Milne - Where's he at?

Teflon · Post: # 1334079Post **Teflon** » Tue 14 May 2013 5:46pm

Hi folks

Just wanted to get the ball rolling on Milne.

It's round 8 and to me he's lost a yard and struggling - had Riewoldt not given him a goal last night things would look even worse.

Shame he's not developed his decision making over the years as he brings much good work undone with complete brain fades that appear to be occurring more frequently - you can cover these when he's weekly kicking multiple goals and putting on enormous defensive pressure but let's be frank.... he hasn't done that this year.

Anyway,keen to hear OTHERS opinion. If you don't have one or would prefer just comment on the thread itself my advice is simply eff-off!

Will Milne play on in 14? for the good of our future team should he??

plugger66 · Post: # 1334081Post **plugger66** » Tue 14 May 2013 5:49pm

He is going fair at best at the moment. he is important to our structure and he has been a champ of the club so he has credits. How long they last will be decided by form in the next 4 or 5 games. And im not ready to call his career over yet.

Teflon · Post: # 1334085Post **Teflon** » Tue 14 May 2013 5:57pm

plugger66 wrote:He is going fair at best at the moment. he is important to our structure and he has been a champ of the club so he has credits. How long they last will be decided by form in the next 4 or 5 games. And im not ready to call his career over yet.

Now there is an opinion! So let me ask you this, IF he continues in the same vein for the next 4-5 then are you suggesting his career could be over??

Be mindful of the later bump...

dragit · Post: # 1334087Post **dragit** » Tue 14 May 2013 6:02pm

I think he's done…

Even if his form improves, he's had a third of a season down already, 5 tackles in 6 games, 34 next year.

Can't possibly see what good would come of him being in the side next year considering where our list is at.

Surely he would want to retire on some reasonable form anyway? Be spared a year play in & out of sandy… which he must be close to already.

All good things must come to an end.

SainterK · Post: # 1334088Post **SainterK** » Tue 14 May 2013 6:02pm

This thread should be called "where is Stephen Milne"

GrumpyOne · Post: # 1334090Post **GrumpyOne** » Tue 14 May 2013 6:02pm

From another thread, but somewhat relevant, IMHO.

how do you think the team feels when they work really hard to get the ball into a forwards hands at the 50 metre mark, then instead of looking for a pass or having a shot, the player then attempts to baulk around 2 players on the mark and then turns the ball over?

Agreed, but you have to weigh that up against the goals he scores that are in the "impossible" class.

Nobody would feel worse than him about that c**k-up, but taking the unexpected out of his game would reduce his goal-scoring by half.

Junction Oval · Tue 14 May 2013 6:08pm

Clearly, he is nearing the end of his time and we have some good up-and-comers in train.

He has been average at best, but but played better last night (except for the brain fade). He needs to perform to continue, but as Plugger said, he has credits, so let's see how he goes over the next 4 weeks -up to the Bye. If he is not good enough to hold his place (per Kosi), then it's time to make way for others.

It's definitely over for him at the end of this year - go out on a good note.

plugger66 · Post: # 1334106Post **plugger66** » Tue 14 May 2013 6:37pm

Teflon wrote:
plugger66 wrote:He is going fair at best at the moment. he is important to our structure and he has been a champ of the club so he has credits. How long they last will be decided by form in the next 4 or 5 games. And im not ready to call his career over yet.
Now there is an opinion! So let me ask you this, IF he continues in the same vein for the next 4-5 then are you suggesting his career could be over??

Be mindful of the later bump...

