Practice Match v North Melbourne 25th February

[Ghost Like]

Lonie impressive and his disposal outstanding

Look! A blue moon.

[bigcarl]

He’s not a hard in-and-under, sure. He’s much more creative than that.

yeah he is - my main concern with gresham is his size - onballers now are getting pretty big and Bytel even @ 190 is about the right size and he will get heavier
on the flip size with gresham playing as a small forward he tries to do the impossible a bit too often - maybe with maturity that will improve

Well he wasn’t too small last season to have an impact in the midfield. He’s not that tall, granted, but he’s a little ball of muscle with great balance and good evasive skills. Most importantly, he’s an excellent playmaker and you need that sort of creativity in the middle.

None of that is a knock on Bytel, who may prove very good ultimately. Just a matter of him grabbing his opportunity next time it presents itself

[The Billings Method]

Gresham = Boomer Harvey 2.0 .

[guitars4]

Thanks Kosi just watched the match & yeah we were ok but it's just a scratch match & very difficult to gauge that performance when both sides weren't really playing for sheep stations. I guess we will see pretty soon when we are playing for 4 points.

[Enrico_Misso]

We looked awesome today.
But there is a big difference between February Premiers and the real premiers.

3 take-always
- Norf is a lock for wooden spoon
- our new guys all performed well and them all busting a gut to get in our starting team will certainly lift our performance and give us some depth
- the 50m penalty if you so much as fart on the mark will cause muuuuuuuuuuuch frustration this year.

[shanegrambeau]

Sorry, can’t read the whole thread. Anyone notice Frawley? How was he and what positions did he play?

[saintsRrising]

Sorry, can’t read the whole thread. Anyone notice Frawley? How was he and what positions did he play?

Played down back. He and Howard the two key defenders.

He was very good.

[minneapolis]

I wonder will the game be uploaded any where so people can watch the replay?

I missed it as well and had the same question.

I messaged the club asking if it will be available to watch on replay and will let you know what they say. Soundly like it was worth watching.

It was definitely worth watching. The boys were great.

[minneapolis]

My takeaways:

- excellent cohesion
- North played like very young footballers
- Carlisle is in big trouble, as far as getting a game. Lots in front of him.
- Higgins is another Butler. Thanks Gags.
- Hunter didn't impress for a guy 5 years in the system. Early days I know.
- class all over the ground. We have been waiting for that for a long time.
- Battle, wow.
- McKenzie, same old, gets the ball and then handballs to a covered guy.
- Mason Wood, showed what he can do. That is what I mean about Hunter. Have to show that you can actually play football when offered the chance.
- Frawley, pleasantly surprised. Thought he might be Carlisle 2.
- Highmore, showed what he can do (Am I repeating myself?)
- Lonie, good in a good team.
- Max, wow. I would have taken him off in the last when he hurt himself. No value in leaving him on even though he kicked another goal.
- Paddy so important. He has his mind in an excellent place.
- Loved Bytel. Building nicely.
- Crouch, very good pickup.

and finally it looked as though the team had a style and they executed it. Perhaps the most important takeaway of all.

[shanegrambeau]

Sorry, can’t read the whole thread. Anyone notice Frawley? How was he and what positions did he play?

Played down back. He and Howard the two key defenders.

He was very good.

So from all reports, would it seem that Frawley and Howard, in the absence of Paton, could both feature in games for points, even potentially at the expense of Carlisle?

[damienc]

Practice games are not to be taken seriously so they say.

Former Kangaroo coach Denis Pagan likened them to dancing with your sister.

Well, he would say that wouldn’t he when his former side received a hiding to nothing. And to make matter worse, it was at their home ground and all.

I’m not going to say much about yesterday other than one team turned up to play serious footy, irrespective of the occasion or outcome, and one didn’t or couldn’t.

I thought we might have a chance of beating NM. I didn’t expect us to thrash them.

I cannot remember the last time I saw a St Kilda team move the ball so fluently and quickly. Ok. It wasn’t always perfect. There were times when we were wasteful and indecisive. But for the most part we were as slick as can be.

We were helped by our new recruits. Early days but they have the makings of real A grade talent. Jack Higgins, Brad Crouch, Mason Wood James Frawley.

Max King clunking some big grabs. Woo hoo. Bring it on.

If this first hit out is anything to go by, then we are in for an exciting year as supporters.

I should also say what I found extraordinary about yesterday, is the new lease of life being shown by our geriatrics. Paddy Ryder is nearly 40 but he was unstoppable. Of course there was no Todd Goldstein to contend with but Paddy is playing as well as he ever has.

And James Frawley. Already had a career and a very successful one with Hawthorn. Coaxed out of retirement and has managed to rediscover his love of playing footy.

