Mav

[Con Gorozidis]

Are people on here still defending Mav?
Last night was everything bad about him on display.

When he gets the ball he always stops, darts back and tries to stuff around running around players and showing off his 'fancy footwork'.
Then once our fwds get covered and he is getting tackled he then hacks a kick high in the air.

The bloke seriously needs to go back to basics and stop trying to be a flash harry show pony.

Really frustrating to watch him stuff us around wasting time when a simple quick kick fwd to advantage is the best option.

[saynta]

Next stop Sandringham, one would think.

[skeptic]

Needed to be dropped a month ago... has had an abysmal season.

All the players that could play in that position in Minch, Wright, and Dunstan have at least had the odd good game.

Mav has been consistently poor this season and has consistently been beyond reproach.

Very frustrating.

No one has said cut him, but a few players this season have been dropped and come back the better for it. Why not Mav?

[Vazelos]

He was so good last year but his credits are running out.
It's so frustrating when players go backwards..
Membrey another , Bruce the year before..

[loris]

I noticed the TV commentators were picking up that he often doesn't keep on his feet in a contest.
I can recall last night it was mentioned a few times about Mav.

For such a bulked up looking bloke, with a lowish centre of gravity he does go to ground a lot. Doesn't always appear to have the strength his body looks like it could deliver. Maybe it's because his endurance is not so good, he's often exhausted when he gets to a contest. I'm sure his endurance is compromised by the bulk he is carrying. I think it was Wayne Carey last night, who mentioned Mav needed to fine down to suit the way the game is played theses days. Hate to be in agreement with Carey, but I am.

The Saints need the person who got Jimmy Webster out of the habit of falling over in contests, will need to turn his attention to ridding Mav of being our player who is 'Autumn Leaves'.

[dals_da_bomb]

He had a shocker last night.
His had a few shockers, however his certainly not the only one kicking some sprays.
If he was dropped i wouldnt question it - like i questioned Steele.

Poor Mav.

More like poor bloody DDB putting $10 on him to kick first goal every darn week.

[jonesy]

Was his best game for the year last night which is saying something

One of Richos boys . No selection integrity the fact that he hasn't been dropped this year

[Linton Lodger]

I'm a fan of Mav, but he's not going well. In the last 2 weeks he has started the games terribly, but finished well and that probably saves him, but he's under pressure. You would expect improvement or unfortunately a spell in the VFL.

[WellardSaint]

he shouldn't be in the leadership group,
maybe he's second guessing himself when he gets the pill

He seems to overthink things.
Was quoted as saying that during his meditation (or maybe not)
he runs through the upcoming game in his head, imagining what he will do.
Mav wants to take the game on, but he falls short in that regard.

Maybe Mark Spargo (the club's sports psych) should tell him to just empty his head pre-game
Play some PS4 or something, anything but footy
Spargo used to be the shrink for the Aussie Mens' Water Polo team (or still is?)
and works for the Vic Institute of Sport.

I go back to the Crows game, when Ross and Robbo were fumbling when they were 10m clear,
and falling over due to panic.
Last night Ross had his composure back (e.g. nice pass to Sincs)

Maybe not drop Mav, but he is nothing like last year

[Con Gorozidis]

Mav wants to take the game on, but he falls short in that regard.

This is the key point.
I think the coaches have told him to 'take the game on'. It has become his mantra.

But if you get the ball in the clear and there is a fwd in the clear ahead of you or someone streaming past in a better position - just give it to him straight away.

Instead he has in his head that he is supposed to 'take the game on'. So he actually waits or doubles backwards in to traffic and opposition players so he can 'take them on'.

I think he is misinterpreting his instructions in this regard.

Sure take the game on in a contest or when you are outnumbered and need to fight to hold it up.

But if you have the ball in the clear and a clear player ahead - just move the ball on efficiently immediately. Dont hang around waiting or conjuring up a contest so you can 'take them on' just for the sake of it.

Drives me NUTS! Noone wants to see your 'fancy foot work' followed by an opposition goal. We just want to see a Saints goal.

[saintsRrising]

All of our small forwards if you exclude Billings are struggling. And Billings is more versatile than a small forward as he can currently also play very well behind the ball and on the wing.

Against the Roos the disposal efficiency of Lonie, Gresh and Weller wee all at about 50%. They all often kicked to bad options and worse often straight to opposition.


Our list managers and coaches seem fixated on playing too many small forwards, and each year in recruiting more and more. Why? I cannot understand it. We should be recruiting more and more mids. some of will be able to rotate through the forward line.

Unless they are extremely good there should be no more than one specialist small forward in the team. But yet we play three plus Billings.

The club seems obsessed with small forwards

[thejiggingsaint]

I think MAV will come good again. I'm prepared to give him some slack.

[thejiggingsaint]

Last night I heard one "supporter" - drunk as a skunk (apologies to Tim Membrey) with a gut that would put Jabba the Hutt to shame, yelling out "get back to the VFL Weller! You're f****n useless" in full view of opposition supporters If that's the kind of encouragement shown by fans like him, then it's no phuckin wonder we only have one flag!

[Con Gorozidis]

Last night I heard one "supporter" - drunk as a skunk (apologies to Tim Membrey) with a gut that would put Jabba the Hutt to shame, yelling out "get back to the VFL Weller! You're f****n useless" in full view of opposition supporters If that's the kind of encouragement shown by fans like him, then it's no phuckin wonder we only have one flag!

