McKenzie on finding self belief.

[saynta]

Interesting listen.

https://www.saints.com.au/news/978999/l ... arved-2020

[asiu]

that was a good listen

a balanced headspace
seems to be a key sought after asset

'Presence' even got a mention


***


(the reward of Presence ,
is Clarity ... get on it)

[B.M]

It’s funny

McKenzie was apparently - ridiculously - given a contract extension

If the experts on SS were in charge

He wouldn’t even be on the list!

[saintsRrising]

It’s funny

McKenzie was apparently - ridiculously - given a contract extension

If the experts on SS were in charge

He wouldn’t even be on the list!

Well if you were in charge, Dunstan would have already been shown the door.


I really don't see the point of your constant posts implying that you are the oracle.

As a suggestion please just concentrate on the thread. When you do you often have interesting things to say. But the constant "look at me" posts are just tiresome.

[saintsRrising]

The main improvement I have seen in DMac this year is his football judgement.

He in previous years always struck me more as a very athletic and quick player who was also fearless and very hard at the contest, but who at times seem to lack football good football judgment. Bad decisions were common, including poor use of the ball the ball.

This season he seems seems to have really improved his football judgement.

He more often is in the right place at the right time, and is using the ball better,

[Toy Saint]

McKenzie has always been an endurance beast, and he's hard at the contest. Perhaps not the silky skills of Billings or Hill but a lot tougher.

[Crossy66]

The main improvement I have seen in DMac this year is his football judgement.

He in previous years always struck me more as a very athletic and quick player who was also fearless and very hard at the contest, but who at times seem to lack football good football judgment. Bad decisions were common, including poor use of the ball the ball.

This season he seems seems to have really improved his football judgement.

He more often is in the right place at the right time, and is using the ball better,

Always had pretty good skills, just got flustered under pressure .
Was never suited to a lockdown back pocket role.
Seems we're working to his strengths

[Banger9798]

Has packed on muscle mass, he is a big quick unit.
He now lowers his eyes and hits targets.

Who would have thought he would be the one from his draft to actually make it.
Well done DMac, I was one of those who thought the contract extension was wrong .
He has made the most of Paton going down and Coffield having a bad year.

[supersaints2]

It’s funny

McKenzie was apparently - ridiculously - given a contract extension

If the experts on SS were in charge

He wouldn’t even be on the list!

b

Well if you were in charge, Dunstan would have already been shown the door.


I really don't see the point of your constant posts implying that you are the oracle.

As a suggestion please just concentrate on the thread. When you do you often have interesting things to say. But the constant "look at me" posts are just tiresome.

I’ve got to agree... BM bagged Dunstan from day one... There are dozens of posts ( when I was Supersaints where Bm continually stated along the lines that’s Dunstan would never make AFL level... I won’t drag them up ...I continually argued that Dunstan wac a kid who’s game was sacrificed because he had a Mans body.
BM continually said he would never make an AFL footballer “ C grade at best I seem to recall and a continued delist him rhetoric

Its almost funny to sit back and watch B M now defend Dunstan When he bagged him so bad
In fact BM packed his bags and left the site because I continually called him out on the Dunstan issue

l now find it hard to comprehend BM seems to think he is the “ knowing everything about Dunstan ... even portraying he is somehow the one who first saw Dunstan merits

In fact BM actually reported me for baiting him when I pushed the point saying that Dunstan could play and would eventually become a VERY good player

Feel free to dig up our history BM
You are a fraud...

BM reported for suggesting it was a “look at me post” when he started is posts “ Quadrants if which there are four “. Really!

FFS BM try to be reasonably normal, Admit that you were the biggest hater of Dunstan on this site ... and that I continually called you out ... You now want to appear as the messiah who stands up for Luke ..Feel free to pull up your old posts were you bagged him day after day or feel free to report me again the facts are there for all to see if they want to search
Pull your head in ... please

[B.M]

It’s interesting

You’re the one focusing on me?

You could easily ignore, but can’t resist getting personal

I’m not the oracle, but you telling me what I can and can’t do seems to suggest you think you are above me

We are just the same - fans

BTW
Could it be as simple as DMac has just been given an opportunity in another position
As has Sinclair
As as Hill
As has Long

[Teflon]

People in glass houses...

[asiu]

have to wash their houses a lot ?

[B.M]

Up until this year

Luke was ordinary - I called it as it was

He was an inside mid, who’d played 100 games
Averaged under 20
Torched the footy
And struggled to defend with his lack of led speed

His career until this season was largely underwhelming and his papers were almost stamped

He was clearly out of favour by Ratten and the match committee

Constant dominant performances in the twos (where he is above the level) and unavailability saw him get possibly a last chance.

The idea of playing him on the best opposition inside mid has been a very good call by the match committee as it’s put him around the footy. He is now regularly picking up 25+ which he rarely could before and has performed very well.

Anyone can improve given a role that suits and a bit of confidence.

He is playing like he has a point to prove. I wonder where this sort of footy was between games 50-100.

