Blake to tag Brown.

[saintsRrising]

Ok...have though a bit about it now.

Brown is 194cm.....Blake is 191cm...and has a bigger leap that Brown.

It would seem to me that Blake is going to tag Brown.

When Brown goes forward Blakey will take him...and if goes into the ruck...Blakey can match him too.

Blakey has the tank to outrun Brown, and too run off him and burst forward.

When you think about it it is a good match up for us as Blakey has beaten players like Goodes.

Go the Blake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mr Magic]

Yes, But what happens when Jolley goes out of the ruck and goes forward instead of to the interchange bench?
Who takes him in this scenario?

[chook23]

Cloke?

[SainterK]

Yes, But what happens when Jolley goes out of the ruck and goes forward instead of to the interchange bench?
Who takes him in this scenario?

When Gardiner goes forward, who takes him?

[Mr Magic]

Yes, But what happens when Jolley goes out of the ruck and goes forward instead of to the interchange bench?
Who takes him in this scenario?

When Gardiner goes forward, who takes him?

If he's playing in the ruck, then Jolly would have to follow him.
If he plays as a forward, we most likely wouldn't have both him and Kosi down there, so PerryComo would take whoever was there.

We don't often play 3 tall forwards anymore - that experiment failed.

[saintsRrising]

Looking at Brown's stats he only averages 12 disposal a game..and 4.5 HOs. His HOs are higher if you allow that he has probably played more ruck later in the year. Blakey on Brown could gain more of the ball.

[chook23]

Is Blake our best match up with Cloke?

If not?

[bergholt]

Yes, But what happens when Jolley goes out of the ruck and goes forward instead of to the interchange bench?
Who takes him in this scenario?

gwilt's been taking talls all year. both he and dempster are big enough to make a fist of it. yeah, they'll give a bit in reach, but i'd back them to stay with him.

anyway, our backline is happy to rotate men to keep dawson, bakes and dempster in the last line, and gwilt, fisher and gilbert across the second last line.

[Mr Magic]

Is Blake our best match up with Cloke?

If not?

Gwilt?

He has the strength and motor to keep up with him, but is shorter (but not really shorter than BLake).

[AnythingsPossibleSaints]

I don't mind this at all. Our backline has been top-heavy many times this year, especially against those with quick teams, so this will make us better balanced.
There is also the possibility that this is BS, though and that someone is going to miss out (from the named side) and Big Mac will come in. I just hope no-one misses out due to injury.

[SainterK]

Is Blake our best match up with Cloke?

If not?

Gwilt?

He has the strength and motor to keep up with him, but is shorter (but not really shorter than BLake).

Cloke does use his body and tries to out muscle his opponent though, rather than using his height, Jimmy is pretty strong through the....core.

[saintsRrising]

Ok..Other Factors

Pies play a huge number of midfield rotations.

Saints normally hae two ruckman effictively taking up one spot on the bench as their TOG's are about 56% each.

Now I would be guesing that part of the reason for this is that with gardi that they need to get him up for the next game. So with no "next week" Gardi can have his TOG ramped up.


This means we can rotate our mids more keeping them fresher against the high rotating Pies. This rotation is one of the Pies "edges", and this will negate it.

Plus Blake is still good enough in the ruck to beat Brown there. So this could be a double-win.

It also addsa bit of versatiity as:

* Kosi can ruck if needed as well....and inded many of us ten to think that 5 minutes or so in the ruck every now and again wakes him up

* Bakes gves us another tagging option...as well as small defensive option.

[remboy]

Don't disagree with any of the reasoning but if Blake was going to play in the ruck in a grand final wouldn't he have played some minutes there in the lead up? We've played two specialist ruckman nearly all year, seems strange to try something different in the big one.

[saintsRrising]

Don't disagree with any of the reasoning but if Blake was going to play in the ruck in a grand final wouldn't he have played some minutes there in the lead up? We've played two specialist ruckman nearly all year, seems strange to try something different in the big one.

Blake has played enough in the ruck in the past.

Besides who knows what happens in the closed sessions.



Also this might be the chance for Blake to bea surprise Norm Smith Medalist.

[Dr Spaceman]

Ok..Other Factors

Pies play a huge number of midfield rotations.

Saints normally hae two ruckman effictively taking up one spot on the bench as their TOG's are about 56% each.

Now I would be guesing that part of the reason for this is that with gardi that they need to get him up for the next game. So with no "next week" Gardi can have his TOG ramped up.


This means we can rotate our mids more keeping them fresher against the high rotating Pies. This rotation is one of the Pies "edges", and this will negate it.

Plus Blake is still good enough in the ruck to beat Brown there. So this could be a double-win.

