Footy Classified/The Australian....Riewoldt to CHB

[fingers]

Interesting to see the headlines for tomorrow.....someone (can't remember the paper) suggested Roo should be playing at CHB.

Not suggesting it's a good idea.....thoughts?

fingers

[iwantmeseats]

wtf? Yeah, great idea.

[saintbrat]

the australian- maybe P S?

[iwantmeseats]

No. Fatpyrk isnt the slightest bit interested in what goes on onfield. He is more at home muckraking and being a dipshit basically.

[HSVKing]

Honestly, not the worst idea I have ever heard.

Thing is, we have a very very strong forward line.

Riewoldt is the kind of player, who has the skills to be very adaptable. I'm quite pleased when I see him running around on the wing, as not many wingers can out run/mark him.

Sending him to the backline would strengthen it considerably, but I would only do it if we were in a bit of trouble.

Have actually suggested it before... a while back now, but still believe it is a viable option.

[Iceman234]

Would be no challenge for him to play there as he has done it before and he would do it again - very well. It's not shock tactics by media, it's just craptics.

Media muck-raking but it's not the most ridiculous I've seen.

Roo CAN play there and dominate.

My fave spot for him though - is playing off the wing, running into the fray and then playing between mid and HF, leading up and back as he does - but start him off the wing.

[bigcarl]

My fave spot for him though - is playing off the wing, running into the fray and then playing between mid and HF, leading up and back as he does - but start him off the wing.

that would be worth a thought. give chf to kosi and ff to fraser and just let riewoldt loose on wing and half forward.

i've no doubt roo'd make a champion chb, but if we can get goose back to something approaching his best we won't need him back there.

[evertonfc]

He'd be the best CHB in the competition if played there.

A modern day Ted Whitten, except we've chosen to play him almost exclusively up forward.

I believe he should have been played there last year when Maguire went down and we needed a steadying presence in defence.

So many attacks are started from CHB that having Roo there would mean he would be a real creator of play.

However...with Maguire and Goddard coming back, I feel that's more than enough.

[maverick]

Only problem is, Roo's vision in traffic is not great and turns the ball over a fair bit when he has the ball further up the ground....

Watch him closely, fantastic forward, cannot play as a mid and IMO would struggle down back because he would turn the ball over too much

Leave him where he is...

[Saints Premiers 2008]

carey played chb...

[evertonfc]

Only problem is, Roo's vision in traffic is not great and turns the ball over a fair bit when he has the ball further up the ground....

Watch him closely, fantastic forward, cannot play as a mid and IMO would struggle down back because he would turn the ball over too much

Leave him where he is...

This year aside, I reckon he's an excellent field kick.

A bit like Harvey - just doesn't quite have the some confidence around goals.

[saint66au]

We were in real strife against Freo at Optus Ocal a few years ago. Roo went to CHB after 1/2 time and singe-handedly turned the game for us. Had something like 13 possies in the 3rd qtr

We were far too Roo-conscious on Sat night. Very deja-vu seeing him have the ball kicked to him in a pocket with 3 on him with a vacant goalsquare is beckoning. Perhaps this is the answer. WOuld also perhaps mean Fraser does not have to run the length of the field every time we get numbers behind the ball

[Mr Magic]

I'm sure 15 opposition clubs would love us to move Roo to CHB - then they would only need to find 2 good tall defenders to handle Kosi and G-Train.

[BanGerS]

By patrick....

IT is something that we will never know because it is too sensitive a subject. Yet it remains critical to how far St Kilda can push into the finals if, as expected, the club makes the final eight.

When Fraser Gehrig contacted St Kilda and said that he had rethought his retirement plans, it would be fascinating to know the reaction of coach Ross Lyon compared with that of the new board led by president Greg Westaway.

Given that past players Nathan Burke and Andrew Thompson were on the board and former team-mates of the full-forward, you fancy they would have wanted him back. After all, when he retired he had kicked 540 goals and was something of a cult figure with the easily pleased St Kilda fans.

But what about the coach? Lyon is a staunch believer that the forward line applies absolute pressure on defenders when the ball is loose. Stephen Milne is on notice that if he does not harass, tackle and chase then his position in the side is not guaranteed. No matter if he kicks a goal or two.

Lyon would have thought when Gehrig retired that he had solved a problem no matter how gifted the full-forward was in kicking goals. The big man does not have the mind-set or the aerobic ability to chase down defenders, spook them with unrelenting stalking. Without sustained pestering the opposition defence can move the ball out of the backline in preparation for an attack of their own. So there might just have been a clash of wills between coach and board.

Whatever, the result is less than satisfactory if St Kilda's first quarter against Carlton at Telstra Dome is any sort of guide. Carlton led at the first change by 11 points after a late goal from Saint Jason Gram.

With Michael Gardiner and Steven King fit and influential ruckmen, St Kilda no longer needs to sacrifice Justin Koschitzke or Nick Riewoldt for cameo roles in the ruck. Lyon can plonk the two big blokes wherever he likes.

