2009 GF Team VS 2010 GF Team

[SaintWodonga]

Last year:

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

Ins: Peake Gwilt McEvoy Eddy (?)
Out Raph Ball King Baker(?)

While Ball and Baker are a loss, Peake and Big Mac are a stronger in.

Plus with 100% Roo (no calf injury) I think 2010 looks better on paper, along with a year of hurt we could take it out. Woods I think are ahead of them selves.

[The Saintsational Man]

Riewoldt with no torn abductor or dodgy knee

[Wrote for Luck]

Excellent post, was thinking this today.

Ben has been much improved this year and can mark and kick goals - which makes him a better in than King, in my view. For example the goal he kicked last night was a beaut and came at a crucial time, even if he did take fifteen steps without a bounce

Gwilt's been really great, and means we won't miss Raphy too much.

I still think Baker will play for Eddy.

And Peake. If you were given the choice, would you switch Peake for Ball, or keep him?

I can honestly say I'd rather have Peake than Ball.

[saint75]

I can honestly say I'd rather have Peake than Ball.

On his form over the last 6+ weeks, would 100% agree with this.

I actually think our team this year is stronger.

[St Ick]

Excellent post, was thinking this today.

Ben has been much improved this year and can mark and kick goals - which makes him a better in than King, in my view. For example the goal he kicked last night was a beaut and came at a crucial time, even if he did take fifteen steps without a bounce

Gwilt's been really great, and means we won't miss Raphy too much.

I still think Baker will play for Eddy.

And Peake. If you were given the choice, would you switch Peake for Ball, or keep him?

I can honestly say I'd rather have Peake than Ball.

I don't think you could ever compare Peake for Ball, both are completely different players who play polar opposite roles, one is slow but tough in and under, the other is quick outside type. I hope Ball plays and finishes his hammy off in the first quarter.

If Baker was to play, then it would have been this week. Eddy was good in bringing that frontal pressure to the fwdline.

Big Mac is still young, he will be a star I reckon, people forget he is just a kid still. He's got more plus than King had last year, and Gardiner firing will be important this week.

Comparing the two teams, while we'd be stronger with Ball (in a GF - I'd hate to say it as I hate the bloke with a passion but those types live for tough GF footy) - I'm still very happy with how we are positioned.

I've said it all year, on our day, we'll beat anyone. Lets just hope we are having one of those days next Saturday!! GO SAINTERS!!

[#1GILL]

I think Goddard has gone to another level again this year.

[FQF]

I don't think you could ever compare Peake for Ball, both are completely different players who play polar opposite roles, one is slow but tough in and under, the other is quick outside type. I hope Ball plays and finishes his hammy off in the first quarter.

I think it is a fair question.

Seeing as King was replaced my Mcevoy.

Baker by Eddy.

Raph by Gwilt.

Therefore, Ball has been replaced by Peake.

So asking who we would prefer to be in the team is a most valid question.

Even though they are not like for like players, Ross replaced a grunt player with a speed player (who can get the hard ball too).

Verdict: Peake.

[SaintWodonga]

I agree FQF... Peake breaking lines and kicking goals. Ball only kicked 3 goals in 2009!

[Sainternist]

I can honestly say I'd rather have Peake than Ball.

On his form over the last 6+ weeks, would 100% agree with this.

Not to mention he can run faster and kick the ball longer.

[saintly]

I don't think you could ever compare Peake for Ball, both are completely different players who play polar opposite roles, one is slow but tough in and under, the other is quick outside type. I hope Ball plays and finishes his hammy off in the first quarter.

I think it is a fair question.

Seeing as King was replaced my Mcevoy.

Baker by Eddy.

Raph by Gwilt.

Therefore, Ball has been replaced by Peake.

So asking who we would prefer to be in the team is a most valid question.

Even though they are not like for like players, Ross replaced a grunt player with a speed player (who can get the hard ball too).

Verdict: Peake.

have to agree. peake's been getting better'

the only thing is we need more help with the grunt work now that ball is gone!

[Tom_Aus]

been really happy with Peake this year. He may not be a better player than Luke Ball, but he has more important qualities such as speed which will assist us more.

[Schillaci]

Agree about it being a great OP/thread...was just wondering about this so came on here hoping to find it somewhere...thanks SaintWodonga

[rexy]

We were talking about this last night, think McEvoys improvement and inclusion has strengthened the ruck. So that 1 positive, think Ball for Peake is better for balance as we clearly decided that we were to inside orientated and we needed some pace, losing Baker counterbalances this a bit though as even though Eddy is hard at it he is not as experienced as Baker. I beleive in Raph however with Gwilts improvement it is hard to see how he fits into the side now? possibly at the expense of Dempster?

Overall I would say we are pretty even with last year, the ruck combination is the one area of the ground that I see us having a clear advantage over our opponent IMO, our ability to dominate the periods when Brown is on the ball may be vital to our ultimate success.