Reflections of 2015 - what has stuck in your mind

[saintbrat]

the only Saints related Top Twitter- AFL
is a surprise to me- Nick being Injured in Adelaide.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-pre ... 7550940882

[saintbrat]

Richo's reflections: Keep an eye on
Alan Richardson talks about the Saints player he thinks will step-up in 2016.
http://www.saints.com.au/video/2015-10- ... -an-eye-on

[saintbrat]

Hamill's reflection on his forwards
http://www.saints.com.au/news/2015-10-0 ... rds-review

just a couple

Paddy McCartin

Paddy showed some really promising signs this season. It was good that he was able to get a run in the seniors and he probably learnt a great deal about his own footy in this time. We’ll continue to work with Paddy on all aspects of his game, but he has a great attitude and we expect him to enter 2016 in really good physical shape.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Nick Riewoldt

Nick continues to be an outstanding leader and an inspirational player. Early season injuries and difficult personal issues made it hard for the skipper to reach full fitness before about halfway through the year, but once he did, we saw glimpses of the Roo of old. He’ll have a good break now, get himself right, and come back as motivated as ever next year. He’s a star and is a terrific role model for our young guys

[arpstk]

really liked Mc Kenzie in his 7 games and he is only 19....feeling good about Minchington now after previous concerns...Newnes just getting better with age and games as is webster and Murdoch showed some glimpses late plus the obvious ones already mentioned Im quite excited about 2016...Our approach now reminds me of the Hawks VFL apprenticeship approach where our top drafts are complimented by hardened footballers with plenty of tough grinding VFL experience

[Bluthy]

What really sticks in my mind this year is we found some inner steel to fight back against the tide personified in that exhilarating come back in the doggies game. It almost felt like something was born that day - a willingness to dare and make things happen. Last year we had a very soft inside. Things went to s*** very easy and few players had the ability or gumption to stop it. In that doggies game Armo really stood up - he was going around to everyone talking, not content to let the old heads to save us yet again but getting the new generation to do something about it.

It is symbolic of the club as a whole that we are no longer back on our heels swaying with the wind, but finding our own direction and bravely pursuing it . Its why the last couple of games were so disappointing with the blow outs. West Coast I could have accepted away against grand finalists at the end of a tough season for the youngsters. But Sydney felt very disappointing. But it was probably the cold hard reality check we needed. There was quite a ridiculous amount of hype building about St Kilda that I think some of the players began drinking their own bath water. They stopped doing the team orientated hard work requited to stifle the bigger, fitter, more talented teams. It was a great lesson that if you drop off your pressure by 5% you can get blown out of the water by the good teams.

This felt like the year we held the line, and then pushed back some. We had tremendous buy in on the field and buy in from supporters to where the club is heading. We've still got a long way to go with a lot of wheat to sort from the chaff but it feels like we've got quite a few options player wise when we looked pretty bare just two seasons ago.

2015 - the year we began to dare (not the ice-coffee)

[The Fireman]

1. Plugger getting the boot half assed like.

was a highlight.

[saintbrat]

the Rucks reviewed
http://www.saints.com.au/news/2015-10-0 ... cks-review
Tom played a mixture of forward and ruck this year and developed his versatility and experience in both roles. When he is marking well he is a very hard match up in the forward line and his high endurance base can make him a tough opponent when in the ruck. We are looking forward to a big pre-season in the gym with Tom to help him compete against the bigger and stronger ruckman of the AFL.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Jason Holmes

It was terrific to see Jason debut and play the last three games of the season in the senior team. He worked tremendously hard on all aspects of his game and was rewarded towards the back end of the year. The challenge for Jason is to take his around the ground game to another level in 2016 and impact more with his aggressive follow up and as a link player. His ruck work in isolation is exciting and continues to improve with added variety to his ruck craft.

[saintbrat]

Best tackles ?

http://www.saints.com.au/video/2015-10- ... 2015-goals ( says goals but is tackles)

[saintbrat]

Jack's year- Newnes that is

http://www.saints.com.au/news/2015-10-0 ... ack-newnes

My highlight for the year was the comeback against the Doggies. We were a long way down and didn’t really think we had a shot but we got back in the game and had this great spark about the way we were playing. The young players like Jack Billings and Jack Lonie led the way. It was an amazing feeling to win that game.

We were fatigued for the last two games of the season. We obviously played some really good sides as well and we are young and still learning. It was a pretty frustrating way to finish the year after the good things we did.

I’ve been lucky to avoid injury over the past couple of years. I’ve played a few different roles and have been lucky enough to hold my spot, which I’m pretty happy about.