On Saturday he had them in the forward line. Along with Gehrig. Such a tall attack proved dysfunctional. Several times Koschitzke and Riewoldt flew for the same ball, crunching each other, and the loose ball was hurried out of defence by Carlton.

Just to take the wind out of Gehrig, his opponent Setanta O'hAilpin would draw the full-forward up the field as soon as Carlton took possession. The St Kilda forward structure was too tall, playing too close together, cluttered. Riewoldt managed just two goals, Koschitzke not one at all and Gehrig four.

All up, three of the most talented players in the competition managed 25 disposals between them for the match. Against what is undoubtedly the most under-accomplished backline in the league - it conceded more points than any other team last year - such a potent set of St Kilda goal kickers managed just 19 goals.

The answer to St Kilda's clogged forward line is simple enough. Riewoldt must play centre half-back. Someone needs to play there with Matt Maguire injury prone and constantly vulnerable.

First, what does it mean for the forward line? Gehrig would play from the goal square with Milne at his feet. Koschitzke would play 30 metres from goal at centre half-forward with instructions to play up to the 50 metre mark and not much further. His crumber would be Adam Schneider.

Starting on the 50-metre line and playing as a lead-up forward would be Charlie Gardiner, recruited from Geelong for exactly that purpose. He would get support from one of St Kilda's mid-fielders dropping back. Suddenly the forward line becomes more accessible.

Koschitzke hits packs with irresistible force and aggression. If he doesn't mark it the pack will crumble and the ball fall to the ground. Enter Schneider and Milne, hard running mid-fielders. Gehrig, who is the target of 40 to 50 per cent of St Kilda's inside 50 entrances now has room to lead. It is a simple, clean and efficient set-up. The clutter is gone.

Second, the backline. With Riewoldt in the central defensive position, opposition coaches will have to rethink their forward thrusts. If St Kilda's opponents make 50 inside-50 attacks, then Riewoldt is capable of contesting nearly 50 per cent of them in the air. He reads the play brilliantly, he will very rarely be outmarked, has great running ability and is adept at ground level, thus providing fast rebound from the back.

Opposition teams would be forced to attack wide of him. They might even feel they have to tag him. Perhaps have a winger or flanker drop in front of him.

Importantly, with marking duels now reduced to pure contests because both players must concentrate on the ball and not mauling the man, Riewoldt has the spring and speed to win one-on-one contests cleanly.

Koschitzke down back is not an option. Too slow for full-back and without a big tank to cover the centre half-back role. He has struggled to his 100 games because of frightful bad luck with injuries. It is time for him to be given a settled position, one that he can own and dominate.

The time has come. With Riewoldt going back, the Saints can only go forward.

[Spinner]

By patrick....

IT is something that we will never know because it is too sensitive a subject. Yet it remains critical to how far St Kilda can push into the finals if, as expected, the club makes the final eight.

When Fraser Gehrig contacted St Kilda and said that he had rethought his retirement plans, it would be fascinating to know the reaction of coach Ross Lyon compared with that of the new board led by president Greg Westaway.

Given that past players Nathan Burke and Andrew Thompson were on the board and former team-mates of the full-forward, you fancy they would have wanted him back. After all, when he retired he had kicked 540 goals and was something of a cult figure with the easily pleased St Kilda fans.

But what about the coach? Lyon is a staunch believer that the forward line applies absolute pressure on defenders when the ball is loose. Stephen Milne is on notice that if he does not harass, tackle and chase then his position in the side is not guaranteed. No matter if he kicks a goal or two.

Lyon would have thought when Gehrig retired that he had solved a problem no matter how gifted the full-forward was in kicking goals. The big man does not have the mind-set or the aerobic ability to chase down defenders, spook them with unrelenting stalking. Without sustained pestering the opposition defence can move the ball out of the backline in preparation for an attack of their own. So there might just have been a clash of wills between coach and board.

Whatever, the result is less than satisfactory if St Kilda's first quarter against Carlton at Telstra Dome is any sort of guide. Carlton led at the first change by 11 points after a late goal from Saint Jason Gram.

With Michael Gardiner and Steven King fit and influential ruckmen, St Kilda no longer needs to sacrifice Justin Koschitzke or Nick Riewoldt for cameo roles in the ruck. Lyon can plonk the two big blokes wherever he likes.

On Saturday he had them in the forward line. Along with Gehrig. Such a tall attack proved dysfunctional. Several times Koschitzke and Riewoldt flew for the same ball, crunching each other, and the loose ball was hurried out of defence by Carlton.

Just to take the wind out of Gehrig, his opponent Setanta O'hAilpin would draw the full-forward up the field as soon as Carlton took possession. The St Kilda forward structure was too tall, playing too close together, cluttered. Riewoldt managed just two goals, Koschitzke not one at all and Gehrig four.

