So where are we at

[Old Mate]

6-10 IMO. As I said at the very start of the year.

I think the Freo and Port losses will really hurt us at the end of the year. Probably cost us a finals birth. Saying that Freo are (already) a very good team under Lyon. They probably lack another top line inside midfielder to really challenge though.

[gringo]

We are unlucky to have dropped any games and could be easily 4 and 0. Where are we at we can't tell until a) we get a couple of floggings from really good teams or b) we knock off a couple of really good teams. So far we've been flat track bullies carrying a couple of kids and having a fully improvised defence with the pillars being a guy with about 5 games-Simpkin, a veteran that most wanted retired -Blakey, a kid who has played 2 games- Newnes, a footy journeyman that most hate -Polo and a nuggety psychopath that tries to win contests with his forehead -Geary. The next line of defence looks a little neater with Goddard, Gilbert and Fisher but mostly they are a fair way further from the full back line. If we had an easy run in the preseason with injury we copped them all in the back line once the season started.

[Old Mate]

Even with the inexperience I think our backline is looking rock solid. The main problem this week was being killed on the rebound. Milney needs to work harder going the other way IMO. Roo, Kosi and Stanley showed little defensive pressure or at least couldn't hold onto tackles. Maybe Saad comes in even if only for his defensive pressure.

It seems as though we've fixed our other major deficiency since round one, which is winning the clearances and contested ball.

[desertsaint]

We should be four and o given our opponents. We need to improve and find wins against top four teams to cancel them out. If we can't we're looking at 7-11th.

[Cairnsman]

I think I was one of the first to call a bottom four finish for us before the season started and nothing has changed my mind. For mine this year is all about bottoming out and stamping papers. Find out who the list clogger are. It should also be the year that we determine if SW is a long term coach and if he is then lock him up on a long term contract and let him delvelop a team for 2020ish. Gee that's a long way away.

[Devilhead]

What is Milera's nickname? So far us Brisbane Saints (look us up on facebook...it is a gripping facebook groups) we have Tez Milez, Mildew, Disease and Maleria. Can someone please assist?

The Mosquito aka Mozzie

[saber]

Do people really rate Gram as in our best 21?

If he fixes his kicking, then he's in, but otherwise not...

[saintsRrising]

that is why I wouldnt be saying lets drop guys like Blake and Milne .

We are in a bit of limbo at present...and can only go up IF we get some games into our most promising youth.

The argument and discussion is how quick we do this

IMO dropping most senior players to play maximum youth is not good as being pumped by big margins is not a good way to learn.

On the other hand playing minimal youth really slows down the process.

So question is whether are current balance is right. Currently we are blooding several new and or/youngish players.....mainly though because there area number of senior players injured in Schneider, Gram, Raph and Gwilt.....though Ray and Peake have also been left out now to maximise exposure for the new players. should there be one or two more?

Where it will get interesting is in several weeks if Gram, Schneds and Gwilt all get fit and have form to warrant selection. Schneids a sa good abd creative ball user, and Gwilt with his kicking are two of the types of players that we need in the team.

while I would like them back in the 22, I would equally be disappointed in too many younger players then got left out.

So IMO ..if Gwilt comes back in I would prefer they persevere with Simpkin over Blake.

The sub is a good spot to keep blooding youth. But even though Cripps look god as a goal scoring sub I would mot want to see him play too much their as it will hamper his overall development.

We only have 22 players...so if we are to blood our youth over the year various senior players will have to miss out.

[matrix]

[gringo]

What is Milera's nickname? So far us Brisbane Saints (look us up on facebook...it is a gripping facebook groups) we have Tez Milez, Mildew, Disease and Maleria. Can someone please assist?

The Mosquito aka Mozzie

He came with the name "sweetie" but I prefer Mozzie and they were calling him that last night I noticed.

[MCG-Unit]

Think they could still finish between 7-10. Really could easily be 4-0 if they had some consistent umpiring and bit of luck.....

Yes disposal and decision making is sometimes poor, but they are relentless and never give up.
Also there is Gwilt, Schneider, and maybe Gram to come back, and hopefully Ledger to come in.

[SaintSimmo]

Our best case scenario is to finish 6th, worst case 10th. I reckon we can make the top 8, but not expecting much at this stage.

But with Gwilt, Schiends and Gram to return, and Ledger, Siposs, Ross pushing for a spot, along with Peake and Ray trying to get back in the team, there is still room for improvement.

We have a very easy draw and I would be very disappointed if we didn't make the 8 this year.