I feel I’m in a good position to direct and help my teammates now after 69 games. I feel a whole lot more comfortable out there on the field.

and anyone seen his Pooch in Port Melbourne -today Wed 7th Oct

[saintbrat]

headlined By Bruce
http://www.saints.com.au/video/2015-10- ... 2015-marks

[saintbrat]

http://www.saints.com.au/news/2015-10-1 ... ddardThank you

Sam Fisher has been unbelievable for me. He’s probably sick of me asking questions and being a pest. He’s been awesome and is someone there that I can always talk to. It is good have a really positive relationship with him. To play the last two months with him was really beneficial.

I wanted to make a really good first impression this year but next season I think I will just learn to relax a bit more and take a step back sometimes. I want to be seen as someone who works hard and gives his all but there are things you learn and the most important thing is that I find that balance in life away from footy.


My goal this year was to play just one game. To play eight was well beyond my wildest dreams

[Zed]

The guys we brought in via the national draft all have shown enough to suggest they will have long term careers at the saints. Sinclair was the real bonus - unlike Eli who flashed in and out of games last year before injuring himself, Sinclair proved to be a solid consistent player. I can't recall a draft since the super draft where every player we brought in had an impact. That's 2 solid crafts in a row. Goes wiout saying we need to nail this year and next year if we are going to build the next dynasty.

[saintbrat]

http://saints.com.au/news/2015-10-19/20 ... han-wright

[saintbrat]

http://www.saints.com.au/news/2015-11-0 ... n-dempster

The highlight of the season was the Western Bulldogs game. In the past, if a team was on top of us at half-time, we would tend to fall away and the losses could turn ugly. For all the boys to dig in and get back and win was unbelievable and something I’ll never forget.

All the young guys that came into our side contributed in some way. They committed to our journey and it was great to see.

[BigMart]

the pressure we applied to the opposition.

D.Armitage... easily our most influential player imo... he lifted those around him

Lonie and Sinclair

[HitTheBoundary]

At the moment Barry Manilow's Copacobana is stuck in my mind.

Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl
With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there
She would merengue and do the cha-cha
And while she tried to be a star,
Tony always tended bar
Across the crowded floor, they worked from 8 til 4
They were young and they had each other
Who could ask for more?

[Scollop]

Jack Sinclair will be a star. I thought Seb Ross and J Webster were good and Josh Bruce was a great improver. Billings, Lonie, Dmac, Goddard all have huge upside. Tom Hickey should be in the starting 22.

Was a delight to spank the drugcheats, especially after the travesty of a 2 pt loss against them. Was a privelege to be at all the games and will probably look back on that game against the Bulldogs as the turning point for our climb back to the top. After that game I thought the cliche of "we have something special" was definitely real!! What a comeback!!

And finally, who can forget the captain's year. The legend of Roo and his status within the game continues to be a great benefit to the Saints brand. After all he's been through he still managed to be an outstanding spokesperson for our club as well as being an inspirational leader. Most of all he is a superstar person.

[saintbrat]

Herald Sun has done best 15 games over the year and the Saints rate 3 spots

Not many guesses needed to say which they are
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/t ... d6?login=1

[samuraisaint]

The way the side combined in the second quarter against the Gold Coast Suns. They really clicked. Good signs.

[saintbrat]

as I know the article is subscriber based
Our list is in chronological order, check it out, and if you think we’ve missed something leave a comment at the bottom.

Sydney 10.13 (76) def by WESTERN BULLDOGS 12.13 (85) Round 5, SCG

Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87) def by ST KILDA 14.10 (94) Round 6, Etihad Stadium

A tale of two halves. The Western Bulldogs were almost untouchable in the first half against St Kilda but seemed to lose focus after young midfielder Clay Smith ruptured his ACL just before half-time. Trailing by 55 points at one stage, the Saints charged home and pulled off the fifth-biggest comeback in VFL/AFL history.

GWS GIANTS 16.12 (108) def Hawthorn 14.14 (98) Round 6, Spotless Stadium

RICHMOND 16.9 (105) def Collingwood 15.10 (100) Round 7, MCG

Adelaide 7.15 (57) def by FREMANTLE 10.8 (68) Round 9, Adelaide Oval

ST KILDA 12.13 (85) def Melbourne 12.11 (83) Round 11 Etihad Stadium

The contrasting images of Demons coach Paul Roos yelling at his bench coach to get players back and the elation on Leigh Montagna’s face as he kicked the winning goal with 19 seconds left on the clock. Jeremy Howe put the Demons ahead with under a minute on the clock but it wasn’t to be and Montagna’s last gasp goal secured the Saints a win.

