spinner · Post: # 767544Post **Spinner** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:04pm

Had a feeling this would be the change....didnt know why everyone was predicting Gwilt to come in.

Hopefully (and i know it sounds strange) he will *classen* up our backline!

saint vince · Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:06pm

Good luck to him.

Lets hope he steps up for a big game.

saint patrick · Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:07pm

I'm worried about Raph in the backline...in fact have never liked him there..hope he is used forward of centre...uneasy about his inclusion but hope he will prove me wrong

Gwilt unlucky IMO and think the team has a more balanced look with Jimi in the forwardline.

claystreet · Post: # 767549Post **claystreet** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:09pm

I'd like him playing the hff

vacuous space · Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:11pm

Stokes in for David Johnson.

saintspremiers · Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:15pm

The real action is on Facebook - already 45 comments....only 6 on the forum, and you can swear your head off on there.

hmmm.....are Twitter and Facebook going to take us over??

saint patrick · Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:21pm

With Stokes in Geelong are going small up forward...

Will be interesting to see what sort of back 6 we go with.

May force Gram and Baker back.

Legendary · Post: # 767554Post **Legendary** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:23pm

I think after his finals series last year, R. Clarke deserves another chance in the senior team in 2009.

However, based on VFL form he is very very lucky to be selected this week.

He has many critics who base their criticism on his football performances so far in 2009, and they are justified IMO.

He has been given a chance this week to show what he has got, and to step up when the St Kilda Football Club needs him to.

Huge game for Raph in the context of his career.

InkerSaint · Post: # 767556Post **InkerSaint** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:33pm

Raph's been quiet this year. Had a very poor game against North. I'll bet Ben Warren wished he had been omitted for that one.

Come on Raph... bring your '08 Semi Final game with you.

fugazi · Post: # 767557Post **fugazi** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:34pm

Well good luck Raph....I would have thought our most rugged hardest at it should play vs Geelong...your chance to show the football world you can cut it.

perfectionist · Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:38pm

InkerSaint wrote:.... poor game against North. I'll bet Ben Warren wished he had been omitted for that one...

On the big stage, I'm sure Ben will wish Raphael all the best, hopefully not in the tradition of the theatre!

realdeal · Post: # 767561Post **realdeal** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:47pm

saintspremiers wrote:The real action is on Facebook - already 45 comments....only 6 on the forum, and you can swear your head off on there.

hmmm.....are Twitter and Facebook going to take us over??

Yeah, but the people on Facebook are silly, petty, get abusive if you disagree and have no idea what they're talking about, unlike here.... hmmmm

Really tho, Saintsational is alot better as there are many more subjects to talk about, in saying that, it does seem alot quieter in here compared to previous years!

.

donthglfa · Post: # 767562Post **donthglfa** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:48pm

Very bad choice IMO

As with others I hope I am wrong.
My Mrs calls him the Sloth and I can see why, he seems to lumber around when he has possession of the ball.
I was very hopeful when I fist heard of him coming to the saints but have to admit to being dissapointed since. He has had the odd good game here and there but far and few between.

Again I hope I,m wrong

GO SAINTS

joffaboy · Post: # 767564Post **joffaboy** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:54pm

I've been a great supporter of Raph Clarke over the journey but he has been given another chance. Make no mistake he DESERVED to be dropped.

Fcuk it up this time Raph and I dont know if I can keep defending you.

The Geelong boys will be licking their lips believing you will turn it over under pressure.

Time for you to step up and turn that potential into actual skill and DELIVER.

Times up Raph. Time to be an AFL footballer.

66 Saints · Post: # 767565Post **66 Saints** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:55pm

Raph showed late last year that his best puts him in our best 22. better to find out now if he can produce his best against geelong rather than on the last saturday in septmeber. show of faith by the coaching staff, hopefully Raph justifies the decision.

yipper · Post: # 767567Post **yipper** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:56pm

saint patrick wrote:With Stokes in Geelong are going small up forward...

Will be interesting to see what sort of back 6 we go with.

May force Gram and Baker back.

Reckon that's what cost Goose a game - Geelong, for all their talents, have a smallish forward line!! Raph is mobile and can play either end. Gwilt cannot. So the selection has been based on who we play this week. Go for it Raphy!! Goose could come in for next week's game I reckon!!

yipper · Post: # 767568Post **yipper** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 6:58pm

66 Saints wrote:Raph showed late last year that his best puts him in our best 22. better to find out now if he can produce his best against geelong rather than on the last saturday in septmeber. show of faith by the coaching staff, hopefully Raph justifies the decision.

Absolutely!! Come on Raph, don't let us down.

roxanne · Post: # 767574Post **roxanne** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 7:13pm

Yep, looks like coaches have him in their best team and want to see if he can deliver. I believe he can. Mobile, skilfull...hopefully his reactions will be on pace from the first bounce. Must be there to support and free up Fisher - who they'll try to keep locked up on the last line of defence.

fingers · Post: # 767576Post **fingers** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 7:15pm

InkerSaint wrote:Raph's been quiet this year. Had a very poor game against North. I'll bet Ben Warren wished he had been omitted for that one.

Come on Raph... bring your '08 Semi Final game with you.

Come on Raph - bulldoze and injure like the North Game

bigcarl · Post: # 767584Post **bigcarl** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 7:35pm

fingers wrote:Come on Raph - bulldoze and injure like the North Game

the human wrecking ball, i think someone called him ... though the injuries he caused were mostly accidental.

raph played some very good football for us in the finals last season and this is his chance to remind us of how good he can be.

his best is better than jimmy's. his worst is worse.

i'm thinking that his flexibility has won the day. he might play as third tall forward or he might be used to give us run out of defence and allow someone else to. he might even get a bit of a run on the ball.

best of luck rapher.

iwantmeseats · Fri 03 Jul 2009 7:39pm

arghhh, ballsy move, good luck Raph !!!!

We wouldnt really play him down back would we? That prospect dosent fill me with confidence.

st.byron · Post: # 767588Post **st.byron** » Fri 03 Jul 2009 7:50pm

ST KILDA v GEELONG
St Kilda
B: Jason Blake, Sam Gilbert, Zac Dawson
HB: Steven Baker, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Farren Ray, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Jason Gram, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider
F: Lenny Hayes, Justin Koschitzke, Stephen Milne
Foll: Michael Gardiner, Clint Jones, Leigh Montagna
I/C: Raphael Clarke, Jarryn Geary, Ben McEvoy, Andrew McQualter
Emg: Robert Eddy, James Gwilt, Luke Miles

In: Clarke
Out: Max Hudghton (ankle)

Geelong
B: Tom Harley, Matthew Scarlett, James Kelly
HB: Corey Enright, Harry Taylor, Andrew Mackie
C: Joel Corey, Jimmy Bartel, Travis Varcoe
HF: Gary Ablett, Cameron Mooney, Steve Johnson
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Max Rooke
Foll: Shane Mumford, Cameron Ling, Joel Selwood
I/C: Mark Blake, Shannon Byrnes, Darren Milburn, Mathew Stokes
Emg: Simon Hogan, David Wojcinski, Ryan Gamble

In: Stokes
Out: David Johnson (calf)

iwantmeseats · Fri 03 Jul 2009 7:52pm

sorry, with raph in the rear, we are as good as cooked .