How does everyone expect tonight to pan out?

dcstkfc · Post: # 896906Post **dcstkfc** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 11:51am

I just get the feeling it'll be tight all night as usual and they might have a bit more run with their longer pre-season come the end of it, home crowd might get them over the line by 2-3 goals.

Certainly a danger game, as it's never going to be a blowout either way.

Tackling will be a key, contested ball as always is critical. We have more class, but in we'll need to be winning it out of the centre and keeping it there for that class to shine through. Their defensive runners such as Shaw, Kennelly and Malceski could be potent if our forwards' tackling isn't up to scratch.

Our defence will need to be more switched on than during the pre-season to match it with the likes of Goode, Bradshaw and White, although without Buchanan I see them struggling at ground level.

SENsei · Post: # 896909Post **SENsei** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 12:18pm

Saints by 23.

Saint_in_SA · Sat 27 Mar 2010 12:24pm

I expect a win by 4-5 goals. As you point out, it will be a tight tussle as always and I am sure to be sitting on the edge of my seat throughout!!

I am really hoping that number 23 stands up to be counted tonight. Maybe it's time he moved back to defence where he dominated a few years back so he can run at the footy. I am also keen to see Armo assert himself in the guts.

The backline without Sam is a worry though - Zac really needs a chop out otherwise Bradshaw may have an easy first game back.

Waltzing St Kilda · Sat 27 Mar 2010 12:25pm

Good summary. I'm also strangely resigned to a 2-3 goal loss (and so will be delighted to have egg on my face). Our record against the Swans ain't spectacular, and I'm worried about our bookends. Fisher is a major loss, and if Lenny doesn't play ...

saintsRrising · Sat 27 Mar 2010 12:37pm

Expect it to be a typical Saints /Swans struggle...but the Saints to finish the stronger to win.

SydneySainter · Sat 27 Mar 2010 12:40pm

I'd be lying if I said that I had a good feeling about tonight, get the impression Roo's and his new-look Swans want to get off to a flyer, get the locals interested again and recoup their financial losses by selling more merchandise and memberships. But, prove me wrong Saints!

Milan Faletic · Sat 27 Mar 2010 1:05pm

Pretty nervous. Only the 2nd time we have played at ANZ, I think.

If we play like we did in the NAB Cup Final, we will lose, but I suspect we will play better now that this is Round 1.

Will be a close game.

skeptic · Post: # 896921Post **skeptic** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 1:15pm

I think we might struggle to run the game out given our late preseason

clarky449 · Post: # 896928Post **clarky449** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 1:52pm

skeptic wrote:I think we might struggle to run the game out given our late preseason

I disagree, i think saints by 31

meher baba · Post: # 896929Post **meher baba** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 1:55pm

I'm still expecting us to win. But wouldn't be surprised to see us have to come from behind.

Contrary to what you are all expecting, I'm predicting Kosi to have a big one

Duggie · Post: # 896933Post **Duggie** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 1:59pm

Tough, mean, and a grind. Have we played ANZ before?

jonesy · Post: # 896938Post **jonesy** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 2:12pm

Will be one of our better wins of the year if we can win this one. Win this and we are right on track right from the get go.

I think it's going to be tough,no Fisher, Hayes poor build up. I'll be very very happy if we win this. Hate to say it,but if I was in tipping,I'd pick the swans. Prove me wrong saints

skeptic · Post: # 896939Post **skeptic** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 2:29pm

clarky449 wrote:
skeptic wrote:I think we might struggle to run the game out given our late preseason
I disagree, i think saints by 31

would be very happy to be wrong on this one

saintsRrising · Sat 27 Mar 2010 2:30pm

meher baba wrote:I'm still expecting us to win. But wouldn't be surprised to see us have to come from behind.

Contrary to what you are all expecting, I'm predicting Kosi to have a big one

Some of us MB believe that Kosi will play ok footy once the H&A starts....so not all MB.

SainterK · Post: # 896949Post **SainterK** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 3:02pm

Thought this thread may of been an extension of the crust pizza sponsorship

I am very optimistic about tonight, expecting a win.

Milan Faletic · Sat 27 Mar 2010 3:04pm

SainterK wrote:Thought this thread may of been an extension of the crust pizza sponsorship

I am very optimistic about tonight, expecting a win.

Very funny, I think the game will be thin and crispy with anchovies

wasaintsfan · Sat 27 Mar 2010 3:54pm

i feel we could really do some damage in this game...

the first real game since losing the gf
boys will still be feeling it media will still be saying it
the boys who went had last year feel the need to go harder theyve got a point to prove and sydney happen to be the team to be in the way of proving it this week

mind you emotions could work the opposite way and the boys could go out with the wrong attitude but i think as a club and the way we operate we are to proffesional for that to happen

go the mighty saints!!!! lets make 2010 what 2009 shouldve been!!

Sainternist · Sat 27 Mar 2010 3:57pm

unfortunately, win or lose, it will be a relatively unattractive game of football. perhaps close, but very fugly. the swines will drag us down to their level. it's hard to imagine that'll be raining goals at any stage of the match. i'm expecting yet another low scoring slog against this mongrel of an opponent, which seems to match up against us well in recent times.

Stephen Theodore · Sat 27 Mar 2010 4:08pm

I have no doubt it will be a typical Swans v Saints game. Unattractive, tight all night, and hopefully us with our noses in front at the siren.

cwrcyn · Post: # 896975Post **cwrcyn** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 5:23pm

Their midfield will strangle ours as much as possible.

Their tall forward line will trouble us, with Jessie White being a headache.

Riewoldt will have to push up the ground to get touches, with Kosi locked in the goal square.

I think we've got ourselves a really tough game.

Swans by 10 points

bobmurray · Post: # 896977Post **bobmurray** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 5:40pm

Not sure of the result but it will be one of those dour Sydney v Saints battles..

Kosi will struggle and numerous threads will appear stating he should be dropped for Stanley.....

starsign · Post: # 896982Post **starsign** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 6:07pm

expecting the usual tight struggle against them , but glad it's not at that squidgy SCG ....dont know ANZ dimensions but they gotta be longer/larger and better for us surely??

starsign · Post: # 896983Post **starsign** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 6:08pm

expecting the usual tight struggle against them , but glad it's not at that squidgy SCG ....dont know ANZ dimensions but they gotta be longer/larger and better for us surely??

anyway Hi All and GOSAINTERS!!

SainterK · Post: # 896985Post **SainterK** » Sat 27 Mar 2010 6:16pm

starsign wrote:expecting the usual tight struggle against them , but glad it's not at that squidgy SCG ....dont know ANZ dimensions but they gotta be longer/larger and better for us surely??

anyway Hi All and GOSAINTERS!!

Hi starsign. Haven't seen you around much since your limerick comp last year. Yep, go Saints!

Goose is king · Sat 27 Mar 2010 6:39pm

I'm pretty confident.

They have 6 new players and a pre-season together isn't enough when it comes to playing the Saints. They are experienced players but I believe our synergy will the superior to theirs.

Always close, Saints by 18 points.