Wilkie's influence on the result can't be understated

[Moods]

I read in the paper during the week that the Blues were studying Wilkie's game and how he has managed to get so many intercept possessions. They said they were working really hard to make sure they don't 'bomb' the ball in and give Wilkie easy ball. Well, what we saw was an overly careful Blues team chipping the ball the down the field. I think it worked once. Basically they were completely confused. Imagine if the Saints had the weaponry of Curnow and McKay at our disposal?? Wilkie didn't have his greatest game of the year (still very serviceable) but it's fantastic to see that he's getting into opposition heads and causing them to change what they do.

I also believe that it was one of the most mature and complete performances I've seen from a Saints team. We worked them over until he had them where we wanted them. We then held them at arm's length while rotating key players off the bench to ensure that we are as fresh as possible for Friday night's game. No point winning by 40 points and run out of legs Friday. A thoroughly enjoyable night standing behind bays of Blues members who felt it was their God given right to not have Saints supporters standing behind them. 3/4 time me and my mates were threatened physically by the most sensitive of soft c**k supporters. Was hilarious ....and satisfying

[Trev from the Bush]

Good observations. Wilkie was still good, just less dominant than in recent games.

Ross picked up on your second point in his press conference admitting the team went into shut down mode with 10 minutes to go. No good risking further damage to players when the game was won.

[skeptic]

Yeah there was a lot of commentary around that on the radio. Carlton clearly made an attempt to figure him out and limit his influence.

To a degree they achieved that in terms of his stats… he didn’t get much ball but it seems to me that Wilkie’s impact on the game was very very high in terms of how he effected their forward entries which were a mess

Mission unsuccessful for Carlton I think

[CQ SAINT]

Definitely best for opposition teams to f*** around with the ball collecting heaps of useless disposals in their backline, so if they happen to get through our defence, the media Can look at the stats sheet and talk about how dominant they are.

Collingwood 1.
Carlton 0.

You can't avoid Wilkie or our backline.

[CQ SAINT]

We are doing to good squads what good coaches used to do to Richo's game plan. We don't mind certain players getting plenty 9f the ball on eir defensive lines be ause it gives us time to set up our rolling defensive structure.

We are relentless

[saynta]

4 of the baggers first 6 goals were from charity free kicks. Not Wilkies fault IMHFO.

[SaintPav]

“We muzzled them…”.

[B.M]

Smart to use SOS on him and get him away from Curnow

Not so smart to slow down ball movement to counter Wilkie intercept long entries

[Moods]

Smart to use SOS on him and get him away from Curnow

Not so smart to slow down ball movement to counter Wilkie intercept long entries

Surely the defending team determines the match ups, not the attacking team.

[WellardSaint]

So it appears Wilkie is like Steven May for the Demons.
Oppo teams wanna keep the ball away from him.
We always knew it, commentators are saying it every week this year.
Last year he got plaudits from every commentator too

[B.M]

Never heard of a defensive forward?

Ed Curnow also picked up Sinclair

When Sinclair was moved in to the midfield- Curnow was subbed out.