forward line

[bigcarl]

not sure how much you can read into the NAB cup and let's see how it pans out when the games start to mean something.

there were a few worrying signs with the gameplan, though, most noteably the fact that we still seem more concerned with defending than outscoring the opposition.

we went into the match with no forward line and we looked a hell of a lot better in the second half when bj and raph were given a run closer to goal.

herald sun: st kilda had a whopping 171 first-half disposals (three more than Brisbane), but could manage only one goal.

you can have all the midfield dominance you want, but if you can't make it count ON THE SCOREBOARD it means nothing.

personally i reckon we should stack the forward line with some talent and just try to ensure that we score as often as we can when it gets into our forward 50.

something like this.

hf: dal santo, riewoldt, schneider
f: kosi, goddard, milne

all very skilled players, all goal-kickers.

[Saints Premiers 2008]

two to three of those players are required up the ground...it would be lovely to have the creativity of dal and the awesomeness of goddard but it cant really be achieved....one maybe for portions of a match but both permanently wont happen

[Duggie1]

More than half of the 171 posessions must have been handballs, which in that half, let the opposition into the game and get well ahead. It was an obsession in our so-called game plan up to that point. It allowed us to be crowded in general play. Not the first time a team has ben overrun by excessive hand balls .
Of course poor disposal off the boot let us down also.
No good to claim that we had sveral stars out. So did they.

not sure how much you can read into the NAB cup and let's see how it pans out when the games start to mean something.

there were a few worrying signs with the gameplan, though, most noteably the fact that we still seem more concerned with defending than outscoring the opposition.

we went into the match with no forward line and we looked a hell of a lot better in the second half when bj and raph were given a run closer to goal.

herald sun: st kilda had a whopping 171 first-half disposals (three more than Brisbane), but could manage only one goal.

you can have all the midfield dominance you want, but if you can't make it count ON THE SCOREBOARD it means nothing.

personally i reckon we should stack the forward line with some talent and just try to ensure that we score as often as we can when it gets into our forward 50.

something like this.

hf: dal santo, riewoldt, schneider
f: kosi, goddard, milne

all very skilled players, all goal-kickers.

[Saint Bev]

We lacked leadership last night big time. Also Lyon did not coach in the first half, he left it to the assistants and took over from half time. They did explain why at the breakfast this morning, but I wasn't listening

Goddard wasn't very happy about not being awarded the super goal and all players thought those two frees at the end of the last quarter were shockers and they were. Happened right in front of where we were sitting, great tackles and to have them be awarded frees was terrible. We had the momentum after 1/2 time. Had decisions gone our way we would have won. I have been to alot of functions over the years and this was the first time I heard players complain about umpiring decisons.

[WayneJudson42]

I think an away praccy game in Feb, played in bad conditions is an obvious pointer to the fact that we didn't play well.

I think we didn't have a fwd line, and frankly, we just didn't kick enough goals to win the game.

[bigcarl]

two to three of those players are required up the ground...it would be lovely to have the creativity of dal and the awesomeness of goddard but it cant really be achieved....one maybe for portions of a match but both permanently wont happen

you're probably right that it won't happen. it's not in keeping with ross's conservative style.

it's what i'd do, though, having seen what an extremely potent forward line has done for hawthorn.

no chippalotto there. they bang it in quickly, knowing that their gun forwards will get it and kick a goal.

kicking winning scores is the name of the game with them.

[plugger66]

not sure how much you can read into the NAB cup and let's see how it pans out when the games start to mean something.

there were a few worrying signs with the gameplan, though, most noteably the fact that we still seem more concerned with defending than outscoring the opposition.

we went into the match with no forward line and we looked a hell of a lot better in the second half when bj and raph were given a run closer to goal.

herald sun: st kilda had a whopping 171 first-half disposals (three more than Brisbane), but could manage only one goal.

you can have all the midfield dominance you want, but if you can't make it count ON THE SCOREBOARD it means nothing.

personally i reckon we should stack the forward line with some talent and just try to ensure that we score as often as we can when it gets into our forward 50.

something like this.

hf: dal santo, riewoldt, schneider
f: kosi, goddard, milne

all very skilled players, all goal-kickers.

It has nothing to do with who is on the forward line. If Lockett and loewe were there in the first half on Saturday we would still have kicked one goal as one of them would have been left one out with 6 defenders because we were all up the ground chasing the ball.

[bigcarl]

not sure how much you can read into the NAB cup and let's see how it pans out when the games start to mean something.

there were a few worrying signs with the gameplan, though, most noteably the fact that we still seem more concerned with defending than outscoring the opposition.

we went into the match with no forward line and we looked a hell of a lot better in the second half when bj and raph were given a run closer to goal.

herald sun: st kilda had a whopping 171 first-half disposals (three more than Brisbane), but could manage only one goal.

you can have all the midfield dominance you want, but if you can't make it count ON THE SCOREBOARD it means nothing.

personally i reckon we should stack the forward line with some talent and just try to ensure that we score as often as we can when it gets into our forward 50.

something like this.

hf: dal santo, riewoldt, schneider
f: kosi, goddard, milne

all very skilled players, all goal-kickers.

