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St Chris wrote:
Cue the Raph Clarke Love Brigade.....
I agree he played well in the second half, but they guys I gave votes to were performing when the heat was on, while Raph was his usual incompetent self in the first half. His out on the full in the 2nd quarter, while under no pressure, was inexcusable at this level.
There is always one isn't there!
To say that Raph didn't perfom well when the heat is on is ridiculous. It is clear that you did not watch the 3rd quarter at all. Lenny laid down the gauntlet and Raph was the one who was the first to respond. Going back for that mark with eyes only for the ball that then resulted in a goal for us at the other end was BRILLIANT!!! His courage lifted his team mates around him and he had 2 of those efforts in the 3rd quarter.
Go watch the game again and this time actually WATCH the 3rd quarter. You may also want to watch the first 2 quarters carefully because except for that kick out of bounds, he was fairly good in the early stages of the game.
Exactly. How many goals did Le Cras get in the first half??? Oh that's right - the same as he got in the second half!! - none.
I want to stand for something. I'm a loyal person and I think at the end of my career it will be great to look back and know that I'm a St Kilda person for life.
- Nick Riewoldt. May 19th 2009.
saint75 wrote:Going back for that mark with eyes only for the ball that then resulted in a goal for us at the other end was BRILLIANT!!! His courage lifted his team mates around him and he had 2 of those efforts in the 3rd quarter.
Ok, Agreed. Maybe i didn't give enough credit for that mark, and yes the team did lift after that. It doesn't mean I think he was in our best 5 though.
He still fumbles his way around the backline and puts his teammates under unnecessary pressure with indecision and poor skills. His first half was riddled with these "Raph-isms" and i still think he is a liability to our back 6.
saint75 wrote:Going back for that mark with eyes only for the ball that then resulted in a goal for us at the other end was BRILLIANT!!! His courage lifted his team mates around him and he had 2 of those efforts in the 3rd quarter.
Ok, Agreed. Maybe i didn't give enough credit for that mark, and yes the team did lift after that. It doesn't mean I think he was in our best 5 though.
He still fumbles his way around the backline and puts his teammates under unnecessary pressure with indecision and poor skills. His first half was riddled with these "Raph-isms" and i still think he is a liability to our back 6.
Interesting thoughts in your last sentence. How do you and, more impotantly, the rest of the competition rate Le Cras this year? Would I be correct in saying quite highly? How many goals did Le Cras kick on the weekend? Who was holding accountable from our team?
I am not asking you to give him votes. You are entitled to vote anyway that you please. All I ask is that Raph is given credit for an exceptional game of footy were he DID have an influence on the result. Plenty of scribes have no problem admitting how good he was and even apologise today. Too bad sections of our own supporter base cannot do the same. Too many on here seem to be willing to stick the boots in, but are not as quick to offer credit when it is due. It's hard to break old habits, but maybe, just maybe if we get behind him he will only get better!
St Chris wrote:5. Hayes - All class
4. Goddard - See above - would have pushed for 5 if he didn't shank that shot for goal on his left foot in the 3rd
3. Dal Santo - Found a way to break a good tag
2. McEvoy - 4 contested marks against west coast's total of 3 says it all.
1. CJ - Priddis had a lot of the footy but was so tightly held that he could do nothing with it.
Cue the Raph Clarke Love Brigade..... :cry:
I agree he played well in the second half, but they guys I gave votes to were performing when the heat was on, while Raph was his usual incompetent self in the first half. His out on the full in the 2nd quarter, while under no pressure, was inexcusable at this level.
Also close were Ray and Gardiner.
Unfortunately couldn't squeeze McQualter in either....
Just give your votes and don't make a fool of yourself.
Raph was very very good all night and Mini was very very ordinary.
5 Hayes - Legend.
4 Goddard - Was consistently good. Also had some vital disposals and a crunch goal in the 2nd half.
3 R Clarke - Got better as the match wore on. Needs to make sure he can string these sorts of performances consistently!
2 Dal - Again, much improved effort.
1 Ray - Solid game. Found a bit of the footy, was strong in the clinches.
