Changes for next week

[Killa]

In the competition there are very experienced sides

We have just played one in Melbourne

We play another in Geelong next week, on the “fast deck” which is Docklands

We need to put our best side on the park for these games

The competition is very fractured at this stage with some sides off the pace - we have not played a side which is off the pace to date

Others have

[bigcarl]

The Saints will need their best team to beat Geelong at Docklands.
You can never count on effort but you can always count on quality.
If that quality comes with effort then the saints can win.
The problem is that quality is more likely to provide less effort.

Big test for us after having the wind knocked out of our sails over the past two weeks, particularly against a seasoned club like Geelong that has mostly had our measure for years.

How we go will say a lot about our ultimate chances this year.

We’ll either 1) run the ageing and tired pussies off their feet or 2) go back into our shells and capitulate meekly. It had better be the former. We won’t win without taking the game on.

[saintbob]

Out : Butler, Wood, Webster
In : Clark, Billings, Owens

Clark will prob be in 2nds again

Yeah, maybe. Coach said he looked a bit rusty.Said the same thing about Jones who I thought was really off today.

Paton goes before Webster

[Teflon]

McKenzie and Long also on shaky ground.

Long was good today his ball use one of the better ones what gave u at?

[Teflon]

Wood needs to go - hit n miss Billing’s replace
Butler - didn’t miss his pressure at all when he why off. If he can’t hit the scoreboard AND pressure..stay in the twos
Long forward as pressure
NWM - like the kid but gee 9 touches…not enough
I’d be tempted to lose Webster for Lienert or Highmore …
Midfield looks B grade (Steele ineffective imo) needs to badly get some class in

[Yorkeys]

Butler injured, Jones possible suspension.

Billings in Windhager to start. Lienert msub.

No need to make many changes. Effort was there. Dees premiers & 15 on the trot. We learnt plenty.

[WellardSaint]

Butler injured, Jones possible suspension.

Billings in Windhager to start. Lienert msub.

No need to make many changes. Effort was there. Dees premiers & 15 on the trot. We learnt plenty.

Jones was in the contest for the mark.
He didn't tunnel the guy, the Dee jumped at the wrong moment. Jones can't pull out, footy is a contact sport.

If you're talking about the ranga, Jones did a chest slap with his forearm.
Exactly like a fake wrestling smack which looks fearsome, but has little impact.
Ranga went weak at the knees through being gutless and trying to milk a free

[Scollop]

Butler injured, Jones possible suspension.

Billings in Windhager to start. Lienert msub.

No need to make many changes. Effort was there. Dees premiers & 15 on the trot. We learnt plenty.

Jones was in the contest for the mark.
He didn't tunnel the guy, the Dee jumped at the wrong moment. Jones can't pull out, footy is a contact sport.

If you're talking about the ranga, Jones did a chest slap with his forearm.
Exactly like a fake wrestling smack which looks fearsome, but has little impact.
Ranga went weak at the knees through being gutless and trying to milk a free

+1

Just a a love tap to the chest as you say.

I watched the replay of the incident where the umpire got sucked in and paid a 50m penalty. Oliver needs to be fined for taking a dive

[groupie1]

out Paton Butler Wood
in Billings Clark Sharman

I was thinking similarly: Paton and Wood were poor.
I'd bring in Highmore and Byrnes to replace them.
We do need someone with Wood-style running ability. Not sure if Byrnes has that yet, but Wood's ball use was abysmal.
Paton was generally abysmal.

If Butler misses, too, Clark or Connolly in

[Ghost Like]

Out : Butler, Wood, Webster
In : Clark, Billings, Owens

Clark will prob be in 2nds again

Yeah, maybe. Coach said he looked a bit rusty.Said the same thing about Jones who I thought was really off today.

Paton goes before Webster

Why? Webster was on Pickett. Paton was very solid yesterday, as he has been for the previous couple of weeks.

[spert]

Who does everyone think our least effective players were yesterday?

[WellardSaint]

Who does everyone think our least effective players were yesterday?

Butler
Higgins
King (4 touches?)
Crouch (got 27 touches but I cannot recall many of them, strangely)

[Yorkeys]

Who does everyone think our least effective players were yesterday?

Dunstan?

[saynta]

Who does everyone think our least effective players were yesterday?

Dunstan?

Was going to answer but thought, nah, give it a miss.

[samuraisaint]

I think we need an injection of skill, goalkicking capacity, replacements for tired players, and experience after a tough campaign over the first 8 rounds.

I won't mention players who I think should have a rest, but I think Billings can come straight in, as could Clark, they are both best 22.

I also think Byrnes' form warrants a recall, and I would consider bringing in Cooper Sharman as we haven't been converting the past three games.

[Scollop]

Who does everyone think our least effective players were yesterday?

Butler
Higgins
King (4 touches?)
Crouch (got 27 touches but I cannot recall many of them, strangely)

The score was 56 to 9 very very early on in the game. The leading possession getter for the Saints at this time was Brad Crouch.

That’s 9-2 to our score of 1-3 and Melbourne had got out to a 47 point lead at the 6 or 7 minute mark of the second quarter!! Brad Crouch is Seb Ross Version II. He had 20 odd insignificant and inconsequential possessions when we were nearly 8 goals down!!