Hope you bump it. I dont mind being wrong. If he continues like he has for 4 or 5 weeks then he will still get a game but you would think he will realise its his last year.

st_Trav_ofWA · Tue 14 May 2013 6:37pm

he is going ok ... honestly Milney has the runs on the board , it’s almost like he is just a game away from busting a game open ... as a small forward he has to be opportunistic that means some times its feast some times its famine at the moment its famine (and honestly all the small forwards in the team are struggling) the thing with Milne is even when he’s having an off game the opp have to be mindful of him at all times cause in a matter of min's he can become super dangerous (the same can’t be said for Saad TDL or Milera) ..... does he continue in 2014 if the form stays as it is then prob not if it improve then again you got to think prob not but that being said I reckon Milne will want to play until he was 40 if he could

Teflon · Post: # 1334132Post **Teflon** » Tue 14 May 2013 7:19pm

The lack of respect in this d**khead thread makes me sick
How dare anyone question a certain champ

I'm embarrassed

(Just want to get all cliched responses out of the way so this this worthy thread can continue)

Trixilver · Post: # 1334146Post **Trixilver** » Tue 14 May 2013 7:45pm

He played well last night. Layed a few critical tackles that resulted in goals and nabbed 2 himself. He started last year much worse. It seems like every year we see one of these threads, followed a few months later by one lauding him as a champion and one of the best small forwards the game has ever seen. Relax.

skeptic · Post: # 1334153Post **skeptic** » Tue 14 May 2013 7:59pm

What's tricky with Milne is that IMO over the years he has brought this unclassifiable quality to the club...
Call it teamsmenship, great clubman, spirit whatever.

When debutants kick goals, he is always the first to congratulate them, when a saints player gets hit, he is always the one to remonstrate first. He fires the team up etc He is the greatest creation of GT's "it's a privledge to play for the saints" attitude that he tried to deveop in his early years.
Players like Milne and my buddy Jones have consistently demonstrated over the years that they bring this other quality to the team that makes all walk a bit taller.

For Milne, the issue is that his impact on games is well down and there are others to take his place. It's really hard to justify playing him ahead of both Milera and Saad unless they are playing extremely poorly. Given that we have schnieds to come in as well... Thats a lot of forwards so it may well be Dunnel or Ledger etc that miss out.

I think i would play him intermittently throughout the season based on form and then ensure he plays the last 5 games to ensure a proper send off

Stephen Theodore · Tue 14 May 2013 8:12pm

skeptic wrote:What's tricky with Milne is that IMO over the years he has brought this unclassifiable quality to the club...
Call it teamsmenship, great clubman, spirit whatever.

When debutants kick goals, he is always the first to congratulate them, when a saints player gets hit, he is always the one to remonstrate first. He fires the team up etc He is the greatest creation of GT's "it's a privledge to play for the saints" attitude that he tried to deveop in his early years.
Players like Milne and my buddy Jones have consistently demonstrated over the years that they bring this other quality to the team that makes all walk a bit taller.

For Milne, the issue is that his impact on games is well down and there are others to take his place. It's really hard to justify playing him ahead of both Milera and Saad unless they are playing extremely poorly. Given that we have schnieds to come in as well... Thats a lot of forwards so it may well be Dunnel or Ledger etc that miss out.

I think i would play him intermittently throughout the season based on form and then ensure he plays the last 5 games to ensure a proper send off

Very good description.

i agree, and hope he gets the send off he thoroughly deserves.

Doctor Two · Tue 14 May 2013 8:17pm

skeptic wrote:What's tricky with Milne is that IMO over the years he has brought this unclassifiable quality to the club...
Call it teamsmenship, great clubman, spirit whatever.

May have said this before but we don't want to lose this. When he retires be it 2014 or 2015 would love to keep him round the club as runner.

Could still stick it up them then

AND - who will led the song?

Cairnsman · Post: # 1334171Post **Cairnsman** » Tue 14 May 2013 8:26pm

Like taxes and death, Milne's retirement is a certainty but gee I'm going to miss him. Watching him lead the team song again last night is just a reminder of some of what will be missed the most. How many times have we had the joy of listening to Milne belt out...OH WHEN THE SAINTS!...

AN ABSOLUTE SAINTS MAN TO THE CORE! Will be loved by all Saints die-hards for ever more no matter when his career finishes. Let's just hope that Milne and the club do the retirement thing properly because he deserves it.

