Saints v West Coast: Thoughts

[Scoop]

The saints looked underdone, like they won't click for 6 to 7 rounds. I think Thomas has them trying to be primed for September unlike last year where they had no petrol tickets left.

West Coast should have won by 8 plus goals. Just lacked finish around the goals. Lynch is not the answer up forward for them. And a big raspberry for Daniel Kerr giving Robert Harvey three cheap shots during the game. May even get cited on one to the head.

Both would walk away feeling reasonably happy with things.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Watching the game last night it was again obvious that the Eagles will struggle to take out the big one. Sure they've got a brilliant midfield, Judd, Kerr, Cousins etc. but they really should have iced the 'Aints with the amount of ball they pumped into the forward 50.
To only come away with a 18 pt win at home is indicative of this. Embley is definately the goods but Saker, Lynch, Gaspar and even Hansen are average forwards. I think they should look at moving Adam Hunter forward on a full time basis. They should have crushed St Kilda last night but didn't. Victories won't be as easy away from home.

Two guys I was very impressed with at the Eagles are Mark Nicoski & Adam Sellwood. Very promising young players indeed.

As for the Saints they'll struggle this year, lower 8 for mine.

 

[Tango]

the eagles missed about 5 easy opportunities in the last qtr and the core flattered the saints

the saints also let the eagles play their own game and went head to head with them rather than shutting them down, and flooding. the eagles wont get the same space in melb against less arrogant sides than the saints

riewoldt is developing more and more like richo - takes lots of marks but usually too far up the ground and too wide

 

[Richmond United]

For mine not much has changed at the Eagles if they can find a key forward they would just about be home.
Reiwolt isnt unlike Richo with work ethic, gee he works hard.

Similarity doesn't end there....seems to kick like him as well.

Leg speed in the middle of the ground may be a big problem for the Saints this yr....with particular reference to Pecket, Thompson, Harvey and to a lesser extent Ball, Hayes and Dal Santo. Exposed in this area yesterday.....perhaps Fiora with his great pace will be their saviour!

 

[Mac]

how good was Wirripunda's drive into the forward line? The time he called for a lead from the pocket, then changed direction ever so slightly at the last second to hit the real lead on the chest coming up the guts - pretty to watch. Sucked in the whole backline.

 

[pahoffm]

For mine not much has changed at the Eagles if they can find a key forward they would just about be home.
Reiwolt isnt unlike Richo with work ethic, gee he works hard.

Similarity doesn't end there....seems to kick like him as well.

Leg speed in the middle of the ground may be a big problem for the Saints this yr....with particular reference to Pecket, Thompson, Harvey and to a lesser extent Ball, Hayes and Dal Santo.  Exposed in this area yesterday.....perhaps Fiora with his great pace will be their saviour!

I noticed this too.

Westcoast's drive, outside of Judd, came from Wirrpunda, Kerr, Fletcher, all little fellows.
StKilda seemed to lack the same spark, all game.

Never underestimate the spark from little fellows with explosive pace.

 

[Tango]

TW certainly hasnt, thats what we have drafted??

 

[Scoop]

Yeah St Kilda looked very one paced through the mid field. Great point.

For the first time ever last night Lenny Hayes looked like he was going backwards, maybe because West Coast are so pacey it stood out but it really did like St Kilda had no player capable of breaking a line ala, Judd & Kerr (who IMO sells the best candy by a long way, Judd just burns people off and zips in out while Kerr fakes, shimmy's, steps and down right makes people like silly).

I wouldn't be casting St Kilda as also rans yet, they are trying to peak in September but I would bet my house that St Kilda will go for pacey mids over the coming years.

 

[nitrotiger]

Watching the game last night it was again obvious that the Eagles will struggle to take out the big one. Sure they've got a brilliant midfield, Judd, Kerr, Cousins etc. but they really should have iced the 'Aints with the amount of ball they pumped into the forward 50.
To only come away with a 18 pt win at home is indicative of this. Embley is definately the goods but Saker, Lynch, Gaspar and even Hansen are average forwards. I think they should look at moving Adam Hunter forward on a full time basis. They should have crushed St Kilda last night but didn't. Victories won't be as easy away from home.

Two guys I was very impressed with at the Eagles are Mark Nicoski & Adam Sellwood. Very promising young players indeed.

As for the Saints they'll struggle this year, lower 8 for mine.

Took the words outta me mouth Too....
Seagulls shoulda won by plenty and kicked 20 goals........
Agree with that other comment too...that sainters are FEELING the pressure of having the best list and not quite putting it together....early days though it may be.
The saints reming me of Shelby Cobra thats not quite tuned up for racing yet!.......cheers! ;D

 

[Bowerpower]

Looks like little Ossie Jones is going to be big lose for the Sainters this year,Ossie gave them pace out of the backline,the Saints looked slow last night ,expect for Del Santo,would I love to have him at Tigerland.
Saying that I wish we werent playing the Saints next week, they will be wanting to get back on track in a big way.

 

[mb64]

After seeing some of the game last week I think we are more of a chance than I thought.Their forward line has problems,Hamill looked ordinary & is always injured,Nick can't kick straight but will pose a big problem as will Gehrig.There mid field is strong but thee defence is okay & they certainly miss Jones.Still will be a tough game though.

 

[Gazza68]

For mine not much has changed at the Eagles if they can find a key forward they would just about be home.
Reiwolt isnt unlike Richo with work ethic, gee he works hard.

Similarity doesn't end there....seems to kick like him as well.

Leg speed in the middle of the ground may be a big problem for the Saints this yr....with particular reference to Pecket, Thompson, Harvey and to a lesser extent Ball, Hayes and Dal Santo. Exposed in this area yesterday.....perhaps Fiora with his great pace will be their saviour!

I noticed this too.

Westcoast's drive, outside of Judd, came from Wirrpunda, Kerr, Fletcher, all little fellows.
StKilda seemed to lack the same spark, all game.

Never underestimate the spark from little fellows with explosive pace.

Is that what your wife tells you Phantom. :hihi

 

[Skills]

Nice to see all the guys at St Kilda have got such great camraderie, particularly Ackland and Blake.

Easy General...They were practising to be a "great team".

 

[the claw]

went to the game last night and thought the saints more than held theitr own in the first half.
i thought cox murdered them all night and the saint onballers did well to win as much ball as they did at the clearances. i thought riedwooldt played well as did gehrig. watts showed plenty of promise and koschitzke is to come back.
to come over here and only get beaten by 18 points imo was a pretty good effort as i reckon it would be a reasonable bet the eagles dont lose a game at subiaco this yr. imo the saints need a fb they already miss penny and a ruckman who can at least nullify his opponent.maybe rix will be able to take over the ruck duties either that or brookes needs to step up.
if it were up to me i would play gehrig at fb hammill hbf koschitzke chf riedwoldt hff and young watts at ff

 

[Skills]

if it were up to me i would play gehrig at fb hammill hbf koschitzke chf riedwoldt hff and young watts at ff

Great teams dont need that match re shuffling do they?

 

[mb64]

After seeing some of the game last week I think we are more of a chance than I thought.Their forward line has problems,Hamill looked ordinary & is always injured,Nick can't kick straight but will pose a big problem as will Gehrig.There mid field is strong but thee defence is okay & they certainly miss Jones.Still will be a tough game though.

After what I saw tonight I withdraw this post.We are no chance.