Match Thread Saints v Lions Round 13 2020

[Trev from the Bush]

unlucky saints. finished all over them, but just not enough work through the first three quarters.

Rubbish. In my opinion!

[Trev from the Bush]

Zac Jones when it matters = whiffed a goal in front from pretty close to win it and kicked it out on the full. Not good enough.

Yeah, and he had acres of space didn't he? And absolutely NO pressure!

[The Fireman]

I thought our effort pleasing.

[Trev from the Bush]

Senior player my arse Ross. Please go. Forever

how about you go and not slag every player

Despite lockdowns and no way of getting into the footy I get the feeling Saintmatt heads to the bar at half time, never to return.

[SaintDippa]

Narrative will be Lions goal kicking cost them. I'd argue our butchering of the footy going into and decision making in F50 cost us the win more than the behinds. Frustrating to watch.

[To the top]

In the end I thought they kept us in with a sniff - and with a little more luck and composure that sniff would have got us there

We will learn and we will get better

Our “under belly” of half a dozen told against us, the game Stats pretty much identify them

I exclude Billings because he is class

And I exclude Bytel because I think he will grow to survivable at least with more experience

I am still of the feeling that we do not capitalise on Ryder and his ruck work especially out of the centre with 6/6/6

Marshall is a Star in the making and King will only get better - and quickly

We know Roberton was competition class (as distinct from St Kilda class) and I look forward to his return

Ross made his name “taking scalps” and that is his function, releasing Steele who we really need another one of The difference between Hannebery and Ross with ball in hand is Ross’s limitation (can he learn?)

In life nothing is perfect (which is why we have what we have between our ears - or some of our number anyway) but there were a few crucial errors today such as Wilkie dropping what he should have taken

Long was just plain unlucky with the out on the full - his presence with his attack on the ball, his tackling and his denying of space will see a very fine defender

The first quarter raffle on the goal line

When is is less than a kick the focus comes

What we must now do is beat Melbourne to end their season

That said there is no reason we can not go on a winning streak from here if we can structure our bottom few better such that we get a game contributing presence from them

The “small forwards” were identified as an issue by going after Butler

[Devilhead]

3 losses now by under 1 goal

[Devilhead]

I cursed very hard when the 3 quarter siren went before Membrey marked it - going into that break less than a goal down ........

[The Fireman]

despite todays result we have a team we can all look forward to playing each week for years to come.

[Saintmatt]

Billings got us back into it. Kicked a very hard goal too.

He needs to do better though.

For a guy in his prime drafted 2013 that’s simply not enough
Trade fodder for mine
Why keep a guy who can inconsistently only play half forward FFs?
We need midfield class he ain’t up to it when you need him
Carlyle too
We can’t stand still now have to go forward and time to be ruthless

I thought he plays wing.

I think you're being a bit harsh. Having said that, I take your point; he’s tradeble for the right price but I think most of the list is apart from a few.

Billings does normally play wing, but for some reason was shifted half forward, and didn't get near it. Went back to wing/HF after half time and did much better. Absolute class, something we have very little of, and essential for the next few years.

Well said. Billings class ball use is mandatory going forward

[sunsaint]

3 losses now by under 1 goal

Hmmmm
In previous weeks lions ..
7-11 and win by 1 over roos
4-17 and thrashed by tigers
14-7 and thrash bombers
7-11 and beat demons by 4
Clearly they are a Jekyll n hyde team in front of goal and the outcome

[Devilhead]

3 losses now by under 1 goal

Hmmmm
In previous weeks lions ..
7-11 and win by 1 over roos
4-17 and thrashed by tigers
14-7 and thrash bombers
7-11 and beat demons by 4
Clearly they are a Jekyll n hyde team in front of goal and the outcome

Not sure what that has to do with us losing 3 games by under 1 goal

[Saintmatt]

Senior player my arse Ross. Please go. Forever

how about you go and not slag every player

Despite lockdowns and no way of getting into the footy I get the feeling Saintmatt heads to the bar at half time, never to return.

Bollocks. Go check the match thread and see where I praised Seb’s magnificent centre clearance in the 3rd where he laced Max on the lead. Excellent play. Or have you got cloth for eyes?

