Final teams: Dempster in

[Shaggy]

Raph isn't part of the plans unless Max is injured.

Big statement.

In the finals last year he was in our top 5. Start of the year when we were getting smacked by Swans he was in top 3 IMO before injury. Since injury average but getting better last week.

I suspect coaches like players who perform when the team is under the pump. And I really thought he did ok against Geelong despite a lack of confidence whereas there were 6 team mates whom IMO got shown up.

[hAyES]

Raph isn't part of the plans unless Max is injured.

Big statement.

In the finals last year he was in our top 5. Start of the year when we were getting smacked by Swans he was in top 3 IMO before injury. Since injury average but getting better last week.

I suspect coaches like players who perform when the team is under the pump. And I really thought he did ok against Geelong despite a lack of confidence whereas there were 6 team mates whom IMO got shown up.

I agree with you. I think it'd be much better for our structure to have Raph in there rather than play the incredibly tall backline that clearly doesn't work, but Max is a very hard player to keep out of the side. Sooner or later there will have to be a decision made between Max or Dawson and hopefully Raph can get back to his good form because he clearly isn't cutting it right now.

[Milton66]

Raph isn't part of the plans unless Max is injured.

Big statement.

In the finals last year he was in our top 5. Start of the year when we were getting smacked by Swans he was in top 3 IMO before injury. Since injury average but getting better last week.

I suspect coaches like players who perform when the team is under the pump. And I really thought he did ok against Geelong despite a lack of confidence whereas there were 6 team mates whom IMO got shown up.

Care to name them?

[Shaggy]

Raph isn't part of the plans unless Max is injured.

Big statement.

In the finals last year he was in our top 5. Start of the year when we were getting smacked by Swans he was in top 3 IMO before injury. Since injury average but getting better last week.

I suspect coaches like players who perform when the team is under the pump. And I really thought he did ok against Geelong despite a lack of confidence whereas there were 6 team mates whom IMO got shown up.

Care to name them?

So you can have a go at me for having an opinion . No problem. I only watched the game live and never saw a replay. Ball, Gram, Milne, Zac, Geary and Ben were IMO not important to the game.

I include Zac because he made too many mistakes.

Looking at the stats after Ball has 14 possessions for 50% of game ... thats impressive but also explains why watching the game live I didn't see him that much.

On the contrary to writing off the players I don't think the Saints performed to their best. Many did, some didn't. Its getting the bottom 6 on the day to perform that is the challenge going to the finals.

Do you have a problem with that

[plugger66]

Raph isn't part of the plans unless Max is injured.

Big statement.

In the finals last year he was in our top 5. Start of the year when we were getting smacked by Swans he was in top 3 IMO before injury. Since injury average but getting better last week.

I suspect coaches like players who perform when the team is under the pump. And I really thought he did ok against Geelong despite a lack of confidence whereas there were 6 team mates whom IMO got shown up.

Care to name them?

So you can have a go at me for having an opinion . No problem. I only watched the game live and never saw a replay. Ball, Gram, Milne, Zac, Geary and Ben were IMO not important to the game.

I include Zac because he made too many mistakes.

Looking at the stats after Ball has 14 possessions for 50% of game ... thats impressive but also explains why watching the game live I didn't see him that much.

On the contrary to writing off the players I don't think the Saints performed to their best. Many did, some didn't. Its getting the bottom 6 on the day to perform that is the challenge going to the finals.

Do you have a problem with that

I am yet to see any AFL game ever where everyone plays well. Even Geelong in 2007 GF would have had some ordinary players. That is why players arent dropped weekly.

[Solar]

Raph isn't part of the plans unless Max is injured.

Big statement.

In the finals last year he was in our top 5. Start of the year when we were getting smacked by Swans he was in top 3 IMO before injury. Since injury average but getting better last week.

I suspect coaches like players who perform when the team is under the pump. And I really thought he did ok against Geelong despite a lack of confidence whereas there were 6 team mates whom IMO got shown up.

