the skeptics remain- Lynch
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- saintbrat
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the skeptics remain- Lynch
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/stor ... 89,00.html
Saints may be 7-0 but I'm not convinced
Alastair Lynch May 17, 2009 12:00am
THE one question over St Kilda's astonishing start to the 2009 AFL season is sustainability. Can they maintain their form all the way to September?
In 2004 the Saints opened with a 10-game winning streak but then had six wins and six losses. They qualified for the finals in third spot but missed the grand final.
As good as the 2009 Saints have been, I'm not convinced they are flag contenders.
But they are a much better than the side that had a 13-9 win/loss record last year to qualify third before losing by almost 10 goals to grand finalists Hawthorn and Geelong in September.
So what has happened to the side that will meet the Lions at Etihad Stadium next Sunday?
My old mate Ross Lyon, a teammate at Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears, must take a lot of credit. In his third year at the helm it looks like his message has sunk in, and he's got his entire playing group on the same page.
It doesn't matter how much talent a side has unless everyone embraces the game plan - as this under-achieving Saints group has shown previously - but this year they are working together beautifully.
Their forward line pressure has been phenomenal. At a time when everyone is talking defensive zones their forward press, to steal a basketball term, is making it difficult for opposition sides to clear the ball from their own defensive 50m zone.
Small forwards Stephen Milne and Adam Schneider have led the way, but their entire playing group has a strong pressure mindset.
Helped by the "no rushed behinds" rule, they refuse to allow an easy clearance and are forcing a lot of scoring opportunities from turnovers.
At the other end, their defence has been superb. In seven games they've conceded 53 goals. Next best is Geelong with 80. And it's not exactly a superstar defence.
Sam Fisher is an All-Australian and Jason Gram, a Lions cast-off, has been a standout the past couple of years, but Farren Ray was traded by the Bulldogs last November, Zac Dawson was dumped by Hawthorn, Jarryn Geary is a second-year player and Jason Blake has not long cemented a regular spot.
Much of the improvement has come from Brendon Goddard and fourth-year Gold Coaster Sam Gilbert. They are two of the competition's form players and are on track to be All-Australian contenders.
This rotating group has been so good that long-time fixture Max Hudghton, an All-Australian nominee last year, has barely been missed while injured, and Matt Maguire can't get a game after a long lay-off.
They have had a lot of big improvers. Nick Dal Santo was dropped last year and now he's a Brownlow Medal contender. Luke Ball is finally over his injury woes, Leigh Montagna has taken his game to a new level. Likewise ruckmen Stephen King and Michael Gardiner.
On top of that,Nick Riewoldt is in career-best form, kicking four goals or more four weeks in a row, and Lenny Hayes is also in red hot form. It all points to a fairytale Cats v Saints clash in Round 14.
________________________________--
definitely written for the one paper.. regional bias....
Saints may be 7-0 but I'm not convinced
Alastair Lynch May 17, 2009 12:00am
THE one question over St Kilda's astonishing start to the 2009 AFL season is sustainability. Can they maintain their form all the way to September?
In 2004 the Saints opened with a 10-game winning streak but then had six wins and six losses. They qualified for the finals in third spot but missed the grand final.
As good as the 2009 Saints have been, I'm not convinced they are flag contenders.
But they are a much better than the side that had a 13-9 win/loss record last year to qualify third before losing by almost 10 goals to grand finalists Hawthorn and Geelong in September.
So what has happened to the side that will meet the Lions at Etihad Stadium next Sunday?
My old mate Ross Lyon, a teammate at Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears, must take a lot of credit. In his third year at the helm it looks like his message has sunk in, and he's got his entire playing group on the same page.
It doesn't matter how much talent a side has unless everyone embraces the game plan - as this under-achieving Saints group has shown previously - but this year they are working together beautifully.
Their forward line pressure has been phenomenal. At a time when everyone is talking defensive zones their forward press, to steal a basketball term, is making it difficult for opposition sides to clear the ball from their own defensive 50m zone.
Small forwards Stephen Milne and Adam Schneider have led the way, but their entire playing group has a strong pressure mindset.
Helped by the "no rushed behinds" rule, they refuse to allow an easy clearance and are forcing a lot of scoring opportunities from turnovers.
At the other end, their defence has been superb. In seven games they've conceded 53 goals. Next best is Geelong with 80. And it's not exactly a superstar defence.
Sam Fisher is an All-Australian and Jason Gram, a Lions cast-off, has been a standout the past couple of years, but Farren Ray was traded by the Bulldogs last November, Zac Dawson was dumped by Hawthorn, Jarryn Geary is a second-year player and Jason Blake has not long cemented a regular spot.
Much of the improvement has come from Brendon Goddard and fourth-year Gold Coaster Sam Gilbert. They are two of the competition's form players and are on track to be All-Australian contenders.
This rotating group has been so good that long-time fixture Max Hudghton, an All-Australian nominee last year, has barely been missed while injured, and Matt Maguire can't get a game after a long lay-off.