Maybe yesterday was a one off. Or maybe not. Either way cannot wait for our next opportunity to see this team of ours play.

[Life Long Saint]

We were helped by our new recruits. Early days but they have the makings of real A grade talent. Jack Higgins, Brad Crouch, Mason Cox, James Frawley.

Missed that trade!

[saynta]

Practice games are not to be taken seriously so they say.

Former Kangaroo coach Denis Pagan likened them to dancing with your sister.

Well, he would say that wouldn’t he when his former side received a hiding to nothing. And to make matter worse, it was at their home ground and all.

I’m not going to say much about yesterday other than one team turned up to play serious footy, irrespective of the occasion or outcome, and one didn’t or couldn’t.

I thought we might have a chance of beating NM. I didn’t expect us to thrash them.

I cannot remember the last time I saw a St Kilda team move the ball so fluently and quickly. Ok. It wasn’t always perfect. There were times when we were wasteful and indecisive. But for the most part we were as slick as can be.

We were helped by our new recruits. Early days but they have the makings of real A grade talent. Jack Higgins, Brad Crouch, Mason Cox, James Frawley.

Max King clunking some big grabs. Woo hoo. Bring it on.

If this first hit out is anything to go by, then we are in for an exciting year as supporters.

I should also say what I found extraordinary about yesterday, is the new lease of life being shown by our geriatrics. Paddy Ryder is nearly 40 but he was unstoppable. Of course there was no Todd Goldstein to contend with but Paddy is playing as well as he ever has.

And James Frawley. Already had a career and a very successful one with Hawthorn. Coaxed out of retirement and has managed to rediscover his love of playing footy.

Maybe yesterday was a one off. Or maybe not. Either way cannot wait for our next opportunity to see this team of ours play.

Mason Cox FFS He is a filth player....Mason Wood I presume.

[damienc]

You presume correctly. My dumb mistake

[Ghost Like]

We were helped by our new recruits. Early days but they have the makings of real A grade talent. Jack Higgins, Brad Crouch, Mason Cox, James Frawley.

Missed that trade!

I hope St Kilda missed that trade!!!

[saintsRrising]

You presume correctly. My dumb mistake

Well in some conversations wood may be used in place of cox, and vice versa

Just not normally football ones!

[B.M]

Hasn’t Lonie been good for 3 seasons now. After a promising debut season, a couple of down seasons then in 2018 when he came into the side mid season, he was excellent. Started 2019 off really well, got a knee and missed 6 or 8 cam back and was ok
2020 he was again very good for the main part.

Just checked his numbers since 2018

15.2 Disposals
1.1 goals
2.3 tackles

Nothing wrong with that!

[The Billings Method]

Hasn’t Lonie been good for 3 seasons now. After a promising debut season, a couple of down seasons then in 2018 when he came into the side mid season, he was excellent. Started 2019 off really well, got a knee and missed 6 or 8 cam back and was ok
2020 he was again very good for the main part.

Just checked his numbers since 2018

15.2 Disposals
1.1 goals
2.3 tackles

Nothing wrong with that!

You failed to factor in the "whipping boy" variable. That puts him out.

[Ghost Like]

Hasn’t Lonie been good for 3 seasons now. After a promising debut season, a couple of down seasons then in 2018 when he came into the side mid season, he was excellent. Started 2019 off really well, got a knee and missed 6 or 8 cam back and was ok
2020 he was again very good for the main part.

Just checked his numbers since 2018

15.2 Disposals
1.1 goals
2.3 tackles

Nothing wrong with that!

It is not just the "supporters" but the selection committees that have had him in and out of the side so there's something NQR. His disposals seem quite high but there's a cheapness about disposals now.

[SAINT-LEE]

Gresham = Boomer Harvey 2.0 .

Are you taking the piss, being hopeful for Gresham's future or actually think Gresham is as good as Brent Harvey?

I wasn't sure, its hard to know on here sometimes


1. Gresham has had piss poor games, avg games, good games and few great games.
2. He can definitely add value whenever he's afield and healthy
3. He's no Boomer, not even close.
4. He's never been near a Brownlow, I reckon Harvey was cheated in 2007. In Greshams 4 &5 seasons he polled 5 & 5 Votes.....Harvey's seasons 4 & 5 he polled 14, 16.
5. After 5 seasons I dont think Gresham will ever be AA but still a damn good player, if he can stay healthy. Back ailments generally don't go away but progressively debilitate careers.
6. Being a Saint I want 2021 to be the year Gresham makes me eat a bag of sh1te with his brilliance, that he has shown, at times.
7. Season 6....we are really talking prime so now is the time.
8. Unless you think he be 2.0 and will play more than Boomers paltry AFL record of 432 games.
9. Forget about stats comparison....not worth the shame.

