Robbo has the answers? or more questions -article

[spert]

Robbo has stated the bleeding' obvious, and opposition coaches can see the glaring weaknesses we have, and exploit this.

Looking at the games up to now, we talk about the obvious inability of too many players to adequately compete in the last quarter- run out of legs or whatever, but looking at many of the opposition young inexperienced players- they were not running out of legs. I just question our fitness regime.

Might be time for Bruce to go to the backline and send Carlisle up forward, or even bring Paddy back and give Bruce a go in the VFL, as he is not playing with much spark or confidence. We have no players really breaking out and taking games on this season, and I suspect that Richo's coaching style maybe supressing some player's natural games.

I'm not blaming the players too much as I reckon our lacklustre efforts this season lie more in the efforts of the coaching box.

[saynta]

Hate Robbo, but I reckon he's about right

Robbo's a half- wit but he may be half- right.

Bit of a worry when a half-wit can see things that the coach can't or wont see.

[saynta]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/t ... d401306155

So, who are the Saints?

They are a pressure team, but have they anything else?

Cats coach Chris Scott said this week on AFL360 the Saints have more depth as a team than just applying pressure.

They do move the ball exceptionally well from the back half to the front half and when they want to, or are allowed to, play the outside game, it can be done.

In Round 1 game against Melbourne, which they lost by five goals after leading by four goals at the first break, the Demons dismantled St Kilda’s game by reducing its ability to apply pressure.

Melbourne kept the ball. The Demons were +59 for uncontested marks and +107 for disposals.

In Round 4 against Collingwood, which St Kilda won by 14 points, the Saints did a Demons. They were +34 for uncontested possessions and +32 uncontested marks.


Tom Hickey and Billy Longer have both underperformed in the ruck this season.
They can play both styles.

One problem is they have only won the contested footy count once and that was against the Brisbane Lions.

The major positive — and why Saints fans must stick fat — is St Kilda is ranked No.2 for scores from inside-50s.

But its other major problem is it misses too many shots at goal — it is ranked 17th, above only Collingwood, for accuracy.

What a mixed bag the Saints are.

Summary equals we are crap due to a Swiss cheese type rebuild, maybe we should start another 5 year plan at years end, meantime,
all of us ageing saints fans hope to stay alive until the club flukes another flag.

Ain't that the truth.

I am starting to fee/believe I won't make it.

[Johnny Member]

Hate Robbo, but I reckon he's about right

Robbo's a half- wit but he may be half- right.

Bit of a worry when a half-wit can see things that the coach can't or wont see.

I haven't read the whole article.

But what did he say in regards to coaching?


The part quoted in the OP doesn't refer to coaching.

[saynta]

Good analysis by Robbo. Addresses issues that come up consistently on this forum.

Most specifically, do we have the cattle, particularly in the midfield.

It is also obvious to me that Robbo reads this forum.

[saint3d]

This will open a can of worms!!!!

I think the problem is identified by who was appointed Captain.

No doubt he is as honest as the day is long, busts his gut BUT he is a good, honest footballer at the very best.

This, being appointed to the Captaincy with those credentials, sends the wrong message.

Bollocks. The only quality a captain needs - apart from being good enough to deserve a spot - is leadership. That is why Geary was appointed and it's why he will be a good captain.

Where is it written that the captain must be your best player or one of your best?

It doesn't need writing down. Just remember (if you can stand it) our recent Grand Final losses, and the jets that captained their premiership teams against us.

[Wrote for Luck]

Bit rough to say our Rucks are under-performing. Fair enough on Hickey who's looked knackered but Longer played his first game in 20 months considering which I think he did very well. Will expect a step up again this week.

Won't be surprised to see Hickey forward next week giving Longer a chop out in the ruck.

[Vazelos]

Pretty accurate article...stuff we hung our hat on like 'pressure team' has shown we are no where near the level of consistency required to be a finals team at the moment.
I like the fact the 'honeymoon period' for a rebuilding side is over and the blow torch has been put on underperforming players.
Strong good players putting pressure on the VFL is the perfect environment for our club.
When Dunstan goes down to play today and sees Mc Cartin, Hickey and others running around it's a strong message that no one is protected.

