Is McQualter finished

[PJ]

Had a good game - well done. 28 more thanks.

On tonights game I would have Armo ahead of him for the spot come round 1.

[saintspremiers]

Given the events of the off season I wont be calling him Porno anymore as others are more worthy of the title.

And yes, he looks OK.

[JohnE]

Eat shite mini baggers, hope he keeps it up all year so I can remind you how quick you are to hang one of our own....

[ando051]

Yes i think Mini done a good job. He had to reinvent himself because he would not be getting a game with his form from last year on the HFF.

He is a strong tackler with could help him pinch hitting in the centre during a game, i don't think his tank is big enough to run out the game in the centre. he could become a sub player, go in the centre or forward if required.

[InkerSaint]

Eat shite mini baggers, hope he keeps it up all year so I can remind you how quick you are to hang one of our own....

If he produces a game like that in the real season more than one time in ten he will have set a new benchmark for himself.

I have little doubt he was a best-available 22 player in 2010, all I can say is thank christ we have a better squad this year. We need the competition for spots because no team can afford to carry a player who has a year like the one McQualter has just had.

[matrix]

we;ve had two nab cup games...lets see the reg season first huh

[gringo]

He had better fall apart- I had him named as one of our key whipping boys for 2011.

Gram had better keep up his poor kicking as well or my predictions are shot before the season starts.

[PJ]

Eat shite mini baggers, hope he keeps it up all year so I can remind you how quick you are to hang one of our own....

who are you the lone ranger?

Sarcasm aside p66 do you see him in our best 22? I'm not convinced yet that mini has another level althought 2009 showed glimpses. Yes it's still practice games but some are showing they may have more dimension to their game and less solid defensive bottom 6 traits.

[plugger66]

Eat shite mini baggers, hope he keeps it up all year so I can remind you how quick you are to hang one of our own....

who are you the lone ranger?

Sarcasm aside p66 do you see him in our best 22? I'm not convinced yet that mini has another level althought 2009 showed glimpses. Yes it's still practice games but some are showing they may have more dimension to their game and less solid defensive bottom 6 traits.

I think that these practice matches just give a player a chance to either make it or miss out round one. Their career isnt looking better or worse because of these games. An example of this is some people think Raph looks over his injury problems because of 2 practice games. What a load of crap that is. I reckon Raph played about 8 in a row last year but still finished the year injured when it mattered.

What Mini has done so far with 2 games to go is put his name forward for round one. Whether he plays after that will be decided after round one as he has no credits in the bank like some players.

[PJ]

What Mini has done so far with 2 games to go is put his name forward for round one.

Unquestionably he has put his name up for selection. His role was a bit different last night (more on ball) but given those pushing for the mid role and the fact that RL has hinted at finding ways to improve the list (bottom 6) I'm still guessing where is up for him. If you persist will mini just produce more of the same?

A Smith and D Armitage are looking more mature in their games and will need more time on field.

[gringo]

In all seriousness it is nice to see guys like Mini get let off the leash and play a more natural game than the cloistered defensive game he usually plays.

I remember last NAB Jones got to play his game without minder duties and had about 40 possessions. Mini obviously plays a role and is kept in because he does what he is told. It may not have any flair but Ross must see it as pivotal to the structure.

[vacuous space]

A Smith and D Armitage are looking more mature in their games and will need more time on field.

Neither one of them was anywhere near as impressive as McQualter. We're not about to play someone just because they're younger. At the very least, Mini will have raised a few eyebrows in the coaches box. I'm sure our coaches will want to know if he can repeat that performance, so you can bet Mini will be all over the midfield next week. If he can come anywhere close to backing that up, then you can lock him in for round one.

[saintsRrising]

so you can bet Mini will be all over the midfield next week. If he can come anywhere close to backing that up, then you can lock him in for round one.

I think so too...and I am eager to see how he can back up against a genuinely quick team.

[BringBackMadDog]

One thing I did notice about Mini is that he seems to have shed a few kilo's looks a lot lighter framed. This may be an attempt to make him more mobile. He has always had the footy smarts and has courage to burn but his foot speed has always found him out.

[Winmar7Fan]

When are sentimentalists over anyone wearing a Saints jumper going to look at the big picture and see that these strugglers are why we always fall short of a flag????

Making excuses for them every week throughout the season while our top players bust their gut trying to carry them over the line.

