Wilkie

[WellardSaint]

Although he tried, several times he was caught out, unbalanced, overpowered.

One horrible thing was kicking to one Saint who had 3 lions within 8m.
And ball went to a Lion.

I just lost it

[mad saint guy]

Had a poor couple of weeks after being outstanding all season prior. Brisbane have some seriously tall forwards though which makes it tough for Wilkie who is a bit undersized.

[SaintPav]

Lost some form but Wilke is not the problem.

[wally]

I think the last few weeks the game has been played mostly in the opposition forward line and he’s had to be more accountable in a congested area and not able to drop off as much. Teams are putting more time into nullifying his influence.

[cwrcyn]

Playing against a guy 12cm taller and 6kg heavier is a tough gig when the opposition is killing you in the midfield.

[skeptic]

It’s an interesting one because Howard is copping all the criticism due to the more obvious blunders but Wilkie has been just as bad or maybe worse. His aerial work has been especially poor.

All of that said…

Neither are the problem and have just been the victims of more intense pressure.

[Teflon]

Aa Lyon said in his presser so we’ll
We put no delay in the ball coming in
It doesn’t matter who you are if that ball is coming in with f all pressure on it …their forwards will have a field day

[B.M]

Wilkie is being asked to play a role which is near impossible

He should be a third but is getting asked to be a key

At 191cm being asked to play on Hipwood 201 or Daniher 201 is really above his pay grade

He is very good but very undersized

[magnifisaint]

So Wilkie is playing Howard's role because Howard isn't good enough.

[saintkev]

So Wilkie is playing Howard's role because Howard isn't good enough.

Too true. Howard is allowed to guard space, slag off his team-mates, spit the chewy, make stupid decisions, be unaccountable and soft as buttermilk.

[Killa]

For the umpteenth time, structurally we are short of support for Marshall, King and Howard hence found out as we were last night by a side once again right in contention for the Premiership.

Marshall is supported by Owens at 191cm

Howard is supported by Battle at 193cm and Wilkie at 191cm.

King is now supported by Caminiti at 196cm, Caminiti a dozen games into his AFL career - and King how many games in plus coming off a long term injury.

It was interesting to see (granted on TV so not ideal in forming opinion) that Adams played well today, in conditions which did not suit.

Heath contested and took some grabs whilst Keeler and Van Es tried (again noting the conditions).

Last night we were badly beaten in the contest, starting with the ruck dominance we conceded.

And when we did get it we were under pressure, unable to find space, release and run.

This is a side which includes Wanganeen-Milera, Owens, Caminiti, Windhager, Phillipou and Sharman, all starting out along with King.

This puts pressure on our own experienced players, some currently not performing to expectation including because their accountability is for mature players of superior size.

And these experienced players are experienced in St Kilda context, not competition context with at least a couple of hundred games under their belts and competition leading players, influencing results.

It was hard to find good players last night, only Sinclair, Wanganeen-Milera, Hill, Crouch and maybe Woods and Battle not lowering their colors.

We will have to find another dimension in Perth next week, then Melbourne awaits.

Then Gold Coast up there, then North Melbourne, Hawthorn, Carlton, Richmond, Geelong and Brisbane again up there.

Can that get us to 13/14 wins?

And, making finals, will we just be making up the numbers?

We still have some very useful players to return, starting with 3 top 10 Draft Picks being Billings, Clark and Coffield, then Jones, McKenzie, Membrey and others putting pressure on - but returning so late in a season is fraught.

[CQ SAINT]

For the umpteenth time, structurally we are short of support for Marshall, King and Howard hence found out as we were last night by a side once again right in contention for the Premiership.

Marshall is supported by Owens at 191cm

Howard is supported by Battle at 193cm and Wilkie at 191cm.

King is now supported by Caminiti at 196cm, Caminiti a dozen games into his AFL career - and King how many games in plus coming off a long term injury.

It was interesting to see (granted on TV so not ideal in forming opinion) that Adams played well today, in conditions which did not suit.

Heath contested and took some grabs whilst Keeler and Van Es tried (again noting the conditions).

Last night we were badly beaten in the contest, starting with the ruck dominance we conceded.

And when we did get it we were under pressure, unable to find space, release and run.

This is a side which includes Wanganeen-Milera, Owens, Caminiti, Windhager, Phillipou and Sharman, all starting out along with King.

This puts pressure on our own experienced players, some currently not performing to expectation including because their accountability is for mature players of superior size.

And these experienced players are experienced in St Kilda context, not competition context with at least a couple of hundred games under their belts and competition leading players, influencing results.

It was hard to find good players last night, only Sinclair, Wanganeen-Milera, Hill, Crouch and maybe Woods and Battle not lowering their colors.

We will have to find another dimension in Perth next week, then Melbourne awaits.

Then Gold Coast up there, then North Melbourne, Hawthorn, Carlton, Richmond, Geelong and Brisbane again up there.

Can that get us to 13/14 wins?

And, making finals, will we just be making up the numbers?

We still have some very useful players to return, starting with 3 top 10 Draft Picks being Billings, Clark and Coffield, then Jones, McKenzie, Membrey and others putting pressure on - but returning so late in a season is fraught.

So, Billings, Coffield and Clark's timing seems much better aimed at next year, with high hopes for a return for Billings and Clark this year.

Jones and Mackenzie will need 3/4 preparation games and perhaps Seb Ross will be seen walking out of Olympic Park this week. Coffield will be nervously awaiting a medical clearance.

It is these six players, Coffield excluded who will need to contribute most to the midfield problem.

Bytel seems the only immediate choice, while Billings' timing and experience may give Phillipou a well needed rest.

Time is on the side of Heath, Adams, Van Es and Keeler.
Hayes was bought in to support both King and Marshall and a forward line consisting of Hayes, Caminiti and King, should buy time for the younger, less physically developed men mentioned above.
Hayes presenting with strength, endurance and marking prowess while Caminiti is dynamic and maintains high speed movement.