I know it’s an inconvenient narrative for you but Seb’s decision making and skill execution can and should be called out as and when it’s (regularly) sub standard. Same as any other player.

Seb seems to have lost the split second he didn’t ever really have and ge gets caught a lot. And his kicking is terribly ineffective for a Senior player.

Feel free to debate me on that ...

[bangaulegend]

I thought our effort pleasing.

Fireman I detect a little subtle sarcasm in this post almost a AR quote

[bangaulegend]

As I said prior to the game needed to bring our best effort & play 4 quarters & we didn't . Almost stole it but I think it is a true reflection of where were at not quite there yet . IMO we really need a another high class mid similar to a Josh Kelly . Hopefully we have shown enough promise this year to entice a would be suitor

[cwrcyn]

King looked fatigued. It may be time to give the guy a rest. Playing as the main key forward in your first year of AFL senior football is just about the toughest gig there is. Battle can go to full forward, or alternatively, Marshall. Once again our midfield possession count was well below the opposition's. We really are two high quality midfielders away from being geniune contenders for the big prize. We were poor in the first and third quarters today, but were we better than them in the 2nd, and dominated them in the last. Where they missed shots for goal, we missed targets inside 50 that would have given us opportunity to kick goals.

[Saintmatt]

As I said prior to the game needed to bring our best effort & play 4 quarters & we didn't . Almost stole it but I think it is a true reflection of where were at not quite there yet . IMO we really need a another high class mid similar to a Josh Kelly . Hopefully we have shown enough promise this year to entice a would be suitor

1000% agree. I’d love to set Gubby the task of reefing Jye Caldwell out of GWS. He’s be utterly perfect. And he’s out of contract.

Give GWS our first pick and be done with it.

[George27]

As the game goes on each week I scribble a few notes. I have been doing it for 55 years - I guess it keeps me focused on the game and helps me keep track on who the best players are .

After Butler kicked his second midway through the third quarter to bring us back to 4.10 to 5.2, they kicked 2.2 to 0.0 in the next 3 minutes. At 6.12 to 5.2 I wrote “ and in a twinkling it was over “.

But I was wrong. We dug deep and clawed our way back. For the rest of the game we kicked 2.4 to 0.2. The TQT siren sounded with the ball in Membrey’s hand which was very unlucky , and we had multiple chances in the last quarter .


Last year we would have curled up our toes and got run over. This team however has more ability , more structure and more belief that we have had for a good few years.

Yes this was our third loss this year by less than a goal , but it showed a lot more character than the other 2.

So I THINK this was actually a pretty good effort against top 4 opposition.

Of course if we lose to the Dees next week, then all that I have said above is rubbish !

[Teflon]

Billings got us back into it. Kicked a very hard goal too.

He needs to do better though.

For a guy in his prime drafted 2013 that’s simply not enough
Trade fodder for mine
Why keep a guy who can inconsistently only play half forward FFs?
We need midfield class he ain’t up to it when you need him
Carlyle too
We can’t stand still now have to go forward and time to be ruthless

I would say he’s in our top 5 players so far this year. Had a shocking first half and still ended up equal 4th most touches for us and a goal.

I think when we look good he looks good
He was certainly better in the last but to 3 qtr time had 5 possessions
Guy can’t play mid so he’s a permanent HFF?
Nup we need elite mid talent,,,,Jack may help us get that for mine

[Teflon]

Billings got us back into it. Kicked a very hard goal too.

He needs to do better though.

For a guy in his prime drafted 2013 that’s simply not enough
Trade fodder for mine
Why keep a guy who can inconsistently only play half forward FFs?
We need midfield class he ain’t up to it when you need him
Carlyle too
We can’t stand still now have to go forward and time to be ruthless

I thought he plays wing.

I think you're being a bit harsh. Having said that, I take your point; he’s tradeble for the right price but I think most of the list is apart from a few.

He played HF for a while today I think in the end Ratten tried him everywhere to try and get something
You have to give to get people saying trade Hill have no idea he’s not going to attract what we need and he provides run so his role to Billings is different
He can’t go mid Billings so for mine he’s very tradeable

[Teflon]

Geary is finished

Clearly in our best 8 players so yeah.... no

Out top 8 players today????
Honestly....just honestly....