It also addsa bit of versatiity as:

* Kosi can ruck if needed as well....and inded many of us ten to think that 5 minutes or so in the ruck every now and again wakes him up

* Bakes gves us another tagging option...as well as small defensive option.

I like many others was shocked when I first heard about this but I think that's really due to the fact Macca has been so good this year and it was really unexpected.

Now accepting of course there could still be a late change, I am growing to like this change a lot for all the reasons you have listed there saintsRrising.

If the team runs out as listed, or at least without Macca, and we lose I for one will not be attacking Ross. The Pies having been towelling up everyone in recent times with their 1.5 ruckmen and insane rotations and at least RL is showing he's flexible.

I feel very, very sorry for Big Mac if indeed he misses but there is a fairly important game to be won and everyone needs to play their part. Looks like Ross and the selectors have already begun; now it's up to whichever 22 players take the field.

Let's roll

[plugger66]

Is the Brown the pies having playing the same one from Brisbane or it the guy who has already left 2 clubs?

[perfectionist]

He's the one who kicked 3 against us last time we played and ran all over the ground largely unmarked because we weren't mobile enough.

[derby Street]

He's the one who kicked 3 against us last time we played and ran all over the ground largely unmarked because we weren't mobile enough.

Everyones allowed one day in the sun - let's see him light it up on the last Saturday in September. Trust me we have got more problems than to focus heavily on Brown. AND the pies have got some of their own work to do.

[Finna]

This would also be a much better option if it is wet.

The selectors might be preparing for wetter conditions and if we do get rain we don't want to be too tall.

We will need to be more nimble around the ground and aggressive at the ball and man (legally). If we do go with this combination we still have enough height for a dry or partially dry day.

[degruch]

Who has it been the last two times...because whoever it was, should not line up on Brown this time.

[perfectionist]

In relation to the OP, Jason Blake is actually 189cm not 191cm, he just looks taller.

A few years ago on this board, I was derided for saying that Jason Blake was one of the most important (not best) footballers at the club because of his versatility, especially his ability to ruck with distinction if required, and his capacity to run all day. At the time, we simply didn't have anyone else like him (still don't) and our rucks then were hopeless (pre Michael Gardiner). Perhaps his game tomorrow will go some further way to support that contention, although many others have since recognised (belatedly) his importance to the team structure.

[rodgerfox]

In relation to the OP, Jason Blake is actually 189cm not 191cm, he just looks taller.

A few years ago on this board, I was derided for saying that Jason Blake was one of the most important (not best) footballers at the club because of his versatility, especially his ability to ruck with distinction if required, and his capacity to run all day. At the time, we simply didn't have anyone else like him (still don't) and our rucks then were hopeless (pre Michael Gardiner). Perhaps his game tomorrow will go some further way to support that contention, although many others have since recognised (belatedly) his importance to the team structure.

Does anyone know what the term 'structure' actually means?


If Blake is important to team structure - then how or why can he be thrown into the ruck out of the blue?

That changes the structure entirely.

[St Chris]

I think Blake has been a bit lost in the last 2 games, maybe only a little against the Dogs, but definetly against the Cats.

He didnt really have a good matchup, even spent some time as a key forward in the second half.

Maybe this "Blake vs Brown" thing is the plan. It might just come off too, because neither McEvoy nor Gardiner are particularly good when they play deep in defence, and we know Leigh Brown likes to push forward.

[saintsRrising]

In relation to the OP, Jason Blake is actually 189cm not 191cm, he just looks taller.

.

Pretty sure he is 191cm.

Stats for years had him as 189cm...and then a few years back IIRC Blake when interiewed stated he was 191cm.

Stats sites have since adopted 191 for the Blake, though Saints.com.au still lists him as 189cm.

Luke Holmesby
3:00 PM Thu 17 Apr, 2008
Saints utility Jason Blake


Standing just 191cm, Blake has been able to hold his own against some of the monsters in the AFL like Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands

[saintsRrising]

others have since recognised (belatedly) his importance to the team structure.

I don't know about structure.

However since Lyon arroved Blake had vastly improved as a footballer. Now whether this is just maturity, or Lyon's coaching,, ora combination of the two only Blake will know.

However while Blake was doing many things right he was also infamous back then in virtually every game prodicing a "rabbit in the headlights " moment which invariablly seemed to end up in an oppostion goal. Blake has irridicated this from his game.

Secondly back then the other main flaw Blake had was his often poor use. Again he has vastly improved in this area to the extent where no one would question his kicking now.

Thirdly Blake has improved his spoiling ability.

He was always a good runner. A highlight of his early years was that he always seemed to know when to run into space and often provided a good marking target up frward when he did so. the lowlight was that he also often missed gettable goals from those marks.

Always disciplined, always hardworking...but now is a much more "complete" and accomplished package.