[B.M]

In Rugba League Teflon

People are allowed to trade punches

But a third man in rule, is a sin bin

And supersaint
Dunstan was a rising star nomination in his first game
Not sure I was bagging him from day 1

In fact most of you post is fabricated rubbish

[asiu]

Of course, living in an all-glass house has its disadvantages...but you should see the birds smack it.

Gary Larson

[The Barometer]

It’s funny

McKenzie was apparently - ridiculously - given a contract extension

If the experts on SS were in charge

He wouldn’t even be on the list!

As ridiculous as recruiting Ryder or letting Steele play as an out and out midfielder rather than a tagger? You were against both- how are those calls working out for you BM? One of the great experts on SS!

[B.M]

Those have obviously ended up being good decisions

I don’t think I’m an expert, I’m not employed in the AFL, as you are not. We are just fans with an opinion.

I’d like to know any one post where I have claimed expertise?!

There’s just a few posters on here who don’t like the way I post- which is fine.

As long as it’s the POV being debated - do you think that’s always the case?

[CQ SAINT]

Up until this year

Luke was ordinary - I called it as it was

He was an inside mid, who’d played 100 games
Averaged under 20
Torched the footy
And struggled to defend with his lack of led speed

His career until this season was largely underwhelming and his papers were almost stamped

He was clearly out of favour by Ratten and the match committee

Constant dominant performances in the twos (where he is above the level) and unavailability saw him get possibly a last chance.

The idea of playing him on the best opposition inside mid has been a very good call by the match committee as it’s put him around the footy. He is now regularly picking up 25+ which he rarely could before and has performed very well.

Anyone can improve given a role that suits and a bit of confidence.

He is playing like he has a point to prove. I wonder where this sort of footy was between games 50-100.

Dunstan has played 111/163 games in 8 years in the system and has missed 50 games and 2 finals.
He had 2 rounds of surgery on his should in 14 and 16, both towards the end of the season and the torn pectoral muscle in 2020 accounting for 26/52 games he has missed. He is absolutely a class above VFL I think he has played.yed less than 20 games for Sandy.
He wasn't dropped for the first time until midway thru 2016 and had battled a shoulder injury for most of 2015.
Since 2017, in games 54 to 111, he has averaged 23 disposals, 5.2 tackles and 5.2 clearances. This year, those figures are marginally better at 25, 6.8 and 5.6.
Clearly, Ratten wasn't impressed, probably with his kicking and his running ability. I guess its hard to run with a torn pectorial muscle. In 2019, Rattens first year at the club, Dunstan hada 22d, 4.8Tk and 6.2 cl average. Then Crouch was recruited and Bytel appeared as though he would over take Luke. Apparently, Ratten has changed his mind, and Luke has picked up and improved a little on where he left off.
Your opinion is noted, but sadly, it appears to be lacking insight and accountability and while I'm sure you believe what you are saying, it's just your opinion.

[Vazelos]

Amazing how the past month can changed the past and rewrite history.
Dunstan and McKenzie were both struggling footballers for several years in a time of their career where they should have been flourishing. The past month has been fantastic and every Saints supporter should be ecstatic as these 2 and other emerging players & the team as a whole have stood up to help us win the last 3 games.
First and foremost if it helps our team and our club we as Saints people should be ecstatic.
Luke Dunstan has been a revelation the past month in the AFL after massive form the previous month in the VFL.
I was not a fan for several years and let me assure you no one in the industry rated him twice his manager went to market and there was zero interest to take him to any club in the league and that said everything at the time from the industry experts.
What has changed?
First and foremost his running ability has improved.
Not only did he lack speed he lacked a natural tank.
He is in the best condition of his life, leaner, sharper, increased running capacity in both speed and endurance.
Those games in the VFL as the prime onballer really got him conditioned with maximum minutes on the ball.
His confidence has gone through the roof and that is everything for a player.
Dunstan version 2.0 is a combative inside beast collecting ball, antagonising players flying the flag for the team there is a lot to like about him in the last month.
At 26 after years of mediocrity he seems to have arrived.
He will never be great with his kicking but he can limit his mistakes in this area.
Hats off to him I had him delisted end of year along with the coach and the majority of Saints fans but this man refuses to give up he is built of real strong character so bravo to him.
Will he stay at St Kilda
That’s not an easy question as his price is now rising he has a chip on his shoulder with how he was treated and he may leave end of year and we do have Bytel if he does who is a natural alternative.
McKenzie was never a half back stupidity from Richardson he is an endurance beast with grunt, hardness and aggression.
His last month has been excellent as well he is another that lacked class, foot skills etc
He is best when running, carrying the ball and tackling not at half back making decisions when stationary or as a shut down defender.
Credit to Ratten for the past month if these 2 are flying that says plenty about where this team is at ,at the present.
Highmore- the next David Grant
Byrnes- what a prospect
Connolly- classy young player
Crouch doing a wonderful job.
Plenty of good stories.
Hope we have more of this type of football than games like the Bulldogs and Richmond first time around.

[minneapolis]

Thanks for writing that Vazelos. It saved me typing the exact same thing.

Must give credit to the coaches to change the team's trajectory. Must be the hardest thing to do in coaching. Getting the payers to believe.