[saintspremiers]

Robbo has stated the bleeding' obvious, and opposition coaches can see the glaring weaknesses we have, and exploit this.

Looking at the games up to now, we talk about the obvious inability of too many players to adequately compete in the last quarter- run out of legs or whatever, but looking at many of the opposition young inexperienced players- they were not running out of legs. I just question our fitness regime.

Might be time for Bruce to go to the backline and send Carlisle up forward, or even bring Paddy back and give Bruce a go in the VFL, as he is not playing with much spark or confidence. We have no players really breaking out and taking games on this season, and I suspect that Richo's coaching style maybe supressing some player's natural games.

I'm not blaming the players too much as I reckon our lacklustre efforts this season lie more in the efforts of the coaching box.

Spot on. Richo is a one trick pony like GT was

[BigMart]

Wasn't Geary being lauded just two weeks ago for playing an inspirational captains game?

Speaking of Match Winning Captains

2007 Tom Harley
2009/2011 Cameron Ling
2010 Nick Maxwell
2012 Jarrid McVeigh
2005 Brett Kirk
19971998 Mark Bickley
1992/1994 John Worsfold

Some match winning superstars there?!

Tossing the coin... running out first... a predictable and forgotten speech pre game... critical

A football captain is akin to a crickey coach... tokenistic

[saynta]

The half witted clown will probably claim the credit for the win.

Reading back, a few should feel

[To the top]

"No doubt in my mind we have the MAKINGS of a very competitive side"

And that has been proven today - albeit that Hawthorn are Wooden Spoon contenders in 2017, and onward.

So there is a caveat on today's performance - a caveat which leads to an exclamation mark next Friday when we really find out.

But we still have room for improvement, including with personnel, regardless.

Those who "knock the door down" at VFL level, given opportunity because of some under performing at AFL level, then need consistent AFL performances to consolidate.

Because others will be pushing.

So the likes of Minchington, Sinclair, Longer et al need to perform not only at Week 1 but every week.

Then judgements can be made.

Next Friday will be very, very interesting.

Can we win?

Well, if you don't believe you can win why, run onto the ground?

[bigcarl]

This will open a can of worms!!!!

I think the problem is identified by who was appointed Captain.

No doubt he is as honest as the day is long, busts his gut BUT he is a good, honest footballer at the very best.

This, being appointed to the Captaincy with those credentials, sends the wrong message.

Bollocks. The only quality a captain needs - apart from being good enough to deserve a spot - is leadership. That is why Geary was appointed and it's why he will be a good captain.

Where is it written that the captain must be your best player or one of your best?

It doesn't need writing down. Just remember (if you can stand it) our recent Grand Final losses, and the jets that captained their premiership teams against us.

I remember. Nick Maxwell was one of them. Just a player but a good leader of men by all accounts. Tom Harley was another ...

[Enrico_Misso]

This will open a can of worms!!!!

I think the problem is identified by who was appointed Captain.

No doubt he is as honest as the day is long, busts his gut BUT he is a good, honest footballer at the very best.

This, being appointed to the Captaincy with those credentials, sends the wrong message.

Bollocks. The only quality a captain needs - apart from being good enough to deserve a spot - is leadership. That is why Geary was appointed and it's why he will be a good captain.

Where is it written that the captain must be your best player or one of your best?

How many Brownlow votes did Danny Frawley get?

[Enrico_Misso]

... and to answer my question Danny got just 16 Brownlow votes over 240 games.
He was a dour defender who battled tirelessly and usually beat his opponent.
He was also our second longest serving captain behind only Riewoldt.
He captained a team that included many glamorous players like TB, Plugger, Harves, Winmar, Burke, Loewe etc. etc. who were stars and polled numerous votes.
But Danny whilst being unspectacular has hugely respected for his heart, determination, perserverence and leadership.

Gears fits in nicely to this mould and is a great choice.