All up, three of the most talented players in the competition managed 25 disposals between them for the match. Against what is undoubtedly the most under-accomplished backline in the league - it conceded more points than any other team last year - such a potent set of St Kilda goal kickers managed just 19 goals.

The answer to St Kilda's clogged forward line is simple enough. Riewoldt must play centre half-back. Someone needs to play there with Matt Maguire injury prone and constantly vulnerable.

First, what does it mean for the forward line? Gehrig would play from the goal square with Milne at his feet. Koschitzke would play 30 metres from goal at centre half-forward with instructions to play up to the 50 metre mark and not much further. His crumber would be Adam Schneider.

Starting on the 50-metre line and playing as a lead-up forward would be Charlie Gardiner, recruited from Geelong for exactly that purpose. He would get support from one of St Kilda's mid-fielders dropping back. Suddenly the forward line becomes more accessible.

Koschitzke hits packs with irresistible force and aggression. If he doesn't mark it the pack will crumble and the ball fall to the ground. Enter Schneider and Milne, hard running mid-fielders. Gehrig, who is the target of 40 to 50 per cent of St Kilda's inside 50 entrances now has room to lead. It is a simple, clean and efficient set-up. The clutter is gone.

Second, the backline. With Riewoldt in the central defensive position, opposition coaches will have to rethink their forward thrusts. If St Kilda's opponents make 50 inside-50 attacks, then Riewoldt is capable of contesting nearly 50 per cent of them in the air. He reads the play brilliantly, he will very rarely be outmarked, has great running ability and is adept at ground level, thus providing fast rebound from the back.

Opposition teams would be forced to attack wide of him. They might even feel they have to tag him. Perhaps have a winger or flanker drop in front of him.

Importantly, with marking duels now reduced to pure contests because both players must concentrate on the ball and not mauling the man, Riewoldt has the spring and speed to win one-on-one contests cleanly.

Koschitzke down back is not an option. Too slow for full-back and without a big tank to cover the centre half-back role. He has struggled to his 100 games because of frightful bad luck with injuries. It is time for him to be given a settled position, one that he can own and dominate.

The time has come. With Riewoldt going back, the Saints can only go forward.

110% agree.

Definitely while Gehrig and Koschitzke are in the team. He would dictate the game from CHB and have more of an influence.

[BigMart]

Dumbest of dumb idea....

Not the strongest contested mark, he would be just drawn back to the goalsquare by direct opponent......

How would he go one on one with monsters such as Brown, Pav, Hall, Tredders....

Could work against the dogs/adelaide....but

Take him from the fwd line we lose potency.....he isn't playing well and taking 11 marks....

[Oh When the Saints]

People seem to forget a game in the pre-season ... it was against Geelong ... the first half featured Roo, G and Kosi up forward ... all three were playing great football ...

It can work. It didn't against the Blues, but don't write it off after one week.

[SaintBot]

People seem to forget a game in the pre-season ... it was against Geelong ... the first half featured Roo, G and Kosi up forward ... all three were playing great football ...

i could be wrong but i dont think roo played untill round 3 in the preseason - against the bombers

[HarveysDeciple]

If we do it, it might allow us to send Goddard to the half forward line.

[suss]

Fatrick knows as much about football as I do about macrame. Apparently 19 goals isn't much a return for effort. Yeah, I'd be devasted if we only kicked 19 goals each week.

Putting Roo at CHB would waste of his talents. Maybe I'm mistaken but I thought that was the first game with all three in the same team all year (NAB cup included). They'll click, they just need some time.

[spiral2]

By patrick....
After all, when he retired he had kicked 540 goals and was something of a cult figure with the easily pleased St Kilda fans.

what does this snide sh.t mean?

[Dan Warna]

goddard fully fit played a couple of awesome games at CHF.

he has good burst speed, he can mark anywhere including off the ground and over his head (not quite as athletic as reiwoldt but close)

has a booming kick

is an unselfish player, and he has the courage to play the position.

heck in any other team he'd make a great CHF.

[Saints Premiers 2008]

interesting though if we were to start roo at chb...

kosi needs space and not an overcrowded forward line to kick goals and have his influence...with roo in there regardless of roo playing up he ground he looks lost

also if we shift roo to chb charlie can come on in and play the strong lead up role as a high chf with gehrig in a chf/ff position and kosi in the square with all the space in the world...

it would be interesting to see how it all works

regardless of where roo plays he is still going to be he blonde bombshell

[bigcarl]

The St Kilda forward structure was too tall, playing too close together, cluttered. Riewoldt managed just two goals, Koschitzke not one at all and Gehrig four.

so fatpryk says we're on the wrong track with our tall forward line.

Sh*t, we'll have to change it.

Not!

[bigcarl]

I'm sure 15 opposition clubs would love us to move Roo to CHB - then they would only need to find 2 good tall defenders to handle Kosi and G-Train.

exactly. most of them have only one or two ... not three.

imo fraser ff/kosi chf/riewoldt anywhere he likes in the front half. not only can it be made to work it can be devastatingly effective.