We need a few of these new kids to step up into our bottom 6 and lift the level in that area that little bit that will make the difference.

Players like Mini and Eddy better watch out because some of these new kids with zero games under their belts are already showing more than these guys who have been floundering around for years because we've had noone better.

[SainterK]

Perhaps last nights game was Mini doing what is asked of him, maybe last year Mini was doing what was asked of him.

Maybe he knows the best way to get a game is to do what the coach asks of you.

I maintain Mini is capable of instinctively playing great (and exciting) footy, let's see what the boss has in store for him this year.

You can only be as exciting as the role you're given, last year 'effective' was a word I'd apply to the style of play, this year it seems we may be able to use the word 'flair' without feeling like it's a naughty word.

[maverick]

A Smith and D Armitage are looking more mature in their games and will need more time on field.

Neither one of them was anywhere near as impressive as McQualter. We're not about to play someone just because they're younger. At the very least, Mini will have raised a few eyebrows in the coaches box. I'm sure our coaches will want to know if he can repeat that performance, so you can bet Mini will be all over the midfield next week. If he can come anywhere close to backing that up, then you can lock him in for round one.

Not from where I was sitting, but hey we are all different.
Thought Armo was VG.

[PJ]

Neither one of them was anywhere near as impressive as McQualter. We're not about to play someone just because they're younger. At the very least, Mini will have raised a few eyebrows in the coaches box. I'm sure our coaches will want to know if he can repeat that performance, so you can bet Mini will be all over the midfield next week. If he can come anywhere close to backing that up, then you can lock him in for round one.

Don't get me wrong Mini had a good game but from my perspective Smith was at least impressive and Armitage had a different role. My question is can he deliver this week in and week out because he's had several years to show it. I don't believe, even under RL's strict regime, that mini was told not to be attacking or show "flair".

[vacuous space]

Don't get me wrong Mini had a good game but from my perspective Smith was at least impressive and Armitage had a different role. My question is can he deliver this week in and week out because he's had several years to show it. I don't believe, even under RL's strict regime, that mini was told not to be attacking or show "flair".

Armo's role wasn't particularly different. Armo started most of his centre bounces in the centre square. Mini started some in the centre, but ran in off the wing for most. Either way, Mini was the more effective of the two. He won more of the ball and did a better job of maintaining possession. Smith did some good things, but he's a distant third if there's a contest between the three for a spot. I don't think there is, BTW. If forced to make a prediction, I'd say Armo and Mini will both play round 1 this year.

[saintsRrising]

. I don't believe, even under RL's strict regime, that mini was told not to be attacking or show "flair".

Indeed..2009 he was nailing it. 2010 he regressed.

Mini however knows that his place in the 22 is in jeopardy.....Gamble in particular is very likely to snag a forward place....as in Gilbert. That is 2 extra spots in the forward 50 taken. raph is likely to just slot in Gilbert's vacancy down back.

Then Steven, Geary, Armo, Smith are all sniffing with only Eddy gone from last years 22.

Schneider will miss the first 2 opening rounds but will then squeeze someone out.

[Eastern]

If mini was a "higher profile" player he probably would have been named BOG last night. If he keeps that up, he will definately stay in the side !!

[Fidelis]

You can only be as exciting as the role you're given, last year 'effective' was a word I'd apply to the style of play, this year it seems we may be able to use the word 'flair' without feeling like it's a naughty word.

I'm hoping that there's something in this. What I read into the initial delisting of Eddy after his selection in both GF teams was that there was a new direction on the way. My hunch is that we've decided there's no room now for the purely defensive spacefilling role; players need to be able to offer something creative.

Maybe, Mini is going to thrive as the expectations on him change.

[Con Gorozidis]

was rank for 90% of 2010. hes shown he can play (he won us that game v the dogs an was pretty good in gf 1 in the first half). i think what most people here complain about is him having 5 or 6 weeks in a row where he doesnt touch the ball at all. if i was lyon id be saying id be saying 3 crap games in a row u go back to vfl. but 6 or 7 is just toooooo long.
7 years in the system too. hes no longer a kid.

[Bernard Shakey]

Mini, for the last two years, has done what Armo finds difficult to do. He's followed the coach's instructions.

[ralphsmith]

Mcqualter was bad in 2010.

Mcqualter was very good in 2009.

Mcqualter needs to improve because other players, surely, are busting to take his place.

Consistent good football.