I take umbrage with that. I wasn't that drunk. I'd only had three mid strengths at that point in the game.
Five by the final siren over three hours.
Very responsible drinking.

[Sainternist]

Last night I heard one "supporter" - drunk as a skunk (apologies to Tim Membrey) with a gut that would put Jabba the Hutt to shame

Hahahahahaha This gave me a good belly laugh, Jiggster. I'm pleased to say I don't have belly that would put Jabba the Hutt to shame. I'm with you, supporters who yell that type of garbage are embarrassing.

I'd be willing to bet money on Mav not being dropped. He's a favourite of Richo's. He'll be magnificent once he gets his mojo back. Just have to be patient with the young Cyclops at the moment.

[saynta]

He was so good last year but his credits are running out.
It's so frustrating when players go backwards..
Membrey another , Bruce the year before..

1st half, i would have sent no. 4 packing too. Better after half time.

[lintonstreet]

Most of you are clearly blind to the game.

yes mav is down on last year but last night he was very good.

In fact his first qtr was outstanding in helping to break the game apart.

His first two tackles resulted in our first 2 goals (one overturned) - but I'm not surprised you missed that.

His smother for memory on half time saved a deep entry into their forward line and his crunch mark at centre half back hen others would have wilted saved a certain goal in the last when they were coming hard.

You blokes see only what you want to see.

His set shots at goal are crap yes but fortunately most like me see his grunt work that our lighter lads just cant put on.

Last night he started most centre bounces on the defensive side of the square and a lot of his possessions were in our defensive half. Our other forwards cant be relied on for that. For those of you at the match you would have seen that he was managed through the match, probably spending less than 70% on the ground. His ankle is a mess but he's doing what the coach wants him to do.

It's just a pity you lot see only the missed kicks and errant shots at goal.

[lintonstreet]

Most of you are clearly blind to the game.

yes mav is down on last year but last night he was very good.

In fact his first qtr was outstanding in helping to break the game apart.

His first two tackles resulted in our first 2 goals (one overturned) - but I'm not surprised you missed that.

His smother for memory on half time saved a deep entry into their forward line and his crunch mark at centre half back hen others would have wilted saved a certain goal in the last when they were coming hard.

You blokes see only what you want to see.

His set shots at goal are crap yes but fortunately most like me see his grunt work that our lighter lads just cant put on.

Last night he started most centre bounces on the defensive side of the square and a lot of his possessions were in our defensive half. Our other forwards cant be relied on for that. For those of you at the match you would have seen that he was managed through the match, probably spending less than 70% on the ground. His ankle is a mess but he's doing what the coach wants him to do.

It's just a pity you lot see only the missed kicks and errant shots at goal.

[Con Gorozidis]

No. I see when he deliberately stops and goes backwards looking for opposition players rather than just doing the efficient simple team play.
I see him always trying to kick goal of the day rather than the basic play.

[lintonstreet]

No. I see when he deliberately stops and goes backwards looking for opposition players rather than just doing the efficient simple team play.
I see him always trying to kick goal of the day rather than the basic play.

Con you have lost touch completely with the game.
Mav had one shot on goal last night which was from a set shot so no idea what you are talking about.
You probably didn't even see his 3 or 4 deft handballs out of the congestion to players in space - guess that's not simple team play to you?

[skeptic]

U can say that he did more pressure acts than some may originally think but to say that he was 'very good' has to be a joke. The pressure stuff should be a given for everybody and not a justification for an otherwise reduced impact

[Joffa Burns]

Does huffing and puffing and flairing ones nostrils count as pressure acts?

[dragit]

I think Mav really embodies everything the saints are in 2017.

Just like the club he tries really hard, but just isn’t very good at executing the fundamentals of the game.

The attempted “don’t argue” against Ziebell last night really highlighted the gulf between where Mav thinks he is at and reality.

100 games into his career now, not good enough to play in the midfield, he has kick 8 goals 16 behinds as a forward & makes 3 tackles a game as a pressure forward.

As part of the leadership group he seems more worried about keeping his spot in the side than the greater good of the team as he’ll take an outrageous shot on goal and miss rather than pass to a teammate for an easy goal.

He’s a good solid battler, but unfortunately he’s just not a very smart player nor does he have any elite qualities apart from maybe ‘trying’.

He’s done a decent job while we are missing a generation of players in the 20-25 age range played some good football, but as a medium sized player without any real weapons, he is definitely someone we need to replace in the 22 if we are going to become a quality side.

Ideally we are resting a player like Acres or Steele forward between midfield stints when we have enough quality players running through the midfield.

[ace]

Does huffing and puffing and flairing ones nostrils count as pressure acts?

Obviously you have never been alone in a field with an angry Mallee Bull.

[Moods]

Last year I saw some games where his overhead marking was Like Eliott Yeo's. He had hands of steel. He actually reminded me of Aaron Hamill in a couple of games. I was excited at what he could deliver this year. Players who are good overhead are generally very good players and have good courage. Sadly he's delivered nothing this year, and I quite often get mocking text messages from mates who aren't endeared to his pony tail and spiritual existence....... He's gone from being potentially one of our best players to trade material in 12 months.