Don't worry -- to "prove" that they do indeed take head contact seriously, the AFL (and its media) will come down savagely on a player of the Saints, or some lesser club, at the earlier opportunity.

Check out the commentary surrounding last year's Paddy Ryder-Will Day incident compared to what we're getting from the same people re Maynard-Brayshaw. Unbelievable!

Some of our players give the impression of feeling entitled -- e.g. Max King of Haileybury, used to towering over his opponents at school level. Dan Bulter and Higgo playing for free kicks. To his credit, Kingsley has got the GWS playing blue collar football. RTB is blue collar too but hasn't yet fu...

I don't want to appear disingenuous here, but we had five guys inside the side yesterday who are teenagers, or who were at the beginning of the season. Then you add Cooper Sharman, another youngster. From the outset let me announce that I was confident of beating GWS in a final in Melbourne going b...

Some brutal assessments here but having one of your leaders bow out on game-day is clearly a downer. Too much mental fragility is encouraged at Moorabbin -- I've been banging on about it for years. Was it both Membrey and Ross who were given compassionate leave in the game against Adelaide in 2021 w...

Paddy Ryder says hello.

Steven Baker 8 weeks

LUKE DUNSTAN: Cheesed off at not getting regular games in our midfield, joined one of the league's best midfields and predictably couldn't get a game. Sadly suffering an ACL inhury and almost certain to be delisted. VERDICT: No regrets JACK NEWNES: Two indifferent years with the Blues but scored a c...

RTB should show the stirring piece from 2.03.08 to the playing group. Unfinished business!

"It's amazing where I'm standing,
There's a lot more we can give,
This is ours just for the moment,
There's a lot more we can give."

Whatever Peter Bell asks for is too much.

Would like to see him at Moorabbin but hopefully Silvagni has a cooler head than previous hagglers.

Saints will win if they don't pick and choose.

Look for Hill throwing himself over the boots of opponents to smother balls. If that happens then we're switched on.

GWS managed to overcome and silence the very loud and parochial Carlton crowd on Sunday.

C'mon Sainters -- get along to the MCG and be so loud and united that they crack.

It all came apart for Timmy at that Hawthorn comeback game. Spida Everitt giving away a succession of 50s then glaring at the coach's box as he was dragged. You just knew that discipline had collapsed.

We've just had our best home and away season since 2011, RTB's previous year as Saints coach. Those arguing that the coach makes no difference have set themselves a challenge.

Because of course it was.

Quite chilling how the Swines get looked after.

Surreal seeing David King say "I love watching the Sainrs" and "You'd hate to play them in the finals".

Don't remember if he joined the chorus but most pundits were saying the exact opposite just a few weeks ago.

Yes they should. They should be on points having carried on from half time against Carlton last week. Or having finished the job vs Collingwood or Port. Or having gotten the jump on the Hawks and Richmond the first time we played them. Or by dismantling GC the second time we played. Or we could do ...

A complete shambles. At the very least a review was called for.

if Collingwood or Essendnon was in danger of mssing the finals the AFL would feel compelled to do something.

The Saints? Suck it up and just remember who subsidises your club.

Started to doubt RTB after the GC loss but this looks like our best season since his previous year as Saints coach, 2011.

Only problem is ... we still might not make the 8, partly due to the Injectors's pathetic effort and partly due to a wonky goal umpire in Adelaide.

Is it possible we could finish ninth on 13 wins?

Cripps gifted a goal for Oliver's "throw" which appeared to be a handball.

Or at least that's what I saw from a very brief glimpse, since Channel Seeven seemed unsuusally determined not to show it.

We'll probably get Ned.

Melbourne also did a Bulldogs . And might win it again this year. No reason we can't win a flag if we do everything right. Unfortunately, making dumb decisions seems to be something of a contagion. How many times over recent years have I said to myself, "I hope they know what they're doing...&q...

Well, if Gresh ever ventures onto this site he certainly won't be staying.

It's a pity because other clubs want him for a reason. He has definite talent but hasn't been used properly, partly because he overestimated his own abilities as a midfielder, and partly because we have other goal-sneaks.

True, our position at this stage exceeds all off-season expectations.

Nevertheless it's a demonstrative, embarrassing failure to squander an 8-4 start (again) and fail to make finals.