What Everybody Ought to Know About The Saints in 08
The Saints, who finished ninth last year and well below the lofty expectations of many football observers, will be hoping to launch themselves up the AFL ladder in 2008.
Let’s take a look at the incoming and outgoing players for 2008.
ADDITIONS:
Exchange period – received: Sean Dempster (Sydney), Charlie Gardiner (Geelong), Steven King (Geelong), Adam Schneider
(Sydney)
Rookie elevation: Jarryn Geary, Clinton Jones
Scholarship elevation: Khan Haretuku (rookie)
NAB AFL Draft: Eljay Connors (Bendigo Pioneers), Fraser Gehrig (St Kilda), Ben McEvoy (Murray Bushrangers), Jack Steven (Geelong Falcons)
DELETIONS:
Retired: Matthew Clarke, Fraser Gehrig, Aaron Hamill, Andrew Thompson, Brett Voss
Delisted: Barry Brooks, Andrew McQualter, Phil Raymond, Justin Sweeney, Fergus Watts, James Wall (rookie)
New found ruck strength.
An area that the Saints will be looking to improve on which has been an area that has caused them great concern for the last few years will be in the Ruck department. But heading into the 2008 season the Saints big men look to be in good shape. Michael Gardner is fit and raring to go, and they have drafted Geelong Premiership ruck man Steven King, who a lot of people regard as a bit of a dud pick up but I for one think that they have made a great decision. Then throw Justin Koschitzke, Michael Rix and Jason Blake into the mix and suddenly they have a plethora of big men to choose from. The Saints onballers with be salivating at the prospect.
A stat that I found quite alarming was the fact that the Saints were ranked last in points scored per game. Although Fraser
Gehrig was their leading goal kicker I am just not sure he is the answer and I can not believe they re drafted him. If he is to make a difference to the Saints he needs to be a more consistent goal scorer and not just kick a couple of bags of goals and end up winning the goal kicking. Maybe the Saints can rest him unless they are playing at the Telstra Dome.
Ross Lyon needs to do some re thinking in the setup of the Saints forward line because I would probably put Stephen Milne in a similar boat to Gehrig in that he needs to be a consistent goal scorer and not just kick goals under the roof. Nick Riewoldt will no doubt be a consistent performer down there but his goal kicking at times lets him down and I don’t think he is the man to rely on in terms of goals. Don’t get me wrong he is a superstar but I just think he plays better up the ground a bit more as a leading, hard working Centre Half Forward than in front of the big sticks. Maybe an option now that the Saints have some great cattle for the Ruck position, they could throw Justin Koschitzke in front of goals. The onballers in Dal Santo, Montagna, Harvey, and Hayes need to bring some goal kicking into their games as well. These 4 players kicked 27 goals between them last year and that is certainly an area they could get some more goals from. The inclusion of Charlie Gardner and Adam Schneider could also bolster the goal scoring options for the Saints.
Defense looking good
In the defensive half the return of Matt McGuire will be a huge boost for the Saints, his leadership, toughness and long kicking from defence will be welcomed by the back 6. The emergence of the lanky Sam Gilbert was refreshing and it looks like he is ready to become a permanent fixture in the defensive half. James Gwilt is another young player for the Saints that will have gained great experience last year, he found himself playing on some quality forwards and that will have improved his football immensely. He will be one too watch in 08. The Fisher’s are forming quite a partnership as well down there, and let’s not forget the reliable Max Hudghton. So all in all the defence of the Saints is looking very promising and ready to tackle any forward line that comes their way.
More quality needed from the midfield
Some people may find this a bit harsh but in the midfield I think Luke Ball can give the Saints a bit more in terms of quality possessions. He averaged a touch over 19 in 07 and I would think that would be below the standards that he would be setting himself. Nick Dal Santo is another player that while he gets quite a bit of the footy doesn’t seem to hurt the opposition as much as I think he can with his touches. In what will surely be his last season veteran Robert Harvey, who apparently is burning up the track as per normal, will give the Saints lots of touches through the middle of the ground. He certainly is a freak.
A little of topic but I heard a story one day where former coach Grant Thomas used to get phone calls from people during pre season saying that they had seen Harvey out running the streets. Thomas knew it was his day off and he should have been resting or some other sort of fitness work that had been agreed to by the fitness staff to ease Harvey through the pre season. But Thomas thought that Harvey should know his body better than anyone else and he neglected to tell the fitness staff of Harvey’s antics. Now is that dedication or just plain stupid?
Alright back on topic, the Saints do have some quality players in the middle of the ground I just think they can get more damaging touches from a few of them. As I said that maybe a bit harsh but it is a tough game at the top of the table when you consider the ilk of Geelong and even Collingwood.
Let’s hope the Saints can deliver on all their potential and send legend Robert Harvey off (providing it is his last year of course) with a bang.
Ladder Position: 8th
Got an opinion on the Saints prospects in the 2008 AFL Premiership Season? Post your comment and let us know your thoughts.
