St.Kilda 2010

[stan]

Peak looks like hes going to fit into that side well. A fair difference in playing for a team like St.Kilda than Freemantle. ?He got plenty of it and looked good.

Saints will be in the top 2 again this year.

[Punk Rooster]

Rhys Stanley looks like he might go ok...

[Bum Crack]

Rhys Stanley looks like he might go ok...

I hope so. He's from my local club, so really hoping he gets a good opportunity this year. You wouldn't meet too many nicer young lads. He's a great kid.

[UK Fan]

Stanley won the 100m sprint at the AFL GF last year. Very good young prospect.

See what some good ruckman can do for a team GT.

Only thing keeping Saints from being a top 2 team this year would be a major injury to either Hayes or Riewoldt.

It will just be a matter of can they get it right in September.

[Mr66]

It will just be a matter of can they get it right in September.

(This comment is too silly for words.)

[the big bang]

just want it known that i love nick riewoldt.

that is all.

Poof.....

a bit of bro-mance never goes astray!

[Rik E Boy]

just want it known that i love nick riewoldt.

that is all.

So do I as Grand finals aren't played under a roof.

regards,

REB

[hearts on fire]

SNAPSHOT
Coach: Ross Lyon
Captain: Nick Riewoldt
Finished 2009: 2nd (22 wins, three losses)
Best and fairest: Nick Riewoldt
Leading goalkicker: Nick Riewoldt (78 goals)
Leading possession winner: Leigh Montagna (594)

NEW PERSONNEL
On-field: Andrew Lovett, Brett Peake (exchange period), Nick Winmar, Will Johnson, Adam Pattison, Jesse Smith (NAB AFL Draft), Daniel Archer, Mark Hutchings, Tommy Walsh (NAB AFL Rookie Draft)
Off-field: Brian Royal (development coach)

BEST 22
B: Steven Baker, Zac Dawson, Jason Blake
HB: Farren Ray, Sam Fisher, Sam Gilbert
C: Jason Gram, Leigh Montagna, David Armitage
HF: Brendon Goddard, Nick Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo
F: Adam Schneider, Justin Koschitzke, Stephen Milne
Foll: Michael Gardiner, Lenny Hayes, Clint Jones
I/C: Brett Peake, Andrew McQualter, Steven King, Rhys Stanley

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER
It is hard to think of a player in the AFL more important to his side than Nick Riewoldt. He is the main target up forward and his size and endurance make him an almost impossible match-up. At 27 he is at the peak of his career and the Saints need him on the field for as many minutes as possible.

UP AND COMER
With just 19 matches in his first three years, David Armitage is yet to cement his spot in the Saints side. But an impressive NAB Cup and the departure of Luke Ball means he has a chance to step up to be a regular senior player. Fellow young midfielders Jack Steven and Alistair Smith are also pushing for spots but Armitage is ahead for now.

NEEDS A BIG YEAR
Changing clubs has given Jesse Smith a new opportunity but he comes across with a long history of injury problems. He has spent his first pre-season at his new club in the rehab group and only has a short time to prove himself.

CHANGING TACK
The Saints probably won’t change much of the game plan that only lost them three games last year but there might be a few positional moves. Brendon Goddard and Nick Dal Santo may be headed for more time across half-forward while Adam Schneider is as fit as he has been since crossing from the Swans and may be set for time in the midfield if the NAB Cup is anything to go by.

INJURY LIST
Raphael Clarke (hamstring) - TBA
Robert Eddy (ankle) - TBA
Lenny Hayes (corked calf) - TBA
Jesse Smith (ankle) - TBA
Jack Steven (foot) - 2-3 weeks

WHAT THE CLUB SAYS
“We certainly believe there is less apprehension about what we’re doing. Confidence comes out of actions and we’ve got a really strong confidence, as Geelong would and Hawthorn would about their game styles. It has been easier to identify the areas we need to improve and it has been probably less areas but we can see them improving on a daily and weekly basis.” - coach Ross Lyon.

