Post Match v St Blunda...all comments here thanks

[Johnson#26]

What a game......what happened why did St Kilda get a free kick at the end of the game....what for

Holding against either Fraser or Presti, I think.

I see our specialist forward coach isn't being used to teach goal kicking!

We weren't great, granted, but clubs do generally struggle early in the pre-season competiton infront of goal.

Pebbles seems to have lost some distance in his kicks. Lonie's effort from a set shot from 40 was abysmal.

Agree with Lonie. Pebbles was still probably a bit rusty in a game situation.

In the second quarter, Roids got the ball with nothing but a paddock in front of him. He runs, takes a bounce, runs a little bit more, then kicks to a 2 on 1 contest, resulting in a turn over.

Jonno had a mixed afternoon. Had his moments where he looked the goods, but made one or two errors at others. Was (harshly) penalised for him heavy collision on the wing in the 4th quarter.

Dale Thomas..... well, the less said the better, but should be better for the experience.

A bit harsh, Dale. I liked Thomas' game. Not every kid is a world beater first up, and it is hard to be a carbon copy of Brett Deledio.

Thomas showed some skills at times, and looked ok. Missed two he'd normally kick. I'd expect he'd be kicking them if it were round 6-8 or further on. Most likely first game nerves.

JClo, BOG in my opinion, and once moved on to Reiwoldt, pretty much kept him quiet. Don't know if he'll fit our scheme once Wakes and Clemo get on the ground, so he could be fighting for a spot in the 22 with Maxie.

He was excellent, and you make a good point - selection will prove a challenge.

[Johnson#26]

Hope Guy pulled up okay didn't see much of it.

I was a touch surprised by his lack of match time. Against an average rucking combination of Ackland and Blake, I thought it would be the ideal oppotunity to give him 70% of the game.

Thought Swan did some good work.

I thought Swan was terrific in the second half. Really came into his own.

Tex, hmmm back to Willy for you son.

He did struggle in his limited match time. Hope there are sunnier times ahead for Tex.

Put Bux, Burns, Wakes and Clem in that side and we've reason enough to be optimistic I reckon.

We sure do.

Next week over in woop woop will be tough though, prefer we didn't risk the vets and went with the kids, I'd consider bringing Heater, O'Brien, Anthony and Iles with Tex, Lones, Crab & ? out.

I'd like to win it. We owe the Dockers one for their 112 point touch up last year. A win at Subi would really boost our confidence stocks tenfold.

I think that all players you mentioned will get a run. Morrison overran the pill on too many occasions, IMO.

[Johnson#26]

Im still not sold on ego.

Looks flash but just blazes away anywhere within 50 metres of the goal. Sometimes thats fair enough but most of the time with him its just laziness.

There were two today that could have been a lot closer instead of OOF. Needs more disclipine.

He had his moments. Players such as Egan will take time to mature. He adds an element of 'unknown' to the side.

Well it was great to see the old intensity back.

Nail just struck on the head, PM. The intensity - the hallmark of our 2002 and 2003 campagins - was missing in the previous two seasons. It was back yesterday.

A win and we would be back to face perhaps Geelong at TD.

Just like 2003. Third pre-season round against the Cats. An omen, I hope.

That sucks we have to travel to WA next week.

Agree. A great prize for winning, eh?

But then again, the Saints travel to outback WA - it could be worse.

Hmmmm.. Dale Thomas.. Interesting first up game.. not going to say too much now, as i wont criticise from his first game, especially in pre season, he seems likely to be a handy player for us in the future, showed good signs, although i think its fair to say that unfortunately he isnt a "freak".. which would have been nice to have..

Again, hard to mark a first gamer in such a fashion. He will only improve, and he did show some promising signs.

Davis and Didak both had great games, I reckon, but alas, how many times in the past have these guys been February and March champions, only to become April Fools.

Well said on both counts, however I feel Davis really does mean it this time (not that he never has before, but you get my drift.

His pace was much needed through the middle, and he displayed composure when placed under the pump.

They said on the AFL website that Riewoldt was the BOG with 18 disposals, 10 marks and 3 goals, but Licca had 35 disposals and 2 goals and was everywhere!

P.s Who is 'the crab?'

Riewoldt was very good, but Maxwell was admirable in the second half. Did some inspiring things.

The Crab is Chad.

[die4pies]

thought I was going to have my baby yesterday in the final 36 sec of game

What was with the 3 minutes time-on in a 5 minute OT half?

Were they waiting for the Saints to win it? The same way they gave G-Spot the perfect opportunity in front of goal????

It was a killer, but it makes the victory that more sweeter.
The winners circle went off!!!....and it was just the NAB cup.

[leonmagic]

Don't know why anyones questioning Thomas, pretty good first up game.

In fact the whole team played well, even Jason only stuffed up about 4 times .

exactly.

but it wouldnt be nicks without the whinging, even IF WE DID BEAT THE FLAG FAVOURITES WITHOUT BUCKLEY, CLEMENT, BURNS AND WAKELIN.

[DaicosMagic]

Dale Thomas..... well, the less said the better, but should be better for the experience.

You're kidding me aren't you? What, 'cos he missed on the run from 30m out? Did you see his tackles, shepherds, running back with the flight of the ball to spoil a contest, quick hands after he took the mark. Most hilarious post I've read in years.

[vinnie_vegas69]

\Speaking of kids. Daisy. What can I say? Quite clearly the outstanding pick in the draft. Dear I say it but I saw a bit of Ronnie Wearmouth running around the paddock today. It was a joy and a privilege watch him play.

