What's going on doggies?

[Sedat]

Re: What's going on doggies?

2. The midfield got smashed. Cooney is not 100% fit, not sure what the other's excuse is.

Can't agree with this. I thought Griffen was almost the standout midfielder on the ground for both sides, and we matched it in close against one of the best collection of midfielders in great form at the moment - none of Dal Santo, Hayes, Ball or even Montagna had a massive bearing on the result. St Kilda's running half backs on the other hand....

We desperately miss Cooney's line-breaking abilities. Griff cannot do it on his own and Gilbee has not been able to break the shackles of increased defensive work on him this season.

[The Underdog]

Re: What's going on doggies?

You can add shit tackling to your list.

If I see one more guy get to the contest as a player disposes of the ball then keeps running past him and then looks back as play develops I'm going to head to the library for my fun. Yes I'm looking at you Daniel Cross and Matthew Boyd...

[Chicago1]

Re: What's going on doggies?

I had planned on booking a flight to Melbourne for the Preliminary Finals and Grand Final since my trip to Melbourne in March was so short and I didn't get to see the Doggies play. I almost booked last week. I'm glad I didn't. I guess I'll wait until the start of the 2010 season to visit again.

[The Underdog]

Re: What's going on doggies?

Can't agree with this. I thought Griffen was almost the standout midfielder on the ground for both sides, and we matched it in close against one of the best collection of midfielders in great form at the moment - none of Dal Santo, Hayes, Ball or even Montagna had a massive bearing on the result. St Kilda's running half backs on the other hand....

We desperately miss Cooney's line-breaking abilities. Griff cannot do it on his own and Gilbee has not been able to break the shackles of increased defensive work on him this season.

I thought Griff's defensive efforts were poor at best. His opponents were too often free running the other way. You might wonder how the Saints half back line had such a bearing on the result. It was because our mids made poor decisions. It's all well to win it but we are getting killed because teams aren't allowing us space to dispose of it as we'd like. We do miss a fit Cooney massively. Personally I thought Griff's efforts were below par.

[Sedat]

Re: What's going on doggies?

I thought Griff's defensive efforts were poor at best. His opponents were too often free running the other way. You might wonder how the Saints half back line had such a bearing on the result. It was because our mids made poor decisions. It's all well to win it but we are getting killed because teams aren't allowing us space to dispose of it as we'd like. We do miss a fit Cooney massively. Personally I thought Griff's efforts were below par.

He had Clinton Jones for company most of the night and I thought he provided some excellent clearance drive for us against one of the form taggers in the competition.

[Desipura]

Re: What's going on doggies?

C'Mon, you know you want to.

...If only he was a little harder.

...If only his kicks penetrated the lines.

Give in to 'Evil Mantis'. "I am evil Mantis... Eagleton was **** today."

if only he could stop continually giving hospital handballs to his teammates time and time again

[LostDoggy]

Re: What's going on doggies?

My observations:

1. Every player is having a go. There is no issue with our endeavour and that is pleasing
2. Our two best players, Cooney and Murphy have had no pre-season and are way short on fitness. Hahn's pre-season was also a non-event. We miss the class of the first two badly.
3. The forward line badly needs Walsh who at least knows how to play the position.
4. We entered the forward line enough times but it is the way the ball was coming in that is disappointing. Players bombing in there when under pressure would make life difficult for Locket and Dunstall and we don't have anyone anthing like them.
5. I was pleased to see Everitt back in the side but who decided to give him Schneider when other options in Hargrave and Addison were available
6. I thought Boyd did an excellent job on Delsanto when he went onto him and Picken did a good job on a range of players he was sent to.
7. We certainly missed Williams with Kosi and Riewoldt playing. Who decided to put smalls on Kosi FFS. We all know he's soft but that move was ridiculous
8. We must find a way of reinventing Gilbee. Opposition sides sit on him and his value to the side is diminished. Running him through the middle is an option.
9. Whilst I am a great suporter of Hudson he must learn to follow his opposing ruckman downfield when they have the ball. He gave the WA crook far too much latitude at times

[Sedat]

Re: What's going on doggies?

Yes, but Clinton Jones had 21 possessions of his own and gave the saints some very good run through the middle.

Jones has been getting mid 20's every week this season and has been keeping his direct opponent not just well under control, but making sure that his opponent has little or no impact on the game whatsoever. Griffen won 7 clearances last night and was easily our most damaging midfielder with his use of the ball. He also went in as hard in the congested situations as any of the much vaunted Saints midfield hard nuts. Boyd and Cross got similar numbers but I'd be hard-pressed to remember any of their possessions to be honest.

[ledge]

Re: What's going on doggies?

Morris on Riewoldt??

[Bulldog4life]

Re: What's going on doggies?

I'm not blaming Will as it was a poorly directed kick, but it's seriously worrying that we are applauding a critical error by the Saints as something we did well.

I think that you will find that BulldogBelle was more applauding the Minson run on Hayes which I agree with rather than his actual goal. That is how I read it anyway.

[Mantis]

Re: What's going on doggies?

I think that you will find that BulldogBelle was more applauding the Minson run on Hayes which I agree with rather than his actual goal. That is how I read it anyway.

Yep, my mistake.

[The Underdog]

Re: What's going on doggies?

Jones has been getting mid 20's every week this season and has been keeping his direct opponent not just well under control, but making sure that his opponent has little or no impact on the game whatsoever. Griffen won 7 clearances last night and was easily our most damaging midfielder with his use of the ball. He also went in as hard in the congested situations as any of the much vaunted Saints midfield hard nuts. Boyd and Cross got similar numbers but I'd be hard-pressed to remember any of their possessions to be honest.

Yes but if Griff's being tagged by Jones, i don't want to see Jones 40 metres clear downfield of Griffen getting a possession. St.Kilda's mids are much more prepared to run hard both ways than ours are.

[LostDoggy]

Re: What's going on doggies?

Morris on Riewoldt??

Hasn't that always been the one given match-up, since Glove has one of the best records on St.Nick of any defender in the league?

[BulldogBelle]

Re: What's going on doggies?

I think that you will find that BulldogBelle was more applauding the Minson run on Hayes which I agree with rather than his actual goal. That is how I read it anyway.

Correct B4L - It was like Minno was doing a 'don't argue' I have the ball and took off and left Hayes in his tracks. Loved it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: What's going on doggies?

I bet the bloke on this forum who had the "gut feeling" about us winning over the weekend will keep his gut feelings to himself from now on.