Saints a genuine finals chance?

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

I'm 50/50 at this stage. Before the season I was not even thinking of finals but now I'm not so sure. I think we are realistically a decent chance to win the next 3 games and our draw towards the end of year provides some big opportunities to get more wins.

Could we just sneak in?
If only we beat Freo. Damn. We would be 3-0 and equal top. I'm glad we have shut up the lazy group think and fake news media for now also.

This footy season is looking like being a very strange one.

[skeptic]

Last time we won our first 2 was 2014 and we won the wooden spoon.

3 games against non-finalists last year does not even begin to give you an accurate indication of whether or not there has been major improvement.

We look a little better absolutely but it’s silly to start talking finals already

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

What happened in 2014 (5 years ago) isn't relevant to 2019. Completely different side, players, style, game plan, feeling, coaches, training ground, admin, etc. back then.

I don't think it's silly to talk finals. Goals need to be set and most importantly...reviewed. It's how the Saints will improve as a club.

I reckon Brisbane are a pretty good chance to make the finals based on their first 3 wins. It's not silly to talk about that either.

Anyway, guess we will see what happens but I'm glad the lazy group think and fake news AFL media completely wrote us off pre season. At the end of the day, I think every Saints fan has got what they wanted and thats definite improvement and a new look side, attitude and game plan.

[Beno88]

The next six weeks will give a very good indication of where we're realistically at.

Hawthorn, Melbourne, Adelaide, GWS, West Coast & Collingwood.

Two wins from those six would exceed most pre-season expectations, but anything less than 4-5 after nine games seems under whelming now.

Three wins and we are in the finals hunt at 5-4.

[Linton Lodger]

As the Coaches say: One week at a time.

[Scollop]

Plus whoever keeps reporting some of my posts to the admin on a daily basis then please send me a PM so I know how you are. Thank you.



Nice that people care 'how' other people are going

[The Fireman]

I shake my head in despair.

[Sainternist]

Not after yesterday's loss!

[Sanctorum]

Whilst the result was disappointing at no stage until 6 minutes to go did I believe St Kilda could not beat the Dockers.

This team is vastly better than the line up the Saints had in 2018, in all 3 games the 2018 version would have folded and been thrashed. To fight back into strong contention after being down by 5 goals in the 2nd term, and to stay within reach thereafter was a good sign. Most definitely the team missed Jack Steven, and both Jack Sinclair and Hunter Clark were hardly in the game. The Docker defence mostly outplayed the Saints forwards, and despite Rowan Marshall dominating the ruck (he is fast becoming a gun ruckman, his improvement is fantastic!) the Saints small brigade were well beaten in clearances. 21 scoring shots compared to 16 by the Dockers is another encouraging statistic...

I felt afterwards that the Saints despite playing poorly showed enough to indicate that they will win a fair few games this year, and will definitely take it up to the Hawks next Sunday.

I agree with the suggestions that Ben Long comes in for Kent, and Jack Steven for either Jack Sinclair or Hunter Clark. I'm also wondering that against the Hawks, especially if Roughhead comes back, consider bringing in Lewis Pierce or Billie Longer, which will allow the Saints to deploy Rowan Marshall around the ground - he does that exceptionally well...

[skeptic]

You’re asking if we’re a chance for finals

There is no indication of that based on what we’ve seen and trying to make a judgment call with the info available is irrational

I base my opinions and judgement on evidence...

Will 2019 be Paddy’s breakout year... based on what I saw I questioned his durability.
You pbly bet money on him for the Coleman because you like him.

He then got injured and all conventional thinking would suggest concussion number 8 would be problematic... u said it was a storm in a tea cup.
I was worried

Good for you though. You’re a nice loyal supporter with super positive opinions based on your feelings. I don’t base opinions on personal feelings

[thejiggingsaint]

Whilst the result was disappointing at no stage until 6 minutes to go did I believe St Kilda could not beat the Dockers.

This team is vastly better than the line up the Saints had in 2018, in all 3 games the 2018 version would have folded and been thrashed. To fight back into strong contention after being down by 5 goals in the 2nd term, and to stay within reach thereafter was a good sign. Most definitely the team missed Jack Steven, and both Jack Sinclair and Hunter Clark were hardly in the game. The Docker defence mostly outplayed the Saints forwards, and despite Rowan Marshall dominating the ruck (he is fast becoming a gun ruckman, his improvement is fantastic!) the Saints small brigade were well beaten in clearances. 21 scoring shots compared to 16 by the Dockers is another encouraging statistic...