Care to name them?

So you can have a go at me for having an opinion . No problem. I only watched the game live and never saw a replay. Ball, Gram, Milne, Zac, Geary and Ben were IMO not important to the game.

I include Zac because he made too many mistakes.

Looking at the stats after Ball has 14 possessions for 50% of game ... thats impressive but also explains why watching the game live I didn't see him that much.

On the contrary to writing off the players I don't think the Saints performed to their best. Many did, some didn't. Its getting the bottom 6 on the day to perform that is the challenge going to the finals.

Do you have a problem with that

I am yet to see any AFL game ever where everyone plays well. Even Geelong in 2007 GF would have had some ordinary players. That is why players arent dropped weekly.

it's similar to I have never seen a game this year when a side plays their best 22..... (can't stand people telling me the sants are yet to play a side with their best 22 in... )

good to see dempster come in and I would like to see raph get some midfield and forward time in the next few weeks

[Shaggy]

Raph isn't part of the plans unless Max is injured.

Big statement.

In the finals last year he was in our top 5. Start of the year when we were getting smacked by Swans he was in top 3 IMO before injury. Since injury average but getting better last week.

I suspect coaches like players who perform when the team is under the pump. And I really thought he did ok against Geelong despite a lack of confidence whereas there were 6 team mates whom IMO got shown up.

Care to name them?

So you can have a go at me for having an opinion . No problem. I only watched the game live and never saw a replay. Ball, Gram, Milne, Zac, Geary and Ben were IMO not important to the game.

I include Zac because he made too many mistakes.

Looking at the stats after Ball has 14 possessions for 50% of game ... thats impressive but also explains why watching the game live I didn't see him that much.

On the contrary to writing off the players I don't think the Saints performed to their best. Many did, some didn't. Its getting the bottom 6 on the day to perform that is the challenge going to the finals.

Do you have a problem with that

I am yet to see any AFL game ever where everyone plays well. Even Geelong in 2007 GF would have had some ordinary players. That is why players arent dropped weekly.

This wasn't just a H&A match it was like a final. Good players improve as the standard gets better and the injured and lesser players get worse IMO.

As full on as Sunday's match was the tempo will be far greater if Saints meet Geelong in the GF.

We have weaknesses its obvious. But so does the Cats.

[Shaggy]

Raph isn't part of the plans unless Max is injured.

Big statement.

In the finals last year he was in our top 5. Start of the year when we were getting smacked by Swans he was in top 3 IMO before injury. Since injury average but getting better last week.

I suspect coaches like players who perform when the team is under the pump. And I really thought he did ok against Geelong despite a lack of confidence whereas there were 6 team mates whom IMO got shown up.

Care to name them?

So you can have a go at me for having an opinion . No problem. I only watched the game live and never saw a replay. Ball, Gram, Milne, Zac, Geary and Ben were IMO not important to the game.

I include Zac because he made too many mistakes.

Looking at the stats after Ball has 14 possessions for 50% of game ... thats impressive but also explains why watching the game live I didn't see him that much.

On the contrary to writing off the players I don't think the Saints performed to their best. Many did, some didn't. Its getting the bottom 6 on the day to perform that is the challenge going to the finals.

Do you have a problem with that

I am yet to see any AFL game ever where everyone plays well. Even Geelong in 2007 GF would have had some ordinary players. That is why players arent dropped weekly.

This wasn't just a H&A match it was like a final. Good players improve as the standard gets better and the injured and lesser players get worse IMO.

As full on as Sunday's match was the tempo will be far greater if Saints meet Geelong in the GF.

We have a lot of improvement to go. But so does the Cats.

[meher baba]

I agree with Dempster's inclusion. Is he in our best 22? I remain unsure. If X and Max were fit and Raph and Geary were in top form, I reckon he'd miss every time.

