A win is win but we struggled at times

[damienc]

So we opened our season with a win. Nothing wrong with that you might say.

And you'd be right. Four points is always better than no points.

We hung in there and were finally able to dominate. Enough.

But, as a supporter, of course with the opening game of the season you are constantly looking for signs. Have we improved on last year? Could we be genuine finals contenders?

Sorry to say the answer is inconclusive. One game doesn't define a season clearly.

We were rusty, and we made a lot of mistakes and we did some good things as well. Loved B.Acres game and Long did some good things.

My (small) concern is that we struggled to really get on top of a team that were wooden spooners last year and probably will be again this year.

We got thrashed in the ruck. Martin gave Longer a lesson in how to handle stoppages.

The problem with Longer and the problem with Hickey is that neither of these guys give you anything around the ground.

I can't believe that this hasn't escaped the notice of Richo and others. They've shown a lot of faith in Longer and to a lesser extent,Hickey but I'm not sure either of these guys are going to deliver what we need.

We all know what this team can do. Last season proved that. We were too good for GWS and we thrashed the reigning premiers.

The Saints should have dominated the Lions at Etihad and we didn't .

Let's all hope we can get better because on that form we will be no match for the good sides in the competition.

[SaintPav]

It wasn’t a great performance and we have some significant issues but we stepped it up when the game needed to be won. That is always a good sign.

Let’s also not forget that Brisbane have improved quite a bit. They should trouble quite a few sides this year.

[Sainter_Dad]

Sorry Guys - this is all my fault

My mum came over to visit and watch the game at 1/4 time and left half way through the third- while she was here - we played like sh!te!

[Waltzing St Kilda]

Hickey is much better around the ground.

[stonecold]

Hickey is much better around the ground.

Carnt get a kick in the twos!!!!!

[BackFromUSA]

Hickey is much better around the ground.

Carnt get a kick in the twos!!!!!

Lacking in confidence. I wonder why?

[SMS]

Coaches need to go.
We have no coaches with AFL COACHING EXPERIENCE
WE were terrible yesterday. Laughable.
And its not the talent its the set ups and constant stupid plays .

Do you realise richho is the only coach with afl coaching experience. Most clubs have ex senior coaches ffs we have ex bgrade players at best combined with others that had NO AFL experience even playing!!!!

[stonecold]

Hickey is much better around the ground.

Carnt get a kick in the twos!!!!!

Lacking in confidence. I wonder why?

Why? Cause Tom hasn't shown anything since 2016, game has gone past him, no physical presence, no protection for our mids!!!!!

You ask them, they will tell you as much!!!!!

[saynta]

So we opened our season with a win. Nothing wrong with that you might say.

And you'd be right. Four points is always better than no points.

We hung in there and were finally able to dominate. Enough.

But, as a supporter, of course with the opening game of the season you are constantly looking for signs. Have we improved on last year? Could we be genuine finals contenders?

Sorry to say the answer is inconclusive. One game doesn't define a season clearly.

We were rusty, and we made a lot of mistakes and we did some good things as well. Loved B.Acres game and Long did some good things.

My (small) concern is that we struggled to really get on top of a team that were wooden spooners last year and probably will be again this year.

We got thrashed in the ruck. Martin gave Longer a lesson in how to handle stoppages.

The problem with Longer and the problem with Hickey is that neither of these guys give you anything around the ground.

I can't believe that this hasn't escaped the notice of Richo and others. They've shown a lot of faith in Longer and to a lesser extent,Hickey but I'm not sure either of these guys are going to deliver what we need.

We all know what this team can do. Last season proved that. We were too good for GWS and we thrashed the reigning premiers.

The Saints should have dominated the Lions at Etihad and we didn't .

Let's all hope we can get better because on that form we will be no match for the good sides in the competition.

You make some good points but there is no way the Brions will be wooden spooners.

[spert]

We played no differently than last season- or any other season since Richo has been coach. We need to thank our lucky stars that Brisbane butchered the ball more than us, as they had control of the ball a lot, but we were let back in the game- not a convincing win!

Whoever is responsible for our clearance and stoppage work should be kicked up the bum.

[philtee]

Thought the team played through the centre of the ground a lot more, and tried kicking low to targets in the F50, rather
than the famous St Kilda bombs.
Brisbane were actually pretty good for 3/4 of the match. They had a few collective brain fades, letting Saints get in
behind their defenders when the ball was turned over.
Saints were unconvincing, but should beat North next Friday. It gets more interesting after that.

[SMS]

We played no differently than last season- or any other season since Richo has been coach. We need to thank our lucky stars that Brisbane butchered the ball more than us, as they had control of the ball a lot, but we were let back in the game- not a convincing win!

Whoever is responsible for our clearance and stoppage work should be kicked up the bum.

Agreed.
Best outcome for 2018 is 2-20. Beat north enjoy but then lose 20 horribly sack richo and co. GET high picks in awesome draft.

[SMS]

We played no differently than last season- or any other season since Richo has been coach. We need to thank our lucky stars that Brisbane butchered the ball more than us, as they had control of the ball a lot, but we were let back in the game- not a convincing win!

Whoever is responsible for our clearance and stoppage work should be kicked up the bum.

Agreed.
Best outcome for 2018 is 2-20. Beat north enjoy but then lose 20 horribly sack richo and co. GET high picks in awesome draft.

[mullet]

plenty of butchering of ball going on in melb and geelong

[Toy Saint]

Coaches need to go.
We have no coaches with AFL COACHING EXPERIENCE
WE were terrible yesterday. Laughable.
And its not the talent its the set ups and constant stupid plays .

Do you realise richho is the only coach with afl coaching experience. Most clubs have ex senior coaches ffs we have ex bgrade players at best combined with others that had NO AFL experience even playing!!!!

We do have a very politically correct lady coach....should be good for the brand at least......

[WellardSaint]

we lost clearances by a big margin.
The job now is to go over the video review and work out why this happened
and how to correct this before Friday, or it won't be such a Good Friday after all.

Brions handed us many goals on the turnover, and Norf will NOT be so generous.

1. Win or break even in clearances
2. Be more effective in F50 entries
3. Stop getting goals from 6 metres out, and try nailing them from no closer than about 40m.
4. Even when we get the ball, don't leave your guy and run forward, because if we lose possession, Norf players will all be free-
stick with your man

These should be the main rules against Norf.
Otherwise it could get ugly

[SaintPav]