CRYSTAL BALL
Anything less than a flag would be a considered a failure for the Saints. It hasn’t been the greatest off-season with the dramas surrounding Andrew Lovett and to a lesser extent Luke Ball. But the side still looks to be one of the strongest in the competition. The Saints only play one 2009 finalist in the first five weeks so they should be able to get off to a strong start. A top two position seems likely.

SEASON OPENER
March 27 v Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx

[The Dark Knight]

Reckon they will be top 2, unsure if they can win the flag. I am absolutely spewing that Sam Fisher got injured in the final on saturday. He is my second favourite player in the AFL behind Luke Hodge and will be missed by the saints for a period of time. Without him Dawson and Blake might struggle to contain the competitions better Key forwards such on Saturday with one B Hall kicking 7 goals in a dominant performance.

[Barto]

Wont make the 8.

[wycbloods]

Wont make the 8.

Taking bets on that Barto?

[mal]

Rip Mal Winkle has awoken from his slumber that started late September back in 09
2010
Whatta start by the boys
SS/KA/CO the 3 wins

1/2 TIME
SK 4-5
CO 4-6
RIEWOLDT out for the rest of the game
FISHER missed most of the 2nd half having been carried off on a stretcher
HAYES bandaged like an Egyptian mummy missed a chunk of the last half as well
RESULT
SK 10-9
CO 4-17

The after game interview with Bomber Watson and Lenny Hayes who had a bandage covering almost all of his face finished like this

WATSON : You have got a girlfriend havent you?
HAYES : Yes I'd want to
WATSON : You'd struggle tonight if you didnt

[saintal]

Magnificent, gutsy win tonight, withstanding the usual huff and puff and BS from Mick and his men

[Psyber]

Magnificent, gutsy win tonight, withstanding the usual huff and puff and BS from Mick and his men

I'm not usually a fan of St Kilda, partly because of the fact they were always being hyped up by the Melbourne media when I lived there as the "great white hope" to beat all the non-Melbourne sides like Geelong, Sydney, and Brisbane, and, of course, all those teams with no Melbourne links at all...
[Those three are only adopted as "Melbourne" linked teams when they are winning everything, and none of the home teams are.]
However, I was impressed with the style of game the Saints played against Collingwood and hope the Crows hierarchy were watching...

[Rik E Boy]

A courageous performance by the Saints last night. If you can't beat the Saints without Kosi and Riewoldt and with Fisher and Hayes all banged up then you aren't going to beat them at all. That means bye bye Collingwood.

regards,

REB

[Punk Rooster]

A courageous performance by the Saints last night. If you can't beat the Saints without Kosi and Riewoldt and with Fisher and Hayes all banged up then you aren't going to beat them at all. That means bye bye Collingwood.

regards,

REB

Collingwood kicked themselves out of the game.
Bad kicking is bad football.

Magnificent, gutsy win tonight, withstanding the usual huff and puff and BS from Mick and his men

does that mean you guys will be putting another crest on your guernsey?

[Gingernuts]

Saints now second favourite for the wooden spoon after the Storm saga:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/betting-plunge-on-st-kilda-saints-for-spoon/story-e6frf9jf-1225857401605

[Swooper16]

Heaven help us if St Kilda actually win a flag with their current gameplan. I just cant watch any game involving them anymore.

[Psyber]

SNAPSHOT Leading possession winner: Leigh Montagna (594)

I'm irritated hearing his name constantly pronounced Montagna in the media, when it is correctly Montanya.
I suppose it is possible he has so little knowledge of his heritage he mispronounces it himself...
Good player though.

[The Dark Knight]

Heaven help us if St Kilda actually win a flag with their current gameplan. I just cant watch any game involving them anymore.

Yeah I don't think they can either but there going to be right up there again. They're struggling without Riewoldt, hes just such a focal point for them.