Teflon · Post: # 1334225Post **Teflon** » Tue 14 May 2013 10:00pm

Cairnsman wrote:Like taxes and death, Milne's retirement is a certainty but gee I'm going to miss him. Watching him lead the team song again last night is just a reminder of some of what will be missed the most. How many times have we had the joy of listening to Milne belt out...OH WHEN THE SAINTS!...

AN ABSOLUTE SAINTS MAN TO THE CORE! Will be loved by all Saints die-hards for ever more no matter when his career finishes. Let's just hope that Milne and the club do the retirement thing properly because he deserves it.

Agreed.

Really hope that whenever the final date is agreed BOTH parties are comfortable with it and he is afforded the respectful send off he deserves.

SainterK · Post: # 1334232Post **SainterK** » Tue 14 May 2013 10:16pm

Heard he is going to be in Jimmy Gwilts wedding party?

Wouldn't surprise me, he manages to get a gig at most player events, very much loved is Milney.

White Winmar · Tue 14 May 2013 10:19pm

Still earning his spot, IMHO. He is on track to kick 30-40 goals for the year for the umpteenth time. It means he's still better than 90% of small forwards going around. Remember it took him a while to get into full stride last year as well. Dual AA, poised to break the record this week for most games by any player who has been elevated from the rookie list, close to 600 goals. Champion!

whiskers3614 · Tue 14 May 2013 10:34pm

Inappropriate over use of the word Champion lessens it's value to worthy recipients.
For Milne to be considered a champion it would mean we have had about 60 champions post Baldock.
I reckon maybe 3 or 4 only!

SuperDuper · Tue 14 May 2013 10:47pm

he is in the final season of a very good career, and can bow out with a lot of pride at the end of this year

linmarnic · Tue 14 May 2013 10:55pm

Milne is a champion. Kicked more goals then anyone as a forward pocket.
Bleeds red white and black. I will miss him badly when he retires. I hope he goes on next year but would not surprise me if he retires if he believes it would be better for the club.

lloyd21 · Post: # 1334296Post **lloyd21** » Wed 15 May 2013 12:00am

Finished should not play in Adelaide this week has shocking record interstate just being honest.

Been a great player particularly at Etihad which suits him.
They have to play Dunnell / Saunders this week rest Milney for dogs next week because of short break.
Probably won't happen but every game they give a kid is worth 10 at this stage.
Sorry but club has to be ruthless this year with Blake Kosi Milne only given games if kid sore going forward.

They have to fasttrack the kids with the other Senior players to get games into them now ,before they fatigue

gringo · Post: # 1334299Post **gringo** » Wed 15 May 2013 12:06am

I actually thought he played well away from goal including a shepherd in the backline that got him crunched by a bigger player. He has been a champ because he was able to adapt to the needs of the team. One bad play has clouded his game in which he contributed with out starring. I thought the reason we won was because all 22 contributed. We seem to have kids up or seniors up not both at the same time.

karnaby · Post: # 1334308Post **karnaby** » Wed 15 May 2013 12:33am

I like the way he occasionally gets back and helps out in defence. He's certainly not as one dimensional as he may have been in the past, so I think it's fair to judge him on more than goals and goof ups. The leadership that skeptic mentioned above is really hard for any of us on the outside to measure.

The Fireman · Wed 15 May 2013 3:23pm

I'd like to answer all of the above with a question.
Would you leave Milne out of next weeks game ? or the next or the next ?
The answer is no so therefore we can crap on all we like him. At the end of the day he is a valuable contributor and more valuable than some others in the team.

Where's he at ? well he is nearing the end of a valuable career to our club, club champion and breaking records with almost every game he plays now yet seems to have little respect given him by some of our supporters, which makes me think that we have some dumb supporters as the Collingwoods, Cheats etc. do.

I shouldn't need to say what I have .....which worries me.