Geary

[Nick_BlueNRG]

Geary is out for 1 to 2 weeks with a corky. Battle
must surely come in now! If he doesn’t he will
request a trade at seasons end and that will really
piss everyone off

[outside66]

It will be a very interesting call, i think it will be either Battle or Webster to come in. Battle offers versatility and Webster offers hardness whilst both are smart and use the ball well. I reckon Websters pace will give him the slight advantage on this one.

Unfortunately this year is a raffle and is tough on any bloke outside the 22 as there is little opportunity to build any kind of form. Regardless, Battle will get his turn at some stage and when he does, it's up to him to hold it. Ahhhh to actually have depth, how refreshing!

[Nick_BlueNRG]

Battle earned the right last year to be an automatic
selection. It should be up to him to lose his spot.
This is exactly why I firmly believe Geary should
not be captain. He is on the fringe of our best 22. The captain should be in the top 10 best players on
the list at the very least.

[Joffa Burns]

It will be a very interesting call, i think it will be either Battle or Webster to come in. Battle offers versatility and Webster offers hardness whilst both are smart and use the ball well. I reckon Websters pace will give him the slight advantage on this one.

Unfortunately this year is a raffle and is tough on any bloke outside the 22 as there is little opportunity to build any kind of form. Regardless, Battle will get his turn at some stage and when he does, it's up to him to hold it. Ahhhh to actually have depth, how refreshing!

Not sure they'd need another backman in Webster with Clark, Paton & Long holding the smalls, Coffield & Wilkie the mediums and Howard and Carslile the talls.

I'd like to see Battle but he seems to have lost his position to the Howard/ Wilkie combination down back and Ryder/ Marshall/ King forward line. I don't see him playing wing/ mid.

Maybe another mid like Dunstan or Sinclair, Sincs would suit the style of play they had going against Dogs.
Maybe even Marsh or Phillips who looked alright in the pre season, perhaps even Kent?

Don't remember this level of competition for spots for a long time.

[remboy]

Battle only comes in if they play one ruck.

[outside66]

It will be a very interesting call, i think it will be either Battle or Webster to come in. Battle offers versatility and Webster offers hardness whilst both are smart and use the ball well. I reckon Websters pace will give him the slight advantage on this one.

Unfortunately this year is a raffle and is tough on any bloke outside the 22 as there is little opportunity to build any kind of form. Regardless, Battle will get his turn at some stage and when he does, it's up to him to hold it. Ahhhh to actually have depth, how refreshing!

Not sure they'd need another backman in Webster with Clark, Paton & Long holding the smalls, Coffield & Wilkie the mediums and Howard and Carslile the talls.

I'd like to see Battle but he seems to have lost his position to the Howard/ Wilkie combination down back and Ryder/ Marshall/ King forward line. I don't see him playing wing/ mid.

Maybe another mid like Dunstan or Sinclair, Sincs would suit the style of play they had going against Dogs.
Maybe even Marsh or Phillips who looked alright in the pre season, perhaps even Kent?

Don't remember this level of competition for spots for a long time.

Yeah good points, Sinclair would be a good addition but I suppose it depends on what tricks Ratts has up his sleeve - I loved the Geary move and I think that definitely took the doggies by surprise however if that looks to be a way forward then I reckon Webster might be able to execute that role better than most. Whichever way it goes will be very interesting , that's for sure!

[St Loxton]

Geary is out for 1 to 2 weeks with a corky. Battle
must surely come in now! If he doesn’t he will
request a trade at seasons end and that will really
piss everyone off

As if Josh said that, rubbish.
I hope he gets back in the side soon also, but I also think Jimmy is a more like for like selection.
It will be all about match-ups, there is better judges than us making that call after their opposition analysis.
We are a good chance against the pies, hopefully they have been dumbed down after last round.

[starsign]

What’s the story with Savage? He seems to have dropped off the radar Can’t even remember him in the preseason games?

[BarryGrogan]

It will be a very interesting call, i think it will be either Battle or Webster to come in. Battle offers versatility and Webster offers hardness whilst both are smart and use the ball well. I reckon Websters pace will give him the slight advantage on this one.

Unfortunately this year is a raffle and is tough on any bloke outside the 22 as there is little opportunity to build any kind of form. Regardless, Battle will get his turn at some stage and when he does, it's up to him to hold it. Ahhhh to actually have depth, how refreshing!

Webster is an awful kick.

[BarryGrogan]

Battle eared the right last year to be an automatic
selection. It should be up to him to lose his spot.
This is exactly why I firmly believe Geary should
not be captain. He is on the fringe of our best 22. The captain should be in the top 10 best players on
the list at the very least.

Battle is a problem.

He's not big enough to be a KPP.

Not quick enough to play small.

Not mobile enough to be a mid.

He's a really good, polished footballer - but I just don't know what his spot is aside from the 3rd tall defender.
And if the opposition doesn't have a 3rd tall forward - then where does he play?

[skeptic]

Whilst I want to see Battle play... he’s not like for like with Geary.

Definite no to Savage. Generally not great defensively to play tagger and not damaging enough with the ball in his hands. Performances should be more consistently of a higher standard. Personally I think he’s done.

