Dean Polo

[noob]

Has done his job so far.
Don't think he has ever played a final so this could be his first this year barring next week.
How many other players haven't played in finals from the current 22 against north?

[skeptic]

I'll call it now... if he's in the team come finals time - the positive sentiment towards him will change if we crash out

Bit harsh....shouldn't he be judged on what he does, rather than just on what the team does?

i'm just saying that he has won ppl over despite being quite mediocre and not contributing much but it's been over shadowed by the fact that he has been in a winning team.
Nobody liked him at the start of the year when we weren't winning and I don't think he has really improved that much

It's like Mini... a lot of ppl jumped on the "What does Mini contribute to the Team and how does he get a game" bandwagon this year.
News flash - he was just as bad last season but no one cared because we were winning.
The moment we stopped winning - his flaws became noticed more and he was out in a flash

[bergholt]

How many other players haven't played in finals from the current 22 against north?

i think it's just steven and geary. armo played some in 08.

[PJ]

I'll call it now... if he's in the team come finals time - the positive sentiment towards him will change if we crash out

Bit harsh....shouldn't he be judged on what he does, rather than just on what the team does?

i'm just saying that he has won ppl over despite being quite mediocre and not contributing much but it's been over shadowed by the fact that he has been in a winning team.
Nobody liked him at the start of the year when we weren't winning and I don't think he has really improved that much

It's like Mini... a lot of ppl jumped on the "What does Mini contribute to the Team and how does he get a game" bandwagon this year.
News flash - he was just as bad last season but no one cared because we were winning.
The moment we stopped winning - his flaws became noticed more and he was out in a flash

Can't agree with the observation that he hasn't improved - clearly he's improved out of sight and his form is following

[dragit]

He's doing a pretty good job, but I think he still probably makes way for Lenny when fit…

[goddardisgod]

He's probably improved 'bout 15% since coming to us, on ability alone.

On top of that, we're playing him in a position that suits his big body, but lack of pace, where he can drift forward or back with his marking strength, or shovel a great handball out a contested zone.

[PJ]

He's doing a pretty good job, but I think he still probably makes way for Lenny when fit…

I think there is still a spot for Deano when Lenny comes back but that will depend on how the youth are doing.

[skeptic]

Can't agree with the observation that he hasn't improved - clearly he's improved out of sight and his form is following

You realise I'm talking about Gamble right?

[saintsRrising]

I'll call it now... if he's in the team come finals time - the positive sentiment towards him will change if we crash out

Bit harsh....shouldn't he be judged on what he does, rather than just on what the team does?

i'm just saying that he has won ppl over despite being quite mediocre and not contributing much but it's been over shadowed by the fact that he has been in a winning team.
Nobody liked him at the start of the year when we weren't winning and I don't think he has really improved that much

It's like Mini... a lot of ppl jumped on the "What does Mini contribute to the Team and how does he get a game" bandwagon this year.
News flash - he was just as bad last season but no one cared because we were winning.
The moment we stopped winning - his flaws became noticed more and he was out in a flash

Not sure I follow your Mini analogy. He had a truly outstanding year and kicked 22 goals in 24 game. With one more game he only kicked 8 goals.

The game changed around Mini and with his lack of pace he was now unable to perform as well his 2009 role.

Wit Polo...again mediocre is IMO harsh and not IMO a true reflection on his year. When he first came in he struggled, but has now settled and become a solid ear contributor.

[skeptic]

I actually meant Gamble SRS

I think Polo has been quite good... i've somehow managed to go off on a tangent here in that regard

As for Mini... vehemently have to disagree... he was not good. Played maybe 2 good games for the year and was largely ineffective, his opponents were damaging and his out put declined greatly

[gringo]

I actually thought Gamble was ok for a few matches but fell away. Polo is an example of Ross getting the best out of talented players who for what ever reason aren't getting the most from their careers. In business workers are more productive when the are given a defined role. Workers are also shown to have a higher level of job satisfaction and are happier at work when given these roles. Ross is just using a franchise system for footballers and that is why he seems to be able to get maximum effect from a list others rubbish. The boss needs to be a highly organised and structured person to keep redefining roles and pushing up expectations, something he obviously does well. Maybe saints footy should be franchised and flogged before Ball and Hudgeton sell more of our IP.

[BigMart]

Didnt gamble injure his ankle...

[PJ]

Didnt gamble injure his ankle...

No apparently icing is just a normal part of his post game procedure - according to Misson

[bozza1980]

i agree. i cont believe people are trying to claim him as a piece of recruiting genius. he is a very known quantity. he got 3 brownlow votes in his first afl game. hardly a random player.
but agree that he has had his role dumbed down for us and tailored to play within his limits - which is win ball use first option. if u can get loose get loose. thats it.
i think tigers expected him to be an actual genuine midfielder. he was a victim of high expectations. we are playing him with low exectations within his abilities and not asking too much from him. its working well.
tigers needed him to be a star. we need him to be a workhorse. thats the difference. cos he is a workhorse.

I think your reasoning is solid but I think your argument, combined with the fact that Polo was unwanted by 16 other clubs, backs up the point that it was a clever piece of recruiting.

Yes, it shouldn't have been a suprise that Polo is proving a solid AFL player, that said, if we hadn't picked him up, he'd be a former AFL player.

[Dr Spaceman]

i agree. i cont believe people are trying to claim him as a piece of recruiting genius. he is a very known quantity. he got 3 brownlow votes in his first afl game. hardly a random player.
but agree that he has had his role dumbed down for us and tailored to play within his limits - which is win ball use first option. if u can get loose get loose. thats it.
i think tigers expected him to be an actual genuine midfielder. he was a victim of high expectations. we are playing him with low exectations within his abilities and not asking too much from him. its working well.
tigers needed him to be a star. we need him to be a workhorse. thats the difference. cos he is a workhorse.

I think your reasoning is solid but I think your argument, combined with the fact that Polo was unwanted by 16 other clubs, backs up the point that it was a clever piece of recruiting.

Yes, it shouldn't have been a suprise that Polo is proving a solid AFL player, that said, if we hadn't picked him up, he'd be a former AFL player.

THIS

[Go Sainters Go]

Polo has a real opportunity to cement his position this week as he will be required to do more of the "in and under" work with Armo out.