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6:19:13 PM Wed 2 June, 2004
Paul Gough
Sportal
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas admits the tiny SCG poses a big challenge for his side's powerful forwards this Sunday.
And that challenge is not to get in each other's way.
The SCG is by far the AFL's smallest ground at just 163 metres in length and at 158 metres in width is almost as wide as it long.
So small is the ground that the line signifying 50 metres from goal at every other AFL ground is painted just 45 metres out from goal at the SCG, otherwise it would overlap with the centre square.
And the challenge for the Saints this week is to fit 195cm Fraser Gehrig, 193cm Nick Riewoldt, 197cm Justin Koschitzke, 184cm Aaron Hamill and its two goalsneaks Stephen Milne and Brent Guerra all in that small attacking arc.
While Thomas admitted on Wednesday he hoped the only difference in his team's attack in Sydney would be "hopefully the ball goes further over the fence", he did admit the small SCG could pose problems for his side's style of play.
The Saints' club record 10-match unbeaten start to the season has been built on its long, direct kicking to its powerful attack where Gehrig (50 goals), Milne (27), Guerra (20) Hamill (19) and Riewoldt (19) have kicked 135 goals between them.
"There is that chance (the forward line will become overcrowded) every week but even more so this week on the smaller ground," Thomas said on Wednesday.
"And especially given the way Sydney plays up there."
Thomas said the Swans would attempt to block up the space between 30 and 60 metres from goal, directly in front, to further congest the Saints' attack.
"We know they like to do that up there and they will have a lot of players in that area of the ground," he said.
"So we have got to be smart in how we take the ball into our forward line."
"And we also have to be competitive in midfield because they have also got a dangerous forward line, which if we are not on our mettle can score quickly."
Thomas said the unique shape of the SCG could also pose problems for visiting sides not used to playing there.
"It?s as wide and it long so it's a very different shape and you can get lost out there (on the wings)."
But while eight of the Saints' ten victories this season have come on their home ground at Telstra Dome, the team has already won on the road twice this season by beating Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round four and Fremantle at Subiaco in round seven.
Paul Gough
Sportal
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas admits the tiny SCG poses a big challenge for his side's powerful forwards this Sunday.
And that challenge is not to get in each other's way.
The SCG is by far the AFL's smallest ground at just 163 metres in length and at 158 metres in width is almost as wide as it long.
So small is the ground that the line signifying 50 metres from goal at every other AFL ground is painted just 45 metres out from goal at the SCG, otherwise it would overlap with the centre square.
And the challenge for the Saints this week is to fit 195cm Fraser Gehrig, 193cm Nick Riewoldt, 197cm Justin Koschitzke, 184cm Aaron Hamill and its two goalsneaks Stephen Milne and Brent Guerra all in that small attacking arc.
While Thomas admitted on Wednesday he hoped the only difference in his team's attack in Sydney would be "hopefully the ball goes further over the fence", he did admit the small SCG could pose problems for his side's style of play.
The Saints' club record 10-match unbeaten start to the season has been built on its long, direct kicking to its powerful attack where Gehrig (50 goals), Milne (27), Guerra (20) Hamill (19) and Riewoldt (19) have kicked 135 goals between them.
"There is that chance (the forward line will become overcrowded) every week but even more so this week on the smaller ground," Thomas said on Wednesday.
"And especially given the way Sydney plays up there."
Thomas said the Swans would attempt to block up the space between 30 and 60 metres from goal, directly in front, to further congest the Saints' attack.
"We know they like to do that up there and they will have a lot of players in that area of the ground," he said.
"So we have got to be smart in how we take the ball into our forward line."
"And we also have to be competitive in midfield because they have also got a dangerous forward line, which if we are not on our mettle can score quickly."
Thomas said the unique shape of the SCG could also pose problems for visiting sides not used to playing there.
"It?s as wide and it long so it's a very different shape and you can get lost out there (on the wings)."
But while eight of the Saints' ten victories this season have come on their home ground at Telstra Dome, the team has already won on the road twice this season by beating Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round four and Fremantle at Subiaco in round seven.
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