Holmes to debut?

[magnifisaint]

good luck to the guy .. he is obviously a very driven individual to be up to this level after only two years of knowing about football - I hope the club gave enough notice so his family could fly over for his debut ..
the one point I think is we all need to be mindful of expectations on him I for one will be happy if he gets a few taps and covers the ground im not fussed if he doesn't get too many disposals to be honest

yes he is no world beater but I don't think the selection is mere symbolism.

I have seen him play live maybe four times and he can play.

he is still just 25 so he has quite a few years left in him as a ruckman.

He will make mistakes, probably get caught with the ball a few times, be out of position as well, basically like just about every young player we have in the team

But one thing that won't happen is that he won't be beaten in the taps. I don't think that Natanui could beat him in the tap outs. I think they're giving him a go as a primer for the WCE game.

[st_Trav_ofWA]

good luck to the guy .. he is obviously a very driven individual to be up to this level after only two years of knowing about football - I hope the club gave enough notice so his family could fly over for his debut ..
the one point I think is we all need to be mindful of expectations on him I for one will be happy if he gets a few taps and covers the ground im not fussed if he doesn't get too many disposals to be honest

yes he is no world beater but I don't think the selection is mere symbolism.

I have seen him play live maybe four times and he can play.

he is still just 25 so he has quite a few years left in him as a ruckman.

He will make mistakes, probably get caught with the ball a few times, be out of position as well, basically like just about every young player we have in the team

oh im sure its not just 1005 symbolism ... he has done enough to warrant a game obviously but I think they have managed his debut in a way to maximise exposure ...

[stevie]

I pasted the link on the Niner fan boards to see what they reckon

[ROLS-LEE]

Great news.
I just want him to win the tapouts to advantage and tackle fairly but ferociously. Do the defensive side first and the attacking side will come with experience.

[saintspremiers]

Onya Johnny!

Exciting stuff.

I just hope Insane in the Membrane plays also

[terry smith rules]

What's Holmes' running ability like? Blicavs goes all day.

Blicavs is a s*** ruckman

You obviously watch a lot of footy

Blicavs is a gun this year

Averaging 18 disposals, 17 hitouts, 6 tackles and just under 98 fantasy points on the afl which puts him at 39th best average in comp, yep he's a dud alright

[magnifisaint]

What's Holmes' running ability like? Blicavs goes all day.

Blicavs is a s*** ruckman

You obviously watch a lot of footy

Blicavs is a gun this year

Averaging 18 disposals, 17 hitouts, 6 tackles and just under 98 fantasy points on the afl which puts him at 39th best average in comp, yep he's a dud alright

he's no ruckman

[Sobraz]

What's Holmes' running ability like? Blicavs goes all day.

Blicavs is a s*** ruckman

You obviously watch a lot of footy

Blicavs is a gun this year

Averaging 18 disposals, 17 hitouts, 6 tackles and just under 98 fantasy points on the afl which puts him at 39th best average in comp, yep he's a dud alright

he's no ruckman

You're right. Billy Longer is a real ruckman. Averaging 30 hit outs a game. Forget about the 9 disposal 2 tackle average, those hit outs (vast majority of the time to no one in particular) are gold!!

I know who I'd prefer.

[terry smith rules]

What's Holmes' running ability like? Blicavs goes all day.

Blicavs is a s*** ruckman

You obviously watch a lot of footy

Blicavs is a gun this year

Averaging 18 disposals, 17 hitouts, 6 tackles and just under 98 fantasy points on the afl which puts him at 39th best average in comp, yep he's a dud alright

he's no ruckman

Well he plays in the ruck and although he is not a monster like Goldstein his influence on games this year has been outstanding. And when they get Stanley back next year it could well set the benchmark for how rucks will look with the two of them playing as almost old fashioned ruck rovers

[tony74]

He's very nervous. Lots of media there today. Couldn't do a thing right whilst the cameras were on him but once they left he picked up. Think the butterflies will subside by Saturday.