I hope those multitudes on here who seem to imagine Sean as some sort of hybrid of Luke Hodge and Lindsay Gilbee aren't too disappointed when they see him actually playing. He's a hard-working defender who is for the most part invisible during a game.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if I find myself defending Sean next week against a lot of disappointed forumites criticing him for not being more involved in the game!

[plugger66]

I agree with Dempster's inclusion. Is he in our best 22? I remain unsure. If X and Max were fit and Raph and Geary were in top form, I reckon he'd miss every time.

I hope those multitudes on here who seem to imagine Sean as some sort of hybrid of Luke Hodge and Lindsay Gilbee aren't too disappointed when they see him actually playing. He's a hard-working defender who is for the most part invisible during a game.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if I find myself defending Sean next week against a lot of disappointed forumites criticing him for not being more involved in the game!

Its funny you say that. Just tried to find our player of the year award for last year but could only find to round 18 and Dempster had never been given a vote. I know this award is only our opinion but it gives some indication that is an good average footballer not a star like some on here think.

[claystreet]

He deservs a run and a nice time to get him on the paddock and see how he stacks up over a couple of weeks.

Premiership player who does whats needed, neither a superstar or a hack.

have a good one Sean

[hotdish]

FYI, the following are RL's comments when he did his knee:

"Sean Dempster, who I might say has been fantastic for us – I reckon Schneider and Dempster have been fantastic for us, they've both delivered for the majority of the year – but unfortunately he did his ACL, it looks like, in the first minute of the game"

"It's a loss for us, we feel for Sean – I can't imagine what he's feeling at the moment – but he'll be assessed fully in the ensuing days,".

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default ... wsid=66719

[saintsRrising]

I hope those multitudes on here who seem to imagine Sean as some sort of hybrid of Luke Hodge and Lindsay Gilbee aren't too disappointed when they see him actually playing. He's a hard-working defender who is for the most part invisible during a game.

What utter crud....

I doubt you would be able to find one such post on this forum let alone "multitudes".

Your continued bashing of both Schneider and Dempster is unjust and unwarranted and seems to be born from your dislike of Lyon and your lack of appreciation of what team footbal is all about.

Many posters on this forum see Dempster as a solid first 22 player capable of playing a role down back...and in particular in taking on some of the smaller forwards that are about while also providing some run and long-kicking out of defence. He also providesa back-up tagging option to CJ.

No one is putting Dempster as a "star".....except for your snide comments that is.

[saintsRrising]

not a star like some on here think.

Who exactly is raving that Demspter is a star?

[undecided]

Raph isn't part of the plans unless Max is injured.

Big statement.

In the finals last year he was in our top 5. Start of the year when we were getting smacked by Swans he was in top 3 IMO before injury. Since injury average but getting better last week.

I suspect coaches like players who perform when the team is under the pump. And I really thought he did ok against Geelong despite a lack of confidence whereas there were 6 team mates whom IMO got shown up.

Care to name them?

So you can have a go at me for having an opinion . No problem. I only watched the game live and never saw a replay. Ball, Gram, Milne, Zac, Geary and Ben were IMO not important to the game.

I include Zac because he made too many mistakes.

Looking at the stats after Ball has 14 possessions for 50% of game ... thats impressive but also explains why watching the game live I didn't see him that much.

On the contrary to writing off the players I don't think the Saints performed to their best. Many did, some didn't. Its getting the bottom 6 on the day to perform that is the challenge going to the finals.

Do you have a problem with that

What did zac do wrong, he didn't get much of the ball but when he did he used it well.

[borderbarry]

Max will come in for one of the "D"s. Dawson or Dempster.

[mick13]

Dempster aint a superstar, but not many teams have 22 superstars. He's in the team for a reason, beacuse he's one of the best 22 players we have at the club.

Onya Sean.

[Thinline]

.....still no goose!!!!!.....

Oh my God I cannot believe a nice and brave but slow and formless b-grader hasnt been picked again...

[Shades]

Do we konw whos in for the web slinger?