Changes v Hawks

[Scollop]

In: Steven, Young and...depending on what Hawks do with both Ceglar and McEvoy we need someone tallish that can jump high and give Marshall a chop out

Out: Parker, Kent and Sinclair

We got smashed in the middle and smashed in clearances so play Seb Ross on the wing all day and play Acres in the guts all day. Give Acres an opportunity to do a Mundy or a Fyfe. If he must ruck, share the responsibility with Battle, Bruce and even perhaps Newnes.

At some stage this year we will probably see Armo come into the team. The coach should have given serious consideration to taking him to Perth and I hope he doesn't err again with too many young players in the interstate matches. Not sure if there is a spot for him against the Hawks, but if he is fit and hungry, perhaps he should be considered

[Cordz2]

What I think the changes SHOULD be -

Out: Parker (needs to keep his feet on the ground)
Kent (2 bad games out of 3 - needs to find the goals at Sandy)
Sinclair - Defensively has improved - has low confidence offensively for someone so skilled.

In: Young (plenty of goals in the praccy matches and a pressure forward.)
Long (he knows he's on the fringe - we need his lack of fear in kicking the WOW goals.
Steven- has what we missed on Sunday.

What I think they will be - barring unknown injuries (conservative as usual). In: Steven Out: Parker

[Otiman]

I had my team in but read some comments above re: ruck balance v Hawks.

Hard to see us making too many changes, but this early in the season some rotation is good for those on the outskirts.

Out: Acres, Sinclair, McKenzie
In: Pierce, Steven, White

Possible Omissions: Parker, Kent
Possible Inclusions: Young, Long, Armitage

[Spinner]

IN: Longer, Long

OUT: Sinclair, Kent

Marshall providing the second forward tall option and relieving in the ruck. Long providing cleanness and tackling pressure in the forward line.

Also - Sinclair played 90% of the game for zero kicks. Is there a role he is performing that I am not aware of? How is 9 handballs playing on a wing acceptable?

[Ghost Like]

IN: Long, Young, White / Coffield, Steven

OUT: Dunstan, McKenzie, Kent, Sinclair

Possibly Pierce instead of Young, if we perceive their ruck threat too great but would like to see how Young performs in the seniors if Wilkie & Parker are any measure.
We cannot afford two of Ross & Dunstan, TBH Dunstan could stay because he tackles but both of their disposal is sub par. I swear teams leave them alone for that short sideways kick, knowing a high bomb to a contest is coming or simply a poor hit up.
I like McKenzie's dash & courage but gets opened up and his disposal can hurt once everyone is running forward. Time to let White or Coffield get some experience. Even Paton should be exposed to more senior football.
Where St Kilda is in terms of Premiership window means we need to expose our kids against the big boys, they are the ones that will lead the club. Incredible how Geelong can trust their kids, Brisbane and the Gold Coast can trust their kids & Hawthorn is not afraid to expose their recruits. What is it about our development that stops us?

[Saint wagga]

Out: Kent, Sinclair
In: pierce, Steven

I really want long back in the side so someone find a spot for him

[Cordz2]

Out: Kent, Sinclair
In: pierce, Steven

I really want long back in the side so someone find a spot for him

I think that may well be the decision on Thursday night

[whiskers3614]

Why is everyone so sure that Jack Steven will come straight in?
Sure we all hope so but there must be an element of doubt.

[BringBackMadDog]

Out Acres, Sinclair, (both need to work so much harder), Kent
In Steven, Long, Young.

[bergsone]

Didnt see saints or sandy games,how did Marsh go,and is he a chance to get a game,thus pushing Battle forward

[stonecold]

Didnt see saints or sandy games,how did Marsh go,and is he a chance to get a game,thus pushing Battle forward

No & No!!!!!

[Zed]

Out: Sinclair, Kent
In: Long, Steven

[saintbob]

INS:
Steven and Phillips
OUTS:
Kent and McKenzie

[WellardSaint]

Didnt see saints or sandy games,how did Marsh go,and is he a chance to get a game,thus pushing Battle forward

No & No!!!!!

What is Marsh doing at Sandy, is he just slow, not reading the play, not taking marks, fluffing kicks?

I saw his highlights video (yes, it's 5 years old) don't tell me he's another Spencer White!

[Toy Saint]

Why is everyone so sure that Jack Steven will come straight in?
Sure we all hope so but there must be an element of doubt.

If we can believe the club, he was 'managed' last week after an interrupted pre season.

But if the club has been less than honest and there's something a bit more sinister, then we will have a problem.