[prwilkinson]

HOLMESYYYYYYYYYYYYY

[bigballs]

Couldn't be happier for Jason.

From what I've seen of him so far and providing his nerves don't get the better of him, our mids should relish the delivery they get from him. Have been looking forward to seeing him make his debut all year, so hopefully he has a good game.

I'm not expecting the world from him in his first game for the seniors, but if he can provide a good contest, I'll be more than happy.

[plugger66]

What's Holmes' running ability like? Blicavs goes all day.

Blicavs is a s*** ruckman

You obviously watch a lot of footy

Blicavs is a gun this year

Averaging 18 disposals, 17 hitouts, 6 tackles and just under 98 fantasy points on the afl which puts him at 39th best average in comp, yep he's a dud alright

he's no ruckman

Well he plays in the ruck and although he is not a monster like Goldstein his influence on games this year has been outstanding. And when they get Stanley back next year it could well set the benchmark for how rucks will look with the two of them playing as almost old fashioned ruck rovers

Yep we need to forget about hitouts. Of course they have to be competitive but they must do some work around the ground as well. Longer lacks that and obviously Holmes wont have that yet but its at least early in his career. I still see Hickey as our potential Goldstein. I don't see Longer anything like that.

[HitTheBoundary]

Well done to Jason.

Does anyone know if Longer has been dropped or is he being "rested"?

[plugger66]

Well done to Jason.

Does anyone know if Longer has been dropped or is he being "rested"?

Well if they say rested then im going with lying. He will be dropped or injured surely. He has only played one game in a row.

[kosifantutti]

Another i dotted.
@AFL_PKeane: St Kilda has promoted Jason Holmes to the senior list as the replacement for Jack Billings, who was already on the long-term injury list.

[saintsRrising]

Should get a lot of usa media picking up and replaying the story.

If he gets a few games who knows what that may generate.

Hopefully when I get to Cape Town my hotel will have enough bandwidth to watch the game.

[WinnersOnly]

Congratulations Jason! We as Saints supporters are extremely proud of your acheivements thus far. You and your family should be very proud of youself. All the best and may this be the start of a brilliant career with the Saints....!

[saynta]

US Embassy Canberra
✔ @USAembassyinOZ

Bravo, @J_holmes45 - a history-making American in the @AFL! We hope @BarackObama & @WhiteHouse see you play... …
9:37 AM - 20 Aug 2015

[SinCitySainter]

It makes sense to play him this week as neither Hickey nor Longer can run with Blicavs.
However, if Holmes can really touch him up in the hit-outs, Blicavs one real weakness as a ruckman, then maybe we can get some extra purchase in the midfield.
Goldstein killed us around the ground last week and in the hit-outs but he is a great tap ruckman.
Blicavs is a fantastic ruck-rover but not a particularly good tap ruckman.
So we send our most athletic tap ruckman up against him to hopefully win the taps and try to keep him honest.
Maybe wishful thinking but who knows.

[saynta]

Congratulations Jason! We as Saints supporters are extremely proud of your acheivements thus far. You and your family should be very proud of youself. All the best and may this be the start of a brilliant career with the Saints....!

plus one

[saynta]

It makes sense to play him this week as neither Hickey nor Longer can run with Blicavs.
However, if Holmes can really touch him up in the hit-outs, Blicavs one real weakness as a ruckman, then maybe we can get some extra purchase in the midfield.
Goldstein killed us around the ground last week and in the hit-outs but he is a great tap ruckman.
Blicavs is a fantastic ruck-rover but not a particularly good tap ruckman.
So we send our most athletic tap ruckman up against him to hopefully win the taps and try to keep him honest.
Maybe wishful thinking but who knows.

I've recently read a couple of your posts.

You seem to have a good footballing head on your shoulders.

[bigred]

Will kick four.

[saynta]

Will kick four.

Big call big fella.

[bigred]

No pressure.