I’m not saying Crouch was bad all day, but I don’t think he deserves the votes people are giving him. 2/3rds of his possessions were junk and we were getting pantsed!! He needs to be cleaner with his possessions out of a stoppage and target a team mate when there’s congestion or he needs to get metres gained and actually clear the footy.

Why do people think that it means anything to get a rushed grubber or a half smothered 15 metre kick to no one. Crouch worked hard all day, but he gets possessions when he is stationary and he’s usually hand-balling to someone in close or he’s used for the 1-2 run and carry from Jones, Sinclair, Steele or Ross.

Have a look at the saintsational votes. There’s a lot of people who check the stat sheet before voting. In my book that is just crap. Sure, use the stats as a reference point for tackle numbers, for score involvements or other details like disposal efficiency and clangers, but people need to start having a feel for the game.

Our mids as a whole were slaughtered. Paddy Ryder started wining a few tap outs in the 3rd and 4th quarter, but early in the game when the heat was on, I think he was getting beaten too! Gresham also had a real stinker in my book and has to compose himself when he has time and space for those all important inside 50’s.

[samoht]

There's an obvious pattern, that we're refusing to see/acknowledge.

We need to start realising that small specialist forwards get monstered in big, pressure games - they just don't get a look in.
We've seen it time and again.

I'd be tempted to leave out both Higgins and Butler for slightly bigger-bodied players from now on - because, even if we make the finals, they are not going to get the job done - and will be our weak link.

I'd be playing Owens instead of Butler.

[shanegrambeau]

Billings, Sharman, Highmore, Lienert IN.

Webster, Windy, Butler, Paton OUT

[Impatient Sainter]

Key Matchups

Hawkins - Howard
Cameron - Battle
Stengle - Paton
Knevitt - Highmore
Miers - Long
Blicavs - Ryder
Kolojashnij - Marshall
Tuohy - Higgins
Stewart - Membrey
De Koning - King
Dangerfield - Steele
Duncan - Crouch
Parfitt - Byrnes
Guthrie - Jones
Smith - McKenzie
Narkle - Billings
Stephenson - Wood
OConnor - Owens or Sharmann
Z Guthrie - Sinclair

Out: Webster, Wanganeen-Milera (rest), Gresham (inj) & Butler (inj)
Ins: Highmore, Byrnes, Billings, Owens or Sharman

Highmore bets the nod over Lienert because he can drop off and intercept in front of Hawkins & Cameron. Lienert as sub.

[bergsone]

Key Matchups

Hawkins - Howard
Cameron - Battle
Stengle - Paton
Knevitt - Highmore
Miers - Long
Blicavs - Ryder
Kolojashnij - Marshall
Tuohy - Higgins
Stewart - Membrey
De Koning - King
Dangerfield - Steele
Duncan - Crouch
Parfitt - Byrnes
Guthrie - Jones
Smith - McKenzie
Narkle - Billings
Stephenson - Wood
OConnor - Owens or Sharmann
Z Guthrie - Sinclair

Out: Webster, Wanganeen-Milera (rest), Gresham (inj) & Butler (inj)
Ins: Highmore, Byrnes, Billings, Owens or Sharman

Highmore bets the nod over Lienert because he can drop off and intercept in front of Hawkins & Cameron. Lienert as sub.

Iwould put Wilke on Cameron cant let him get of the leash

[Otiman]

Clark for Wood
Billings for Butler

Despite the loss I don't think anyone is worthy of being dropped on form, but Clark and Billings are must ins.

[Teflon]

Who does everyone think our least effective players were yesterday?

Butler
Higgins
King (4 touches?)
Crouch (got 27 touches but I cannot recall many of them, strangely)

I thought Crouch was our best mid better than Steele tbh

[Impatient Sainter]

Clark for Wood
Billings for Butler

Despite the loss I don't think anyone is worthy of being dropped on form, but Clark and Billings are must ins.

From all reports Clark was a bit rusty at Sandi, I don't see the point in rushing him back. Give another week at VFL level then be cherry ripe for the Adelaide game.

[Yorkeys]

The change I'd like to see is we come out and are not intimidated by Geelong. Really put it to them. And not be pathetic with chances on goal.

Too often we are meek, wait for them to run all over us. Almost apologise and slow down if we are on top at times.

They are not as good as us, but I am not sure our players and coaches know it. If they beat us at least hurt them because you cant lose three in a row and consider yourself a serious contender for top 4.

We were soft against Port and Melbourne. You can play below your ability but at least get a reputation for being hard. May treated some of our players with contempt and got away with it. Didn't like the look of that.

[saynta]

The change I'd like to see is we come out and are not intimidated by Geelong. Really put it to them. And not be pathetic with chances on goal.

Too often we are meek, wait for them to run all over us. Almost apologise and slow down if we are on top at times.

They are not as good as us, but I am not sure our players and coaches know it. If they beat us at least hurt them because you cant lose three in a row and consider yourself a serious contender for top 4.

We were soft against Port and Melbourne. You can play below your ability but at least get a reputation for being hard. May treated some of our players with contempt and got away with it. Didn't like the look of that.

May is an arsehole. Nasty with it too. My opinion of him hasn't
changed especially after watching him on" on the couch'.