But, as I stated, you might be thinking hopefully and I actually am too. I want wins, success, great players to become legends and at least 3 grand finals in the next 10 years.

[B.M]

Has Lonie been in and out of the side???

Since regaining his spot mid 2018 he’s really only missed with injury?

[The Billings Method]

Gresham = Boomer Harvey 2.0 .

Are you taking the piss, being hopeful for Gresham's future or actually think Gresham is as good as Brent Harvey?

I wasn't sure, its hard to know on here sometimes


1. Gresham has had piss poor games, avg games, good games and few great games.
2. He can definitely add value whenever he's afield and healthy
3. He's no Boomer, not even close.
4. He's never been near a Brownlow, I reckon Harvey was cheated in 2007. In Greshams 4 &5 seasons he polled 5 & 5 Votes.....Harvey's seasons 4 & 5 he polled 14, 16.
5. After 5 seasons I dont think Gresham will ever be AA but still a damn good player, if he can stay healthy. Back ailments generally don't go away but progressively debilitate careers.
6. Being a Saint I want 2021 to be the year Gresham makes me eat a bag of sh1te with his brilliance, that he has shown, at times.
7. Season 6....we are really talking prime so now is the time.
8. Unless you think he be 2.0 and will play more than Boomers paltry AFL record of 432 games.
9. Forget about stats comparison....not worth the shame.

But, as I stated, you might be thinking hopefully and I actually am too. I want wins, success, great players to become legends and at least 3 grand finals in the next 10 years.

I lack your ability to predict the future. Gresham shows evever sign of being the equal of boomer, given his early results, but please wallow in your pessimism. At the same stage of their careers, they are tracking together, but please keep spreading your doom. See you at the end of Gresh's career to see what he's achieved .

[Saintmike65]

Thanks Kosi just watched the match & yeah we were ok but it's just a scratch match & very difficult to gauge that performance when both sides weren't really playing for sheep stations. I guess we will see pretty soon when we are playing for 4 points.

Just watched the game...thanks very much for putting up the link.

[Saintmike65]

Just watched the game & was pleased with the ball movement and intensity.
A bit hard to judge though, as it looked like an AFL vs a VFL side, no disrespect to North, just how it looked.
Paul Hunter can consider himself very fortunate to get on a list, hope I'm wrong but seems barely a VFL standard ruckman.
really like the look of Highmore, really confident if he gets an opportunity at the senior level will be fine.
Love the versatility Battle brings, a natural forward, Mason Wood will also feature at times.
Personally, I prefer Frawley to Carlisle, as I have more trust in his effort and intensity at the contest.
Don't mind Sinclair but he isn't effective at centre bounces, much prefer Higgins & Gresham alternating there.

[SAINT-LEE]

Gresham = Boomer Harvey 2.0 .

Are you taking the piss, being hopeful for Gresham's future or actually think Gresham is as good as Brent Harvey?

I wasn't sure, its hard to know on here sometimes


1. Gresham has had piss poor games, avg games, good games and few great games.
2. He can definitely add value whenever he's afield and healthy
3. He's no Boomer, not even close.
4. He's never been near a Brownlow, I reckon Harvey was cheated in 2007. In Greshams 4 &5 seasons he polled 5 & 5 Votes.....Harvey's seasons 4 & 5 he polled 14, 16.
5. After 5 seasons I dont think Gresham will ever be AA but still a damn good player, if he can stay healthy. Back ailments generally don't go away but progressively debilitate careers.
6. Being a Saint I want 2021 to be the year Gresham makes me eat a bag of sh1te with his brilliance, that he has shown, at times.
7. Season 6....we are really talking prime so now is the time.
8. Unless you think he be 2.0 and will play more than Boomers paltry AFL record of 432 games.
9. Forget about stats comparison....not worth the shame.

But, as I stated, you might be thinking hopefully and I actually am too. I want wins, success, great players to become legends and at least 3 grand finals in the next 10 years.

I lack your ability to predict the future. Gresham shows evever sign of being the equal of boomer, given his early results, but please wallow in your pessimism. At the same stage of their careers, they are tracking together, but please keep spreading your doom. See you at the end of Gresh's career to see what he's achieved .

Sorry to have caused you distress with facts.
But show me the first 5 years of each players careers side by side. I've already looked quite thoroughly.

As I said Gresh can become a great asset but he is not the calibre of a tenacious, feral ball hungry bastard like Boomer. He's not going to play 19 seasons, he's collected a quarter of the Brownlow votes that Boomer had at the same point in his career.

I like Gresh. We need him healthy. He will be a great player if he can be consistent and healthy.
But we can't will him to be a legend, he either is or isnt.