Not a huge fan of Webster either. Keep hearing about how great he is... don’t know that he’s ever had a good season.

Would rather play Hind or Langlands down back and potentially look at giving Parker, Bytel or SInclair a go

[Impatient Sainter]

Battle eared the right last year to be an automatic
selection. It should be up to him to lose his spot.
This is exactly why I firmly believe Geary should
not be captain. He is on the fringe of our best 22. The captain should be in the top 10 best players on
the list at the very least.

Battle is a problem.

He's not big enough to be a KPP.

Not quick enough to play small.

Not mobile enough to be a mid.

He's a really good, polished footballer - but I just don't know what his spot is aside from the 3rd tall defender.
And if the opposition doesn't have a 3rd tall forward - then where does he play?

Battle is the exact same height as Mihochec who plays CHF for the Pies. In any event I believe he should be played up forward when played.

[outside66]

It will be a very interesting call, i think it will be either Battle or Webster to come in. Battle offers versatility and Webster offers hardness whilst both are smart and use the ball well. I reckon Websters pace will give him the slight advantage on this one.

Unfortunately this year is a raffle and is tough on any bloke outside the 22 as there is little opportunity to build any kind of form. Regardless, Battle will get his turn at some stage and when he does, it's up to him to hold it. Ahhhh to actually have depth, how refreshing!

Webster is an awful kick.

Surely you jest?! Ratten has been effusive in his praise towards Webster's kicking all throughout the preseason. He runs at 68.8 percent kicking efficiency which is ahead of the likes of Billings, Hill, Long, Clark, Ross, Hannaz, Gresh, Hind, Sinclair to name a few. Jimmy also pulls the trigger on aggressive kicks which don't come off everytime so it will be exciting to see how he fares under a more adventurous regime that encourages risk taking and players using their strengths.

https://www.afl.com.au/stats/stats-pro# ... B8nwOEO4QA

[BarryGrogan]

It will be a very interesting call, i think it will be either Battle or Webster to come in. Battle offers versatility and Webster offers hardness whilst both are smart and use the ball well. I reckon Websters pace will give him the slight advantage on this one.

Unfortunately this year is a raffle and is tough on any bloke outside the 22 as there is little opportunity to build any kind of form. Regardless, Battle will get his turn at some stage and when he does, it's up to him to hold it. Ahhhh to actually have depth, how refreshing!

Webster is an awful kick.

Surely you jest?! Ratten has been effusive in his praise towards Webster's kicking all throughout the preseason. He runs at 68.8 percent kicking efficiency which is ahead of the likes of Billings, Hill, Long, Clark, Ross, Hannaz, Gresh, Hind, Sinclair to name a few. Jimmy also pulls the trigger on aggressive kicks which don't come off everytime so it will be exciting to see how he fares under a more adventurous regime that encourages risk taking and players using their strengths.

https://www.afl.com.au/stats/stats-pro# ... B8nwOEO4QA

I've said this 100 times on here already - efficiency stats are misleading at best, straight up rubbish at worst.

[Nick_BlueNRG]

Battle eared the right last year to be an automatic
selection. It should be up to him to lose his spot.
This is exactly why I firmly believe Geary should
not be captain. He is on the fringe of our best 22. The captain should be in the top 10 best players on
the list at the very least.

Battle is a problem.

He's not big enough to be a KPP.

Not quick enough to play small.

Not mobile enough to be a mid.

He's a really good, polished footballer - but I just don't know what his spot is aside from the 3rd tall defender.
And if the opposition doesn't have a 3rd tall forward - then where does he play?

Battle is not a problem. He is big enough and he is quick enough and he is mobile enough. How do I know this? By how he performed last year and became one of our best players.

[outside66]

It will be a very interesting call, i think it will be either Battle or Webster to come in. Battle offers versatility and Webster offers hardness whilst both are smart and use the ball well. I reckon Websters pace will give him the slight advantage on this one.

Unfortunately this year is a raffle and is tough on any bloke outside the 22 as there is little opportunity to build any kind of form. Regardless, Battle will get his turn at some stage and when he does, it's up to him to hold it. Ahhhh to actually have depth, how refreshing!

Webster is an awful kick.

Surely you jest?! Ratten has been effusive in his praise towards Webster's kicking all throughout the preseason. He runs at 68.8 percent kicking efficiency which is ahead of the likes of Billings, Hill, Long, Clark, Ross, Hannaz, Gresh, Hind, Sinclair to name a few. Jimmy also pulls the trigger on aggressive kicks which don't come off everytime so it will be exciting to see how he fares under a more adventurous regime that encourages risk taking and players using their strengths.

https://www.afl.com.au/stats/stats-pro# ... B8nwOEO4QA

I've said this 100 times on here already - efficiency stats are misleading at best, straight up rubbish at worst.

Righto... In any case, I’ll take Ratten’s opinion over yours every day of the week.

[magnifisaint]

It will be a very interesting call, i think it will be either Battle or Webster to come in. Battle offers versatility and Webster offers hardness whilst both are smart and use the ball well. I reckon Websters pace will give him the slight advantage on this one.