I know it is early in the year but our next 4 games are make or break.
Melbourne (MCG)
Hawks (MCG)
Carlton (ES)
Eagles (PS)

We should beat Melbourne
We would have to play extremely well to beat the Hawks
Could potentially beat Carlton at Etihad on our day
Dont like our chances vs Eagles in Perth

So if we can somehow win 3/4 then we will probs finish around 5-6
If we win 2/4 we should be around 7-10
If we win 1/4 best we can hope for is 8th

[matrix]

[gringo]

Our best case scenario is to finish 6th, worst case 10th. I reckon we can make the top 8, but not expecting much at this stage.

But with Gwilt, Schiends and Gram to return, and Ledger, Siposs, Ross pushing for a spot, along with Peake and Ray trying to get back in the team, there is still room for improvement.

We have a very easy draw and I would be very disappointed if we didn't make the 8 this year.

I know it is early in the year but our next 4 games are make or break.
Melbourne (MCG)
Hawks (MCG)
Carlton (ES)
Eagles (PS)

We should beat Melbourne
We would have to play extremely well to beat the Hawks
Could potentially beat Carlton at Etihad on our day
Dont like our chances vs Eagles in Perth

So if we can somehow win 3/4 then we will probs finish around 5-6
If we win 2/4 we should be around 7-10
If we win 1/4 best we can hope for is 8th

It sounds dumb but we have been very good out west for a few years, west coast isn't a write off yet. I'm an optimist though.

[Austinnn]

Didn't we beat Eagles in Perth last year? Have we got worse since then?

Agree with most of your opinions. Tanking bad. Gwilt for Blake.

[SaintSimmo]

Didn't we beat Eagles in Perth last year? Have we got worse since then?

Agree with most of your opinions. Tanking bad. Gwilt for Blake.

Yes we did beat the eagles in Perth last year from memory.
We haven't gotten worse, but i think the eagles are a lot better.

[Johnny Member]

Come on, we haven't conceded 100 points yet with Simpkin and the other kid down there playing key roles. Waters is a defence guy, and with kids in there you're going to be leaky. That's what's cost us against Port and Freo.

We're doing well. New coach, young guys in key roles, and rookies playing each week.


We got 'Lyoned' last night, make no mistake. We were to have shots from the pockets and our key players were shutdown. Textbook Ross Lyon! We were always a sitting duck last night, and did well to be in a 'we should have won' situation.

But, unless the 'kids' come good and the style of play really clicks within the next 6-12 months, we'll be in strife for a while until we get a 'top 6' that can win a flag.


Freo were a good side last year, and with natural improvement will be very good this year. Their only problem is if Lyon manages to turn their match winners in to plodding role players. The whole 'no one should lose to Freo away' thing will be a myth within 6 weeks.

[SaintPav]

Didn't we beat Eagles in Perth last year? Have we got worse since then?

Agree with most of your opinions. Tanking bad. Gwilt for Blake.

Yes we did beat the eagles in Perth last year from memory.
We haven't gotten worse, but i think the eagles are a lot better.

that was the year before...the good old days...Lenny won that on his own..

we beat eagles at Etihad last year...it was a great game...and good old Con went early again...poor Con..don't go early son...don't do it..


BTW, great to see Snarlton lose...

We'll be competetive fellas...we will be mark my words and if we are that, all is not lost...have SOME faith...it is all we have...

cheers

[westy]

You can lose the battle and still win the war. We are only at round 4 in case anybody hasn't noticed!

[supersaints]

Too early to write us off out of the eight. Lyon knows our players inside out. We still should have nailed the game. We can still finish as high as fifth. New coach, new game plan will continue to improve. We will have our share of wins against good sides and a few unexpected losses like every other year. Keep the faith (at least for a while longer)

[SaintPav]

If essendon beat carlton and we beat essendon last time does that mean we are better than Carlton?

[plugger66]

If essendon beat carlton and we beat essendon last time does that mean we are better than Carlton?

Yep but our win against the dons did lack a lot of scoring.

[SaintPav]

If essendon beat carlton and we beat essendon last time does that mean we are better than Carlton?

Yep but our win against the dons did lack a lot of scoring.

I'm trying to be optimistic. It is all I have..

[Teflon]

I have us finishing 11th on current form.

[SaintPav]

Our next five games include:

Dees: win (85%)
Blues: a chance (35%)
Hawks: slight chance (30%)
Eagles: no chance (20%)
Swines: very difficult but winable. (50%)

Hopefully we will win the first, jag one of the next two and beat the Swines at home which will see us 5-4. I'd take that.