If Jack went to Perth last week, I reckon we would have the 4 points.

[Crossy66]

I reckon most AFL coaches will look at how the saints set up against the Hawks based on Ratten's intel, so I think that will drive selections.
I think the way Hawks springboard off half back means we just cant afford to bomb it long and have the kick picked off. Probably means Marshall to go forward as the second tall marking option. Forward pressure will be critical to slow them down coming out of defence. Steven picks himself and Longer to take ruck duties, so that would mean Sincs and Kent come out. It might be a good time to rotate Parker for Long to freshen him up, but would like to fit both in for maximum forward pressure. If Longer can give us first use at stoppages, we will go along way to winning.
Just cant touch the defence, as a unit they are doing ok. Dunstan will be better at Marvel, so expect a better performance with clearances.
Either way, I think Ratten will have a major say in setups and personnel this week.

[bigcarl]

Why is everyone so sure that Jack Steven will come straight in?
Sure we all hope so but there must be an element of doubt.

If we can believe the club, he was 'managed' last week after an interrupted pre season.

But if the club has been less than honest and there's something a bit more sinister, then we will have a problem.

If Jack went to Perth last week, I reckon we would have the 4 points.

Hope we didn’t “manage” ourselves out of four points

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

Forgot all about Ratts. He will know the Hawks players inside and out. Much like Hodge for Brisbane last year. This will help us on Sunday tremendously I believe.

[spert]

I think we will be caught out by the inability of our mids and our small-medium size forwards to take strong contested marks, especially in the one-on-one contests..it cost us against Freo ultimately. We have got away with close results for three games, but the Hawks have a lot more class and that's what worries me.

[Joffa Burns]

IN: Longer, Long

OUT: Sinclair, Kent

Marshall providing the second forward tall option and relieving in the ruck. Long providing cleanness and tackling pressure in the forward line.

Also - Sinclair played 90% of the game for zero kicks. Is there a role he is performing that I am not aware of? How is 9 handballs playing on a wing acceptable?

I like the ins here but surely Steven comes in as well assuming he is fit.
Maybe Steven, Long & Longer for Sinclair, Kent & Acres?

Will Parker get a week in the ressies for discipline, similar to Long from round 1?

Longer for Acres - Allows Marshall forward and 2nd ruck
Sinclair for Steven - no brainer, best mid for under-performing mid
Kent for Long - Long brings a lot more urgency and defensive pressure than Kent who failed to lay a single tackle V Freo. Kent has a big body but doesnt use it or impose himself physically at contests.
Long showed enough when fit last year to be a consistent best 22 player.

[St Loxton]

Outs. Sinclair, Kent
Ins. Steven, Long

Parker is better than that, will get a rocket this week and come out against the hawks on fire and on notice. He is a proud man and will attone.
Sinclair didn't do a lot wrong, we must find a spot for Stuv and i feel Sincs has to make way.
Lonie doing everything he can, and that's fine atm. IMHO.
Everyone should be fit at this stage so back up after trip should not be an issue.

[shanegrambeau]

Outs. Sinclair, Kent
Ins. Steven, Long

Parker is better than that, will get a rocket this week and come out against the hawks on fire and on notice.

My hunch too, but we had better put the team first, not be too precious about the pride of individual players.

We need a good tagger again too.

We are at over $3 again to beat the Hawks but the journo who wrote this thinks we'll win..
https://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2019/4/stk-v-haw

[older saint]

Why so many changes, we lost by a kick.
Stability is important, especially in the backline to work together. McKenzie worries me though

Acres wasn't great however Richo doesn't give him a chance by keep playing him in the ruck, he is not a ruckman. When Bruce went to the ball , having not seen it it got him into the game.

In: Steven (if available), Long if not
Out: Kent,

[WellardSaint]

Forgot all about Ratts. He will know the Hawks players inside and out. Much like Hodge for Brisbane last year. This will help us on Sunday tremendously I believe.

Ratten will tell the players how to set up, where to run, who to cover, etc.
But he can't go out there and play.
Instructions are great, but will our guys have the necessary skills to carry out the plans?

Look, our 2 wins were commendable, but let's park the result for a minute and think about
the way we played, skills weren't all that good.
In Perth, Dockers lost Fyfe, we came home with a wet sail, but just didn't have the polish to execute.
Don't hold much hope of our skills improving by 30% in the space of a week, when the previous 3 games were
played with passion and dare, but infrequent sublime skills.

[Otiman]

Nobody has picked him yet (including me), but is Hind a chance this week?