[supersaints2]

I should have said “”he reported me for suggesting it was a look at me post..
I hardly post on this site anymore because when he came back after vowing he would not , It didn’t take long to start again . He continually hijacks mists posts by turning them into his narcissistic diatribe” rather than contributing and let others have an opinion of their own.
I expect to get reported again it was the only warning I ever received on this forum, I’d just like to enjoy everyone’s opinion and thoughts not read “ I know more than you the coaches the experts etc etc.....
So I’ll give myself a warning and let it go at that to save BM the trouble

[supersaints2]

Seems my original post did not attach... I won’t bother

[Vortex]

The main improvement I have seen in DMac this year is his football judgement.

He in previous years always struck me more as a very athletic and quick player who was also fearless and very hard at the contest, but who at times seem to lack football good football judgment. Bad decisions were common, including poor use of the ball the ball.

This season he seems seems to have really improved his football judgement.

He more often is in the right place at the right time, and is using the ball better,

Is DMac keeping Battle out of the side?

[Scollop]

Up until this year

Luke was ordinary - I called it as it was

He was an inside mid, who’d played 100 games
Averaged under 20
Torched the footy
And struggled to defend with his lack of led speed

His career until this season was largely underwhelming and his papers were almost stamped

He was clearly out of favour by Ratten and the match committee

Constant dominant performances in the twos (where he is above the level) and unavailability saw him get possibly a last chance.

The idea of playing him on the best opposition inside mid has been a very good call by the match committee as it’s put him around the footy. He is now regularly picking up 25+ which he rarely could before and has performed very well.

Anyone can improve given a role that suits and a bit of confidence.

He is playing like he has a point to prove. I wonder where this sort of footy was between games 50-100.

Dunstan has played 111/163 games in 8 years in the system and has missed 50 games and 2 finals.
He had 2 rounds of surgery on his should in 14 and 16, both towards the end of the season and the torn pectoral muscle in 2020 accounting for 26/52 games he has missed. He is absolutely a class above VFL I think he has played.yed less than 20 games for Sandy.
He wasn't dropped for the first time until midway thru 2016 and had battled a shoulder injury for most of 2015.
Since 2017, in games 54 to 111, he has averaged 23 disposals, 5.2 tackles and 5.2 clearances. This year, those figures are marginally better at 25, 6.8 and 5.6.
Clearly, Ratten wasn't impressed, probably with his kicking and his running ability. I guess its hard to run with a torn pectorial muscle. In 2019, Rattens first year at the club, Dunstan hada 22d, 4.8Tk and 6.2 cl average. Then Crouch was recruited and Bytel appeared as though he would over take Luke. Apparently, Ratten has changed his mind, and Luke has picked up and improved a little on where he left off.
Your opinion is noted, but sadly, it appears to be lacking insight and accountability and while I'm sure you believe what you are saying, it's just your opinion.

Maybe there were voices telling Brett when he arrived at St Kilda that such and such a player has strengths in this area and weknesses in this area. Maybe Ratts needed time to assess for himself. Plus he needed time to get to know each of his players and help some of them to reach their potential. After all, that’s a coaches job isn’t it?

As you say, I think Dunny’s injury last year (as well as the fact that there was no VFL) was the main reason he couldn’t break back into the seniors. That’s exactly what Daniel McKenzie talks about in the interview.

In 2018 when St Kilda had an opportunity in a standalone marquee match on Good Friday, our inaccuracy and inefficiency with field kicking (among other things like the game plan) led to one of the poorest performances and a humiliating defeat at the hands of North Melbourne. In this particular game in 2018 it was Jack Steele that was the scapegoat.

When we played North Melbourne again in early 2019 and they came back from a huge deficit, they humiliated St Kilda once again to pinch the match off us. Instead of the coach owning the situation, it seemed that there had to be a scapegoat. Cho decided that Dunstan wasn’t the way forward for St Kilda.

I’m glad that I listened to the podcast regarding DMac and also glad that I listened to the video ‘the art of coaching’ featuring Ratts. McKenzie speaks about what Ratten asked him to focus on. I think this is another example of Ratts getting the best out of a player. Something I think that Cho was not very good at. And before people get the nose out of joint, it’s an opinion ok. He wasn’t hopeless at everything, but clearly he couldn’t motivate and inspire the way some of the more successful coaches inspire

[Sanctorum]

The main improvement I have seen in DMac this year is his football judgement.

He in previous years always struck me more as a very athletic and quick player who was also fearless and very hard at the contest, but who at times seem to lack football good football judgment. Bad decisions were common, including poor use of the ball the ball.

This season he seems seems to have really improved his football judgement.

He more often is in the right place at the right time, and is using the ball better,

Is DMac keeping Battle out of the side?

You might be right Vortex, and while they're on a roll and winning Battle may struggle to break back into the team - he is listed as "injured" right now.

I had DMac's papers stamped ages ago, despite his contract to 2022, but he has lifted his form and seems to like the new role Ratten has given him. All of a sudden our footy team has a lot more depth than we thought it did, because Ben Long is also doing better. It wasn't all that long ago that Lonie would have got a game after kicking 5 in the 2nds, but not now, which is great.