I felt afterwards that the Saints despite playing poorly showed enough to indicate that they will win a fair few games this year, and will definitely take it up to the Hawks next Sunday.

I agree with the suggestions that Ben Long comes in for Kent, and Jack Steven for either Jack Sinclair or Hunter Clark. I'm also wondering that against the Hawks, especially if Roughhead comes back, consider bringing in Lewis Pierce or Billie Longer, which will allow the Saints to deploy Rowan Marshall around the ground - he does that exceptionally well...

Hard to find anything there to disagree with you on, Colleague. Considering our "outs" the side did a more than reasonable job. However, the clangers are still a bugbear and we get punished for them each and every time.

[Cairnsman]

Finals is a big possibility. We could be 4 and 2 by round 6 which is one more than I predicated. We will give the Hawks a real thumping this week.

Based on the evidence so far the coach haters must be reassessing the sacking round. My opinion is he's safe as houses, and that was before I read the Herald Sun.

[guitars4]

I don't know what drugs you guy's are on but can you get some for me . What I've seen so far this year is encouraging but finals really !! . Be positive that's great but lets not get too far ahead of ourselves . At round 17 if we have 10 wins then we might be a slim chance until then just take it one week at a time.

[Toy Saint]

I don't know what drugs you guy's are on but can you get some for me . What I've seen so far this year is encouraging but finals really !! . Be positive that's great but lets not get too far ahead of ourselves . At round 17 if we have 10 wins then we might be a slim chance until then just take it one week at a time.

I'll have some of those drugs please.

[asiu]

no

[samuraisaint]

I'm tipping 9 wins, notwithstanding some close losses like yesterday. So long as we are in all our matches that will be enough of an improvement this year given our long-term injury list.

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

I'm tipping 9 wins, notwithstanding some close losses like yesterday. So long as we are in all our matches that will be enough of an improvement this year given our long-term injury list.

Agreed Ninja!
We will push a lot of sides and win many more games than some expected (especially a few of our supporters).

[guitars4]

I'm tipping 9 wins, notwithstanding some close losses like yesterday. So long as we are in all our matches that will be enough of an improvement this year given our long-term injury list.

Agreed Ninja!
We will push a lot of sides and win many more games than some expected (especially a few of our supporters).

Nine wins is good Ted but you need at least 12 to make the finals .

[Joffa Burns]

Plus whoever keeps reporting some of my posts to the admin on a daily basis then please send me a PM so I know how you are. Thank you.



Nice that people care 'how' other people are going

I suggest you stop making up crap Scollop and trying to pass yourself off as an ITK and people may refrain from reporting your contributions

[Jacks Back]

We play the Hawks this Sunday which will be our first free to air game. Hopefully it's not a repeat of our first free to air game last year on Good Friday.

[ace]

The next six weeks will give a very good indication of where we're realistically at.

Hawthorn, Melbourne, Adelaide, GWS, West Coast & Collingwood.

Two wins from those six would exceed most pre-season expectations, but anything less than 4-5 after nine games seems under whelming now.

Three wins and we are in the finals hunt at 5-4.

I am confident that after playing around 22 matches we will know exactly where we are likely to finish on the ladder.

[Ajantis]

Lets just win more than 4 games at the moment !

[Sainter_Dad]

LOL - I wish - but not 2019.

2020 - watch out!!!

[Cairnsman]

Profoundness of the day.

It's called a rear vision mirror for a reason.

[Sanctorum]

I'm tipping 9 wins, notwithstanding some close losses like yesterday. So long as we are in all our matches that will be enough of an improvement this year given our long-term injury list.

That's a fair call Samuraisaint, 9 wins is within the capabilities of the current team, and once Dan Hannebery is fit, and Ben King gets a few games into him, the Saints could well have a strong finish to the season after the bye round...not forgetting that by then Jake Carlisle will be back as well.

All I really want this year is for the team to show some significant improvement and from what we have seen in the first 3 games that is certainly the case.