[Teflon]

Billings looked tired last few weeks ....needs a break

Rest him up hope he plays a blinder leading finals up the trade value get a gun mid

Don't agree.
He continues to improve and is absolute class. No way do we let him go.

He’s NEVER going to step into the mid and give you that outside class he teases on unlike a Dal Santo
We are absolutely 1-2 gun midfielders off the big boys
We can pretend to offer Savage for a Kelly or we get real and give up something we can cover
We can cover Billings and IMO Carlyle also
I’m not interested in being “close” we have to progress and to do that you usually have to give up something

[Teflon]

Billings got us back into it. Kicked a very hard goal too.

He needs to do better though.

For a guy in his prime drafted 2013 that’s simply not enough
Trade fodder for mine
Why keep a guy who can inconsistently only play half forward FFs?
We need midfield class he ain’t up to it when you need him
Carlyle too
We can’t stand still now have to go forward and time to be ruthless

I thought he plays wing.

I think you're being a bit harsh. Having said that, I take your point; he’s tradeble for the right price but I think most of the list is apart from a few.

Billings does normally play wing, but for some reason was shifted half forward, and didn't get near it. Went back to wing/HF after half time and did much better. Absolute class, something we have very little of, and essential for the next few years.

He was shifted HF cause to 3 qtr time he hadn’t touched it!
Not sure what return that gets us but when Lions were on a roll Jack was nowhere
He’s tradeable absolutely

[Devilhead]

Billings got us back into it. Kicked a very hard goal too.

He needs to do better though.

For a guy in his prime drafted 2013 that’s simply not enough
Trade fodder for mine
Why keep a guy who can inconsistently only play half forward FFs?
We need midfield class he ain’t up to it when you need him
Carlyle too
We can’t stand still now have to go forward and time to be ruthless

I thought he plays wing.

I think you're being a bit harsh. Having said that, I take your point; he’s tradeble for the right price but I think most of the list is apart from a few.

Billings does normally play wing, but for some reason was shifted half forward, and didn't get near it. Went back to wing/HF after half time and did much better. Absolute class, something we have very little of, and essential for the next few years.

He was shifted HF cause to 3 qtr time he hadn’t touched it!
Not sure what return that gets us but when Lions were on a roll Jack was nowhere
He’s tradeable absolutely

Sorry Teffers but you are being ridiculously harsh on Billings

Every team in the league would be lining up to pluck Billings ...... every team!!

Dude has credits aplenty - so he had a couple of down quarters probably trying to shed a hard tag but then he nearly won it for us in the last

Trading Billings? ........ Nah thanks

[Teflon]

Billings got us back into it. Kicked a very hard goal too.

He needs to do better though.

For a guy in his prime drafted 2013 that’s simply not enough
Trade fodder for mine
Why keep a guy who can inconsistently only play half forward FFs?
We need midfield class he ain’t up to it when you need him
Carlyle too
We can’t stand still now have to go forward and time to be ruthless

I thought he plays wing.

I think you're being a bit harsh. Having said that, I take your point; he’s tradeble for the right price but I think most of the list is apart from a few.

Billings does normally play wing, but for some reason was shifted half forward, and didn't get near it. Went back to wing/HF after half time and did much better. Absolute class, something we have very little of, and essential for the next few years.

He was shifted HF cause to 3 qtr time he hadn’t touched it!
Not sure what return that gets us but when Lions were on a roll Jack was nowhere
He’s tradeable absolutely

Sorry Teffers but you are being ridiculously harsh on Billings

Every team in the league would be lining up to pluck Billings ...... every team!!

Dude has credits aplenty - so he had a couple of down quarters probably trying to shed a hard tag but then he nearly won it for us in the last

Trading Billings? ........ Nah thanks

Can’t agree Devils
He’s just gone awol too much for mine and he ought to be in his prime right now
If GWS are one of those sides you mention lining up to take him......for J Kelly I’m all ears
We have a great young side here well balanced we just need some mid quality and we could really give it a shake
We can’t afford to stagnate and put saints players on pedestals again.....time to be ruthless and smart
Billings gives Gubby something to work with at the table.....Jake C too