We smashed them in the preseason

[bigcarl]

... but it wouldn't pay to underestimate Carlscum. They've improved a lot, their confidence is up and they are well coached.

Kruezer in particular is a danger, having virtually his first real injury free season. They've got some kids, but a couple are class.

[longtimesaint]

They played a very young side in the preseason

[thejiggingsaint]

Agreed. I was at the MCG on Saturday last, and, in wet, wild and windy conditions Carlscum punished a woeful Colondud's skill errors. I would be VERY careful before thinking that winning this game is a foregone conclusion. If we bring the same A+ grade game to the "dome we call home" next satdee, then we are every chance of winning, anything less and it could be infinitely harder for us.

[repta]

Preseason is about as relevant as who won the little league.

We just need to win. No taking it easy, cant beat a premiership favourite one week and lose to a cellar dweller the next.

[Otiman]

I think the average age of the team we beat in JLT was 12.

[Goose is king]

Well I'll play Mr Positive here. We should/will smash them because
Our home deck
They haven't scored 100 points in any game as yet, I mean come on
Their strength of rebound from Docherty and Simpson just won't be allowed by group defence and their direct opponents of Weller, Wright and Minchington.

[thejiggingsaint]

I feel positive about our prospects in this game. However, it would be folly to go in to the game feeling that it's a "gimme". Consistency is the key for success and we are steadily building this.

[prwilkinson]

Yeah, danger game. Need to back up the last fortnight's work by putting Carlton away early. Would hate to get dragged down into a sh**y game with the blues and cough up a cheap loss. To me, really punishing Carlton this week would speak volumes of where this St Kilda team is heading.

[dragit]

[SaintPav]

Remember what happened after the Geelong win last year?

Rising teams can sometimes have problems beating sides they are expected to beat, particularly right after a big win. This game will be a good psychological test. We need to back up last week's effort or we are almost back to square one.

[satchmo]

This game will be a good psychological test. We need to back up last week's effort or we are almost back to square one.

That

[thejiggingsaint]

Fair comment, Saint Pav. My daughter and myself were at Metricon for that game. The conditions up there were a world away from those at Etihad the week before. The heat was one factor, the other one was that Gold Coast were staring at their 12th consecutive loss, and to be fair to them, they hit us hard, and hit us early, on the scoreboard and out on the paddock. To say we supporters were disappointed would be to redefine the word! I've a feeling that Ricoh will not allow any complacency to take hold. I personally, expect a hard, hard game from Carlscum. They are on a run of two straight wins, just like ourselves. Take them lightly at our peril!

[WellardSaint]

If Carlscum were losing games, there's a danger our boys might have
relaxed a bit after 2 enormous games.

But Confuscius said something about not focusing on enemy's weaknesses, more their strengths.

Our coaches are good, they'll highlight how the Baggers are moving the ball and winning.
We learnt from Dees, a good 1st qtr is not enough.
They should break out from the start and really hammer the baggers hard.
Ruffle the feathers.

[bigcarl]

Danger, Danger, Will Robinson

[magnifisaint]

Geelong get beaten by Collingwood and Gold Coast. Saints need to play at their best. Preseason games arent a barometer for ability.

[saintsRrising]

The Saints will win if they bring their A Game.

If we roll out what we did in the last three quarters against the Dees we may well lose.

We needs our best pressure game to make them crack open.


JUST ON CARLTON

After many years of poor, if not dreadful, list management, (ie Topping up their list that was not good enough to try and win a flag, picking up some real hacks like Jones etc) the Blues have actually got their house in order and have pick up a raft of excellent young talent over the last two draft/trade periods.

Sam Petrevski-Seton at pick 7 in the 2016 draft is a find.

And with Weitering the Blue had the luck to get the No1 pick in a year when it was a very good No1 to get.

Also Marchbank and Plowman have been very good pick ups from GWS.


With Bolton becoming coach in 2016, the Blues now have a coach well suited to developing and building a young list.

The Blues are by no means a contender yet, but they are no longer the basket case that they were. They will be up and down with a young list. But they also do have a core of older experienced mids that one does not want to let get on top.