Positives

[Sainterman]

OK, some positives amidst the many negative posts after this game:

- Gilbert returning to form - a big bonus coming into Sept with his tackles sticking and run returning

- Roo - some great contested marking and a 6 goal return on the G

- 7 goal last qtr - nice way to finish and looked better as the game went on

- Umpiring - should be the last time this year we have to put up with that quality, last few weeks we have drawn the worst of them IMO

_ Dal Santo - bounced back ok didn't he?

- MCG - didn't seem to be causing the issues that some have talked up in the media, if we were poor it was our skills that let us down, which i felt improved as it went on

- Kosi's marking was good, now if he can kick straight then be a dangerous scenario for other sides to contend with

- 20-2 - say what you like but the best season this club has ever had in home and away

- next week - something to play for, finally!

I am ready to start from pole position next week and go all the way. Are you?

[Sainterman]

Anyone have any positives to add?? Lot of glass half empty around here for our 20-2 Saints.

[saintDal]

Lennys kicking today was awesome. Hit the target just about everytime and had great penetration. Hope he pulls up alright because we are much better with him in the side.

[battye]

Thought our skills were better in the second half, something that Melbourne tanking couldn't really contribute to.

Thought Kosi looked good, we are very lucky to have such great marking forwards in Kosi and Riewoldt.

[Verdun66]

I think a few of the guys got some nice touches towards the end. A couple of times our intensity and tackling lifted, and we looked like the side of a few weeks ago. With everything ratcheted up next week, our fitness should carry us through.

[BackFromUSA]

another positive is we have gardiner, hudghton, ball, armitage and geary up and ready to slot into the side if needed and beyond that we have Jack Steven, Leigh Fisher and Gwilt in reserve. We have a deep list to pick from for our finals.

[plugger66]

The main positive is we the contested ball and hopefully no injuries of note.

[Badlands]

Think you summed most of 'em up mate.

Gilbo so important to us. Thought he was very good today.

Kosi won't kick that badly two weeks in a row - that's a positive. Just keep throwing yourself at the footy big fella.

Gram, another very important player to us. Yes his kicking efficiency is not perfect, but for now, i think we just need to accept that but also appreciate what he gives to the team when he's on song - he's often our benchmark for inside 50s. One or two of his forward entries today were rippers actually (although i recall a few others which weren't so good, but this thread is about positives dammit!)

Clint Jones played his best game for a few weeks i thought. Even looked reasonably assured by foot, including a precise little beauty he threaded down the boundary line in i think it was the third qtr.

[Legendary]

• 460 disposals for the game - I realise it was against Melbourne, but we found the footy, and our best midfielders had a lot of it ... it's the best way to get your touch back.
• Riewoldt - wasn't at his best and kicked 6; not the greatest opponent but was good on the eve of the finals.
• Gilbert - back to his best.
• 2nd half - showed a lot more of the form and pressure we have displayed earlier in the year. Particularly the first 15 minutes of the 3rd quarter, thought it was fantastic footy.
• King - back in form, clearly our second ruck and important come finals.
• WE WON ... HELLO, WE WON. WE BEAT ANOTHER AFL TEAM. ISN'T THAT GOOD?
• Won the contested ball easily.

[Saints43]

They only laid 45 takles for the match (only 35 to three quarter time).

I seiously believe that the club don't give a stuff about anything but getting to next Sunday healthy.

Once the pressure is back on - starting from the forward pockets back - the defence will look tight again.

[Sainterman]

They only laid 45 takles for the match (only 35 to three quarter time).

I seiously believe that the club don't give a stuff about anything but getting to next Sunday healthy.

Once the pressure is back on - starting from the forward pockets back - the defence will look tight again.

The ultimate negative positive post there...

[Saints43]

They only laid 45 takles for the match (only 35 to three quarter time).

I seiously believe that the club don't give a stuff about anything but getting to next Sunday healthy.

Once the pressure is back on - starting from the forward pockets back - the defence will look tight again.

The ultimate negative positive post there...

Cheers. Actually it was only 42 tackles. Apologies for that.

The positive bit is that we are going to the finals fit and with plenty in the tank.

Sorry for not being clearer.

[Sainterman]

Cheers mate!

Next week really matters! Home and away done and I will take 20-2!

[Legendary]

We smashed them in the contested ball, smashed them in the inside 50's and kicked 17 goals.

Riewoldt sounded very confident and happy after the game, really focused on next week and looking forward to it.

I'm really happy with where we are.

[saintly_safes]

We won the game which is a possitive.Gilbow was really good,Lenny & Dal were saintsational,Roo worked his way into the game & became a dominant forward,Kosi presented & took some great contested marks but his kicking for goal was really poor.The defence was a shadow of what they have been through out the year but still held a side to 10 goals

[saintbrat]

[quote="Saints43"I seriously believe that the club don't give a stuff about anything but getting to next Sunday healthy.
[/quote]

there was a doctor and a physio out to every slight hint of injury

and we ended the game with 17 or maybe even 16 players on the field

[saintbrat]

we finish the year with a percentage above 150- I have a feeling we haven't dropped below that all year..- is this unusual?

Nick got to practice goal kicking from most angles at the G and will get to follow it up next week

[DWOODROW]

WE ARE IN THE FINALS,

[Maxstar22]

Besides all the positives mentioned above, the other positive of my day was meeting saint66au, snoopygirl and co before the game.

It is always nice to put faces to names.

Was lovely to meet you all and hope to catch up again soon.

[mullet]

They only laid 45 takles for the match (only 35 to three quarter time).

I seiously believe that the club don't give a stuff about anything but getting to next Sunday healthy.

Once the pressure is back on - starting from the forward pockets back - the defence will look tight again.

I believe in the doggies / pies game both teams had less than this. Commentators said something about not wanting to get hurt.

[borderbarry]

two and a half hours extra break on the Pies.

[SaintDebi]

The simplest of positives: we won, and we finished on top.
Now our quest for the ultimate reward really begins.

[saint75]

Massive positive for me is the form of Raph Clarke. Thrilled with his game today. Head over the ball, couple of hard knocks that shook him up and still he carried on and played a great game! Top job Raph. You have proved your doubters wrong and have earned your spot in our 22.

[SydneySainter]

Raph, say what you like but I'm liking his contribution and was pleased with his run.

Also, there has been concerns and rumors about his fitness of late, but thought Chips was getting some good ball today.

Also, WE WON! Don't care who the opposition were, we needed a win, just to give our boys a confidence boost come finals.

CARN YOU SAINTERS!

[SainterK]

Alot has been stated above that I agree with, just a couple more.

Saw the hunger in Roo today when denied that mark, would love him to bring a bit of that attitude come finals.

Collingwood dropped their heads when they realised they are playing us.