Thoughts on the game...

[AuckSaint]

For me it was all about depth. For the first time in a long, long, long time we were really stretched through injuries and still got over the line in hostile (interstate), difficult (wet slog) and against a team desperate to show that they have turned the corner (GWS). Not to mention some (to be generous) dubious umpiring....

I don't even think in those halcyon years 2009 and 2010 would we have been able to have got over the line interstate when we had such an injury list. The 4 points from yesterday was absolute gold in our efforts to make finals (and beyond) this year. A really, really gutsy win when a lot was against us!

[ace]

Bytel's contested possession rate was elite as well as his work in the stoppages. Decent game, and when he gets to 50 games I think we have midfield bull.

Webster was up and down, his one percenters were phenomenal, maybe the best in the team. He did ok tagging Greene a bit and then after slumping lifted in the final quarter.


There was great moments from Gresham in ball handling and second efforts; Lonies brilliance, Butler & Hill looked ok and at times real good, Higgins had some nice efforts.

It was a satisfying win.

Lonie kicked the goal of the round.

I think he was trying to kick the ball to the goal square but could not drag the ball back enough.
I would hate to think he was snapping for goal from that angle while facing in a wrong direction.
Degree of difficulty 11 out of 10.

[ace]

I watched Hunter Clarke and he seems to have a habit of not running straight at the football, but running a small arc, waiting for someone else to pick up the ball. Maybe this was just this match or is he reluctant to get a hard hit ?

I think the players are thinking ahead.
Not just see ball get ball.

Leading for the ball running into defence but toward the wing.
Ideally a defender will run past heading toward the wing.
Take possession, immediately hand pass.
Ball heading the right direction.

But wait there is no defender coming.
If I take the ball get tackled, I have to dispose immediately, nowhere to go but the boundary, deliberate out of bounds.
But arc around scoop the ball up and heading in the right direction.
But that arc does not shield the ball, you may have a contest but you are pointing in the right direction.

Robert Harvey was expert at taking possession then raising the ball up and out in front.
When the tackle came his arms were free from the tackle, the umpires gave him time to handpass, but now the umpires will pay holding the ball, you had time to lift the ball you had time to dispose of the ball.

[asiu]

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/fou ... 57clr.html

nice graph on the ‘tackle’ #’s
heading south

[Sanctorum]

I concur with all the positive observations so far, was convinced GWS were going to win when Himmelberg took a set shot from 20 m out half-way through the last quarter- that miss was the defining moment of the game because soon after Lonie snapped from an impossible angle on the boundary to get the Saints back to within a kick.

A real team effort under really difficult conditions in the wet, should instil a lot of character and belief in the players - it's winning these close encounters that will set them up for a real crack in the finals.

Players stats:

https://www.afl.com.au/matches/2989#player-stats

Against Melbourne on Saturday I would bring Jones in for McKenzie and King for McKernan.

Not worried about Hunter up against Gawn as St Kilda have the midfielders to win the clearances irrespective of tap-outs, only a small percentage of which are normally rated to go to advantage. King, Howard and Battle can deputise as required in their respective halves.

Wilkie had a quiet game but that will only fire him up to get better, and Ratten's plan to use Butler, Higgins and Lonie in tandem up forward is a real masterstroke!

[asiu]

Ratten's plan to use Butler, Higgins and Lonie in tandem up forward is a real masterstroke!

i’m a fan of that plan

if getting around the ground in a hurry is the need
i can’t see the little fellas getting slower
as the game wears on

+
there’s lots of flat hand work
instead of marking creeping in

i like

a mosquito fleet (that works)
must be a headache for oppo coachs

[Impatient Sainter]

Highmore did have 19 possessions but a lot were scrubby kicks under pressure. He hardly left the ground in marking contests and I just cant see him playing on the taller forwards. He's 193cm tall but plays shorter than Coffield & Wilkie. It would be tough to leave him out after that game but I think with our depth should be horses for courses. Surely Carlisle can offer more???

[ralphsmith]

Seb ross best on for me.

Kicked those two goals that crushed GWS spirit.

[samuraisaint]

I'd like to see Rod Owen back this week. He could play on the half forward flank - and can play tall.

[skeptic]

Seb ross best on for me.

Kicked those two goals that crushed GWS spirit.

I had him in the votes too but BOG? Membrey had more touches and more goals including what was almost the match winner

[B.M]

Good win

[The Fireman]

I thought it was grouse

[Joffa Burns]

Good win

No, that's next week!

[bangaulegend]

I'd like to see Rod Owen back this week. He could play on the half forward flank - and can play tall.

Oh Rodney Qwen the boy could play & he could party even better

[asiu]

Good win

No, that's next week!

haha

[ace]

Mason Wood did exceptional well for the game time he had.
He did everything expected and asked of him.
He even kept part of the bench dry.

[Fugazi1966]

Watching the replay...very happy with Higgins.
Contests well, strong mark, smart skills

[minneapolis]

Bytel's contested possession rate was elite as well as his work in the stoppages. Decent game, and when he gets to 50 games I think we have midfield bull.

Webster was up and down, his one percenters were phenomenal, maybe the best in the team. He did ok tagging Greene a bit and then after slumping lifted in the final quarter.


There was great moments from Gresham in ball handling and second efforts; Lonies brilliance, Butler & Hill looked ok and at times real good, Higgins had some nice efforts.

It was a satisfying win.

Lonie kicked the goal of the round.

I think he was trying to kick the ball to the goal square but could not drag the ball back enough.
I would hate to think he was snapping for goal from that angle while facing in a wrong direction.
Degree of difficulty 11 out of 10.

I agree and think that's hysterical. Lonie kicks the goal cos he is trying not to. If he was trying he wouldn't. Is that excellent triple-reverse psychological coaching from that idiot Ben Dixon?

[The Billings Method]

"That idiot Ben Dixon" is a tautology .

[saynta]

The idiot was given the arse. Roughie now the kicking coach I believe.