NAB 1: St Kilda vs North Melbourne

[Pkbaldy]

Our first kick for the year against another team. Will be interesting to see how we line up against North. Few guys have changed their style and roles to last year, so it'll be interesting how we go.


Named Team:


1.Tom Hickey
Will be looking to impress in both in the ruck and up forward. Being the #1 for us in this game, he will need to show so stamina.

3.Jack Steven
Will just do his thing in the middle, with limited caps coming in at R1, we could have him rest forward. We know he has footy smarts. So could even be damaging up there.

4.Eli Templeton
When on he will mainly play on the wing. Can't see him doing TOO much to start with, but if  he gets on a role he should be fine.

5.Shane Savage
Will most likely be gunning it off the back half, might kick a super goal.

6.Seb Ross
Without Armo, Ross could be our clearance king for the day. Should step up a bit this year.

7.Luke Dunstan
Again without Armo, Dunstan can show his natural leadership and clearance skills and open this game up for us in the middle. And he is also able to rest forward.

8.Blake Acres
Killed the Intra-club match in the midfield. Can't see why he can't play out most of this game in the midfield too. Be useful to have a 190+ Midfield emerge

9.Tom Lee
Will be looking to settle on one of the big forwards for the Roos. He looked good up until his injury last year and also played well in the Intra-club.

13.Jack Lonie
Kicked 4 goals in the Intra-club match, and words are he wants a go in the midfield. Could be swapping with Dunstan when he needs a rest.

15.Jack Billings
Will probably start on the flank and then move into the midfield. Billings might only play half the game, could still be managing his shin.

16.Jack Newnes
This tank can probably run out the entire game if he wanted too. He will probably rotate between Midfield Wing and half back. Will should some good leadership

19.Sam Gilbert
Probably rotate off the backline and through the middle. Very good at getting the ball. Still not to happy with disposal.

21.Luke Delaney
Will probably take the next tallest to what Lee is on. Doesn't impact the game himself, but can be a decent defender

22.Jade Gresham
Our top pick done well in the Intra-club match. Will be interesting to see how he goes off the flank and probably on the wing. Could surprise a few.

23.Hugh Goddard
Could get the top job on Kanga's best forwards. Shows so many good signs, just a bit inconsistent. So this'll be a good test for him.

24.Sean Dempster
He'll do what he's done the last 10 years. Be consistent and effective in the backline.

26.Tom Curren
Not sure where they will play Curren... Probably just fill the gaps when it's time to come on. Don't see him doing much

27.Josh Bruce
Will be our top forward. Hopefully show Scotty D. or whoever he is playing on who's boss

29.Jimmy Webster
Apparently due for midfield time. But I'd much rather him off the backline. Good runner so we need him in there.

32.Paddy McCartin
Our 2nd big target up forward. Held some good marks in the Intra-club, but dropped plenty too. So be interesting to see how he holds up.

35.Josh Saunders
Probably use him off the wing or forward flank. Another one I don't see doing too much.

36.Daniel McKenzie
Hasn't gained any weight over the summer. But he's still kept his intense speed. Hoping he gets a gig in the middle. Because he's hard and smart

38.Nick Coughlan
Can only see Nick getting small amounts of time on the ground. Has plenty to do before he makes it. But he's tracking alright as a key defender

39.Cameron Shenton
Trying to reinvent himself as a forward, he's a good mark. But I don't think he's kicking skills have improved much.

40.Jack Sinclair
Super quads will play his standard foward role and probably swap around in the midfield to give others a rest.

42.Lewis Pierce
Will be used as the 2/3 Ruckman sharing with Holmes. Needs to start showing some promise.

43.Brenton Payne
This kid could surprise us. He has awesome hands, just needs some more bulk. Could impress up forward

44.Maverick Weller
Hard as nails as we know. And will show his skills up forward and in the middle. He will show his leadership up forward, which is what we are lacking without Nroo

45.Jason Holmes
The big guy will just be used for center ruck taps and that's about it. Still looks awkward when trying to mark and carry, but he could still make it.

[Bill Manspeaker]

great post mate. reckon Savage is a shoo in for a supergoal. be interesting to see Dunstan and Ross go at it together in the middle, also excited to see Blacres. hope he can take his game to the next level. pumped to see little Gresh

[Pkbaldy]

Well I was right... Time for Newnes to show his leadership. He will be the Captain for the game! Whoooop!

[T Dog]

Well I was right... Time for Newnes to show his leadership. He will be the Captain for the game! Whoooop!

Newnes?  Newnes???...nup..doesn't ring a bell   

[Pkbaldy]

I couldn't make it to the game sadly. But a mate gave me minute by minute reviews (Like 500 FB messages...), so I had a good indication of what was going on. And he is a Kangaroo's supporter, so there was no bias when it came to players he liked, he knew about 5 guys and the rest he just told me their numbers.

 Although the score wasn't great, a lot of our young guys stepped up and showed what they can do against a fairly strong Roo's side. To start with a great positive, Jack Newnes leadership. Apparently he didn't shut up all day, talking to his players on the field, pulling up people when their direct opponent snuck too far away from them and stayed on the field for nearly the entire match (90% TOG).

Another great positive was Seb Ross. This guy is going to be a future pig. I can feel it. I had my own doubts about him a few years ago. But just like his cousin, he's a late bloomer. And now he will show his stuff. Ended up with 26 touches, 4 clearances and 5 tackles. that's how you show a bit of grunt in the middle, even against players like Swallow and Cunnington. I'd be scared if I was Luke Dunstan, this guy could take his 'spot' in the midfield with ease.

A downfall for us was pressure up forward. Apparently once the Roo's defenders got control of the ball out of defense, we pretty much just left them enough space to drive a truch through. Not good, seeing as I thought our forward pressure was one of the biggest improvements last season.

St Kilda NAB Votes:
5. Seb Ross
4. Jack Newnes
3. Jimmy Webster
2. Tom Curren
1. Josh Bruce

Overall I was pretty happy with our teams effort. I know the game blew out after half time, but we showed glimpses of what's to come. Can't wait for the second game against Brisbane, and I'll try and do another one of these if I manage to get my hands on a good load of information on the game.

[Bill Manspeaker]

I have no idea how to make it show up as the tweet



“Old man played with this champ back in the day, what's the chances of playing against him 20 yrs later!” @Jgresh22

[Pkbaldy]

I have no idea how to make it show up as the tweet



“Old man played with this champ back in the day, what's the chances of playing against him 20 yrs later!” @Jgresh22

Sneaky chance he could be the daddy?? Done the dirty on his mate haha

[Bill Manspeaker]

Sneaky chance he could be the daddy?? Done the dirty on his mate haha

wouldn't be a bad thing, might have a Boomer jnr on our hands. that'd be nice

[frenzy]

kangas should claim him under father/son.