Jimmy to re-establish himself

[bergholt]

Dempster could quite easily move into Jones role in the midfield so that would free up a half back spot for Gwilt.

Half-backs in this day and age are extra midfielders. Most teams have three running defenders who fall into that category. Gwilt could never be considered an extra midfielder, he's too big and slow nowadays. So I can't see how he'll get much of a game when everyone's fit and firing.

[evertonfc]

Gee, I'm usually a fairly decent pessimist but I reckon Gwilt offers a tremendous amount.

Can take on a decent - but not #1 tall forward - and has a booming left foot out of defence.

Besides, a lot of clubs have second and third tall options and he's absolutely suited to nullifying these types. He's not quick but he's not as slow as some think. Plus he's made great strides with his body shape - won't get easily buffeted off the ball.

Excited to have him back.

[thejiggingsaint]

+1 EFC!

[Megamaguire]

Approaching a 2nd. pre-season is it after knee surgery. He deserves a bit of luck and may will receive it from the footy gods. Looked comfortable under Lyon and was able to work away at good disposal. Another coach come and gone and a range of big gorillas to play on . Hopefully the worst has passed.
He may connect really well with AR and what he is trying to accomplish. Chips like Roo is in his twilight years. Demps getting older as well. If James can get everything working for himself he'll at least be able to present himself as a decent mature defender. The new structures with Delaney and Bruce could very well gel successfully with what James can bring to game-day. With Del. & Bruce our depth down back has suddenly improved. I still believe this improved situation can be to Gwilt's benefit and the club's too of coarse.
With Roberton; Simpkin; Newness & Wright also on board who knows what St.Kilda's best backline combination will be charting through 2014.

I'm staying optomistic with all the above mentioned defenders and wish them all the best!

GO SAINTS!

[bergholt]

Besides, a lot of clubs have second and third tall options and he's absolutely suited to nullifying these types. He's not quick but he's not as slow as some think.

Sure, whatever - so if he's in your back six then who else plays along with him? And who misses out? They can't all play in defence.

[oldie60]

If we are to believe most, Jimmy probably should'nt get a game but lets be a bit logical that we have not had much depth and the fact that our defenders played on opponents that were way bigger made it difficult for these guys to play their natural game. You would like to think that the challenge will be there for them to take up and also find themselves more competitive when they are not having to take the biggest opponent week in week out.To use an old footy cliche "the game is played between the ears".

[thejiggingsaint]

It could be that a new coach may just get more out of Jimmy than we (or rather, some of us) expect in 2014.

[Bernard Shakey]

Jimmy will be an excellent addition to the Sandy back line next year.

[sunsaint]

Im less worried about gwilt than I am with Fisher - career comeback not withstanding - with the new inclusions I think he has more selction pressure than gwilt

[thejiggingsaint]

BS "Jimmy will be an excellent addition to the Sandy back line next year" I'm happy to let the coaching staff decide that question.

[evertonfc]

Besides, a lot of clubs have second and third tall options and he's absolutely suited to nullifying these types. He's not quick but he's not as slow as some think.

Sure, whatever - so if he's in your back six then who else plays along with him? And who misses out? They can't all play in defence.

Whatever? Lovely.

As for the rest of your question...

Geary - Fisher - Dempster
Gwilt - Delaney - Gilbert

That might seem top-heavy, but Gilbert, Fisher, Gwilt and Dempster have all proven more than adept at sweeping out from the back - despite the obvious question marks over Gilbert's terrible use of the ball under pressure.

So, for me, Bruce misses out. But there's no way all those guys will be ready every singe week - half are coming off bad injuries and some may be finished before we know it. And Bruce has to earn his spot, too. However, I'm sure he will in time.

It's one of the many reasons I think we should traded Sam Fisher and Kasia Z to the Giants.

[spot on]

Wonder if he could be used up forward? His got a nice long kick and strong body . Gwilt is only 26 so still bit of footy left on him

[oldie60]

Wonder if he could be used up forward? His got a nice long kick and strong body . Gwilt is only 26 so still bit of footy left on him

From memory he played a game against Port about 4 or 5 years ago as a forward and kicked 3 from fair distance. Could become a good mismatch for some sides playing as a high forward with instructions to go for goal from distance rather than trying to spot up Roo or Lee when they are getting double teamed.Might open the forward line up a bit by dragging a bigger body up the ground.

[bergholt]

As for the rest of your question...

Geary - Fisher - Dempster
Gwilt - Delaney - Gilbert

Roberton was pretty good this year - doesn't make your side? He's 22 and playing well, shouldn't he be getting a game?

That might seem top-heavy...

It does. Here are back sixes for the two Grand Final teams this year.

Stratton, Lake, Birchall
Burgoyne, Gibson, Hill
(Guerra on the bench.)

Johnson, Dawson, Duffield
Spurr, McPharlin, Pearce
(Suban on the bench.)

Burgoyne, Hill, Spurr, Pearce, Suban - even Guerra, Duffield and Birchall - happen to start in the defensive half of the ground but could easily play as midfielders.

Our guys don't compare, it's not even close. Geary and Gilbert could maybe be considered midfielders in the right light - though not to the standard of Burgoyne or Pearce, because neither of them are good users of the ball. Dempster never played well in the midfield and only found form when sent to the back half permanently. The others are far too big and immobile to be midfielders.

...but Gilbert, Fisher, Gwilt and Dempster have all proven more than adept at sweeping out from the back - despite the obvious question marks over Gilbert's terrible use of the ball under pressure.

Fisher is excellent charging out of defence, but in your combo he probably has to take the second tall forward. That doesn't leave much time for rebounding - he did most of his best work with a couple of Dawson or Hudghton or Maguire or Blake beside him. The other three are all OK but none of them compare to the midfielders I showed above.

So, for me, Bruce misses out. But there's no way all those guys will be ready every singe week - half are coming off bad injuries and some may be finished before we know it. And Bruce has to earn his spot, too. However, I'm sure he will in time.

Yeah, I agree with that. But I'm more worried that you're not leaving spots for Webster or Wright or Roberton or Newnes or whoever. If we're going to be any good in a few years then we need to have midfielders getting games and improving. One way to do that is to start them off the half-back line.

It's one of the many reasons I think we should traded Sam Fisher and Kasia Z to the Giants.

I have no idea who Kasia Z is, but I agree with you about Fisher. I just don't see why they would have wanted him.

[bergholt]

Wonder if he could be used up forward? His got a nice long kick and strong body . Gwilt is only 26 so still bit of footy left on him

He played forward for his first 40 or so games. 2005 to 2009. He was in and out of the side throughout that period because he never got near the ball. At the end of 2009 I thought he should have been delisted. But then SainterK anointed him, and the next year he went back into defence, and actually started to look like an AFL player.

I like the guy, and things might have changed, but history suggests that he's not a forward.

[spert]

I always saw JG as a midfielder- strong body, great kick, but it might be all too late?