Round 1 - Cats vs Saints

[Saint 58]

How long until ?
Too long !!

Can't wait for the game & to see the line up.
Not going unless I can get a free ticket.
I refuse to put any money towards Pork Barrel Stadium (got that name from Big Footy).

Saints by about 25 points

[Otiman]

It's 66 days until March 16th.

[Big Max]

A very important start to the season, we have Cats and Tigers.

Both opponents appear to be on the slide, and we probably need to win both to get our season off to a positive start.

[CQ SAINT]

A very important start to the season, we have Cats and Tigers.

Both opponents appear to be on the slide, and we probably need to win both to get our season off to a positive start.

Hopefully both teams will be blooding younger mids and will roll over hoping the can make a run home in June July and August.

I think we may be in a position to send the coaches best 23 out to to generate 6 or 7 wins first half and be anywhere from 3rd to 7th.

By then our top 35 will be warmed up and Sandy will be greatly improved.

No injuries and we will be flying by round 18 and come home strong.

[Beno88]

Anyone know when tickets go on sale for this one?

[The Fireman]

What did big Kev used to say?

[skeptic]

What did big Kev used to say?

?

[shanegrambeau]

Fascinating game - if you were an independent.
As a St Kilda fan, eeewwwgghh!

I don't imagine too many will be tipping us.

Their forward line vs our backline?

I expect their old campaigners to begin the season well, (Duncan, Danger etc., before hobbling off injured mid-season. )

And they have a few returnees from the '22 ..Cam Guthrie for instance. As well as some risers like Bruhn etc.

The only thing I think we might get 'em with is with raw pace and flashes of skill, individual bits of brilliance here and there.

Their sneaky old bastards will play their tricks. Expect Tuohy to try and provoke Caminiti to throwing a punch.

https://www.zerohanger.com/every-afl-te ... ts-146060/

[saintsRrising]

Their sneaky old bastards will play their tricks. Expect Tuohy to try and provoke Caminiti to throwing a punch.

Might be hard as I suspect he may not make our starting 22.


But agree on your point that the Cats are a very experienced unit. But also time is starting to catch up on a few who might be lining up against us. Pace as you say, could be a key edge. The Cats are not the quickest unit going around.

[Yorkeys]

Last seasons for Dangerfield, Rohan, Touhy, Stanley, Hawkins? and Scott?

They will go very hard early, unveiling Geelong's answer to the Pyramids game one as well. There will be speeches. We never react well when there are speeches.

[CQ SAINT]

https://finalsiren.com/PreviousGames.as ... &Team2ID=4

[shanegrambeau]

I echo the sentiments of York ‘n SR

Skill and pace
And some lucky bounces

NWM, Hill, and Sincs will loom large

And will be on their radar!

I’m my dreams…
In steps Henry and the Carlton recruit - and ..pow!

[nostalgicsaint]

Last seasons for Dangerfield, Rohan, Touhy, Stanley, Hawkins? and Scott?

They will go very hard early, unveiling Geelong's answer to the Pyramids game one as well. There will be speeches. We never react well when there are speeches.

Typically they start the year slow but perhaps they take a different approach this year?

[B.M]

They don’t lose many down there

I think they are about 82% over the last decade

[Yorkeys]

Last seasons for Dangerfield, Rohan, Touhy, Stanley, Hawkins? and Scott?

They will go very hard early, unveiling Geelong's answer to the Pyramids game one as well. There will be speeches. We never react well when there are speeches.

Typically they start the year slow but perhaps they take a different approach this year?

They have had the luxury of top end talent and great home advantage so they could do a Bart Cummings prep. If they drop off the pace early they don't have the gear changes anymore. It's a must win 8 point game for them and a big occasion. I am hoping they choke and we come to play.

[desertsaint]

confident. here we go.

[mad saint guy]

Round one team selection is going to be fascinating.

Caminiti vs Sharman?
Does Seb get a gig?
Wilson?
Howard vs Cordy?
Can Paton force his way back now that his injury is well behind him?
Do Webster and Stocker hold their spots?
Where does Windy play?
Does Pou have to truly earn his spot this season?
Do Henry and Dow walk into the team? Bonner?
Who is providing ruck support?
Can Clark build his endurance to increase TOG?

Many many questions to be answered

[Yorkeys]

Have a go but (no one will remember):
Both
Yes
Yes
Howard
Probably not for game one (dependent on injuries)
Yes
Middle/ from bench/ great utility
Already bought and paid for, dues up to date
Henry yes, Dow Probably, Bonner no
Caminiti
Yes

[Otiman]

Have a go but (no one will remember):
Both
Yes
Yes
Howard
Probably not for game one (dependent on injuries)
Yes
Middle/ from bench/ great utility
Already bought and paid for, dues up to date
Henry yes, Dow Probably, Bonner no
Caminiti
Yes

Interesting to see how to fit everyone (if fit) into the 22.

In: Henry, Dow, Wilson, Membrey, Howard, Stocker (was sub).
Out: Cordy, Gresham, ??

Clark is a good chance to start in the VFL.
Garcia to play senior level before Paton does this year.

[Yorkeys]

Injuries always make some decisions for the SC.
Clark the v'24 to play firsts unless injured. He's one of those that you don't play in the Bs. Imo.

[CQ SAINT]

Injuries always make some decisions for the SC.
Clark the v'24 to play firsts unless injured. He's one of those that you don't play in the Bs. Imo.

It would be a shame but a welcome one. Clark is gonna come on this year.
I see him pushing Crouch out and being a little less rushed in his composure.
Crouch won't go down easy and we all get better.

[Impatient Sainter]

Round one team selection is going to be fascinating.

Caminiti vs Sharman?
Does Seb get a gig?
Wilson?
Howard vs Cordy?
Can Paton force his way back now that his injury is well behind him?
Do Webster and Stocker hold their spots?
Where does Windy play?
Does Pou have to truly earn his spot this season?
Do Henry and Dow walk into the team? Bonner?
Who is providing ruck support?
Can Clark build his endurance to increase TOG?

Many many questions to be answered

Caminiti is still recovering from a hamstring injury so is not in full training yet. Hopefully when he does get going he can remind us all why he was such an asset last year. Jack Hayes is another who is still recovering from his knee issue - hopefully he can get going this year.

[shanegrambeau]

..
Clark...firsts unless injured.

... Clark is gonna come on this year....

I'm Hunter fan..

But the refrain,

"Clark is gonna come on this year." could have been applied the last six years running..

2018 15 games
2019 14 games
2020 18 games
2021 13 games
2022 8 games
2023 19 games

Averages nearly 18 possies a game, from low time on the ground, so something is happening.

Last year he kicked 4 goals, which is his best and 1/3 of his total of 12 across his career.
The balance and time is still there, but just. Is the evasion? If not, he'll be hit pillar to post, especially as a mid.

[Saint 58]

It's so easy to get excited this time of year.
Since the grand final years it's been very easy to NOT get excited !

I just think that we have a lot more options available now which creates competition for spots.
A lot is based on potential of new players, draft & trades.
I'm expecting finals again.
If not - not a problem.
But I'm expecting competitiveness & exciting/creative footy.

Yeah I'm excited !

[saynta]

It's so easy to get excited this time of year.
Since the grand final years it's been very easy to NOT get excited !

I just think that we have a lot more options available now which creates competition for spots.
A lot is based on potential of new players, draft & trades.
I'm expecting finals again.
If not - not a problem.
But I'm expecting competitiveness & exciting/creative footy.

Yeah I'm excited !

Me too mate. And for the record, I am also more than satisfied with our coaching panel.