They have had a lot of big improvers. Nick Dal Santo was dropped last year and now he's a Brownlow Medal contender. Luke Ball is finally over his injury woes, Leigh Montagna has taken his game to a new level. Likewise ruckmen Stephen King and Michael Gardiner.
On top of that,Nick Riewoldt is in career-best form, kicking four goals or more four weeks in a row, and Lenny Hayes is also in red hot form. It all points to a fairytale Cats v Saints clash in Round 14.
________________________________--
definitely written for the one paper.. regional bias....
Last edited by saintbrat on Sun 17 May 2009 11:09am, edited 1 time in total.
StReNgTh ThRoUgH LoYaLtY
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Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly..!!
MEMBERSHIP 2014 31,134 Membership 2015 32,746 MEMBERSHIP 2016 - 38,101
MEMBERSHIP 2017 42,095 , Membership 2018 46,998
MEMBERSHIP 2019 43,106 http://saintsational.net/viewtopic.php? ... 9#p1816890
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Its an unanswerable question at the moment as we are nor at the grand final yet .True anything CAN happen but who else apart from Geelong are up there and firing?
He points to no area of weakness in the saints game .......so just wishful thinking that we will fail.
Its like the sceptics cant believe what is staring them in the face .........a GREAT Saints team.........they just dont like it at all.
He points to no area of weakness in the saints game .......so just wishful thinking that we will fail.
Its like the sceptics cant believe what is staring them in the face .........a GREAT Saints team.........they just dont like it at all.
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How bad Merret, another injury for my dream team. Need Goose to come back in to avoid more trades. Or Rance to have an amazing recovery?jonesy wrote:He's just bitter as he knows what his former side is going to be on the end of next sunday. Patfull broken jaw,Merret ankle,and Adcock did something to I think.
They'll have no backline,another trouncing awaits....
Maybe this year?
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Voss said Merret will come up for next week...have to wait and seerexy wrote:How bad Merret, another injury for my dream team. Need Goose to come back in to avoid more trades. Or Rance to have an amazing recovery?jonesy wrote:He's just bitter as he knows what his former side is going to be on the end of next sunday. Patfull broken jaw,Merret ankle,and Adcock did something to I think.
They'll have no backline,another trouncing awaits....
Bring back the Lockett era
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it's a crap article and he's not a great commentator, but don't attack him personally. otherwise he could start asking how many games of afl you played and that doesn't end well.plugger66 wrote:I like your style. Get out of the media and into bed that is excellent.sankilda wrote:the media just want to see geelong v all australian side. lynch has forever disgaced his record because of the 2004 GF. get out of the media and into bed
Sorry you have lost me.bergholt wrote:it's a crap article and he's not a great commentator, but don't attack him personally. otherwise he could start asking how many games of afl you played and that doesn't end well.plugger66 wrote:I like your style. Get out of the media and into bed that is excellent.sankilda wrote:the media just want to see geelong v all australian side. lynch has forever disgaced his record because of the 2004 GF. get out of the media and into bed
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An opinion doth not an article make.
His only supporting argument is the 2004 season performance. He then waffles on for over half of the remaining article to refute his own position!
Summary: "by any number of measures they are in red hot form but they've screwed up before so they'll do it again". Er, yeah. Thanks for playing Lynchy, but <pssshhht> [Stage trapdoor opens]
Crap article.
His only supporting argument is the 2004 season performance. He then waffles on for over half of the remaining article to refute his own position!
Summary: "by any number of measures they are in red hot form but they've screwed up before so they'll do it again". Er, yeah. Thanks for playing Lynchy, but <pssshhht> [Stage trapdoor opens]
Crap article.
Saint Bev wrote:"Jason Blake has not long cemented a regular spot"
This bloke is almost as thick as Gobby Lloyd
that's what hit a raw nerve with me also.........
.everybody still loves lenny....and we always will
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Am annoyed that 2004 and 2005 are written off as failures by the media.
Ok, 2004 we had a slump, but had a difficult path to Prelim and miss out by a kick to eventual premiers! 2005 again super effort by developing team, lose to eventuals premiers in Prelim. Failure!!?? No way.
The success of 2009 is being built on the foundations built in 2004 and 2005, a core group of 10-15 players have now developed a great understanding, plenty of experience and now topped off with improved structure.
I know I am preaching to converted , but the idea that this is an overnight sensation is just plain wrong.
Ok, 2004 we had a slump, but had a difficult path to Prelim and miss out by a kick to eventual premiers! 2005 again super effort by developing team, lose to eventuals premiers in Prelim. Failure!!?? No way.
The success of 2009 is being built on the foundations built in 2004 and 2005, a core group of 10-15 players have now developed a great understanding, plenty of experience and now topped off with improved structure.
I know I am preaching to converted , but the idea that this is an overnight sensation is just plain wrong.
What's the Point of it All?