Geelong 13.11 (89) def by MELBOURNE 18.5 (113) Round 12, Simonds Stadium

Collingwood 12.19 (91) def by HAWTHORN 15.11 (101) Round 14, MCG

Essendon 8.4 (52) def by ST KILDA 25.12 (162) Round 14, Etihad Stadium

Perhaps not a shock result but most definitely a shock margin. The Bombers simply didn’t turn up to Etihad Stadium and it hastened James Hird’s exit. St Kilda simply did as they pleased kicking five goals in the first term, five in the second, seven in the third and eight in the last.

Port Adelaide 17.11 (113) def by ADELAIDE 18.8 (116) Round 16, Adelaide Oval

West Coast 11.8 (74) def by HAWTHORN 13.10 (88) Round 19, Subiaco

GOLD COAST 14.13 (97) def Essendon 14.11 (95) Round 21, Metricon Stadium

GEELONG 17.17 (119) def Adelaide 11.14 (80) Round 23, Simonds Stadium

Western Bulldogs 14.18 (102) def by ADELAIDE 16.13 (109) Elimination Final, MCG



NB: We did make one change after publication. Melbourne’s upset win over Geelong has been elevated to the list at the expense of Hawthorn’s win over Fremantle in Round 15.

[saintbrat]

according to the H-S
top 20 moments
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/2 ... 0b6c543c26

Saints rate 4 mentions
2 good 2 not so good
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/2 ... 0b6c543c26

1. Adelaide plays first game since the passing of Phil Walsh

2. Collingwood and Hawthorn pay tribute to Phil Walsh

3. Adam Goodes’ war dance

4. Neale Daniher’s Big Freeze at the ‘G

5. Port Adelaide play first game since passing of Phil Walsh

6. James Hird and Essendon part ways

7. Maddie’s Match

On the eve of the season St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt’s sister Madeleine, cousin of Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt, sadly passed away after losing her battle with aplastic anaemia, or bone marrow failure syndrome. Determined to find a cure a charity in Maddie’s name run by family and friends was started – Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision - and with the support of the St Kilda and Richmond football clubs, Maddie’s Match was born as the organisation’s major fundraiser. Played at Etihad Stadium with $5 for every ticket sold donated to Maddie’s charity, both teams wore purple – Maddie’s favourite colour – and Nick and Jack had an emotional embrace in the middle of the ground before the toss of the coin. There wasn’t a dry eye in the stadium or at home.


Nick and Jack Riewoldt embrace before the toss of the coin at Maddie’s Match. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
8. Mick Malthouse breaks coaching record

9. Mick Malthouse sacked

10. Hawthorn claim historic three-peat

11. WADA appeal AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal’s Essendon decision

12. Dustin Fletcher and Brent Harvey join the 400 club

13. Jake Carlisle white powder video emerges

Highly sought after during the trade period, now-former Essendon defender Jake Carlisle’s future was thrown into the unknown when a Snapchat video of him snorting white powder he sent to friends from Las Vegas was leaked to A Current Affair. The Bombers and Hawks – who nearly stole him from St Kilda – dodged a bullet but the Saints weren’t as lucky as their prized new recruit was forced to face the wrath of his new club. If we all didn’t see the footage we might not have believed it given the timing just hours after he was finally traded to Seaford after a standoff between the clubs.

14. Premiership trio say goodbye to Geelong

15. Lance Franklin steps away from the game with mental health issues

16.Patrick Dangerfield tells Adelaide he’s leaving

17. Harley Bennell photo scandal

18. Nathan Fyfe wins Fremantle’s first Brownlow Medal

19. St Kilda beat Western Bulldogs after remarkable comeback

What a game. The rising Bulldogs were dominating the lowly Saints, having kicked seven goals to one point in the second term to lead by and led by 49 points at half time, only to see a St Kilda avalanche – led by young gun Jack Billings – overrun them in unbelievable fashion. David Armitage was outstanding with an amazing 45 disposals and Jack Steven has 32. Seven points was the final margin in the type of match that even if you didn’t support either club, you’d sit down and watch the replay. Remarkable.

20. Women’s match out-rates Essendon v St Kilda

Think women’s footy isn’t gaining momentum? Think again. The game between the Bulldogs and Demons, which ended in a thrilling three-point win to Melbourne, out-rated Essendon’s latest thrashing at the hands of Adelaide at Etihad. The women’s game, broadcast on TV for the first time, drew an average audience in Melbourne of 175,000, easily winning its timeslot. Only 114,000 watched the Bombers-Crows game the previous day.

[loris]

Richo standing on the boundary line, arms folded, looking the 'emotional proud Dad' of his team............. maybe realizing, 'hey I did the right thing taking on this caper of coaching the Saints'.