It has nothing to do with who is on the forward line. If Lockett and loewe were there in the first half on Saturday we would still have kicked one goal as one of them would have been left one out with 6 defenders because we were all up the ground chasing the ball.

we had more of the ball than them in the first half but kicked only one goal.

that was because we had no forward line.

luckily this was addressed in the second half with BJ being moved forward

unfortunately, the change was made too late

[plugger66]

not sure how much you can read into the NAB cup and let's see how it pans out when the games start to mean something.

there were a few worrying signs with the gameplan, though, most noteably the fact that we still seem more concerned with defending than outscoring the opposition.

we went into the match with no forward line and we looked a hell of a lot better in the second half when bj and raph were given a run closer to goal.

herald sun: st kilda had a whopping 171 first-half disposals (three more than Brisbane), but could manage only one goal.

you can have all the midfield dominance you want, but if you can't make it count ON THE SCOREBOARD it means nothing.

personally i reckon we should stack the forward line with some talent and just try to ensure that we score as often as we can when it gets into our forward 50.

something like this.

hf: dal santo, riewoldt, schneider
f: kosi, goddard, milne

all very skilled players, all goal-kickers.

It has nothing to do with who is on the forward line. If Lockett and loewe were there in the first half on Saturday we would still have kicked one goal as one of them would have been left one out with 6 defenders because we were all up the ground chasing the ball.

we had more of the ball than them in the first half but kicked only one goal.

that was because we had no forward line.

luckily this was addressed in the second half with BJ being moved forward

unfortunately, the change was made too late

No what actually happened is our forwards stayed at home which meant we had one on one contests.

[bigcarl]

not sure how much you can read into the NAB cup and let's see how it pans out when the games start to mean something.

there were a few worrying signs with the gameplan, though, most noteably the fact that we still seem more concerned with defending than outscoring the opposition.

we went into the match with no forward line and we looked a hell of a lot better in the second half when bj and raph were given a run closer to goal.

herald sun: st kilda had a whopping 171 first-half disposals (three more than Brisbane), but could manage only one goal.

you can have all the midfield dominance you want, but if you can't make it count ON THE SCOREBOARD it means nothing.

personally i reckon we should stack the forward line with some talent and just try to ensure that we score as often as we can when it gets into our forward 50.

something like this.

hf: dal santo, riewoldt, schneider
f: kosi, goddard, milne

all very skilled players, all goal-kickers.

It has nothing to do with who is on the forward line. If Lockett and loewe were there in the first half on Saturday we would still have kicked one goal as one of them would have been left one out with 6 defenders because we were all up the ground chasing the ball.

we had more of the ball than them in the first half but kicked only one goal.

that was because we had no forward line.

luckily this was addressed in the second half with BJ being moved forward

unfortunately, the change was made too late

No what actually happened is our forwards stayed at home which meant we had one on one contests.

like i said, we had no forward line.

but yes, the "numbers behind the ball" thing is another part of the gameplan that has to be addressed.

never been a fan of the basketball-style game. it's too taxing on players and it hasn't improved our results one iota.

[Sainter_Dad]

Lyon did not coach in the first half, he left it to the assistants and took over from half time. They did explain why at the breakfast this morning, but I wasn't listening

Well then - from a real coaching aspect and the future of 2009 only the second half should be considered - and that resulted in 45 points to us and only conceding 14. Will take those ratios all day every day.

Bring on 2009

Believe or F@rken Burn!!!!!

[PJ]

hf: dal santo, riewoldt, schneider
f: kosi, goddard, milne

Like the look of this bigcarl but I don't know if I'd sacrifice Goddard there the whole time. Perhaps in tandum with someone else - like the resting ruck scensrio only it's an on baller.

[Mr Magic]

hf: dal santo, riewoldt, schneider
f: kosi, goddard, milne

Like the look of this bigcarl but I don't know if I'd sacrifice Goddard there the whole time. Perhaps in tandum with someone else - like the resting ruck scensrio only it's an on baller.

If we can afford to remove BJ from his backline and midfield duties, why would you play him at FF and waste his kicking abilities.

Surely he would become the best option on a HFF where he could use his kicking ability to full effect.

As the third tall with the ability to score from 60m out he would be almost unmatchable, IMHO.

But it's a huge questionmark that we don't/won't require him further up the ground.

[Marcus1232]

Still persevere with roo at CHF and kosi at FF.