Unfortunately this year is a raffle and is tough on any bloke outside the 22 as there is little opportunity to build any kind of form. Regardless, Battle will get his turn at some stage and when he does, it's up to him to hold it. Ahhhh to actually have depth, how refreshing!

Webster is an awful kick.

Surely you jest?! Ratten has been effusive in his praise towards Webster's kicking all throughout the preseason. He runs at 68.8 percent kicking efficiency which is ahead of the likes of Billings, Hill, Long, Clark, Ross, Hannaz, Gresh, Hind, Sinclair to name a few. Jimmy also pulls the trigger on aggressive kicks which don't come off everytime so it will be exciting to see how he fares under a more adventurous regime that encourages risk taking and players using their strengths.

https://www.afl.com.au/stats/stats-pro# ... B8nwOEO4QA

I've said this 100 times on here already - efficiency stats are misleading at best, straight up rubbish at worst.

Just your opinion and what is it worth??

[Sanctorum]

Battle eared the right last year to be an automatic
selection. It should be up to him to lose his spot.
This is exactly why I firmly believe Geary should
not be captain. He is on the fringe of our best 22. The captain should be in the top 10 best players on
the list at the very least.

Battle is a problem.

He's not big enough to be a KPP.

Not quick enough to play small.

Not mobile enough to be a mid.

He's a really good, polished footballer - but I just don't know what his spot is aside from the 3rd tall defender.
And if the opposition doesn't have a 3rd tall forward - then where does he play?

Physically Josh Battle is the same size as Fyfe, Bontempelli and Pendlebury, all "swingmen" who can play the old fashioned ruck-rover role all around the ground to devastating effect.

In fact, I recall Ratten describing Battle not so long ago as this type of player and that is where he will eventually excel!

It may well be that the coaches have got him working on his mobility, or some other part of his game that he needs to tick off.

I'm quite certain that Battle will get his opportunity again soon, and expect him to get himself into the Saints' Best 22, it's only a matter of time.

[BarryGrogan]

Righto... In any case, I’ll take Ratten’s opinion over yours every day of the week.

You don't know Ratten's opinion though.

You only know what he says in the media.

[BarryGrogan]

Physically Josh Battle is the same size as Fyfe, Bontempelli and Pendlebury, all "swingmen" who can play the old fashioned ruck-rover role all around the ground to devastating effect.

In fact, I recall Ratten describing Battle not so long ago as this type of player and that is where he will eventually excel!

It may well be that the coaches have got him working on his mobility, or some other part of his game that he needs to tick off.

He's going to need to. He's kind of 'big midfielder' size but not mobile enough, or good enough to get a game as an on-baller.

[freely]

Physically Josh Battle is the same size as Fyfe, Bontempelli and Pendlebury, all "swingmen" who can play the old fashioned ruck-rover role all around the ground to devastating effect.

In fact, I recall Ratten describing Battle not so long ago as this type of player and that is where he will eventually excel!

It may well be that the coaches have got him working on his mobility, or some other part of his game that he needs to tick off.

He's going to need to. He's kind of 'big midfielder' size but not mobile enough, or good enough to get a game as an on-baller.

He ran a good time trial, didn't he? - i just looked it up - 3rd. That could help his cause. Mind you, it hasn't helped Phillips get a guernsey.

[The Fireman]

I hope It's Webster

[Joffa Burns]

Physically Josh Battle is the same size as Fyfe, Bontempelli and Pendlebury, all "swingmen" who can play the old fashioned ruck-rover role all around the ground to devastating effect.

In fact, I recall Ratten describing Battle not so long ago as this type of player and that is where he will eventually excel!

It may well be that the coaches have got him working on his mobility, or some other part of his game that he needs to tick off.

He's going to need to. He's kind of 'big midfielder' size but not mobile enough, or good enough to get a game as an on-baller.

He ran a good time trial, didn't he? - i just looked it up - 3rd. That could help his cause. Mind you, it hasn't helped Phillips get a guernsey.

Battles a very good runner and great endurance, but he's not agile and doesn't move well laterally.
He's a sub KPP, not a mid or a wing man IMO.

I really like him as a player, he's courageous and strong, but he doesn't have a spot currently and Ratten doesn't seem to be in a hurry top play him.

[outside66]

Righto... In any case, I’ll take Ratten’s opinion over yours every day of the week.

You don't know Ratten's opinion though.

You only know what he says in the media.

Well one instance of Ratten giving his opinion was actually during a facebook live Q & A session with Saints members so unless you're claiming him to be a liar than I reckon you should take off the tinfoil hat and get a pair of glasses whilst you're at it!

[BarryGrogan]

Righto... In any case, I’ll take Ratten’s opinion over yours every day of the week.

You don't know Ratten's opinion though.

You only know what he says in the media.

Well one instance of Ratten giving his opinion was actually during a facebook live Q & A session with Saints members so unless you're claiming him to be a liar than I reckon you should take off the tinfoil hat and get a pair of glasses whilst you're at it!

I sometimes tell my kids that their artwork is good when I want to encourage them.