Guido into defence

[stefoid]

Re: Guido into defence

Saints would love Crossy - run up and down the field all day in a zone, compete in the air defensively and then handball to someone running past when he wins the ball. Like they get from Farren Ray, but much better in the clinches.

how to get the best from the players we have, thats the question. boyds disposal under pressure is dodgy and cross cant kick. We have to find roles/team plans for these guys that maximise their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.

Thats the general consensus Im getting.

[Greystache]

Re: Guido into defence

Saints would love Crossy - run up and down the field all day in a zone, compete in the air defensively and then handball to someone running past when he wins the ball. Like they get from Farren Ray, but much better in the clinches.

how to get the best from the players we have, thats the question. boyds disposal under pressure is dodgy and cross cant kick. We have to find roles/team plans for these guys that maximise their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.

Thats the general consensus Im getting.

A slow, strong tackling, handballing, possession accumulator?

Something like Luke Ball who they gave away for nothing?

[stefoid]

Re: Guido into defence

A slow, strong tackling, handballing, possession accumulator?

Something like Luke Ball who they gave away for nothing?

Their loss.

Crossy has more legs than ball and plays taller. Better player.

[EasternWest]

Re: Guido into defence

Cross to defence?.
Imagine you're an opposition coach.
would you see him as a threat at all?
And what opportunities would that present for your team?
Very little speed to rebound or baulk / break the lines
Poor kicking penetration
A good mark, but not a tall player.
A very fit player, who can run all day. but perhaps not keep up with even taller opponents.

Crossy is well loved at the club and most of our scoring opportunities in the past started with him. But a player does not always have to be at their lowest point to see that's it's time to start a transition to the new guard, with older players being slowly given decent but less opportunities against lesser opponents to allow the Wallis's and Libba's of the world to cut their teeth. Same goes for Gia. It's not to take a pot at players, but it's just their time, not to be cut from the team, but to share the load with younger players. The mentoring and experience, leadership they can provide is invaluable.

You make some good points. Transitioning players must be very difficult to do, especially when they're so entrenched as "heart and soul" type players.

But it's gotta be done.

I was filthy with the way West was treated, but in hindsight, the club just had to do it. He was filthy at the time too, but even he concedes it was the right thing.

Tough one.

[Topdog]

Re: Guido into defence

Yep we have plenty of these. So you think Gia is a better option there than Cross? Boyd?

I do!

[Greystache]

Re: Guido into defence

Their loss.

Crossy has more legs than ball and plays taller. Better player.

Their loss?

Clearly they didn't want him, and obviously in no way would they "love Cross"

[comrade]

Re: Guido into defence

Their loss?

Clearly they didn't want him, and obviously in no way would they "love Cross"

It is their loss. They're clearly crying out for someone to help out Lenny in the clinches and are forced to use Armitage, who is a poor man's Luke Ball.

They offered him a contract, so they did want him but who knows how much game time Lyon would have given him. He wanted to go elsewhere where he felt he provided more value and it proved a masterstroke.

Definitely a loss for the Saints.

[Greystache]

Re: Guido into defence

It is their loss. They're clearly crying out for someone to help out Lenny in the clinches and are forced to use Armitage, who is a poor man's Luke Ball.

They offered him a contract, so they did want him but who knows how much game time Lyon would have given him. He wanted to go elsewhere where he felt he provided more value and it proved a masterstroke.

Definitely a loss for the Saints.

The point is they were comfortable to let him go, if they really wanted to keep him they would have. They wouldn't give him time on the field because they thought they had better options. Whether we think it's right or not, they don't feel they miss him.

My response was to a claim St Kilda would love Cross, given they let go a former captain, All Australian, and B&F winner at their own club who plays the same role, they clearly wouldn't love Cross.

[Mofra]

Re: Guido into defence

The point is they were comfortable to let him go, if they really wanted to keep him they would have. They wouldn't give him time on the field because they thought they had better options. Whether we think it's right or not, they don't feel they miss him.

My response was to a claim St Kilda would love Cross, given they let go a former captain, All Australian, and B&F winner at their own club who plays the same role, they clearly wouldn't love Cross.

Either way they were one unlucky bounce away from the premiership last year - I'm prepared to cut their list management approach some slack.

[comrade]

Re: Guido into defence

Either way they were one unlucky bounce away from the premiership last year - I'm prepared to cut their list management approach some slack.

Their coaching/game plan covers the cracks of their list management. We'll see them fall off a cliff in the next few years.