If kosi can actually string a few consistent games together he is a near unmatchable full forward one of the best contested marks in the comp

[bigcarl]

If we can afford to remove BJ from his backline and midfield duties, why would you play him at FF and waste his kicking abilities.

kicking abilities are a fairly important part of being a full forward, i would have thought, but playing him as a third tall would also have its merits.

thing is kosi was tried as a second key forward last season and didn't really hit his straps. in fact ross is on record as saying his best position is ruck/forward.

so if he sticks by that it's a key position forward we're looking for to complement riewoldt.

gilbert is obviously one we're looking at and, going on saturday night, bj and raph might be other possibilities.

[bigcarl]

hf: dal santo, riewoldt, schneider
f: kosi, goddard, milne

Like the look of this bigcarl but I don't know if I'd sacrifice Goddard there the whole time. Perhaps in tandum with someone else - like the resting ruck scensrio only it's an on baller.

raph clarke?

[sunsaint]

We lacked leadership last night big time. Also Lyon did not coach in the first half, he left it to the assistants and took over from half time. They did explain why at the breakfast this morning, but I wasn't listening

Goddard wasn't very happy about not being awarded the super goal and all players thought those two frees at the end of the last quarter were shockers and they were. Happened right in front of where we were sitting, great tackles and to have them be awarded frees was terrible. We had the momentum after 1/2 time. Had decisions gone our way we would have won. I have been to alot of functions over the years and this was the first time I heard players complain about umpiring decisons.

thanks for the insider info SaintBev...
the change from half time was pretty obvious, as the side went back to a more "comfortable" setup. Gilbert went back and Dawson was given a go forward. And yes those two decisions may have had an influence, but at the same time we gave away alot of head high tackle frees and didnt adjust to the way the game was being umpired. The lions were also first to the ball and clumsily falling over your opponents back doesnt help either. So that is the worry that players would openly gripe about the decisions, it happens in junior ranks but not at ALF level. Its like a cancer. We had a list more than capable on the night and to blame umpires is not taking responsibility for the result.
Apart from the result I hope the functions went well and any more reports would be great! Hint hint

[the_D_train]

i would like to see...

HF: N DalSanto - N Riewoldt - D Armitage

FF: S Milne - J Koschitzke - J Steven

as the starting line up, with BJ and NDS Rotating through the middle and X Clarke (if fit and firing) rotating with armo same with Schneider and steven.

BJ and NDS would both be damaging HFFs

If we were struggling that much I dont see why we wouldn't play Tom Lynch.

[Mr Magic]

i would like to see...

HF: N DalSanto - N Riewoldt - D Armitage

FF: S Milne - J Koschitzke - J Steven

as the starting line up, with BJ and NDS Rotating through the middle and X Clarke (if fit and firing) rotating with armo same with Schneider and steven.

BJ and NDS would both be damaging HFFs

If we were struggling that much I dont see why we wouldn't play Tom Lynch.

I'm pretty happy with this as long as BJ/NDS assume teh 'quarterback role' when they are in their midfield rotation.

Without either of them up back I'm struggliong to find someone who hads the footy smarts and the disposal ability to play that role.
Sam Fisher probably could but I fear he will be needed for other roles.

[the_D_train]

i believe Sean Dempster could play that "quaterback" role pretty effectively when he returns from injury ??

[Mr Magic]

i believe Sean Dempster could play that "quaterback" role pretty effectively when he returns from injury ??

Except we're unlikely to see him play anytime soon.

[the_D_train]

yes half a season...

[Statsman]

i would like to see...

HF: N DalSanto - N Riewoldt - D Armitage

FF: S Milne - J Koschitzke - J Steven

Armitage and Steven will both need to cement a place in the first 22 before they can be penciled into the starting 18. I agree they are the right type of players to fill those roles, but we'll need to see a fair bit more from both of them before we hand them a spot in the side.

[bigcarl]

I'm pretty happy with this as long as BJ/NDS assume teh 'quarterback role' when they are in their midfield rotation.

Without either of them up back I'm struggliong to find someone who hads the footy smarts and the disposal ability to play that role.

raph was close to best on ground in that role in the final we won against collingwood. gram can play it. s. fisher can play it.

there are other possibilties like xavier clarke (if he can get a decent run at it injury wise) and farren ray (down the track a bit).

goose might never get back to his best, but i remember him being pretty effective as a general down there going back a bit.

so we do have options and i think it's time we looked at getting some of our best offensive players off the half back line and into positions where they can hurt the opposition where it really counts ... on the scoreboard.

[PJ]

i think it's time we looked at getting some of our best offensive players off the half back line and into positions where they can hurt the opposition where it really counts

This is where it's really at. Too often last year it went in only to come straight back. Most would agree our Half back line was probably our most effective.

Take a look at our list and look at the experiments going on across HB - Begley, Ray perhaps even X next week.

BJ can rotate from the midfield to the forward line and make a real mess of opposition match ups.

Pos rotating buddy: Raph, Gilbo (both have the defensive side to their games)

I was super impressed with Heyne as well - looks like a freak in the making and yes, he could be the Steve Johson/loose cannon type.

Since the demise of the G-train we've looked pretty average up front.