Just wait until you get to see Dylan Wearmouth running around for the Western Jets in the TAC Cup this year than

Can't go giving Daisy "next Wearmouth" status when, if he's good enough, we might have an actual next Wearmouth on the team next year.

[Dale61]

Dale Thomas..... well, the less said the better, but should be better for the experience.

You're kidding me aren't you? What, 'cos he missed on the run from 30m out? Did you see his tackles, shepherds, running back with the flight of the ball to spoil a contest, quick hands after he took the mark. Most hilarious post I've read in years.

Considering I only have scout reports and training reports to go on, DT is supposed to be a gun who was going to set the place alight. Admittedly, it's only his first senior game, but to me, didn't show that he is as good as some think he is. I did qualify my statement by saying he'd be better for the experience, and just hope he proves me wrong, but being the #2 overall pick in the draft, was expecting a little better.

Rocca's long shots at goal falling short are understandable, but to use the excuse of 'It's only his first game since round 4 last year' is, really, no excuse at all. Do people really think players don't practice these kicks at training most of the pre-season? Kicking for goal from a set shot should be bread-and-butter for a professional footballer, and if they can't get the basics right, even at this early stage of the season, or for that matter, at this stage of their career, then somethings not right.

[BBHS]

J Cloke was best on ground in my book with Lica.
I was impressed with Thomas's tackling for a young bloke.
Egan blazed away a couple of times.
Taz presented well and showed good hands as did rocca this early into a season.
Tarks I thought was brilliant.
O'bree gets to the contest and is good around the packs but his kicking lack penatration. Even the commentators where saying you would'nt want to be on the end of those.

Great effort by the boys, desperation was second to none.

[Two_Pies]

Was good to see the boys run out a game and then some with extra time ... Arizona ...?? Whatever, intensity, tackling and some good field play. Bit more structure around the forward 50 and the midfield and we look to be competitive this year. Best result - no injuries to speak of.

Well done boys was a long time coming but worth it.

[jackcass]

Im still not sold on ego.

Looks flash but just blazes away anywhere within 50 metres of the goal. Sometimes thats fair enough but most of the time with him its just laziness.

There were two today that could have been a lot closer instead of OOF. Needs more disclipine.

Thomas was good for a first game in his rookie year and not having plyed at this level before in any sense. He'll be fine.

Thought Egan showed quite a bit. I'm actually excited by his capacity to win his own ball and his evasion. He also commited his body to a contest better than last year. I think that the more game time he gets, the greater his confidence and the better he will become.

Very impressed with Thomas in his first game. Showed real footy smarts and skill. A very good example was his first mark and dish of. Also showed a lot of courage. He stood in front of a charging Maxy Hudgton and stopped him in his tracks, great effort.

[Culprit]

I would not excited on that performance. We were suppose to be fitter than them from all our training and I felt we still struggled. Our skill errors were unreal. We have been training since November and some of the kicking was disgraceful.

With extra time it was a solid hit out. Yes we won and I am happy with that, Ben Davies hand pass off in mid air was fantastic. Jason Cloke is a gun new recruit. And hell no injuries after a solid workout.

I expect improvement next week, just remember this is pretend football. 4 games and you're into the grand final.

Buckley said on SEN he will not play next week.

[leonmagic]

culprit i wouldnt worry too much about our skills - the field kicking over the whole weekend was terrible from all sides. just rusty is all.

[_luvlicca_]

Jason Cloke was BOG yesterday by far. I know LIcca had 35 possessions, and he did play great too, but i think that C1 was just outstanding. Definatley his best game for a long time. I think he really had an influence in the game yesterday and that touch on ringworms attrempt at goal, just magical. WELL DONE JAS!!!
I think there were signs there for the boys to improve, and I am sure that it will come. Daisy had a good first run as well.
I was impressed by all the boys really, but I do think that Obie also played well.
Did anyone else think that malthouse took a set of clippers to the boys this season??
Well done boys and I will see you all next week against the Shockers!! We owe them boys!!

[jackcass]

Dale Thomas..... well, the less said the better, but should be better for the experience.

Say what?!?

Did you see his tackling and sheparding? It was beautiful for a player getting his first sniff of any sort of AFL action.

And lets not go saying that we weren't impressed by some of his efforts. His work that first time he touched the ball was nothing short of spectacular, in terms of showing off his quickness of both mind and foot.

I noticed the little things about his game too, as I was watching him closely - Late in the game when Tarrant ran down Goddard, he was chasing him, and then backed off when he saw Tarrant charging.

If he had have pressured harder, Goddard may have gotten rid of the ball quicker, and we never would have caused the turnover.

He assessed the most sensible option in a split second and he took it.

As for another first round draft pick, I thought some of Egan's work was ELECTRIC, but that he really needs to improve his kicking for goal.

However, his field kicking was nothing short of fantastic, some of his body on body work was a 1000% improvement from last year, and his evasiveness looked all class.

And one thing I've noticed about him, that I don't think I've ever really noticed in a young player before, is that his handpassing is really tremendous. He fires off quick, accurate rocket handpasses, which can be a really handy skill.

Obviously, I could say a lot more about other players, but most of my thoughts have been covered, and these are some of my more obscure observations.

One last thing though - Travis Cloke's work late in the 4th and in overtime was nothing short of breathtaking. Took strong grabs and crashed packs like a superstar.

Hear hear!