[To the top]

Frawley was a champion full back in a time of champion full forwards from Lockett to Dunstan

Frawley was a key position defender

Historically full backs have polled poorly in the Brownlow Medal

Geary can not play in the position Frawley held with distinction

In the time of Frawley, Geary would have been competing for a small defender role with the likes of Pekin - and Burke who went on to a mid field performer with distinction

Michael Taylor, an icon of the game over 400 games with Norwood and Collingwood started as a back pocket where he was brilliant then transitioned to a mid field super star

So there are a couple of role models for Geary

The question is do the likes of White, McKenzie, Rice and who we Draft have the abilities to start as flank defenders and emulate the likes of Burke and Taylor?

And where does that leave Geary

It is like the love of Milne who, whilst kicking the goals he did could play nowhere except in a forward pocket so could not perform to the requirements which were evolving in football - manic defence and being able to contribute to mid field rotations

[ace]

Frawley was a champion full back in a time of champion full forwards from Lockett to Dunstan

Frawley was a key position defender

Historically full backs have polled poorly in the Brownlow Medal

Geary can not play in the position Frawley held with distinction

In the time of Frawley, Geary would have been competing for a small defender role with the likes of Pekin - and Burke who went on to a mid field performer with distinction

Michael Taylor, an icon of the game over 400 games with Norwood and Collingwood started as a back pocket where he was brilliant then transitioned to a mid field super star

So there are a couple of role models for Geary

The question is do the likes of White, McKenzie, Rice and who we Draft have the abilities to start as flank defenders and emulate the likes of Burke and Taylor?

And where does that leave Geary

It is like the love of Milne who, whilst kicking the goals he did could play nowhere except in a forward pocket so could not perform to the requirements which were evolving in football - manic defence and being able to contribute to mid field rotations

I remember Frawley as a one shot defender.
In those days full forwards had room to lead but the full forward did not have forward pockets blocking for them to get that gap on the full back.
Defenders minded there opponents man on man.
The full backs only chances were to get a fist in as the full forward marked or takeout the forwards arms or heavily crash into the forward.
There was no-one in the hole where the forward led.
There were no team mates zoning off to help the full back.
Marks were overhead, or chest mark, rarely in the hands out in front.
Frawley was brilliant, no-one was more desperate than him.
If the full forward got a gap, Frawley would close it, but he would always lung for that punch away, normally ending up on the ground.
Hence one shot, but forwards were not a well trained to rove to the leading contest so his going to ground was not a big problem.
The words desperate defence definitely applied to Frawley.

[saynta]

Frawley was a champion full back in a time of champion full forwards from Lockett to Dunstan

Frawley was a key position defender

Historically full backs have polled poorly in the Brownlow Medal

Geary can not play in the position Frawley held with distinction

In the time of Frawley, Geary would have been competing for a small defender role with the likes of Pekin - and Burke who went on to a mid field performer with distinction

Michael Taylor, an icon of the game over 400 games with Norwood and Collingwood started as a back pocket where he was brilliant then transitioned to a mid field super star

So there are a couple of role models for Geary

The question is do the likes of White, McKenzie, Rice and who we Draft have the abilities to start as flank defenders and emulate the likes of Burke and Taylor?

And where does that leave Geary

It is like the love of Milne who, whilst kicking the goals he did could play nowhere except in a forward pocket so could not perform to the requirements which were evolving in football - manic defence and being able to contribute to mid field rotations

Verdum Howell won abrownlow playing full back. Just saying.

[White Winmar]

Frawley was one of a very rare breed who consistently got the better of Gary Ablett. One of the finest stoppers of all time. Very underrated IMHO.

[Linton Lodger]

... and to answer my question Danny got just 16 Brownlow votes over 240 games.
He was a dour defender who battled tirelessly and usually beat his opponent.
He was also our second longest serving captain behind only Riewoldt.
He captained a team that included many glamorous players like TB, Plugger, Harves, Winmar, Burke, Loewe etc. etc. who were stars and polled numerous votes.
But Danny whilst being unspectacular has hugely respected for his heart, determination, perserverence and leadership.

Gears fits in nicely to this mould and is a great choice.

Comparing Geary to Frawley is a good comparison.

I was dubious about Geary as Captain. He has won me over real quick and has gone up another level as a player.

[White Winmar]

Same LL. I was a sceptic. So was my missus. But the I saw her face. Now I'm a believer!