Magilla Gorilla Wants a Premmie Cup

[AnnieH]

Someone ring Magilla and tell him he's dreaming.
It's not going to happen this year, and probably not next year or the year after that.

Saints Title Contenders - Gehrig

The Saints were hit hard by injuries under former coach Grant Thomas' reign, but Gehrig said a fresh approach under the tutelage of new incumbent Ross Lyon could add to a change in fortune for the club.

Yet asked what he was doing differently this pre-season as opposed to other years, Gehrig was humourous in his response: "I've trained."

[hammo]

Although I hate the term (and the Saints), given a good run with injuries St Kilda still has one of the best lists in the comp.

[liz]

Originally posted by hammo
Although I hate the term (and the Saints), given a good run with injuries St Kilda still has one of the best lists in the comp.

I'm not sure about "best lists" as I think it gets a bit thin lower down the pecking order but its top end talent is second to none, IMO. If they can get Kossie fit and confident and Riewoldt playing near his best consistently (and remember he was voted MVP in 2004) they will be dangerous.

The ruck combination Lyon has recruited may look fragile but if Gardiner fires up it could be damaging, and that's one of the areas the Saints have suffered in recent years.

Hayes and Ball are top notch midfielders, Goddard showed signs last year of becoming a very good player, Gehrig is - with Lloyd - maybe the only key forward capable of kicking 100 goals, if he gets decent supply, and Milne can be a very productive pest at times.

They should be very much a contender this year if Lyon grasps the coaching gig quickly.

[goswannie14]

I always said that the Saints wouldn't win a premiership whilst Thomas was coach, with that having changed, I am now worried that they may be able to win the big one. But hopefully not for at least 2 years, as that is about how long I reckon our premiership window is still open for.

[AnnieH]

Originally posted by liz
They should be very much a contender this year if Lyon grasps the coaching gig quickly.

There's the key.
It's our premmie window now ... St Kilda missed the bus with injury, it's sad, but tough.
Let's hope it take a while to break in the new coach.

[hammo]

Originally posted by Annie Haddad
There's the key.
It's our premmie window now ... St Kilda missed the bus with injury, it's sad, but tough.
Let's hope it take a while to break in the new coach.

Eade, Roos, Craig, Worsfold and Williams all had success (e.g. prelim final or better) early in their coaching careers so the leap from assistant to senior coach isn't as great as you make out.

[AnnieH]

Originally posted by hammo
Eade, Roos, Craig, Worsfold and Williams all had success (e.g. prelim final or better) early in their coaching careers so the leap from assistant to senior coach isn't as great as you make out.

How many coaches didn't have success (e.g. prelim final or better) early in their coaching careers? Without spending an hour looking up the figures, I'd say more than those who actually did.
Time will give us our answer.

[liz]

Originally posted by Annie Haddad
How many coaches didn't have success (e.g. prelim final or better) early in their coaching careers? Without spending an hour looking up the figures, I'd say more than those who actually did.
Time will give us our answer.

Most new coaches don't inherit a side with the talent of St Kilda's. Coaches tend to be sacked because the teams they have led haven't been very good.

But even having said that, even Danny Frawley and Peter Schwab got to PFs very early in their coaching careers - Frawley certainly in his first year at Richmond and Schwab in year one or two. It was the subsequent years that proved to be the problem.

Unless the Saints have another injury riddled year, I will be very surprised if they don't at least make a PF this season.

[giant]

Personally, I won't be shocked if they don't make the 8. While they've got quality in their list too many of their stars are fragile and carrying lingering or problematic injuries. As well, they have cultural and game plan issues (hence, I assume, the new coach). None of this stuff gets cured overnight. I'm sure Lyons will be hosing down expectations this season but if he gets it right they can surely bounce back quicker than most "rebuilding" teams.

[Carolyn]

I'd say that they have more of a chance at winning the Premiership than Essendon has of making the Top 8.

[AnnieH]

Originally posted by Carolyn
I'd say that they have more of a chance at winning the Premiership than Essendon has of making the Top 8.

Absolutely ... but there are 15 other teams who have a better chance than the dons of making the top 8.
I'd be very surprised if St Kilda got the flag ... I think their time is up (for now).

[Industrial Fan]

Originally posted by Carolyn
My Pokemon brings all the boys to the yard and they're like "Wanna trade cards?"
"Damn right, I wanna trade cards. I can beat you, I've got Charizard!"

Thats a top signature Carolyn.....