Look on the bright side

[Trixilver]

At least it wasn't a GF this time.

We're gonna be up and down this season, everyone accepts that. If losing a game by 3 points to a side who were hungry and rarely fumbled in slippery conditions is "down" - I'll take it.

We can and will improve.

[bigcarl]

All part of the learning curve for the young players. The time will come when Billings will ice games like that for us without even thinking about it.

[Gurgman]

Yep , lets face it we need a few more quality draft pics and its no good ending up in the 9th - 12th region

[SaintPav]

Hopefully better draft pick.

Don't get me wrong, I hate losing and I want the Saints to do well, but we don't want to do that well.

[kosifantutti]

Hopefully better draft pick.

Don't get me wrong, I hate losing and I want the Saints to do well, but we don't want to do that well.

Please don't use 'we' when you talk about wanting to lose.

[MC Gusto]

Kerrrrrect

I hate to say it but you do not want to over perform a season. Has been the downfall of many a club inducing ours.

We need a few skinny years and drafting / trading similar to last years to really have any chance of making the big dance

Biggest loss tonight was the fact it was a NZ game. I think it's a god idea and a solid business plan especially for a financially stricken club like ours - it's crucial we make it a winning zone tho

[andrewg]

Hopefully better draft pick.

Don't get me wrong, I hate losing and I want the Saints to do well, but we don't want to do that well.

Please don't use 'we' when you talk about wanting to lose.

Not sure anyone said we wanted to lose, the loss is disappointing but probably benefit us in the long run.
It's great to win but lofty expectations from a team of a few champion old blokes and a team of kids is fraught with ongoing frusterations

[kosifantutti]

How else would you interpret

we don't want to do that well.

?

[Bluthy]

I felt frustrated as hell when the siren went but I cooled off pretty quick. We're long odds for finals so whether one of those kicks goes through the big sticks and we get four more arbitrary points is kind of irrelevant. Might even give us a higher draft pick (that's the systems fault). Lions came to play - there were damn physical and put on fantastic pressure for 3 quarters. It never seemed like our night but we hung in and found a way back and should have won it except for bad kicking and lack of composure. It's a good lesson on taking chances. I think NZ got an exciting game if perhaps not the highest standard. Our game has the most exciting finishes in sport when its close like that.

[SaintPav]

How else would you interpret

we don't want to do that well.

?

Figure of speech.

I prefer to win but I am looking for a positive.

I agree with MC Gusto, andrew g and Bluthy as well.

[noob]

We moved into the 8 with that loss haha!

[kosifantutti]

How else would you interpret

we don't want to do that well.

?

Figure of speech.

I prefer to win but I am looking for a positive.

I agree with MC Gusto, andrew g and Bluthy as well.

I think you're all saying you want us to lose games.

[SaintPav]

I think you're all saying you want us to lose games.

Never..

[Griggsy]

Bright side was billings again, missed a couple easy shots but I'm taking it as he got several good shots on goal, better to be there than not at all. He will slot all those later.

[MC Gusto]

Billings was awesome
Dunstan great
Newnes was dilligent
Stanley pretty good also
Webster Ross and Bruce ok

The future is ok but we need more drafting like last year

[Bluthy]

Bright side was billings again, missed a couple easy shots but I'm taking it as he got several good shots on goal, better to be there than not at all. He will slot all those later.

This was his second full AFL match so he probably had rubbery legs a bit and will get more composure as he gets used to the occasion. But what is so exciting is the kid can read the play. He just knows where to go. He roved the packs, finds space, looks dangerous on leads, can out mark one on one and is good with the ground ball. And his kicking has such penetration. I can't remember who he picked out in the fwd pocket but he thread the needle with an incredibly accurate long pass. And he was way outside fifty and pumped in this kick that nearly went all the way (savage tried to mark from behind - doh!). Trying not to get too carried away with him after just 2 games but its hard not to.

[Teflon]

Billings was awesome
Dunstan great
Newnes was dilligent
Stanley pretty good also
Webster Ross and Bruce ok

The future is ok but we need more drafting like last year

Spot on Gusto

Why the long faces people??

Kids showing plenty but we need another long drink from the draft well and to pray we get a pick higher enough to get us into Boyd territory cause, as we did with Riewoldt, we can build around those spinal foundations (but these guys are always top 3 lets it kid ourselves).

Another strong showing - back from 30 odd points down and just lacked some composure but that will come IF we inject real class like another Billings/Dunstan into this mix

[borderbarry]

Billings is the only recent recruit we are playing who is a forward. Our other forwards we have picked up in the last few years dont look too convincing at this stage.

[Teflon]

Billings is the only recent recruit we are playing who is a forward. Our other forwards we have picked up in the last few years dont look too convincing at this stage.

Billings I'm hoping will be Bartel

That bloke that wins his own ball through the middle, reads game super well and then is an uncanny over head mark for his size and dangerous up forward

I don't think we have solved our future forward line issues yet - the next Riewoldt ain't at the club yet so IMO get high draft picks

[citywest]

Billings is the only recent recruit we are playing who is a forward. Our other forwards we have picked up in the last few years dont look too convincing at this stage.

Billings I'm hoping will be Bartel

That bloke that wins his own ball through the middle, reads game super well and then is an uncanny over head mark for his size and dangerous up forward

I don't think we have solved our future forward line issues yet - the next Riewoldt ain't at the club yet so IMO get high draft picks

Hugh Goddard perhaps????

[saintspremiers]

Billings is the only recent recruit we are playing who is a forward. Our other forwards we have picked up in the last few years dont look too convincing at this stage.

Billings I'm hoping will be Bartel

That bloke that wins his own ball through the middle, reads game super well and then is an uncanny over head mark for his size and dangerous up forward

I don't think we have solved our future forward line issues yet - the next Riewoldt ain't at the club yet so IMO get high draft picks

Hugh Goddard perhaps????

How did Essendope go Helen?

[Teflon]

Billings is the only recent recruit we are playing who is a forward. Our other forwards we have picked up in the last few years dont look too convincing at this stage.

Billings I'm hoping will be Bartel

That bloke that wins his own ball through the middle, reads game super well and then is an uncanny over head mark for his size and dangerous up forward

I don't think we have solved our future forward line issues yet - the next Riewoldt ain't at the club yet so IMO get high draft picks

Hugh Goddard perhaps????

Long as it ain't Hugh Heffner

Is Goddard Roo quality??

[citywest]

Apparently he is. Lets hope so.

[SaintPav]

Highly doubt it.

[citywest]

Highly doubt it.

Why do you doubt it? From all reports he is one of the best tall forwards in this years draft.